I initially started off with this 77th Diggin’In column intending to delve deeply into Northwest Mendocino County: the history, many details, a long overview, its present, and its potential future. There would be many contexts, including, but not limited to, the wild, rugged Coast between Hardy Creek where Highway 1 leaves the Pacific, and the Pacific confluence of the Eel River. The writing got too involved, complex, and too long very fast, going beyond a short article. I will bring some of what I started into this column, but will have to defer that in-depth examination to a future larger effort, or if you are interested in part of the long version, you can find it on digitalcommons.humboldt.edu by searching the title: Timber Wars and Aftermath in Northwest Coastal California, or at this link. Here is an excerpt:

“My most extended involvement has been in the Northwest of Mendocino County, particularly along the Sinkyone Wilderness coast, inland to the South Fork Eel River, and the headwaters of the Mattole River. From that involvement, and others, my first thought is that the Timber Wars are not over. There may not be the obvious high-profile conflicts covered by the media – like the Redwood National Park expansion, saving the Sally Bell Grove, and the Headwaters Forest – but the deep conflicts of conservation and stewardship of forestlands remain, as does the whole realm of conservation ethics in light of economic/environmental/social/cultural needs and pressures.”

There is so much that’s gone on, that’s going on, and will go on – hard to know how to start and what to include. A good/bad place to start is Governor Newsom’s March 1 “PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY”. It can be found at the link: gov.ca.gov by searching “state of emergency.” It is already in effect and will end up affecting almost all of us, maybe not as much as Trump’s call for raking the forests, maybe more. Potentially enabling emergency rebuilding, fire protection etc., but with exemptions for application of CEQA and other basic standards having the potential to build, build again in dangerous situations with high risks from earthquake, flood, fire, landslide, or torrent.

A couple of listings on the California Board of Forestry website, bof.fire.ca.gov include information for the public to stay updated on meetings and webinars about forests and fire. Today’s examples are Zone Zero, the new zone of no flammable material within five feet of buildings, a Regulation Advisory Committee meeting, and a Public Fire Risk Reduction Community List Webinar—Special Districts & Tribal Nations.

The Struggle Continues

The struggles continue over reform of Jackson Demonstration State Forest, forest practices, forest & watershed recovery, cultural protection, co-management, co-governance, and Land Back. Assembly Bill (AB) 1284, signed into law on September 27, 2024, establishes the “Tribal Cogovernance and Comanagement of Ancestral Lands and Waters Act,” enabling the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to act as a signatory for the state in agreements with federally recognized Tribes for natural resource management. AB 52, regarding consultation and cultural protection, amendments can be found at legiscan.com/CA/text/AB52

A related proposed law regarding adequate water for fish in the Shasta and Scott Rivers, tributaries of the Klamath AB 263: “This bill would provide that specified emergency regulations adopted by the board for the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds shall remain in effect until permanent rules establishing and implementing long-term instream flow requirements are adopted for those watersheds.”

The struggle over the proposed Redwood Trail continues. In March, the Kinest’e Coalition invited the community to a meeting about the proposed trail at the Mateel. kymkemp.com has reports from the White Lily Clan of the Wailaki Tribe on her page.

Some Positive Developments: Coho Resurgence

Recovery and restoration is happening in the Indian Creek Watershed and its tributaries between the coastal Bear Harbor and Wolf Creek watersheds and the South Fork Eel River across from old Piercy. Involved landholders include, but are not limited to, Lost Coast Forestland, Redwood Forest Foundation/Usal Redwood Forest, InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council, and Bureau of Land Management. A recently submitted proposal for fire and landscape recovery work includes the Chinquapin Tan Oak Grove, the ridges between there and Kenny, into the Gulch 7 tributary of the Coho refugia of Anderson Creek, the ridge between Coulborn and Sebbas Creeks, and “the top-of-the-world” between Indian, Piercy, Usal, and Standley Creeks. Local Wailaki and other communities will be involved with this and other projects’ planning and implementation as they are funded.

From fisheries biologist Nathan Queener of the Mattole Salmon Group, “This past winter more live adult coho were observed on the spawning grounds in the Mattole than the total over the previous 15 years! This was also the greatest number of coho observed in a single season since the winter of 2004-2005. For a population that has teetered on the brink of extirpation, with returns some winters appearing no more than single digits, this is very encouraging. We have fingers crossed for later spring rains and a mild summer that provides good rearing conditions for what will likely be more juvenile coho than the watershed has seen in two decades.”

A restoration project proposal for the riparian and instream habitat for the Northwest Mendocino Gulch 7 Anderson Creek tributary is nearing completion. Some photos of that watershed and creek, and other Indian Creek tributaries are included here. Six project surveyors were overjoyed a couple of weeks ago when emergent coho fry were filmed in the Gulch 7 Creek. A few years ago that stream was assumed to be without fish, but then steelhead were observed, and now coho! Lots of historical damage has been done between ridgetop and stream, but we are working our way to a recovery approach and action that integrates the whole scope at once.

Please get involved whenever and wherever you can. Get in touch with those organizations and folks that can help your interests and efforts.

Richard Gienger, Restoration Leadership Project

In Memoriam: Richard Remembers

Things are pretty intense whether one is talking about fire, restoration, cultural change, recovery, conflict, survival, Armageddon, or 1984. We continue being shocked and grieving over the passing of dear friends and inspirations for so many.

Remembering Priscilla Hunter

Priscilla Hunter, honored leader of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the InterTribal Sinkyine Wilderness Council, passed on in November, surrounded by her loving family. During her life, she engaged and led many just causes, whether it was in respect, empowerment, and Landback, for Coyote Valley, the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness, Jackson Demonstration State Forest, or issues and places in California and beyond.

She served many terms on the California Native American Heritage Commission. In the 1980s, she became the leader of the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council and was key in making Landback real in California and on the Coast. More than half of the 7,800 acres wrested from Georgia-Pacific for protection were returned to that InterTribal Indigenous coalition. When at first only a tiny watershed near Usal was presented for a “tribal park” appeasement, she asked, “But where will we dance?” This prompted a complete reality check and change in outcome by the State of California. Many stories to tell. She will continue to inspire. Some links can be found in the Mendocino Voice by searching her name and on the EPIC website, wildcalifornia.org. In addition, a tribute to Priscilla by the California State Assemblymember James Ramos can be found on YouTube.

From The Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness website:

“The InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council lost a great leader and friend with the passing of its Chairwoman and co-founder, Priscilla Hunter, who journeyed home to her ancestors on November 20, 2024. Priscilla was a fierce champion of Indigenous rights and the rights of nature. Along with other Tribal activists, she co-founded the Sinkyone Council in December 1986 to help defend Tribes’ inherent rights and protect the redwood forests and salmon streams of Sinkyone from the devastation of clearcut logging. Priscilla co-led initiatives leading to the return of over 4,531 acres of traditional Sinkyone lands to the Sinkyone Council, and the designation of these lands as Tribal Protected Areas permanently safeguarded for the sake of nature and future generations. She spearheaded important and successful policy initiatives to recognize Tribal cultural rights in marine protected areas, and to protect sea mammals and Tribes’ cultural values. Priscilla was a fearless advocate for Tribal traditional lands, waters, and cultures. She had an inherent sense of how to lead this movement, and the strength and humor needed to do it well. Her legacy will continue in our hearts and in these lands forever.” sinkyone.org/news

There will be a book event at the Mendocino County Museum in Willits on Sun., May 25 at 12:3 for Coyote Valley: Building a Tribal Nation written by Kim Bancroft with Priscilla Hunter. There will be some copies available. The proceeds go to the Priscilla Hunter Lands and Water Scholarship Fund.

Remembering Bill Heil

Bill Heil, long-time activist for the forest and humanity, suddenly and shockingly passed in March of 2025. He was loved and part of an inseparable decades-long team with Linda Perkins. Both of them were part of the founding heart-and-soul of the Redwood Forest Foundation (RFFI), as well as community and forest “civil defense”. Bill was RFFI’s unofficial but constant presence as the chaplain. His staunch Earth First! and justice perspective, dedicated skill as a mobile mill operator, and advocacy for youth and working people are legendary – an indelible presence. The Anderson Valley Advertiser has a wonderful tribute with a remarkable glowing photo: theava.com/archives/262819

Digging Deeper

Learn about the Klamath, the Eel, all the related issues, and the needed awareness and action. The Klamath Dams ARE OUT – salmon return! Check out yuroktribe.org/ and videos at vimeo.com/swiftwaterfilms

The Eel River dams are on their way out! See related listed groups below:

Eel River Restoration Project, eelriverrecovery.org
Trout Unlimited, tu.org
CalTrout, caltrout.org
The Wildfire and Forest Resiliency Task Force, wildfiretaskforce.org
North Coast Resource Partnership, northcoastresourcepartnership.org