Friends of Gualala River Protecting the Gualala River watershed and the species living within it

Dominating the celebratory opening of the first meeting of the new year for Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) was the continuing relief, pleasure, gratitude, and absolute joy in learning that Mill Bend is now in the hands of Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. See the article Mill Bend in Conservation Hands by John Walton, telling more about this achievement for all …

During the last year, Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) and its all-volunteer membership made great strides with countless hours of work to protect the river and advocate for all the plant and animal species that are part of the watershed. We have used our donated monies to continue the battle to stop egregious floodplain logging plans by hiring attorneys and …

by Jeanne Jackson The Return to Writ on the Dogwood timber harvest plan (THP) was heard Friday Jan. 24, 2020, in Superior Court by Judge Wick. The two matters being considered were “alternatives” and “cumulative impacts.” In a tentative ruling, Judge Wick ruled against FoGR and sided with Cal-Fire. The final ruling from the hearing is due shortly. The one …

by John Walton   In the fall of 2017, the Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) working group considered a proposal to engage the community in a discussion regarding the 112 acre Mill Bend Properties, including the estuary of the river, that had recently been offered for sale for the first time in nearly 70 years. FoGR’s Board suggested presenting the …

We include here a list of donors to Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) throughout 2019. If you join this group for 2020, you’ll enjoy and appreciate the company of others who care about protecting our river. We can guarantee this reward! Allemal Foundation Anonymous Robin Applegarth Barbara Baer Laura Baker Christina Batt Tempra Board Mary Boyvey Ellen Brown Craig Brestrup …

Update – November, 2019: Added Pre-Harvest Inspection report by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with the attached “Revised Flood Prone Area Assessment of the Little THP” and two maps from that attachment. Also added a letter from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) commenting on the Little THP. — see below. Gualala Redwoods Timber has submitted another floodplain logging …

by Alastair Bland, Nation Public Radio’s “The Salt,” November 18, 2019 [excerpt:] After California wine industry mogul Hugh Reimers illegally destroyed at least 140 acres of forest, meadow and stream in part to make way for new vineyards sometime last winter, according to a report from state investigators, state officials ordered the Krasilsa Pacific Farms manager to repair and mitigate …

by Mary Callahan, The Press Democrat, November 4, 2019 [excerpt:] A 112-acre swath of land just inside the mouth of the Gualala River, including 13 acres of river frontage adjacent to Gualala Point Regional Park, is on its way to permanent preservation for public recreation and habitat conservation. Long sought by the community to improve public access to the river …

Climate change and its consequences are arguably the biggest existential threat to mankind and life on earth. Any foreseeable levels of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will not be enough to meet the conservative 2.0º C target that climate scientists say is needed. We need to increase carbon sequestration in existing forests, wetlands and soils. This study points to conserving …

by Paul Mann Mad River Union, June 10, 2016 [excerpt:] Timber industry officials and environmental activists warn that the state’s logging safeguards have become a bureaucratic snarl that can drag out rule-making for a decade and a half and more. Experts say that 43 years after the enactment of the Forest Practice Act, timescales are so out of joint that …

The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) provides a wealth of information on forestry issues in northern California, including: How a Timber Harvest Plan Works Timber Harvest Plans in California: Review, Tracking, and Comment Writing – THP Workshop     EPIC is a community based, non-profit organization that advocates for science-based protection and restoration of Northwest California’s Forests.  

by W. W. Keller August 9, 2019 © copyright 2019, Independent Coast Observer, Gualala, CA reprinted with permission In a letter dated July 31, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or CalFire approved the third controversial Dogwood timber harvest plan stating, “You may begin timber operations proposed in the plan.” But while the letter says that property owner …

by Tempra Board Soundings, Summer, 2019 © copyright 2019, The Sea Ranch Association reprinted with permission Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) has been in the news lately for its efforts to compel state agencies to protect sensitive Gualala River watershed habitat from the latest in a series of Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) proposed by the Gualala Redwood Timber (GRT) company. Get …

and 3,000 signatures oppose third Dogwood logging plan by W. W. Keller news@mendonoma.com May 31, 2019 © copyright 2019, Independent Coast Observer, Gualala, CA reprinted with permission The Gualala River Park Coalition, a grassroots environmental organization, has collected more than 1,100 signatures from people who would rather turn the Gualala River floodplain into a public park than see its redwoods …

ACORN Partners in Education’s Students Protecting the Coast program with Pacific Community Charter School 6th-8th grade students and Friends of Gualala River.

  This photo is typical of how it was, back in the day when fishermen could walk across the backs of steelhead and Salmon in the Gualala River. No one considered conservation, because there were so many fish. Unfortunately with habitat degradation and people all killing their limit, things have changed radically. Now that the regulations require catch and release, …

Comments by Dr. Peter Baye (coastal ecologist, botanist) on the latest version of the “Dogwood” floodplain logging plan (THP 1-15-042-SON): Download & read the entire letter (8 pages, 310 KB)   The entire letter is well worth reading, but here’s a short excerpt (not a summary) to whet your appetite: Seasonal wetlands are widespread in the floodplain of the river, …

by Mary Callahan, The Press Democrat, April 25, 2019 [excerpt:] Provoked by a new round of scrutiny over hard-fought plans to harvest timber in the Gualala River floodplain, a contingent of North Coast residents has launched a petition drive to use the land for expansion of a public park instead. It’s the stuff of fantasy for the moment, given the …

Spanning from bridge to bridge along a wild and scenic river A unique and majestic coastal redwood park with paths wandering along the Gualala River – protected and preserved for this and future generations to visit and enjoy. The park would preserve a seven mile corridor important for wildlife and complete with natural beauty. Public access to world class second …

CAL FIRE has reopened the Dogwood Timber Harvest Plan (THP 1-15-042-SON) once again for public comment. Friends of Gualala River’s (FoGR) preliminary assessment of the recirculated Dogwood THP is presented in summary form below, for consideration by any citizen or organization preparing comments on the recirculated THP. FoGR encourages all commenters to independently read and assess relevant parts of the …