Was New

A chronological listing of information added to this site.
[Where What's New items go when they're no longer new.]

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Diverting water from a Wild & Scenic River?  new 10/12/07
Mendocino County studies a plan to divert water from the Wild & Scenic Eel River. If they succeed, the Wild & Scenic Gualala River would also be threatened.

Harvesting old growth redwood logs  new 9/28/07
Manufacture of expensive old-growth redwood furniture and other forest products in the marketing guise of forest "restoration" in Annapolis.

Logging above the town of Gualala   new 9/28/07
The Robinson Terrace logging plan covers 74 acres, half of which are to be clear-cut, directly above the town of Gualala, in an area zoned Gualala Planned Development. The plan was approved September 28, 2007.

Protecting Sonoma County's riparian corridors   new 9/28/07
Letter from the Sonoma County Water Coalition (of which FoGR is a member) on protection for riparian corridors in the Sonoma County General Plan Update.

The Gualala River needs YOUR help  new 9/20/07
Please donate generously to protect the quality of our water and ensure the continued existence of healthy redwood forests, wildlife and salmon.

Fluctuating water levels?   new 9/19/07
This summer (2007), water levels in the Gualala River adjacent to "vineyard alley" in Annapolis have been fluctuating up and down dramatically, killing young steelhead.

Gravel Mining in the Gualala River   update 9/11/07
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on a permit for gravel mining in the Gualala River on October 23, 2007. Gravel mining proceeded in 2005 and 2006 without County or federal permits.

Gualala Redwoods seeks development partner   new 8/28/07
Gualala Redwoods, Inc. is seeking a joint venture development partner for its 58 acre "Gualala Village" tract.

FoGR award at Art in the Redwoods   new 8/28/07
Congratulations to local artist Bruce Jones for his watercolor painting, "The Yellow Hat," which was chosen for the sixth annual Environmental Award presented by Friends of the Gualala River.

Planting forests is better for climate than biofuels   new 8/25/07
Reforestation and habitat protection will do more to mitigate climate change than using biofuels, say two British researchers in the AAAS publication Science (August 2007).

Gravel Mining in the Gualala River   new 8/16/07
The Sonoma County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a permit for gravel mining in the Gualala River on September 6, 2007. Gravel mining proceeded in 2005 and 2006 without County or federal permits.

CalPERS vineyard venture attacked   new 8/6/07
A $100 million investment in vineyards by the California Public Employees' Retirement System is sour grapes to environmentalists, who claim the project violates the pension plan's own campaign against global warming. - August 5, 2007, Sacramento Bee

Logging above the town of Gualala?   new 7/8/07
The Robinson Terrace logging plan covers 74 acres, half of which are to be clear-cut, directly above the town of Gualala, in an area zoned Gualala Planned Development. The Gualala Town Plan calls for extensive public participation in the development process.

CCC requires permit for Gualala fireworks   new 6/15/07
To protect nearby seabird roosts and rookeries from disturbance, among other reasons, the California Coastal Commission requires a permit for fireworks over the mouth of the Gualala River. There is not enough time to complete the permit process this year (2007).

Field Trip: Gualala River lagoon
Saturday, June 9, 2007, 10:00 a.m.   new 6/6/07
A field trip to the beach, dunes, lagoon and wetlands of the Gualala River mouth. Dr. Peter Baye, coastal plant ecologist, will show the difference between typical tidal estuaries and the cycles of coastal stream mouth lagoon formation behind barrier beaches like Gualala Point, and how the vegetation, plant species, and wetland/aquatic habitats adapt to lagoon cycles.

Meet at the parking lot closest to the beach at Gualala Point Regional Park (west of Highway 1), near the visitor's kiosk.

Sponsored by the California Native Plant Society - Dorothy King Young Chapter and Friends of the Gualala River.

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Gualala River Steelhead Studies   new 5/13/07
A robust spawning return for 2007 shows that the steelhead population is still quite resilient... [but] solutions to the river's habitat problems must begin soon or population viability will eventually be compromised, possibly sending steelhead down the same path as the river's coho salmon.

"Worse than a Clearcut"   new 5/8/07
The Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club has just released a short video designed to educate the public and decision-makers about the proposed Preservation Ranch vineyard development project.

Court rules EIR required for vineyard conversion   new 5/3/07
In Sierra Club and Friends of the Gualala River v. CA. Dept. of Forestry, the appellate court rules that "...there is substantial evidence to support a fair argument that the timberland conversion project may have a significant effect on the environment, thus requiring the preparation of an EIR [Environmental Impact Report]."

Fireworks over the Gualala River lagoon?   new 5/3/07
The 2006 fireworks caused significant disturbance of seabird and other waterbird roosts and rookeries. We advocate re-location of the event to any appropriate alternative site that is less environmentally sensitive.

Coastal Ridges: Robinson Creek THP   new 4/25/07
Several new letters regarding proposed logging on the badly cut-over Longview Tract, and the Department of Forestry's dificulties in following California's environmental laws.

Benefit for Friends of the Gualala River   new 12/3/06
For the fourth year, the Iseum of Mary/Isis invites the community to join in a Winter Solstice Celebration on Friday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m. as a benefit for Friends of the Gualala River.

Expand Gualala Point Park   new 11/5/06
The choices we make now and the actions we take will determine what type of river our grandchildren and their grandchildren will inherit.

Stream & Wetlands Protection Meetings   new 11/5/06
Public workshops and CEQA scoping meetings on the proposed North Coast Stream & Wetlands Protection Policy:

• November 27 in Eureka
• November 28 in Yreka
• November 30 in Santa Rosa

Annapolis Area Timberland Conversion Project   new 10/27/06
An Environmental Impact Report is being prepared for the proposed Roessler & Martin vineyard conversions in the Annapolis area. Written comments are due October 31 by 4pm.

new 10/7/06

Annapolis Area Timberland Conversion Project EIR Scoping Meeting Thursday, October 19, 6:00 p.m. Multipurpose Room, Horicon School 35555 Annapolis Road Annapolis, CA 95412

The proposed Roessler & Martin vineyard conversions (aka "Annapolis Area Timberland Conversion Project") may have a significant effect on the environment, and are therefore required by law to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The CA Department of Forestry is holding a meeting in Annapolis to hear from the public on which issues should be included in the scope of the report.

new 10/2/06

Success Stories of the Open Space District Saturday, October 7, 3:00 p.m. Del Mar Center The Sea Ranch, CA 95497

Andrea Mackenzie, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, will discuss "Success Stories of the Open Space District" at The Sea Ranch Forum on Saturday, October 7, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Manchester School receives FoGR grant   new 10/2/06
Friends of the Gualala River awarded Manchester School its first grant to help develop a system of nature paths and outdoor classrooms on the school campus. The nature trail is a significant component of the playground and community park being built on the school property.

FoGR award at Environmental Art exhibit   new 10/2/06
Friends of the Gualala River (FoGR) sponsored an award at the Environmental Art exhibit at the Gualala Arts Center in September 2006. Congratulations to local artist Jane Reichhold for her award-winning piece, "It Pays to Pick Up Litter."

Commercial harvest of old-growth redwood logs,   new 9/17/06
a vital component of our watershed's old-growth forest legacy, also occurs in the Gualala River watershed. FoGR is concerned about the cumulative effects of losing these irreplaceable forest floor structures that provide essential habitat to declining amphibian and invertebrate species that depend on them for part of their life-cycles.

Gualala River Park - Historical Proposals   new 8/30/06
In 1955, the Sonoma County Planning Commission proposed a major park along the Gualala River mainstem and South Fork. In 1999, the Sonoma County Local Coastal Plan included a proposal to construct and operate a loop trail paralleling the Gualala River.

FoGR award at Art in the Redwoods   new 8/30/06
Congratulations to artist Marylou Schingler for her award-winning oil painting, "Lyell Fork - Late Summer."

County can regulate location of conversions   new 7/18/06
FoGR urges Sonoma Supervisors to reconsider the County's general plan amendments regarding forestland conversion to vineyards, in view of the recent landmark decision by the California Supreme Court.

Fireworks over the Gualala River lagoon?   new 7/7/06
FoGR questions lack of permits for the commercial fireworks display over the coastal lagoon at the mouth of the Gualala River.

Supreme Court upholds county logging rules   new 6/30/06
How logging is done falls under state law, according to the state Supreme Court ruling; where it's done is up to the locals.

Willows hold their ground  blog 6/13/06
"The new channel and bar alignment at Valley Crossing has shifted the main channel into the willow grove planted by Matrix of Change..."

Court upholds jurisdiction over Water Co. wells   new 6/4/06
Appeals Court rules that the State Water Resources Control Board has jurisdiction over the subterranean water flows under Elk Prairie, where the North Gualala Water Comapny's wells are located.

Gualala River Steelhead Studies   new 6/4/06
Retired fish and wildlife biologist begins publishing reports of his systematic studies of steelhead - a State and Federally-listed threatened species - in the Gualala River watershed.

FoGR Environmental Art award   new 5/15/06
Point Arena High School wins FoGR sponsored art award at Gualala Arts Center exhibit in May 2006.

FoGR Environmental Art award   new 4/30/06
Horicon Elementary School wins FoGR sponsored art award for their stunning mural entitled "Fish and Their Habitat."

New vineyards + herbicide spray  blog 3/20/06
"All the big new vineyards on Annapolis Road have recently been sprayed with herbicides... The old Annapolis vineyard and new olive plantations are managed for weeds by non-chemical means..."

Changes at Valley Crossing  blog 3/17/06
"...the big gravel bar at the confluence of the south fork has split into two channels... The willows planted by Matrix of Change have weathered the floods well..."

Harbor seals at the river mouth  blog 3/17/06
"...nine small harbor seals were hauled out on the back of the spit, near the edge of the muddy freshwater outflow of the Gualala River..."

Muddy river meets blue ocean  blog 3/16/06
"New rains have recently joined the Gualala River taking with them all sorts of dirt and debris. As the river flows into the ocean you can vividly see how it is not an instant union."

North Fork after winter storms  blog 3/8/06
"At the convergence of the North Fork and Little North Fork, the haul road is cutting away into the river due to the high flow from winter storms."

Mud Season  blog 3/7/06
"Old-timers say that Annapolis has two seasons... dust and mud. Well, with several days of non-stop heavy rain, I have to say we are definitely still in the mud season."

Disregard for environmental regulations  new 3/4/06
Local Mendocino newspaper (AVA) editorial account of a vineyard conversion in 1991, "William Hill: Scofflaw." An early precedent of William Hill, currently proponent of the Preservation Ranch vineyard conversion project in the Gualala River watershed.

FoGR BLoG  new 3/1/06
Friends of the Gualala River's web log of river sightings and commentary on the Gualala River watershed. Send in your photos & observations! Latest post: Jeanne Gadol's "Storm on Gualala Point Beach."

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The Chosen Spot of All This Earth:  new 3/1/06
Sustaining the Unsustainable in the Pomo Nations /
Russian River Cultural Ecoregion, 85,000 B.P. - 2500 A.D.
The Sea Ranch Forum
Saturday, March 4, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Del Mar Center Hall

Norm Hetland, Geographer from UC Berkeley and Vail Colorado, will show slides and hold forth on what he has been finding out about sustainability practices of the Pomo Indians - and/or their predecessors.

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Gualala River Bulletin - February 2006  new 2/23/06
A short summary of news from Friends of the Gualala River. To receive our bulletins (monthly or quarterly or...), sign up for our mailing list.

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new 2/21/06

Our Watershed in Motion - a Geologist's Perspective Thursday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. Gualala Community Center 47950 Center Street, Gualala, CA 95445

Mike Lane, Ph.D., sorts out the geological jumble that underlies our unique Gualala River Watershed, explains where it came from, where it is going, and why it looks the way it does. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco Earthquake, we will take a special close up look at the San Andreas Fault, courtesy of recent NASA laser photography.

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Quick facts about bottled water versus
cleaning up the drinking water supply  new 2/21/06
Members of the United Nations estimate that if the world took half of what it currently spends on bottled water and invested it in water infrastructure and treatment, everyone in the world could have access to clean drinking water.

FoGR BLoG  new 2/18/06
Friends of the Gualala River's web log of river sightings and commentary on the Gualala River watershed. Send in your photos & observations!

Reactive regulation or affirmative land use planning?  new 2/18/06
Vineyard Conversions and the Fate of Coastal California Forestlands: The rising popularity and prestige of Pinot Noir wine is causing unprecedented and rapid changes of land use in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.

Sonoma County General Plan Update   revised 2/18/06
Friends of the Gualala River supports the strongest possible protection for Sonoma County's remaining forests. The current proposed ordinance is not adequate.

Court upholds denial of floodplain logging plan  new 2/17/06
The Superior Court of Mendocino County upholds the California Board of Forestry's denial of a timber harvest plan in the floodplain of the Gualala River because it was likely to cause harm to endangered coho salmon.

Protect the Forest  new 2/12/06
Letter to the editor of the ICO, by a an owner of the Annapolis Winery, supporting forest protection and asserting that "Zoning must be clarified to create a clear definition what land is appropriate for forestland and what land is appropriate for agriculture."

Leaving something behind is not a mitigation for environmental harm  new 2/5/06
Letter from an attorney representing FoGR to Sonoma County Supervisors exposes flaws in proposed timberland conversion ordinance. "To call this 'mitigation' is tantamount to saying that a developer can mitigate the destruction of a natural resource by not having plans to destroy all of it."

Chainsaw Wine  new 2/5/06
Letter to the New York Times in response to a January, 2006 article in their Dining section, "Making Wine in a Hostile Climate on Sonoma's Coast."

Timber regulations go to Sonoma Supes  new 2/5/06
"Sonoma County has moved closer to regulating conversion of timberland to vineyards..." - An article from the January 27, 2006 issue of the Independent Coast Observer. See additional articles on timberland conversion from the ICO and other publications.

Artesa vineyard conversion plan in limbo  updated 2/5/06
The Department of Forestry told Artesa to prepare an environmental impact report for their proposal to convert more than 160 acres of forest to vineyard near Annapolis almost two years ago. The EIR is still nowhere in sight.

Gualala River receives national attention  new 1/24/06
An AP article, "Environmentalists Fight Vineyards' Spread," published in the Washington Post, LA Times and dozens of other newspapers in January, 2006, focuses attention on the destruction of forestland to plant vineyards in the Gualala River watershed.

Letter to the Sonoma Planning Commission  new 1/10/06
Sonoma County is considering an ordinance to protect the remaining timberlands and watersheds of Sonoma County from conversion. Unfortunately the proposed ordinance totally misess the mark of this intent.

Gualala River estuary at full flood after torrential rains, 12/31/05

Benefit for Friends of the Gualala River   new 12/12/05
For the third year, the Iseum of Mary/Isis invites the community to join in a Winter Solstice Celebration on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at 7:00pm as a benefit for Friends of the Gualala River.

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new 12/8/05

Celebrating the Splendor of the Gualala River Watershed A slide presentation by photographer Jeanne Gadol © copyright 2005 Jeanne Gadol www.jeannegadol.com. All rights reserved. Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 3:00pm Gualala Community Center 47950 Center Street, Gualala, CA 95445

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Timber Harvesting and Water Quality   200k   new 11/27/05
The practice of timber harvesting on state and private lands in California is, in most cases, failing to adequately protect water quality and endangered and threatened species. - A report by the California Senate Office of Research, December 2002.

Blessing of the Gualala River   new 11/20/05
Sunday, December 4, 2005 at 4:00pm
Gualala Arts Center
46501 Gualala Road, Gualala, CA 95445

As part of the "Day for Tibet" benefit at the Gualala Arts Center, a group of Tibetan monks on a world tour from the Gaden Shartse monastery in Southern India will conduct a blessing of the Gualala River.

Retail restoration and forest mitigation   new 11/13/05
Vigilant public participation will be essential to ensure that political and regulatory decisions about vineyard conversion, and its mitigation, are fully informed by rigorous public interest review, and scientific scrutiny.

FoGR Environmental Art award   new 10/29/05
Congratulations to local artist Joost Romeu for his award-winning work "The Five Natures."

Thanks and farewell to FoGR's past President, Ursula Jones, a true Friend of the Gualala River.   new 10/13/05

FoGR's annual request for funds   108k   new 10/13/05
We need your help! Please donate generously to protect the quality of our water and ensure the continued existence of healthy redwood forests, wildlife and salmon. [Letter / Flyer-pdf / Flyer-jpg]

FoGR letter to Sonoma Supervisors   144k   new 9/28/05
To protect forestland, Sonoma County permit process for vineyard conversion should be a discretionary permit system rather than ministerial regulatory program.

updated 9/19/05

Riparian Vegetation & Habitats of the Lower Gualala River A slide presentation by Dr. Peter Baye, Coastal Plant Ecologist Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 7:00pm Gualala Community Center 47950 Center Street, Gualala, CA 95445

Gualala River photo tour   updated 9/18/05
An updated photo tour of the Gualala River watershed, showing its natural beauty as well as damage caused by unsustainable human activity.

Gualala River watershed map   new 9/18/05
Map showing the location of the Gualala River watershed. Produced for Friends of the Gualala River by Lane GeoGraphics.

North Coast Watershed Assessment Program   new 9/18/05
Some areas of the North Coast have seen rapidly increasing agricultural activity, particularly conversion of grasslands or woodlands to vineyards. Such agricultural activities have typically been subject to little agency review or regulation and can pose significant risk of chronic sediment inputs to streams.

FoGR award at Art in the Redwoods   new 8/31/05
Congratulations to local artist David Donaldson for his award-winning photograph "Fog and Water."

Grapes shouldn't replace trees   new 8/21/05
The Sierra Club urges the strongest protection for our forestlands so that future generations will never ask: "Why is Sonoma County part of the Redwood Empire?"

County's vineyard vs. forest debate escalates   new 8/21/05
A proposal to place greater restrictions on conversion of forests to vineyards is being called the most-watched issue to come before Sonoma County officials in almost a decade.
- Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 8/21/05

Sonoma County General Plan Update   revised 5/14/05
Friends of the Gualala River supports the strongest possible protection for Sonoma County's remaining forests.

"Nature in a Bottle"   new 4/18/05
Article on vineyard conversions in the Gualala River watershed in northwest Sonoma County, published in the Spring 2005 issue of California Wild, the magazine of the California Academy of Sciences.

Fireworks over the Gualala River estuary?   96k   new 4/8/05
Ash residue from the fireworks could contaminate the closed lagoon with toxic heavy metals and perclorate.

Four upcoming events:       new 3/1/05

Sat, 3/5, 3:00pm   Threats to the Gualala River
The Sea Ranch Forum

Del Mar Center
Leeward Way, The Sea Ranch

Tu, 3/8, 2:30pm   Critical Coastal Areas
Public workshop on coastal watersheds in critical need of protection from polluted runoff

VFW Hall
451 School Street, Point Arena

Tu, 3/8, 7:00pm   The Endangered Species Act:
Defending our last safety net

Gualala Arts Center
46501 Gualala Rd, Gualala

POSTPONED   Agency review of "Lily" logging plan
Controversial plan to log in the Gualala River floodplain

Details will be posted here when meeting is rescheduled

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Conservation Easements:
A Way to Protect the Gualala River       new 1/12/05
Thursday, January 27, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
Gualala Community Center
47950 Center Street, Gualala, CA 95445

Friends of the Gualala River presents a panel of speakers to address a long-term vision for use of conservation easements to protect the Gualala River and its watershed, including:

• Ralph Benson, Executive Director, Sonoma Land Trust
• Mark Massara, Director of Coastal Programs, Sierra Club California

Laurie Mueller, President, Redwood Coast Land Conservancy, will moderate the panel.

Monitoring water quality on private land       new 1/12/05
Friends of the Gualala River joins twenty other northern California groups in a legal brief supporting the State Water Board's right to require monitoring of water quality in privately owned forests.

Expert commentary on vineyard conversion       new 12/21/04
Experts submit extensive comments to the Department of Forestry concerning the proposed timber harvest plan (THP 1-04-030 SON) for the Hansen-Whistler vineyard conversion.

Stop the Mad Water Grab       new 12/21/04
Website provides information on the proposal to export bulk fresh water from the Mad River in Humboldt County and tow it to southern California in giant waterbags.

North Coast Water Network       new 11/23/04
New website provides links to grassroots environmental and social justice groups in the north coast region of California focused on issues related to fresh water.

Destruction of Coastal Redwoods for Grapes?       new 11/10/04
Wednesday, November 17, 2004, 7:30 p.m.
Gualala Community Center
47950 Center Street, Gualala, CA 95445
Featuring a slide show presentation on the impacts of logging and vineyard development in the Gualala River watershed. The meeting also will include the annual election of officers.

Stop forestland destruction       new 11/10/04
Friends of the Gualala River joins the Sierra Club in legal action to strike down the Department of Forestry's approvals of three forestland to vineyard conversion projects in the Annapolis area of northwest Sonoma County, CA.

We all live downstream       new 11/10/04
When it comes to water, we all live downstream. That's why the vineyard development that is eliminating the redwood forests of Annapolis is so important to the lower reaches of the Gualala River and its estuary.

Photo of the Gualala River estuary       new 11/10/04

Full to the brim after the rains begin
copyright Friends of the Gualala River, October 28, 2004

Chainsaw Wine       new 11/10/04
Coastal forest activists from Sonoma County unveil their own vintage product at the "Pinot on the River" gathering in Guerneville.

Logging proposed near river banks       new 11/8/04
Two logging plans proposed by Gualala Redwoods Inc. would cut trees in the floodplain of the North and South Forks of the Gualala River.

Redwood Coast Watersheds Alliance       new 10/12/04
Friends of the Gualala River is a member of RCWA, which just launched its website.

Global Warming: 1st Steps to Meet the Challenge   new 9/18/04
Sunday, October 3, 2004, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Gualala Arts Center
46501 Gualala Rd, Gualala, CA 95445

Speakers:

Alan Strachan, Santa Rosa developer

Ann Hancock, Climate Protection Campaign Sponsored by Matrix of Change.

Wild & Scenic Rivers Bill Signed
new 9/18/04
Gov. Schwarzenegger signs legislation to strengthen environmental protections for California's Wild & Scenic Rivers, including the Gualala.

Conservation Easements: Use & Abuse       updated 9/18/04
Thursday, September 23, 2004 at 7:00pm
Gualala Community Center
47950 Center Street, Gualala, CA 95445

Speakers:

Larry Camp, Internal Revenue Service

John Hansen, Integrity in Natural Resources

Jason Kibbey, Defense of Place

Mark Massara, Sierra Club California

FoGR award at Art in the Redwoods
new 9/10/04
Congratulations to local artist Martin Covington for his award-winning photograph "Gathering Storm: Sea Ranch."

Artesa re-activates vineyard conversion plan    updated 9/7/04
Department of Forestry requires Artesa to prepare a draft environmental impact report for their proposal to convert more than 160 acres of forest to vineyard in Annapolis.

Forestry documents available on CD    new 9/7/04
A compilation of documents on the failure of the Department of Forestry to protect the environment is available on CD - useful in preparing comments on timber harvest plans and vineyard conversions.

Many vineyard conversions in Annapolis    new 8/31/04
Multiple deforestation projects proposed in the Annapolis area to convert forestland to vineyards.

Haupt Creek old growth forest being logged    new 8/31/04
After denying a plan to log 44 acres of old growth forest for lack of environmental information, the Department of Forestry exempts 890 acres of old growth from environmental review to permit logging of "dead, dying and diseased" trees.

Environmental Commons    new 8/2/04
New environmental group based in Gualala promotes active involvement in defending our environmental heritage.

Gualala River Coastal Barrier Lagoon    new 5/8/04
California Native Plant Society field trip led by Dr. Peter Baye
Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 10:00am
Gualala Point Regional Park

The Garcia River Success Story       new 4/11/04
Recovering salmon populations - could it happen on the Gualala?
Saturday, May 22, 2004 at 7:00pm
Gualala Community Center
47950 Center Street, Gualala, CA
Speakers: Craig Bell, Peter Dobbins, Alan Levine

Protecting Public Rivers from the Corporate Grab-Bag
new 2/22/04
An article summarizing the waterbag campaign, by Ursula Jones.

Haupt Creek old growth logging plan rejected    revised 1/30/04
The Board of Forestry ruled that the plan to begin logging the old growth forest on Haupt Creek failed to conform to the Forest Practice Rules. The forester submitted some additional information in hopes of overturning that ruling, but that information was ruled to be inadequate.

Artesa withdraws vineyard conversion plan    revised 1/27/04
The proposal to convert 105 acres of forest to vineyard in Annapolis has been withdrawn by Artesa (owned by Codorniu, one of the world's largest wineries), but may be resubmitted later.

Protecting the Gualala River Watershed:
Lessons from Environmental Litigation
Paul Carroll, Environmental Attorney
Saturday, January 24, 2004, 1pm
Gualala Arts Center
47950 Center Street, Gualala, CA
(map & driving directions)

Letter from Assemblymember Patricia Wiggins    new 9/19/03
Re: the Haupt Creek timber harvest plan: "...questions of the future viability of this valued habitat need to be answered to the satisfaction of the participating state agencies."

Letter on vineyard conversions    new 9/14/03
Signed by organizations and individuals representing diverse interests throughout Sonoma County, recommending Option 3.

Logging & Pesticides in the Gualala watershed
A public meeting on Saturday, October 4, 2003, 7pm at the Gualala Community Center.

Clearcuts & water temperature    new 8/23/03
Water temperature is a critical limiting factor in the lives of many fish and amphibians, and air temperature is the most important factor influencing stream temperature. Clearcutting redwood forests raises air temperature, and condemns fish and amphibians to death.

CDF lectured, Jackson Forest protected    new 8/23/03
The California Court of Appeals extends a previously ordered halt to logging in the forest, and tells the Department of Forestry to stop trying to evade the law.

FoGR award at Art in the Redwoods    new 8/23/03
Friends of the Gualala River (FoGR) sponsored an award at the annual Art in the Redwoods festival last weekend. Congratulations to local artist Ron Casey of Gualala, for his award-winning enhanced photograph "Gualala River".

Half ton of pesticides used in Gualala River basin    new 8/18/03
The Critical Habitat Project of the Center for Ethics and Toxics (CETOS) issues a detailed report on pesticide use in the Gualala River watershed, including both forestry and vineyard usage.

Haupt Creek redwood grove wins reprieve    new 8/18/03
An old growth redwood grove south of Annapolis on Haupt Creek, a tributary of the Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River, won a temporary reprieve on July 31.
- courtesy Independent Coast Observer

Sonoma County Panel nixes logging setbacks    new 8/18/03
A strong local timber industry delegation opposed to county setbacks of logging from structures dominated the July 17 meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Sonoma County general plan update.
- courtesy Independent Coast Observer

Vineyard conversions, Sonoma General Plan    revised 8/10/03
Citizens' Advisory Committee on the Sonoma County General Plan revision is considering the issue of converting forestland to vineyards.

Haupt Creek plan fails to meet minimal standards    new 8/10/03
"In a number of fundamental ways, the THP fails to satisfy the minimal standards of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Forest Practices Act (FPA)," according to attorney Paul Carroll.

Haupt Creek plan threatens anadromous fish    new 8/5/03
"Sediment impacts from this harvest may have profound impacts on the reduced anadromous fish populations of the Gualala River watershed," according to hydrologist and forester Fred Euphrat, PhD.

Haupt Creek alternatives analysis is inadequate    new 8/5/03
The alternatives analysis presented in the Haupt Creek timber harvest plan fails to meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, according to Rick Coates of Forest Unlimited.

Governor signs bill protecting the Gualala River    new 7/30/03
Gov. Davis signs Assembly Bill 1168, designating the lower reach of the Gualala as a protected "recreational" river included in the California Wild & Scenic River system.

Artesa vineyard conversion in Annapolis    new 7/27/03
Commentary on the 105 acre conversion proposed by Artesa (owned by Codorniu, one of the world's largest wineries). The proposed conversion would result in increased sediment, increased water temperature, and decreased stream flows, all of which threaten the continued survival of salmonids in the affected streams.

Site Search    added 5/26/03
Search our site, or search the entire world wide web.

Sign up for the Haupt Creek email list    added 5/4/03
This list will only be used to distribute information about THP 1-00-484 SON and the old growth coastal redwood forest in northwest Sonoma County.

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