Friends of Gualala River Protecting the Gualala River watershed and the species living within it
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, including the Dogwood THP area.
Seasonal wetlands occur in poorly drained flats, swales, relict overflow channels, and in old skid road track depressions in the Gualala River floodplain. FoGR and Forest Unlimited representatives, guided by Henry Alden of Gualala Redwoods Inc. during an inspection of a portion of Dogwood THP in 2015, directly observed conspicuous slough sedge wetlands (both intact and disturbed ones) in plain view of the entire Dogwood Haul Road route and Buckeye Creek roads. There is no doubt that they are present, but the THP incorrectly denies that they are.
The THP presents no data, photographic evidence, standard wetland data sheets for delineation, or any other evidence to support its narrative account that denies that any seasonal wetlands (outside of “wet areas”) occur in the Gualala River floodplain within the THP area. That narrative and conclusion is both inaccurate and lacks any credibility; it is not a dispute among experts, but a unilateral rejection of expert wetland observations with no basis in evidence or expertise.
The recirculated THP continues to omit any credible, reasoned explanation for its flatly erroneous and prejudicial conclusions about wetlands, which contradict National Wetlands Inventory map evidence and first-hand observations I have provided. The THP cites no wetland expert opinion or evidence from resource agencies or independent consultants to support its erroneous conclusions.
Dr. Baye has commented extensively on the environmental issues with the Dogwood floodplain logging plan, including:
March 2019:
Importance of the Gualala River Floodplain: Presentation by Dr. Peter Baye
November 2017:
Nov. 2017 Letter from botanist Peter Baye re: “Dogwood” logging plan
May 2016:
Botanist Peter Baye’s comments on recirculated “Dogwood” logging plan
December 2015:
Letter from botanist Peter Baye re: “Dogwood” logging plan
July 2015:
Letter from botanist Peter Baye re: Gualala River Logging Plans
Further reading on the topic: Floodplain logging
