Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 12:18:03 -0700 (PDT) From: Barry Meyers-Rice <bamrice@ucdavis.edu> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg3095$foo@default> Subject: URGENT Regarding Darlingtonia bog being logged!
Hello everyone,
Barry Meyers-Rice here. I have been doing some research on a
Cobra Lily seep here in California, which I will report more
on in the December issue of CPN. Unfortunately, the land that
contains this seep has recently changed hands, and the new
owners are logging the area! They are not planning on logging
the seep itself (there are no trees in the open glade), but
the logging in the immediate area (that is, within tens of
feet!) could cause significant siltation (muddy the water)
and otherwise disrupt the water flow that keeps this site so
uniquely populated with Cobra Lilies. This is the southeast
most population of Darlingtonia in existence, and is filled
with thousands of plants. Even more exciting is the presence
of interesting colour variants found no where else in the
species!
Yesterday I was contacted by Carolyn Chainey-Davis with a
plea for help. I told her the official stance of the
International Carnivorous Plant Society is that we are
concerned about the well-being of the site and would
welcome the opportunity to use normal, legal channels to
help protect this site. I am drafting a support letter.
I also told her that the CP listserv was filled
with folks with environmental sentiments, who would not like
to see the area destroyed or damaged. Excited that the
internet might be helpful, this is what she FAXed me...
--------
ATTENTION CALIFORNIA PITCHER PLANT PATRIOTS
The largest population of Darlingtonia californica in Nevada
County, California, could be *destroyed* if *your* concerns
are not registered with the California Department of
Forestry (CDF) by Monday, August 19, 1997!!
The Timber Harvest Plan (THP #2-97-201 Nev[3]) submitted to
CDF last month did designate the bog (actually a 'fen') an
'equipment exclusion zone' but it *does* *not* safeguard the
timber---trees are marked for cutting right up to *the* *very*
*edge* *of* *the* *bog* on the south and west sides. Trees
could accidentally be felled in the bog, the fragile hydrology
could be affected, erosion of silt into the bog could destroy
water quality, removal of all the shade on the south and west
sides making the plants vulnerable to sun and wind damage.
Disturbance of the forest edge could destroy the fragile
ecosystem of pitcher plants and what may be their
pollinators---ground nesting wasps!!
The California Native Plant Society is not opposing this
private timber harvest but *is* asking the CDF for a 100 foot
watercourse protection zone that specifies *no* *harvesting*
or *equipment* within 100 feet of all sides of the bog or its
inflow!!!
These are standard setback requirements for wetland protection
by most county general plans, the US Forest Service, The US
Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish
and Game. This rare and special place deserves *no* *less*!!
Address your comments TODAY to:
Tom Hoffman
California Department of Forestry
6105 Airport Road
Redding, CA 96002
ATTN: THP #2-97-201 Nev(3)
OR SAVE TIME and FAX it to (916)224-4841
The DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF COMMENTS: Monday, August 19.
TIPS: Be brief (1 page), specific (i.e. use better setbacks to
protect against accidents and siltation), DO NOT be insulting
or threatening, and always include the THP #.
------------------------------
Well team, get to it! I want to hear that the office in Redding
got swamped by reasoned but passionate FAXes. At this point I
wouldn't trust the mail (it might not get there in time, with
UPS down). If you don't have a FAX machine, go to the nearest
photocopying store---they let you use theirs!
Barry Meyers-Rice
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