Posted 8/12/97


Residents of the area near McCoy Creek, a tributary to the South Fork Eel River near the Mendocino / Humboldt County line, expressed outrage as ancient trees began falling July 17 and 18 under the Mill Creek land acquisition. An emergency blockade was put in place by local residents and Mattole folks, with Earth First! assistance, until a Temporary Restraining Order could be obtained. The controversial Bureau of Land Management (BLM) policy of trading old-growth has been contested for years. When BLM acquired Mill Creek at the expense of McCoy Creek and two other forests, the divisive strategy could no longer be tolerated. Local people were facing the question: Is one watershed's ancient forest more important than another's? With so few ancient trees left, how can bioregionalists let any more be cut?

Along McCoy Creek, remnant ancient forest shelters almost three-fourths of a mile of low-gradient cold-water pools and riffles, home of the threatened Coho salmon. The forest also provides habitat for the Northern spotted owl, cougar, black bear and potentially the Marbled murrelet. McCoy Creek is one of the few areas on the South Fork Eel River where substantial federal land ownership, and old-growth forest, has protected tributary habitat of a viable, wild Coho and Chinook spawning run. The best remaining wild Coho runs in California are: South Fork Eel River; Smith River, Prairie Creek and Redwood Creek in the Redwood National Park; the Eel River on the north side of Headwaters Forest; and Lagunitas Creek in Marin County.

McCoy Creek is also part of the connective corridor between the Sinkyone Wilderness on the Lost Coast and the Red Mountain Wilderness to the east. Coyote Fred Downey, Wailaki Elder, reminds us that these are among the last of the gathering places along his people's pathway from the inland mountains and valleys to the ocean. Our last ancient forests can still provide the seedbeds for the recovery of the magnificent biological diversity on which we depend. These remaining ancient trees are the final fragments of our natural heritage. Every last fragment of native forest is worth far more standing than cut.

It's time for us all to say:

Not One More Ancient Tree

It will take determination to make this happen at McCoy Creek. Let's turn back BLM's attempt to divide and conquer with a unified front to protect all ancient trees.

Efforts are under way to restore McCoy Creek.

For additional background see McCoy Creek Old-Growth Logging Imminent, under Action Alert Archive.

Write to:

Ed Hastey, State Director, BLM, 916/978-4600 (voice), 978-4620 (FAX), nrossen@ca.blm.gov (e-mail)
Linda Roush, BLM, 707/825-2300 (voice), 825-2301 (FAX), lroush@ca.blm.gov