By Darryl Cherney – Country Activist, December 1987
Earth First! has created a “Generic Challenge” of the Timber Harvest Plans (THP’s) that could rock the foundations of the Calif. Dept. of Forestry’s (CDF) approval system. Forms have been sent to hundreds of people throughout the state who are concerned about rapacious logging, dwindling economies, and the continued viability of our planet to sustain life as we know it.
The “Generic Challenge” follows right on the heels of 2 environmental lawsuit victories (EPIC v. Maxxam (and) Libeu vs. CDF). It is ironic that while direct action participants are being prosecuted for misdemeanor trespassing, the corporations break far more serious laws and remain unimpeded. EF! will continue protests until Charles Hurwitz of Maxxam and other industry lawbreakers are behind bars and the forests are safe.
The form is simple to use. Fill out the name, address, and date; place the THP number on the first line; sign, fold & mail.
The challenge addresses over 30 issues, raising over 100 points, and will be revised continually (suggestions welcome!) Each point must be individually responded to by CDF. Included are wildlife, clearcutting, wood quality, water quality, floods and fires, employment, climatic conditions, cumulative impact, and even the replenishment of the ozone layer. The purpose of the “Generic Challenge” is to ensure that CDF performs its prescribed duties; to encourage Californians to participate in democracy; and to reward timber firms for quality logging (sustained yield, no winter operations, etc) and scrutinize those who practice clearcutting, etc.
Earth First! expects employment to rise if CDF follows the law. Timber firms will hire more workers to do erosion control, restocking, manual thinning, etc. Government will hire more Fish & Game, Water Quality and CDF personnel. A stabilization of the economy would naturally follow.
Is this just a paper monkeywrench? The system is already jammed; this may just push it over the brink to facilitate change. For those concerned about the trees cut to make this paper, consider them Kamikaze trees, giving their lives so that others may live!