Environment group calls on Caltrans to stop logging in state parks

ARCATA, Calif. — The Environment Protection Information Center, or EPIC, is calling on Caltrans to put a hold on logging old-growth Redwoods in state parks.

Caltrans said recent trees removed were identified as safety hazards along Highway 199 in Jedediah Smith State Park and were reviewed alongside California State Parks. While EPIC said they understand the need to make sure trees don't pose a risk to the roadway, they would still like to see a better public process to determine the date of trees growing for over 1,000 years.

EPIC said they expect the tree work to be completed on Friday. However, the organization worries that this is just the start of work in state and national park lands for other large trees at risk.

"We are urging greater transparency and a better decision-making framework given how irreplaceable old-growth redwoods are," EPIC Executive Director Tom Wheeler said. "If they are going through and doing substantial roadside hazard tree removal, this should be a project under the California Environmental Quality Act. There should be opportunities for public engagement, a full consideration of alternatives, a full consideration of minimization measures to ensure that we are only removing those trees that are net risks and potential mitigation measures."

Caltrans District 1 Public Information Officer Myles Cochrane sent the following statement to North Coast News:

"North Coast residents are unfortunately aware of the reality of collisions related to hazardous trees. To address this issue, Caltrans regularly conducts inspections and field reviews to identify and remove or limb hazardous trees in the interest of public safety. Recently, Caltrans has been conducting emergency work along U.S. 199 to remove or limb hazardous trees that were deemed safety hazards by Caltrans arborists. The trees were also reviewed by California State Parks foresters, who concurred that the trees identified were hazardous.

To clarify some misinformation that has been circulating: These hazardous trees are either dead, leaning, damaged by lightning, or have dead tops. This emergency work was necessary to ensure the safety of the traveling public, while also following all relevant environmental laws and regulations, including those set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A biological monitor has been present for all project actions. As a result of this work, six dead trees were felled, one severely leaning tree was felled, and four trees were either limbed or topped. The felled wood will remain in the forest to provide habitat for wildlife, and a small portion of the wood was given to local Native American tribes by California State Parks. No wood generated from this project belongs to Caltrans or is being sold in any way. Caltrans' only goal for this work is to reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities on the roadway."

EPIC said they continue to call on people to reach out to Caltrans and demand greater clarity on how these trees are chosen.