February 14, 2002
At its February Board meeting, the State Coastal Conservancy approved a grant to Save-the-Redwoods League to develop an interim management plan for the Mill Creek property. The interim management plan will explore opportunities for public access to the property while providing for the long-term protection of Mill Creek’s diverse natural habitats and critical spawning ground for endangered salmon and trout. The planning process will include issues identified by Del Norte County residents, officials, and others.
"Balancing public access with resource protection has always been at the heart of the Coastal Conservancy's mission," said Samuel Schuchat, executive officer of the Coastal Conservancy. "The Conservancy will work with the local community and our partners to prepare a management plan that serves the needs of the community while protecting the spectacular natural resources of the Mill Creek forest." Issues being considered by the plan include public access, resource protection, road restoration and maintenance, and opportunities for research and K-12 education.
Arcata-based Stillwater Sciences will work with Save-the-Redwoods League to develop the plan. Stillwater Sciences extensive experience includes work on salmon habitat restoration on the Tuolumne River, the Merced River restoration plan, and many other natural resource projects throughout California, Oregon and Washington.
It is expected that the 25,000-acre Mill Creek property will become part of the State Park system within the next few months. Mill Creek includes the headwaters of Mill and Rock Creeks, tributaries to the Smith River. Its protection will contribute to recovery of endangered native salmon and trout, provide watershed protection for the ancient redwood groves of Jedediah Smith Redwoods, and provide valuable educational and recreational opportunities. Kate Anderton, the League’s Executive Director noted that “the permanent protection of the redwoods of Mill Creek has been a League goal for over 70-years. Sound planning, grounded in good science, will lay the framework for the recovery of these magnificent forests and for new recreational opportunities.”
The meeting will be held in the Crescent City Fire Protection District Community
Center on Thursday February 21st from 7 to 9 pm. Interested members of the public
are invited to attend. This will be an opportunity to learn about the planning
process and to provide input for plan development. If you are unable to attend
the meeting but would like information on the plan, or would like to provide
input please, contact Ruskin Hartley at Save-the-Redwoods League by phone, (415)
362-2352, fax (415) 362-7017, or e-mail at rhartley@savetheredwoods.org.
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