December 12, 2001
San Francisco, CA – Save-the-Redwoods League and the Bureau of Land Management completed the purchase today of 320 acres of mixed growth Douglas-fir timberlands from Eel River Sawmills. This unique collaboration between Save-the-Redwoods League, the Bureau of Land Management, and Eel River Sawmills was made possible by a shared desire to see the land permanently preserved.
The property is adjacent to the King Range National Conservation Area and includes the upper reaches of Indian Creek, a cool clear perennial stream that drains the northern flank of the 3,000 foot Cooskie Mountain, the most prominent peak in the Northern King Range. Indian Creek also supports a healthy steelhead trout population and historically supported runs of chinook salmon.
“This acquisition will provide watershed protection, the possibility for wilderness camping and recreation, and halt the defragmentation which threatens the species diversity and forest health,” noted Dan Averill of the Bureau of Land Management. The sensitivity of the Mattole watershed makes protection of this land particularly important and will help to reweave the fabric of the forest landscape.
A healthy second growth Douglas fir forest anchored by mature stands of old growth Douglas fir provides suitable habitat for old growth dependent species. Permanent protection of this property plays an important role in the Corridor from the Redwoods to the Sea project which protects the major stepping stones in a wildlife habitat corridor between Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the King Range.
“We are pleased to deepen this partnership relationship with BLM,” commented Kate Anderton, Executive Director of Save-the-Redwoods League.
After successful negotiations with Eel River Sawmills, Save-the-Redwoods League
secured an agreement to purchase the property from Eel River Sawmills for its
fair market appraised value. Through funding earmarked by the Department of
the Interior last year, the Bureau of Land Management funded the entire purchase
and will hold title to the property.
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