NEWS......NEWS......NEWS......NEWS......NEWS......NEWS....NEWS....
ARCHIVE FOR APRIL 1998
APRIL:29:1998 ..........SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE HEADWATERS FOREST CAMPAIGN
____________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
The 60,000-acre Headwaters Forest is located 350 miles north of San Francisco.
It is part of what little remains of an ancient redwood wilderness which once
blanketed two million acres of North America's western coast.
Over the last 150 years, logging has whittled this temperate rainforest down to
less than four percent of its original expanse. The threatened Headwaters
Complex, with trees over 300 feet tall and up to 2,000 years old, provides
habitat to numerous endangered species and serves as a critical link between
Redwood National Park to the north and Humboldt Redwoods State Park to the
south.
The establishment of the Headwaters Forest Sanctuary will link these fragments
of the vanishing redwood ecosystem, greatly increasing its chances of survival.
In 1996, Charles Hurwitz, CEO of the Maxxam corporation which controls Pacific
Lumber, crafted a tentative agreement with federal and state officials covering
only 7,500 of the 60,000-acre Headwaters Forest, leaving four of the six
ancient groves and surrounding areas completely unprotected. Shortly after its
announcement, Pacific Lumber violated the spirit of the agreement and the
public trust by logging in the unprotected groves.
It is painfully clear that Charles Hurwitz sees just one thing when he looks at
the towering trees of the Headwaters Forest -- profit. Yet it is equally clear
that the American people see something quite different -- their last
opportunity to preserve this irreplaceable fragment of our primeval past for
their children's children.
Thank you for joining a growing network of supporters who are committed to
realizing full and permanent protection for this priceless international
treasure and critical piece of our national heritage.
____________________________________________________________
These updates are produced by the Headwaters Sanctuary Project and Bay Area
Action [This file last updated 5/97].
FOR PROJECT INFORMATION:
Headwaters Sanctuary Project
1904 Franklin St. Suite 909
Oakland, CA 94612
510-444-4710
fax 510-444-4743
hsp@envirolink.org
APRIL:29:1998............... W E E K L Y . H E A D W A T E R S . F O R E S T . U P D A T E
Update 04-28-98 (See the adjoining Action Alert)
STATE CONTROLLER CONNELL SUPPORTS
DEBT FOR NATURE HEADWATERS SETTLEMENT
The Rose Foundation reports that California State Controller Kathleen
Connell has contacted both the FDIC and OTS in support of a "Debt for
Nature" settlement
.
Connell's letter to Rose states, in part:
"Thank you for your letter of March 26th regarding the proposed debt
for nature swap being suggested to resolve claims against the Maxxam
Corporation while protecting important California forests. You have asked
me to assist in securing a status report from the FDIC and/or the Office of
Thrift Supervision at this time. I am happy to add my voice to the
supporters seeking this information.
I have sent my letter to both the offices of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation and the Office of Thrift Supervision requesting they
issue a status report as soon as possible. I hope this action will be of
assistance to your ultimate goal of preservation of California's ancient
redwoods. I share your view that foresight is needed to preserve this
important California natural treasure."
This letter should carry substantial weight; Connell is the state's
top official regarding finances.
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HEARING ON HEADWATERS LOGGING PLANS
On Monday, April 20, the Environmental Protection Information Center went
to court seeking a preliminary injunction against two timber harvest plans
(THPs) in the Headwaters area.
Both plans, 97-003 and 97-188, contain significant residual
old-growth redwood and Douglas fir, and are adjacent to ancient groves
occupied by marbled murrelets. The plans also rely on a notoriously
unstable road system that regularly contributes large volumes of sediment
to Yager Creek, which is already suffering the effects of a logging
blitzkrieg in recent years. Active landslides and erosion in these plans
are also at issue.
THP 97-003, located right next to the ancient Owl Creek Grove of
Headwaters Forest, has largely been cut because a judge ignored the request
for a restraining order for over two weeks while the trees fell last
December. The erosion and road use issues, however, remain significant
enough to warrant a hearing. THP 97-188, a narrow band of residual
old-growth on the banks of Bell Creek (near All Species Grove), contains
many active landslides and has not yet been logged.
See the adjoining Action Alert for what you can do about yet another
impending clearcut THP that defies the so-called Headwaters Agreement.
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HEADWATERS BENEFIT CONCERT IN SACRAMENTO
Headwaters activists in Sacramento will be hosting a benefit on Sunday, May
3, at 7 pm at the Fox and Goose. If you live in the area, we hope you'll
make plans to attend. If you need more information or are interested in
getting involved in the Sacramento Coalition for Headwaters, please contact
Nan at 916-961-5744.
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HEADWATERS ACTIVISTS RALLY IN HURWITZ'S BACK YARD
On April 1 a band of concerned Texas activists rallied in front of
Maxxam's corporate offices in Houston at the busy intersection of San
Felipe and Augustus. Passing out handbills to lunchtime passers-by, many
people showed favorable support, including an employee from the same
building who gave thirsty activists a box of sodas.
Police reported that someone had lodged a noise complaint from the
vacuum-sealed building, but upon arrival found that protesters were
behaving peacefully and without disruption of the law.
More rallies are being planned for Maxxam, including one or more in
May. For Texas information contact Austin Earth First! at 512-478-7666 or
Entropy@mail.eden.com
------------------------------------------------------------
S E N T B Y Headwaters Sanctuary Project and Bay Area Action.
http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
APRIL:29:1998........................._One World Government
Many American "conspiracy theorists" fear the coming of the "One World
Government." Unfortunately, many are looking in the wrong direction; they
fear that the United Nations is part of a plot to usurp all authority from
national governments. However, it appears much more likely that a global
rule will come in the form of trade agreements. The most all-encompassing
of these is the Multilateral Agreement on Investments (MAI).
Twenty-nine of the world's wealthiest nations are involved with negotiations
for a MAI treaty. Although this treaty will have far-reaching effects on
the citizens of all signing nations, the people of those countries are being
kept in the dark, with no opportunity to vote or voice their opinions on the
subject. Negotiations are being held in private meetings of the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OCED).
Of the many sections of the MAI, the largest section is "Investor Rights,"
showing who the treaty is aimed at aiding. Among other things, the MAI will
allow corporations to sue governments for "lost opportunity to profit from a
planned investment." This means that any policy or regulation, whatever its
purpose (e.g. racism, environmental protection, public health), could be
cause for a lawsuit resulting in damages and/or repeal of those regulations.
Robert Strumburg, professor at the Georgetown University Law Center says
that the MAI will "operate as a virtual amendment to the United States
Constitution," and would likely have an identical effect on the governments
of all member countries.
Companies can also sue for losses caused by "strife," "civil war,"
"insurrection," or "public disorder." Nations that are torn asunder by
internal chaos or violence can be held accountable because hatred and
bloodshed might cut into some CEO's profit margin.
And there will likely be the further race to the bottom: environmental
regulations will be seen as restraint of trade, as will labor laws, laws
protecting unions, laws regarding responsible investment, banking, etc.
This treaty more or less says that the rich should have the right to make
money at _ABSOLUTELY ANY_ cost.
However, most of the participating countries admit that the treaty will not
be passed by its self-imposed deadline of April 27. According to the
Economist, "the drafters' original aim was to craft an agreement that
emerging countries would want to join... Few developing countries seem
prepared to sign something they did not help to shape. Instead, the
governments of developing countries increasingly see MAI as an exercise in
neo-colonialism, designed to give rich-world investors the upper hand." The
Economist writers seem a little puzzled by the reactions of the developing
countries, although it seems that like everyone involved, their are just
looking out for their won best interests.
The Economist article also notes that First World countries are also unhappy
with the treaty, wanting their own nation to receive preferential treatment
or additional control over their own trade (a novel idea).
But the Economist seems sure that talks will continue when negotiations are
transferred from the OCED to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
_[I rarely encourage specific action in NewsWatch, but I really think that
the MAI is bad news for everyone (unless you happen to be ultra-rich, and
enjoy getting richer at the expense of others), and I think that we should
do something about it. I don't know exactly what to do though. I'd
appreciate any suggestions that you all might have, and I'll try to get back
to you with some plans of action. -Ed.]_
_Sources: Economist Mar 14 98, Z Magazine Mar 98_
Thanks for reading,
.............report by Jake Sexton,
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APRIL:28:1998...........NO MORE INFILL
Good news for anyone visiting the dentist,the biggest thing that keeps away people is the dreaded
drill used in fillings.This could soon now be banish out to the museum for future generations to
look at and wonder.This is all down to a new type of DNA plant based paint which is placed on the
teeth and kills plaque before it has a chance to eat
away at your teeth......................reporter unknown
APRIL:27:1998..........WET WET WETTEST
This April is set to be the wettest on recorded for England and Wales,with a lot of rain in the first
part of the month due to cold air over Scotland meeting warmer are over England giving rain in the
south and snow in the north........................reporter m mcmahon
APRIL:27:1998..........GRANGEMOUTH SET FOR A 200 MILLION EXPANSION
Today it has been announced that a 200 million expansion of the chemical plant at Grangemouth
Scotland will take place.This plant will produce 300tons of polyethol which is used is the car
industry...... reporter.. M McMahon
APRIL:23:1998...........ONE IN THREE MOTORISTS DRIVES WITH ILLEGAL TYRES
One in three motorists are driving on the roads in the UK with illegal or worn tyres a report out
today claims.Tread
on a tyre should be not less than 1.6mm deep which should cover 80% of the tyre.It should also be noted
that the fine for illegal tyres is a maximum of £2,500 PER TYRE.A report from a nationwide surrvey also
showed that 59% of tyres removed from cars were illegal and 15% were potentially dangerous.The surrvey was by the national tyre
distributors association and covered 10,000 tyres.........Unknown reporter
APRIL:22:1998.............THIS YEAR SET TO BE THE HOTTEST
Experts have just announced that the past 3 hottest years have been 1991 ,1995,1997 in the last 1000years
and go on to say that this years first 3 months have been warmest again on record.........reporter
m mcmahon
APRIL:18:1998.............JULIA BUTTERFLY DEBATE ON CNN
.............. H E A D W A T E R S. F O R E S T . U P D A T E
JULIA BUTTERFLY DEBATES PL PRESIDENT ON CNN
Tree-sitting activist Julia Hill ("Butterfly") went head-to-head with
Pacific Lumber CEO/President John Campbell during a debate aired
internationally Sunday on CNN.
Julia was interviewed from her perch in the ancient redwood she has
been defending since December. CNN anchor Jeanne Meserve asked Julia why
she had decided to defend the 1,000-year-old tree by occupying a tiny
platform 180 feet above the ground.
"Well, first and foremost I'd like to say that's it's not just about
this singular tree. It's about all of the old-growth redwood trees here on
the coast that are being threatened."
Campbell was asked if he was unhappy about Julia's habitation of the
tree. He answered that Julia could "stay there as long as she wants," but
suggested that her presence may be harmful to the birds and wildlife
inhabiting Luna's large limbs.
Julia responded to Campbell's apparently newfound concern for birds
by pointing out that PL's episode of buzzing the tree with helicopters (an
attempt to intimidate Julia out of the tree) didn't indicate a lot of
compassion for wildlife. "He's going to cut down the tree as soon as we
come down anyway," she noted.
"I'm going to stay up here as long as I can continue to let people
know about the desecration, the destruction and the illegal activities that
are occurring as a result of Pacific Lumber under Maxxam Corporation [and]
Charles Hurwitz," Julia concluded.
Julia's mom, Kat Bradley, spoke with Julia shortly after her debate
with Campbell.
"She yearns for the loggers to realize she's on their side," said Kat.
"She wants people to know that Hurwitz and Pacific Lumber are in
litigation over 200+ violations of current laws by their logging
practices," she continued. "She just wants the present environmental
protection laws to be enforced."
Noted Kat: "Campbell expressed concern in the debate that Julia was
keeping the birds away from their natural home by living in Luna. Well,
Julia told me that the birds in the area LEFT WHEN THE LOGGING STARTED.
They were gone until her 100th day, when the supporters hiked up the
mountain from the rally. She said, 'Mom, they came back on my hundredth
day, and they are all around me again like they were before the logging!' "
"Who kept the birds away, Mr. Campbell?"
Great job, Julia! Congratulations and thank you for this remarkable
interview and your amazing defense of Luna!
------------------------------------------------------------
NEW CONTACT INFO FOR JULIA BUTTERFLY
To send a letter to Julia...
Julia Butterfly
c/o A. River
PO Box 473
Fields Landing CA 95537
or
North Coast Earth First!
PO Box 28
Arcata CA 95518
Butterfly and Earth First! need your support to continue their defense of
the ancient forests. Please send donations (please make checks payable to
North Coast Earth First! and write "for Luna" on the memo line) to...
North Coast Earth First!
PO Box 28
Arcata, CA 95518
To visit the Luna website turn your browser to:
http://www.northcoast.com/~sohum/luna
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30 TYSIECY HEKALOROWS I 6 STARODNEWOIR!
(30 thousand hectares and 6 ancient groves!)
Headwaters activist Michael Passoff reported in from a sojourn Poland
that Headwaters Forest is truly a worldwide issue. Speaking to the editor
of a Krakow magazine, Michael told him about his involvement in the
campaign.
"I mentioned Headwaters and he started asking me all these questions
which made it clear that he knew about the issue," said Michael in an email
from abroad. "Apparently they have already run half a dozen
articles/updates on it over the last couple of years."
He also reports that, upon mention of Headwaters Forest in a town
called Bielsko Biala, he was greeted by cheers of 'Headwaters! Earth First!
right on!'and lots of thumbs up!
The Poles aren't the only ones keeping apprised of events in Northern
California's redwood country. Among the nations represented on the Weekly
Headwaters Update list are Australia, Chile, Denmark, Japan, New Zealand,
and the United Kingdom.
------------------------------------------------------------
COURT REJECTS PL's ATTEMPT TO
MAKE EPIC PAY ATTORNEYS' FEES
In a ruling last week, federal Judge Louis Bechtle denied PL's attempt to
force the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) to pay
$700,000 in attorneys' fees and costs resulting from a two-year battle over
salvage logging in the Headwaters Forest. PL argued that it should be
entitled to recover fees under the "citizen suit" provision of the
Endangered Species Act because PL's defense in the case had clarified the
implementation of the Act.
"We are pleased that the court has preserved citizens' rights to use
the citizen suit provision of environmental laws," said Cecelia Lanman,
EPIC program director. "This was clearly an attempt by PL to intimidate us
and put EPIC out of business. Fortunately the law is on our side."
For more on EPIC see their website:
------------------------------------------------------------
S E N T B Y Headwaters Sanctuary Project and Bay Area Action.
http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
------------------------------------------------------------------
APRIL:18:1998................ICE MELTING PICTURES SHOWN TO THE WORLD
Pictures of a gigantic split on the Larsen B ice shelf on Antartica have been flashed round the world
The pictures show a 25-mile long and in places 3 miles wide split.Scientists say tempertures in the
Antartic are up 2.5c since
1940.It is an indication that global warming is real...if anyone still needed evidence......unkown reporter
APRIL:16:1998 ........................ LANARK SET TO PARTY
Musicans from all over the world are set to have Lanark partying on the 17,18,19 of July 1998 .The new
folk festival will be held at Lanark race course and will include concerts and ceilidhs with other
tented venues for side shows,craft and food and drink outlets.The artists will be from Scotland ,Canada,America and Europe
.The event will follow close on the heels of Scotlands other out door music gathering at Kinross "T in the park" which is also on in July. More information on the Lanark event should
follow......M McMahon
APRIL:14:1998....................SHOP AND WATCH TV
The uk food retailer Tesco are hoping to have a tv channel in the near future.The channel
will be in most stores and be informative with a entertaining tv show based look.......reporter....m mcmahon
APRIL:10 .......... WORLD WHALE DAY 1998
World whale day this year is on the same day as last summers June the 21st the summer solstice.Look out for news of local events
eg local whale watch groups,tv events as well as concerts and music days.......unknow reporter
APRIL:08:1998 hundreds gather for Julia Butterfly
H E A D W A T E R S....F O R E S T...N E W S
200-300 GATHER TO SUPPORT JULIA BUTTERFLY
Treesitter receives two awards
By Mark Bult
Stafford, CA -- Several hundred people gathered in the small community of
Stafford last Friday, March 20, to show support for tree-perched forest
activist Julia Butterfly, whose 100+ day treesit in an ancient redwood has
garnered media and public attention all winter.
Julia was presented with the first Leonard Peltier Protector Of The
Woods Award, which included a painting by the jailed activist, as well as a
medal and donation from the Veterans for Peace. Over 140 made the hike to
the top of the ridge above Stafford for the award ceremony at the base of
Luna, The Stafford Giant, in which Julia sits 180 feet above the ground.
Luna's gnarled trunk grows on the now mostly bare slopes above
Stafford, the town ravaged last January 1, 1997, when the rain-saturated
hillside collapsed and a massive landslide destroyed seven homes below.
Somehow no lives were lost, although residents recounted their frantic
nighttime flight from their homes, yelling to their families and neighbors
to get out.
Stafford residents are currently suing Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Co.,
which had clearcut the hillside several years ago. The lawsuit contends
that Pacific Lumber did not comply with certain logging California
practices, leading to the unsafe condition of the steep grade and creating
a virtual channel that pointed straight at the tiny community of homes
below. When the North Coast's yearly heavy rains began, it was only a
matter of time before the hill would collapse.
Julia Reed, who has taken the name Butterfly, has now been sitting on
a platform attached to Luna for over 100 days, and the treesit itself,
designed to thwart a PL logging plan that would have eliminated the ancient
tree and others around it, has successfully defended the area for almost
200 days.
Julia's action first came to public light when the San Francisco
Examiner published her story on its front page in January. Since then the
treesit has garnered international attention, and hundreds of letters of
support have been received by North Coast Earth First!, which supplies
Julia and erected the platform in Luna last fall.
Julia celebrated her 24th birthday in Luna on February 18, and
celebrated her 100th day from her perch with 142 new and old friends below
her last Friday. She is reportedly keeping busy with, among other things,
writing poetry on the backs of used cereal boxes, sent up the resupply line
to her perch.
North Coast EF! is accepting letters for Julia. Donations to Project
Luna (made payable to North Coast Earth First!) and letters of support for
Butterfly can be sent to:
P.O. Box 28
Arcata CA 95518
Call 707-445-5105 for information.
------------------------------------------------------------
S E N T B Y Bay Area Action.
http://www.HeadwatersForest.org | info: headwaters@enews.org
------------------------------------------------------------
APRIL:06:1998 Julia Butterfly.
H E A D W A T E R S. F O R E S T . N E W S
MORE ON JULIA BUTTERFLY
Two weeks ago we brought you the story of heroic treesitter Julia
Butterfly, as reported by the San Francisco Examiner. This week we bring
you further news of her experiences defending the gigantic ancient redwood
known as Luna.
Stafford, Humboldt County, CA -- At the crest of the catastrophic Stafford
mudslide, holding together bare slopes, stands an enormous, gnarled,
ancient redwood tree known as Luna. On December 19, 1997, a courageous
woman named Julia "Butterfly" began her vigil atop this 2,000-year-old tree
that Pacific Lumber Co. wants to cut down. Despite hostile security, raging
storms, and 300 mph winds from a massive double-propeller helicopter
hauling logs from below her, Butterfly and friends gained courage from
Luna's vast spirit.
The treesit has defended Luna for 132 days, and Earth First! vows to
hold this majestic old tree until it is safe from the chainsaws. Heavy
equipment has been moved a few miles south of Luna where helicopters are
puling logs out of another controversial timber harvest in critical habitat
for the threatened coho salmon. Threats from logging, helicopters, and
security remain a constant concern to Butterfly and her support crew.
Butterfly, a 23-year-old from Arkansas, is a newcomer to activism and
tree climbing.
"I talk to the loggers and security whenever I can," she said. "I
share my feelings with them and hope they'll see that I'm just an ordinary
person who cares a lot about finding a way for people to live and work with
nature without destroying and without desecrating."
Logging of ancient trees near Luna began December 12, 1997. Cutting
in high winds resulted in a large tree striking Luna and nearly killing
Butterfly. On January 21 Columbia Helicopter Co. endangered Butterfly with
swinging logs and blasting updrafts until the Federal Aviation
Administration was notified.
On day 166 of the treesit, January 27, Pacific Lumber surrounded Luna
and Butterfly with security, flood lights, and ropes, vowing to starve her
down. Blasting fog horns were used to deprive her of sleep. A companion
treesitter came down in order to conserve food supplies and Butterfly spent
the next five days alone.
By February 6, the security blockade was withdrawn following a
successful resupply run by Earth First! Twenty people, including four
grandmothers, took place in this action.
Butterfly's spirits rose just in time, as a terrible wind and rain
storm slammed into California.
"The last week as the hardest," she said in a radio interview
February 12. "The night before the resupply, a wind gust finally tore apart
my tarps and I was so cold, wet, and demoralized. If not for my friends'
success in breaking the security blockade, I could not have made it through
the next storm, the big one with 90 mph gusts. The winds broke so many
branches up here that I can hardly recognize my home."
As to why she continues her vigil...
"The first reason that comes to mind is this tree, this Luna, this
goddess in whose arms I am embraced. A magnificent tree who deserves to
live and die with nature's laws, not the laws and logic of corporate
profit, which caused the mudslide right next to me... Even if I can't save
the tree, I want to be able to save the memory of what she stands for. And
what she stands for is our fight against the corporate greed and government
neglect."
"I can't understand living in a world without these elder trees
around. That's why I'm here. We're a beacon of hope and resistance. Our
struggle here is symbolic of what they are doing wrong and that there are
people determined to make a change and save what's left. I hope that my
staying up here so long will inspire more people to come help these ancient
trees."
North Coast Earth First! will host a two-week direct action basecamp
in the redwoods starting March 15, to draw public attention to the ongoing
destruction of the 60,000-acre Headwaters Forest, and vital residual
old-growth habitat in the rest of Pacific Lumber/Maxxam's 207,000-acre
holdings. Come prepared for backwoods actions, preferably with an affinity
group, or prepared to form one! Kitchen volunteers, gear, and food
donations are welcome!
North Coast Earth First! basecamp March 15 through April 1
Swimmer's Delight, Van Duzen County Park
Highway 36, 8 miles east of Carlotta, Humboldt County, CA
[Reposted courtesy Ecotopia News Service]
------------------------------------------------------------
S E N T B Y Bay Area Action.
HEADWATERS FOREST | info: headwaters@enews.org
APRIL:05:1998 BAD DRIVERS PUT DOWN SCORE
Britains motorist's have again score low on the ERO drivers score.Out of ten they score just 4 with
Spain in top
with 8.The british score was low because of the sins of driving too fast & driving too close to the
car in front other points where lost because of drivers running through red lights and crossing over
of hands on the steering wheel...........unkown reporter
APRIL:02:1998 MORGAN GLEN GETS A FACE LIFT
£70,000 is to be spent on Morgan glen in Larkhall Lanarkshire.The glen was popular many years ago but with the paths in disrepair and cars abandoned there a major clean up is needed.It's an extremely beautiful area and with it being part of the Avon gorge
has more natural trees than any other areas of the same size.Work should be completed by this time next year.........star radio reporter
APRIL:01:1998 FULL MONTY AGAIN....
The Full Monty the british major film hit is to have a part 2.The film is not to be base this time on the same subject but
should follow the lads on a more normal thing what ever that is.......unknow reporter
APRIL:01:1998 TITANIC STILL NUMBER ONE
The film Titanic is again number one in the star radio charts with it attracting 75% of the votes cast to the star radio charts
For a full run down of the top 5 visit the star radio chart page .......a star radio reporter
END OF ARCHIVE
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