Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor:
As a frequent visitor and admirer of Mendocino County’s stunning natural surroundings, I want to commend the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors for supporting Assembly Bill 2494. The board’s decision acknowledges what those who cherish Jackson Demonstration State Forest have long understood: Jackson is far more valuable as a vibrant, thriving ecosystem than as a source of commercial timber.
AB 2494’s shift toward ecological restoration, tribal co‑management, and research‑driven stewardship is not only overdue—it’s visionary. The coast redwoods are among the most extraordinary organisms on Earth, and Jackson, as California’s largest demonstration forest, has the potential to become a model for climate‑resilient forest management. Prioritizing restoration over extraction is how we protect these giants for future generations.
I understand that some in the timber industry fear economic impacts. But as the meeting highlighted in “Board of Supervisors supports bill to shift focus of demonstration forests from logging to restoration,” indicates, logged trees from Jackson now account for only a tiny fraction of the county’s overall timber revenue. Meanwhile, the economic potential of recreation, tourism and ecological research is enormous—and far more sustainable. People travel from all over the world to experience healthy redwood forests. I’m one of them.
The board’s vote signals that Mendocino County is ready to lead California toward a more responsible and forward‑thinking relationship with its public forests. For those of us who cherish Jackson from near and far, it means a great deal to see local leaders stand up for long‑term stewardship over short‑term gain.
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has chosen to support restoration, science and respect for the land. I hope the state follows their lead and passes AB 2494.
Jennifer Normoyle
Hillsborough
More lost jobs and diminished tax revenue. The current employees will likely need to relocate if this goes through. The coastal economy can’t take much more loss of decent jobs. There is not much left and focusing on the people who live and vote here should be a higher priority. Looking forward to voting for an assembly member who represents the people in their district. Rogers is a clown and this makes life worse for many I know in FB. This is the type of leadership that led to DJT.
It seems Jennifer is just repeating the false claims of the anti-logging earth worshipping paradigms fed to her. AB 2494 affects not just Jackson but all of the states demonstration state forests, and turns them from working forest lands which pay their own way without your tax dollars, to welfare forests dependent on your tax dollars. ALL of the other benefits she (they) list of this poorly written misguided piece of legislation are already being carried out in the current management of the demonstration state forest program. The forest system is intact, the forest is being sustainably managed for climate resiliency, research is being done, tribes are involved, plenty of people are recreating and enjoying a beautiful forest because there is active forest management. Active forest management creates healthy forest stands, diverse habitat types, different age classes, improved roads and infrastructure. It is not terribly important what fraction of the county’s timber revenue is generated as much as the state forest lands are paying their own way, creating jobs and tax revenue for the counties. The false dream that those lost revenues will be made up in recreation and restoration work is crazy talk, as the demonstration state forests already provide recreation and restoration. This is an anti-logging bill plain and simple and the taxpayer will pay for the maintenance of the forest lands. The Supes decision to back this bill is short sighted and not in the county’s best interest. But those decisions are not new to us.
Myself and some friends will be in front of Harvest Market next weekend with a RECALL ROGERS petition.
I’m not a resident of the area, I only drive through about 8 times a year. Anyone with eyes can see that the trajectory of so many parts of the state lands have been managed absolutely terribly every single time the “conservationists” get involved. I pray that this newest “ecological restoration” doesn’t end up with the forest burned down and it’s remains filled with garbage like so much of the rest of our fair state.