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,
California’s forest management should focus on biodiversity, Indigenous inclusion, protecting carbon sinks, and decentering extractive industry in forests. AB 2494 would’ve done just that. AB 2494 would’ve prioritized science-based management to protect our forests and shifted our focus away from outdated timber-centric practices. These demonstration forests would’ve shown how state forests can thrive as lands for restoration and public benefit rather than stomping grounds for timber production.
The governor’s decision to veto this bill will keep forest management in these demonstration forests bound to standards written in the 1940s, preventing new policies to address the issues we face today. Governor Newsom has claimed his veto is based on the need for flexibility, yet relying on management standards that haven’t been comprehensively updated in decades seems like a clear sign of stagnation. This veto appears as a prioritization of continued logging over ecological stewardship. There is still time to fight back; California state senators and assembly members should override the veto.
Lauren Wynne
San Francisco
I believe that science-based management is exactly what they need to stay away from and that would seem to be the problem now. Look what science-based management did to other people here in California when they got a hold of that. How about some common sense? That seems to be something we’re lacking in Mendocino County most of the time
While I agree with you to a certain extent…..
Please define “common sense”.
By “define” I mean common sense vs. science based analysis.
It would be great if the legislature overrode Newsome’s veto. Sometimes he seems too corporate oriented. It’s time he leaves office, and DOESN’T run for president.
“Sometimes”
How about ALWAYS looking out for corrupt corporations and billionaires 😱
I live in these forests and work in these forests. My life is built around caring for these forests. The person who wrote this letter is from San Francisco. Are they an expert on forest management? Are they a timber faller or choker setter? How do they know what’s better for our forests? They don’t. Just like Chris Rogers, who wrote bill sitting in a concrete jungle, loss of jobs and economy on top of increasing fire danger looks fine from down south.
Jackson state forest is not a park. It’s a working forest producing jobs and producing logs for our Mills. It’s open for recreation right now. Yeah, during the wintertime, they close a lot of the gates, they do the same in Mendocino national forest. They don’t want people getting ruining the roads or getting stuck way back in the back country.\n And Jackson state forest could become a carbon forest. The state could sell the carbon and also have logging at the same time. Mendocino Redwood Humboldt, Redwood, green diamond. They all sell carbon and log at the same time. Jackson.\n State forest grows way more trees than they ever harvest. They have a positive growth rate. Leave Jackson state forest.The way it is a working forest
Completely agree. I’m heartsick that Newsom eviscerated the opportunity to create permanent, safe, and well-paying jobs in our rural communities, build our resilience to climate change, and demonstrate respect for the Sovereignty of Native Californian Tribes and their Traditional Ecological Knowledge in our own State Forests.
Greed still rules, pure and simple.