Russ Ranch and Timber Company planning THP on steep unstable slopes west of Scotia

PANORAMIO Photo By Winst1966

THP 1-13-040 HUM (Monument THP) Russ Ranch and Timber Company, 152 acres; 80% clearcut, 20% selection logging.  Peaked Creek, Beer Bottle (HUM: T1N R1W Sec.25, 26, 34, 35, 36).  Winter operations, moderate erosion hazard, steep slopes over 85%, landslide terrain, road failure sites, 82 road drainage work sites, herbicides, coho watershed, 8 spotted owls within 1.3mi, golden eagle within 1 mi, cooper's hawk within 1.2 mi, trees up to 60" dbh.  Estimated public comment deadline: 07/03/13.

This THP is about 3 miles SW of Scotia, CA and Highway 101 near the upper reaches of Bear Creek which is an important steelhead and Chinook fishery that drains into the Pacific Ocean.  Russ Ranch and Timber Company is planning a tractor and cable logging operation in steep and unstable slopes in second growth Douglas fir, grand fir and redwood at an elevation of 1100 - 2760 feet.  Within the THP area there are 5 landslide terrain sites including earth flows, debris flows, hummocky ground and cracks, and 5 road failure sites including cut bank failures, gullying and drop downs.  Road construction, re-construction and landing use is proposed in unstable areas, and tractors are proposed for use in Unit A which is designed for cable logging.  There are 82 road drainage work sites including culvert repair, rocking, ditch cleaning and road bed stabilization.  One northern spotted owl was reported to be within 1,000 feet of the THP which will remove 118 acres of nesting and roosting habitat.  More information is available on the THP Tracking Center website.
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