FGF US Forest Holdings to log on steep and unstable slopes near Redwood Creek and Highway 299 summit.

PANORAMIO Photo By Larry Butcher

THP 1-14-017 HUM (FGF US Lord Ellis #2 THP) FGF US Forest Holdings, 300 acres; 61% transition, 39% rehab logging.  Toss-up Creek (HUM: T7N R3E Sec.19, 20, 21, 28, 29).  Wet weather operations, low erosion hazard, slopes up to 50%, steep road, landslide terrain, road failure sites, 40 road drainage work sites, impaired 303.d watershed, coho watershed, 6 spotted owls within 1.3mi, northern red legged frog sightings, long beard lichen, scattered large trees.  Estimated public comment deadline: 04/07/14. VIEW

This THP is a couple miles NE of the Highway 299 summit on the Coast Range between Arcata and Willow Creek, CA.  It is an extension of the previous FGF US Lord Ellis #1 THP 1-13-030 HUM.  The THP area flows into Redwood Creek which is listed as impaired for sediment and temperature.  FGF US Forest Holdings is planning a tractor and cable logging operation on steep and unstable slopes in Douglas fir, western hemlock, grand fir and redwood forests.  Most of the landslide terrain within the THP area is related to the Dolly Varden Road which has a large amount of side cast construction.  There are multiple fill failures along roads; including several fill failures and unstable areas along Dolly Varden Road, multiple Humboldt crossing failures, bank seeps, bank slumps, ditch channeling, debris slides and sink holes.  One steep road that exceeds 15% grade for 700 feet is proposed, along with a portion of an existing road, 3 skid trails and a landing inside a class II watercourse.  40 road drainage sites are planned for work including rocking, dip construction, culvert repair/replacement, ditch cleaning and road failure related repairs.  For spotted owl site HUM0405; this THP will reduce nesting/roosting habitat by 131 acres within .7 mi; for spotted owl site HUM0406; this THP will reduce nesting/roosting habitat by 29  acres within .7 mi, and will reduce foraging habitat by 36 acres within .7 mi; and for spotted owl site HUM0791; this THP will reduce nesting/roosting habitat by 43 acres within .7 mi. More information is available on the THP Tracking Center website.Tweet