Sierra Pacific Industries planning a pair of clearcut THPs along the North shore of Trinity Lake.

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Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) is proposing a pair of clearcut THPs totaling 949 acres near the north shore of Trinity Lake between the Upper Trinity River and the East Fork of the Trinity River.  These 2 THPs combined will have a significant impact along the northern shore of Trinity Lake which is already suffering from excessive loads of sediment.  Trinity Lake is part of the Central Valley Water Project which provides drinking water to Northern California.  These THPs which are interspersed will also remove a large amount of habitat near 2 Northern Spotted Owl territories.  

THP 2-14-007 TRI (Boomer THP) Sierra Pacific Industries, 640 acres; 93% clearcut, 4% selection, 3% shelterwood, misc rehab logging.  Squirrel Gulch, Cedar Creek, Watson Creek (MD: T36N R7W Sec.1, 3; T37N R6W Sec.19; T37N R7W Sec.15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35).  Winter operations, high erosion hazard, steep slopes over 65%, 5 unstable areas, impaired 303.d watershed, herbicides, bonanza king roadless area, 3 spotted owls within 1.3mi, 7 sensitive plant species, scattered large trees.  Estimated public comment deadline: 04/17/14. VIEW

This THP is 2-6 miles NE of Trinity Center, CA near the north shore of Trinity Lake at an elevation of 2,400 to 5,000 feet.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning a mostly clearcut tractor and cable logging operation in Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, white fir, sugar pine and incense cedar forests.  The THP area drains into the north shore of Trinity Lake between the Upper Trinity River and East Fork of the Trinity River which is listed as impaired for sediment and siltation.  At least 5 unstable areas are indicated on THP maps (SPI THPs are notorious for not fully disclosing information about unstable areas within the text of THP documents).  SPI is planning to reduce the width of a class I watercourse protection zone below the standard width inside unit 2056.  They also want to use tractors on steep slopes up to 60% grade to construct fire lines within units designated for cable logging.  There are 6 oversized units, and over 3,350 feet of temporary seasonal roads are planned.  Section 19 is adjacent to the Bonanza King Roadless Area.  7 sensitive plant species were reported within the THP area including: Shasta County arnica in units 6037, 6104, 2068, 2036, 2037, 1949 and 1913; lemon colored fawn lily in units 6037 and 1913; slender false lupine in units 6037, 2068 and 1983; tauchia glauca in unit 6037; English Peak greenbriar in unit 1913; Sierra Valley lewisia in units 1980, 2026 and 2036; and Klamath Mountain catchfly was found in units 2026 and 1960.

THP 2-14-008 TRI (Scorpion King THP) Sierra Pacific Industries, 309 acres; 83% clearcut, 16% seed tree, 2% selection logging.  Carrville, Copper Creek, Scorpion Creek (MD: T36N R7W Sec.3; T37N R7W Sec.3, 9, 15, 21, 22, 27, 33).  Winter operations, high erosion hazard, steep slopes up to 65%, 4 unstable areas, 22 road drainage work sites, impaired 303.d watershed, wet areas, herbicides, 3 spotted owls within 1.3mi, 6 sensitive plant species, scattered large trees.  Estimated public comment deadline: 04/17/14. VIEW

This THP is 2-6 miles NE of Trinity Center, CA near the north shore of Trinity Lake at an elevation of 2,440 to 5,000 feet elevation.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning a mostly clearcut tractor and cable logging operation in Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, white fir, sugar pine and incense cedar forests.  The THP area drains into the north shore of Trinity Lake between the Upper Trinity River and East Fork of the Trinity River which is listed as impaired for sediment and siltation.  At least 4 unstable areas are indicated on THP maps (SPI THPs are notorious for not fully disclosing information about unstable areas within the text of THP documents).  SPI is proposing to use tractors on steep slopes up to 60% grade to construct fire lines within units designated for cable logging, use tractors on steep slopes designated for cable logging within units 1740 and 2018, and to use a tractor inside unit 2018 to construct a skid trail on slopes over 50% grade with a high erosion hazard rating.  They also want to use a portion of a landing inside a class II watercourse, a skid trail close to a class II spring, and an existing road inside a class II watercourse.  22 road drainage sites are planned for work including rocking, dip construction and culvert repair and replacement.  There are 4 oversized units, and wet areas located in units 2014, 2018, 1486 and 1495.  Siskiyou onion was found in unit 1478; Shasta County arnica was found in units 6005 and 1478; lemon colored fawn lily was found in unit 6005; Sierra Valley lewisia was found in unit 1478; Klamath Mountain catchfly was found in units 1478 and 1461; and slender false lupine was found in unit 6026. More information is available on the THP Tracking Center website.
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