Sierra Pacific Industries to clearcut log SE of Hayfork.

PANORAMIC Photo By Chris English

THP 2-16-082 TRI (Nimoy THP) Sierra Pacific Industries, 406 acres; 88% clearcut, 12% selection logging.  Wilson Creek, Hall City Creek (MD: T29N R10W Sec.6, 7, 8; T29N R11W Sec.1, 12; T30N R11W Sec.25, 36).  Winter operations, moderate erosion hazard, steep slopes up to 60%, unstable areas, impaired 303.d watershed, oversized units, salt gulch roadless area, herbicides, coho watershed, spotted owl, foothill yellow legged frog, Townsend's big eared bat, 2 sensitive plant species, trees up to 30" dbh.  Estimated public comment deadline: 12/29/16. VIEW

This THP is about 9 miles SE of Hayfork, CA near the town of Wildwood, CA and Highway 36 at an elevation of 3,280 to 4,240 feet.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning a mostly clearcut tractor based logging operation on steep and unstable slopes in Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, incense cedar and white fir forests (there are unstable areas in units 1902, 1904 and 2501).  The THP area flows into the South Fork of the Trinity River which is listed as an impaired watershed for sediment, temperature and siltation.  Salt Gulch Roadless area is located nearby in section 25, and the THP area is just SW of the Chanchelulla Wilderness Area.  SPI wants to use landings and watercourse crossings during the winter period, utilize 500 feet of an existing tractor road inside a class I watercourse (Hayfork Creek), and decrease the width of existing watercourse protection zones to the edge of existing permanent roads inside several watercourse areas.  A foothill yellow legged frog was reported in section 25 within .4 miles of the THP area, and a Townsend's big eared bat roost site is located 370 feet from the THP area.  Redwood lily was found along a roadside in unit 7D, and Siskiyou False Hellebore was found in unit 1C.  There are 3 spotted owl nesting territories within 1.3 miles of the THP area.
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