Sierra Pacific Industries to clearcut log along Highway 3 north of Weaverville, CA.

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THP 2-19-169 TRI (Hawkeye THP) Sierra Pacific Industries, 265 acres; 90% clearcut, 10% selection, 1% roadside logging. Little Browns Creek, Upper Rush Creek (MD: T33N R9W Sec 3, 4, 5, 9; T34N R9W Sec 9, 17, 27).  Winter operations, high erosion hazard, steep slopes up to 70%, steep roads, landslide terrain, 41 road drainage work sites, impaired 303.d watershed, oversized units, herbicides, coho watershed, spotted owl, 2 sensitive plant species, trees up to 28” dbh.  Estimated public comment deadline:  12/12/19. SUBMIT COMMENTS,  VIEW THP

This THP parallels Highway 3 from Weaverville, CA to about 8 miles north of Weaverville at an elevation of 2,200 to 4,400 feet.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning a mostly clearcut tractor and cable logging operation on steep and unstable slopes in Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir and incense cedar forests. There are 29 landslide terrain sites in the THP area including; 8 unstable areas in section 27, 7 unstable areas in section 5, 1 unstable area in section 3, 10 unstable areas in section 4, and 3 unstable areas in section 9.  The THP area flows into the Trinity River which is listed as an impaired watershed for sediment and siltation.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning to construct and use of roads, landings and crossings during the winter period and use ground based equipment on existing skid trails on slopes exceeding 50% with a high erosion hazard within units 1710 and 1720.  They also are planning to construct a steep road exceeding 15% grade for less than 200 feet in section 27, and use 250 feet of an existing skid within a class II (mid sized) watercourse area. Several adjacent landowners and residents near Union Gulch and Little Browns Creek have voiced concerns within the THP plan about water quality degradation and the use of herbicides by SPI near their wells and drinking water supply.  41 road drainage sites are planned for work including rocking, dip construction, ditch cleaning and culvert repair/replacement.  English peak greenbriar was reported in the SW corner of unit 910, inside units 320 and 430, and glaucus umbrellawort was found in unit 1720.  There are 5 spotted owl nesting territories within 1.3 miles of the THP area.
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