ACTION ALERT: Speak Out on New Logging Plan in Jackson Demonstration State Forest
- Melodie Meyer
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Cal Fire is moving forward with a new Timber Harvest Plan (THP)—the first since community efforts in 2020-2021 effectively paused all THPs. This proposed plan, known as AMEX, targets nearly 500 acres (484) near the Camp 20 parking area and Chamberlain Creek, using a method called group selection harvesting, which essentially results in a series of small patchwork clear-cuts.
This THP is especially significant. It is the first plan Cal Fire has prepared since the widespread public outcry and protests in 2020 and 2021. In the wake of those events, and in response to public concern and statements from legislators including former Assemblymember Jim Wood, Cal Fire committed to halting new THPs until the Forest Management Plan was updated.
Unfortunately, this new plan is moving forward even though there is still no finalized Management Plan, and no established co-management framework with Tribal governments.
We strongly encourage you to make your voice heard by submitting a personalized comment letter to SantaRosaReviewTeam@fire.ca.gov. If you’re short on time, we’ve also provided a pre-formatted letter you can send by clicking here. Every comment makes a difference—thank you for standing up for Jackson!
Here are a few concise talking points you can use when writing about why the AMEX Timber Harvest Plan (THP) may have a significant adverse environmental impact and what improvements are needed:
1. The THP Proceeds Without a Modern Management Framework
The AMEX THP is based on an outdated Forest Management Plan that does not reflect:
Current ecological science
Tribal co-governance principles
Climate change adaptation strategies
Cal Fire previously committed to pausing new THPs until a new plan was complete—this commitment must be honored.
2. Lack of Transparency on Tree Removal
The THP does not specify the size or type of trees to be harvested:
No clear maximum Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) thresholds
No criteria for preserving large trees
This omission prevents meaningful analysis of:
Impacts on forest structure and wildlife habitat
Long-term carbon sequestration capacity
Loss of mature forest characteristics, which are already scarce
3. Inadequate Analysis of Threatened Species
The plan’s biological resources review is insufficient and outdated:
Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) surveys fail to account for the presence of barred owls, which mask detection and reduce habitat quality
Marbled Murrelet (MAMU) surveys are referenced but not included for public review, there is no description of the methods used to determine MAMU presence
The THP fails to recognize the area’s proximity to an Important Bird Area, overlooking potential impacts to both biodiversity and bird-focused recreation
4. Poor Cumulative Impact Assessment
The plan underestimates cumulative impacts from:
Past and concurrent timber operations in the region
Sediment delivery to impaired watersheds like the Big River
No credible sediment modeling or data is provided to support the THP’s claim of "no significant impact"
Group selection is proposed for areas with Class I and Class II sensitive waterways, potentially harming aquatic species and water quality
Ground-based equipment operations occurring in unstable areas, creating a high possibility of sediment delivery or destruction of waterways
5. Recreational and Public Use Impacts Are Under-explored
JDSF is a public, multi-use forest. The THP threatens this mission by:
Failing to consider trail closures and user disruption adequately
Ignoring visual and experiential impacts that affect hikers, families, and nature enthusiasts
Overlooking effects on biodiversity, which draw visitors for birdwatching and ecological education
Click here to send the Santa Rosa Cal Fire Review Team a letter opposing the new plan!
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