Figure 5. The timber harvest in all Gualala River Calwater Planning
Watersheds is shown above as percentage of watershed area. Half of the
basins are more than 25% cut in just over ten years. Data from CDF, Santa
Rosa.
RPF Fischer claims on page 166 (THP#1-04-030) that “The level the impact
of this historical logging cannot be accurately determined. “
Below is a 1961 photograph showing the historical impact of logging
on the Buckeye Creek Watershed:
The photo above was taken on May 12, 1961 and shows active logging
along Buckeye Creek near its convergence with Franchini Creek. Almost the
entire Franchini Creek watershed is visible at upper right and it has been
100% clear-cut with extremely dense skid trail networks. This intensive
post WW II logging caused catastrophic change to both Franchini and Buckeye
Creeks after the 1964 flood. Photo provided courtesy of Don Morse, California
Department of Forestry (FRAP), North Coast Watershed Assessment Program.
Evidence of the post-war logging boom was just beginning to show up in the northern parts of the watershed when aerial photos were taken in 1952. For the most part, the photos show mature stands of trees in the forested areas of the watershed, with very few roads. By 1965, aerial photos of the watershed show large areas denuded of trees and intensively scarred by roads and skid trails. The logging practices of the time had little consideration for water quality and fisheries, as evidenced by the common practice of using stream channels as roads and landings. In 1968, major timber harvesting in the watershed had slowed with active harvesting activities confined to the selective harvest of relatively small areas of second growth Redwood and Douglas Fir (CDFG, 1968). . (Technical Support Document (TSD) for the Gualala River Watershed Water Quality Attainment Action Plan for Sediment (CWRCB, 2001) (Attached Exhibit 8))
Several subbasins of the Wheatfield Fork have low pool frequency by length, shallow pool depth, warm water temperatures and high fine sediment. While land use has not been as active or intensive as in the western basin, the landscape itself is more sensitive to management. Where post WW II logging took place in Douglas fir forests, earthflows were triggered or re-activated and many remain active today. Gully erosion related to roads, such as problems manifest by the Kelly Road, is a significant contributor to sediment in this part of the basin. Beneficial uses of water are impaired in this basin by the long-term aggradation, which buries the stream bed and in a worst-case scenario causes loss of surface flows. This makes sufficient water flow problematic for fish and also adds to water temperature problems. Consequently, flow is a potential limiting factor in the eastern Gualala until stream channels recover, yet water demand is increasing because of conversion of forest and natural meadows to vineyards. The change in run-off patterns and sediment yield from conversion activities is also unknown. (KRIS GUALALA) (Attached CD 31)
Cordone and Kelly (1961) documented the problems of sediment waves associated
with Post WW II logging in California and concluded:
"More than anything else we need to develop a philosophy of land husbandry
that will avoid the creation of untreated and running sores on the earth's
surface. Man must acquire a responsibility to future generations that matches
the power he has gained through the development of heavy machinery. Our
observations in the field and our review of the existing literature leads
us to the unshakable conclusion that unless this can be done many of our
trout streams will be destroyed by the deposition of sediment."(KRIS (Stream
Conditions: Sediment and Salmonid Habitat))
The cumulative impact assessment for Hansen/Whistler conversion is incomplete.
CEQA requirements have not been fulfilled.
There has not been any thresholds of significance established for this
project.
An EIR needs to be performed for the cumulative deforestation projects within the Little Creek/ Buckeye Creek watersheds.
The watershed conditions would not be suitable for the uses proposed
if the conversion were approved.