A controversial plan to log miles of the Gualala River floodplain, is back on track, after being on hold for a number of years. Opponents of the plan previously thwarted attempts to log the area by convincing a judge the timber harvest plan failed to analyze environmental impacts fully. They sued Cal Fire again in April, just days after the agency renewed its approval to move forward with the harvest plan.
Opponents say even the revised project remains deficient in its assessment of risks and potential impacts, which they claim could further degrade the watershed, which is already considered impaired under the federal Clean Waters Act because of high temperature and excessive sediment after a century of logging.
Listen to our interview with Greg Kamman about his assessment of the current state of the river. He is a hydrologist who works in the field of ecosystem enhancement and restoration, who started working in the Gualala River watershed over 15 years ago. He has provided recommendations on management of resources in the estuary, provided flow measurement analysis, and reviewed timber harvest, gravel mining and development plans on the Gualala River.