Updates + News
Clever Gov’t Tricks Undercut Marten Protections
October 10, 2018
Last week was bittersweet. On Friday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the Humboldt marten as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. I should have been thrilled—this was the culmination of eight years work and one successful lawsuit—but instead I was infuriated. Through a crafty trick, the Service cut a big hole in the protections for the marten, perpetuating some of the same threats which are forcing the marten to extinction. Here’s how the Service sided with the timber industry to sell out the Humboldt marten. As a warning: this might get somewhat wonky. read more >>
Salt in the Wounds - Act Now to Defend Mature Forests!
October 10, 2018
Action Alert: On the heels of California’s largest wildfire complex in history the Grindstone Ranger District (RD) on the east side of the Mendocino National Forest recently released a scoping notice for the Salt project. In essence, timber planners are looking to kill trees to save them from insects and disease. The project is within the Salt Creek watershed, where up to 3,000 acres could be logged with limited review of environmental threats, such as increased fire risk, and minimal opportunity for public involvement and legal recourse. read more >>
Honoring Jene McCovey for a Lifetime of Environmental Work at EPIC Fall Celebration
October 3, 2018
EPIC is honored to present the 2018 Sempervirens Lifetime Achievement Award to Jene McCovey, on Saturday, November 10th at the Beginnings Octagon in Briceland. This year, EPIC will celebrate 41 years of environmental activism with Folk trio No Pardon, who will play some toe-tappin’ fiddle tunes and Sue’s Organics who will be cooking up a delicious feast as EPIC family and friends reminisce about the old days and strategize for what’s to come. Doors open at 6pm, Dinner at 7, Music at 9. read more >>
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Turns 50!
October 2, 2018
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a law that has preserved 12,754 miles of 209 different rivers in 40 states (including Puerto Rico)! This act was created by congress and signed into law by Lyndon Johnson in 1968. While Teddy Roosevelt was heralded as one of our country’s most famous conservationists, surprisingly Lyndon Johnson has quite the track record as well, signing more than 300 conservation measures into law in his term. This iconic law sought to preserve certain rivers with, “outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations.” read more >>
EPIC Fail: Oregon Denies Protection for Gravely Imperiled Humboldt Martens
September 25, 2018
On September 14, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to deny state Endangered Species Act protection to the fewer than 200 Humboldt martens estimated to remain in the state. Once again, Oregon proves that it is a few steps behind California when it comes to conservation policy. read more >>
Murrelets in Monument Ridge Wind Farm?
September 24, 2018
It was a cold and blustery morning at the top of Monument Ridge. EPIC staff were in the field to investigate a proposed wind project, between 45-70 turbines churning out 135 megawatts of power, and their potential impacts to the marbled murrelet. The murrelet, a seabird that lays its eggs on oldgrowth branches, is threatened with extinction because most of its habitat has been logged. Although this project would not cut any murrelet nest trees, the project could still endanger the bird by killing birds as they commute between their inland nest sites and the ocean, where they feed. read more >>
Gypsy Remembered
September 24, 2018
This month is the 20th anniversary of the death of David Nathan “Gypsy” Chain, a forest activist killed by a tree felled by a logger employed by the Pacific Lumber Company. This sad anniversary offers a moment for reflection—on the gains extracted by activists like Gypsy, and on the battles not yet won. read more >>
EPIC Summer Events
September 15, 2018
Each Summer, EPIC's staff, board, and volunteers share their love for the wild all across the North Coast! Catch us tabling at your favorite music festival, leading a bilingual hike along your favorite swimming spot, and hosting our second annual EPIC Base Camp. We are pleased to present new merchandise for the summer season—including car bumper stickers, and a re-release of our beloved "Save Richardson Grove" t-shirts. Check out our EPIC summer happenings! read more >>
EPIC Base Camp: Groundtruthing Last Chance Grade Alternatives
September 12, 2018
This last weekend EPIC staff and volunteers ventured out into ancient redwood forests and coastal scrublands to explore two of the six alternatives (Alternative A2 and Alternative L), which are being considered for rerouting Highway 101 around the unstable cliff side along Last Chance Grade, which is sliding into the Pacific Ocean. Review our reflections of the project and Basecamp highlights. read more >>
Logging, Not Wildfires is a Greater Threat to Northern Spotted Owls
September 12, 2018
Science in action: Defying current assumptions, a new scientific review of northern spotted owl studies discovered that current forest management practices meant to protect them may instead be hurting them. In a recent meta-analysis, Pennsylvania State University researcher and quantitative ecologist Dr. Derek E. Lee examined 21 published scientific studies on the spotted owl and found that wildfire impacts were less than previously believed, challenging the narrative that fuel-reduction logging is necessary or helpful for their survival. The study found that mixed-severity fires may in fact be beneficial to their habitats. read more >>
