Updates + News
Third Lawsuit Filed to Prevent Caltrans From Vandalizing Ancient Redwoods in Richardson Grove State Park
July 28, 2014
Following two previously successful federal and state court legal actions, conservation groups and local residents filed a lawsuit in federal court today challenging Caltrans’ renewed approval of a controversial highway-widening project that would endanger ancient and irreplaceable redwood trees in Richardson Grove State Park in Humboldt County. Due to Caltrans’ flawed environmental-review process, the project to cut into and pave over the roots of old-growth redwoods along Highway 101 was halted by a federal court ruling in 2012 and a state court decision earlier this year.read more >>
Old Growth in the New Economy
July 17, 2014
Reaching capacity, people nestled tightly into Nelson Hall at Humboldt State University eagerly awaiting a lecture sponsored by Pacific Forest Trust entitled “Old Growth in the New Economy.” The lecture featured preeminent Northwest forest ecologist Dr. Jerry Franklin of the University of Washington, and Humboldt State University’s distinguished redwood ecologist Dr. Steve Sillett. The dialog focused on the roles and characteristics of Northwestern old growth forests, the ecosystem functions they provide, and how forest stewardship can benefit climate, wildlife, water, and a sustained resource economy. read more >>
Take Action: End Taxpayer Spending on Wildlife Killing (Caution: Graphic Content)
July 16, 2014
Take Action: On Tuesday, July 22nd, at 1PM, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will discuss the future of Wildlife Services funding. According to the Washington Post, Wildlife Services, a federal agency, killed more than 4 million animals last year alone, including 75,326 coyotes, 866 bobcats, 528 river otters, 3,700 foxes, 973 red-tailed hawks, and 419 black bears. The agency uses snares, traps, poisons, aerial gunning and dogs to kill wild animals, often killing pets and other non-target animals by mistake. read more >>
Caltrans Agrees to Reevaluate Impacts of Del Norte Highway Project on Endangered Salmon
July 15, 2014
In response to a lawsuit by EPIC and other conservation groups, Caltrans has agreed to reassess impacts of a controversial highway-widening project in Del Norte County on protected salmon and their habitat along the Wild and Scenic Smith River. A settlement agreement will keep in place a court-ordered halt of construction work until Caltrans completes consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service under the Endangered Species Act and Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation Act. read more >>
Smith River Threatened by Strip Mining
July 2, 2014
Take Action! The Wild & Scenic North Fork Smith River is being targeted for a large nickel mine that would devastate the area for recreation, pollute public drinking water in California, damage critical habitat for the federally threatened coho salmon and other fisheries, and destroy the purest waters in the West. Red Flat Nickel Corporation, a foreign-owned mining company, has submitted plans to the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest to conduct exploratory drilling in the Baldface Creek/North Fork Smith River watershed. read more >>
Old Growth, Climate Change and Connectivity
July 2, 2014
Global warming is changing our realities and our ecosystems. The largest oldest trees store the greatest amounts of carbon and play a major role in regulating the Earth’s climate. The movement to protect our vital forests is building rapid momentum. More than 75 scientists recently requested that the President direct his Secretary of Agriculture and Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to craft a National Old Growth Conservation Policy that fully protects the remaining old-growth forests on all national forests. read more >>
Off Road Vehicles Proposed by Forest Service in the Smith River National Recreation Area
July 1, 2014
EPIC, Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center and other conservation allies submitted comments regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Smith River National Recreation Area Restoration and Motorized Travel Management on June 9th, supporting a travel management decision that protects the outstanding natural values found in the Smith River NRA by reducing road maintenance costs, protecting and restoring aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and reducing the spread of Port Orford cedar root disease through road and route decommissioning. read more >>
EPIC in Review
July 1, 2014
The Environmental Protection Information Center has no problem keeping busy. This last weekend EPIC staff reached out to thousands of people at the Kate Wolf Festival, gathering signatures from people to Connect Wild Places, and to oppose the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. At this event, we quickly realized that people are deeply concerned with the fate of our environment, and want to know what is going on, and how they can contribute towards safeguarding the ecosystems that we all depend upon. We greatly appreciate these opportunities where we get to know the roots of our community and build the lifelong bonds that fuel our work. read more >>
Now Accepting Nominations for EPIC Board of Directors
June 20, 2014
WANTED: Professional, assertive, creative, problem-solvers interested in joining the EPIC Board of Directors. We are looking for people with experience in the following areas: non-profit governance, conservation science, financial management, environmental law, policy development, fundraising; and event planning. Current EPIC Members* may apply to become a Board Member between July 1 and July 31 for the next Board of Director’s year, which begins on January 1. read more >>
Take Action to Stop the Bay Delta Conservation Plan
June 19, 2014
Take Action! The Bay Delta Conservation Plan is a $54 billion infrastructure project that proposes to construct two massive tunnels that would funnel water from Northern to Southern California. The Plan is characterized as a comprehensive conservation strategy aimed at protecting dozens of species of fish and wildlife, but in reality the 40,000 page Plan fails to disclose major irreversible impacts to fish, rivers and the economic stability of the state of California. read more >>
