After eight dedicated years of service to EPIC, Scott Greacen will be stepping down as EPIC’s Executive Director to become North Coast Director for Friends of the Eel River.

Meanwhile, as the colors erupt into a rainbow of blossoms this spring, we welcome a new leadership team at EPIC. With an eye for innovative transformation, EPIC’s Board of Directors has filled three Director-level positions.  These people will carry on the traditional roles EPIC fills as environmental watchdogs, but also build real capacity for elevating effective campaigns and building our membership.

We welcome Natalynne DeLapp, as Development Director. Natalynne may be familiar to many of you from her three years working with EPIC, first as an intern through the Environmental Science program at Humboldt State University, then as a Policy Advocate in Sacramento on EPIC’s behalf.  More likely you remember Natalynne for managing the campaign that successfully re-elected Paul Gallegos, Humboldt County’s District Attorney.  Natalynne will work with the community to grow EPIC’s membership and organize regional events aimed at sanctioning membership involvement in EPIC’s ongoing work to protect and restore Northwestern California’s irreplaceable heritage.

We welcome Andrew Orahoske as Conservation Director. Andrew comes to EPIC as a environmental law expert who is versed in biodiversity protection strategies.  He holds a J.D. from the University of Oregon, and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Colorado.  His extensive track record as an environmental advocate includes work with the Earth Island Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide, Earthjustice, Western Environmental Law Center, and others.  He has also worked as a field biologist in a number of locations, including northern California, Oregon, Montana, Arizona, Jamaica and Venezuela.

We welcome Gary Graham Hughes, as Executive Director. After two years serving on EPIC’s Board of Directors, Gary joins EPIC with a deep understanding of EPIC’s program work and history, and Humboldt County. Gary has an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, a B.S. in Sociology from the University of Oregon, and extensive experience in management of U.S. and international environmental programs. Most recently he served as Patagonia Campaign Coordinator, Latin America Program, for International Rivers.

New staff and leadership at EPIC means changes in the way we communicate, operate, and coordinate our campaign work to protect Northwest California’s incredible treasure, a dynamic – and threatened – ecosystem.

Click here to meet the rest of the EPIC team!

Conservation activists face an uphill battle to protect forest ecosystems and wildlife habitat from bad logging practices across millions of acres of corporate-owned forests in California. In fact, few environmental groups even attempt to fight big companies on their private holdings, because of the extreme challenge to see any success. EPIC and a handful of other organizations across the state continue to monitor and challenge the companies – and the agencies responsible for regulating them – by pushing for the state to simply enforce applicable laws.

It is clear that the largest forestland landowner in the state, Sierra Pacific Industries, proudly uses clearcut logging as their primary practice to extract timber across their ownership. Meanwhile the critters dependent on these complex forest ecosystems for their habitat suffer. Even at a time of record low timber prices, the company continues to rake in profits – while degrading habitat of forest-dependent Coho salmon, Northern Spotted Owls and many other species.

For over 30 years, EPIC has worked to hold timber companies accountable for their lawless activity, even when the battle seems next to impossible. Our Industrial Forestry Reform program staff comb through thick documents and follow the progress of individual timber plans and policy documents. All this effort is intended to review whether or not the companies are following current laws governing their activities.

EPIC’s Industrial Forestry Reform analyst Rob DiPerna engages in these processes with great diligence. His recent comments submitted to Cal Fire regarding a specific timber plan have interrupted an otherwise rubber stamped process.

In addition, the events exemplify Rob’s conclusion, “This serves to demonstrate once again that Cal Fire does not have the staff, the knowledge, the technical expertise, or for that matter the authority to maintain a program that will actually avoid harm to owls.”

EPIC stops SPI from logging near Spotted Owl nest

EPIC comments on Big Widow THP (2-090078 LAS) have prevented SPI from logging suitable northern spotted owl habitat within 500 feet of a known owl site. EPIC’s comments have also forced Cal Fire to recirculate the Big Widow THP.

The Big Widow THP proposed logging of essential nesting and roosting habitat for northern spotted owls within 500 feet of a known owl site.  EPIC commented to Cal Fire that there was no biological or regulatory justification to allow logging so close to a known owl site.  In response, Cal Fire has required that SPI change the Big Widow THP to exclude logging within 500 feet of the spotted owl site.

However SPI still intends to log within 1,000 feet of the owl site, also within suitable nesting and roosting owl habitat.  EPIC commented to Cal Fire that SPI had not demonstrated that logging within nesting and roosting habitat 1,000 feet from the nest site would retain appropriate habitat characteristics to prevent harm to owls.  Such potential impacts include loss of suitable nesting or roosting platforms, increased susceptibility to adverse weather and predators, and impacts to microclimate conditions within the nest site.  In response, Cal Fire required that SPI demonstrate how logging within 1,000 feet of a known nest site will maintain essential habitat characteristics to assure that harm to owls will be avoided.

In response to our concerns, Cal Fire has recirculated the “Big Widow” THP for 30 days.  Recirculation means that he public comment period is reopened due to the addition of significant new information to the plan.

The Big Widow THP threatens to effectively destroy an owl site by logging suitable nesting and roosting habitat in close proximity to the nest site.  This site is further at risk because SPI is trying to claim that the owl site is abandoned and no longer utilized by owls.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service refused to declare the site abandoned, but that could change based on future survey results.

The Big Widow THP is another glaring example of how the northern spotted owl take avoidance process is fatally flawed as administered by Cal Fire.

Only after EPIC raised significant concerns over possible harm to owls did Cal Fire act to protect the nest site from virtual destruction by restricting logging to the area outside of 500 feet from the nest. This serves to demonstrate once again that Cal Fire does not have the staff, the knowledge, the technical expertise, or for that matter the authority to maintain a program that will actually avoid harm to owls.  The ultimate agency responsible, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, must wrest the reigns from Cal Fire once again and enforce the endangered species act through the technical assistance process.

You can follow this link to download and review the Big Widow THP (2-09-078LAS) for yourself. To submit comments, e-mail reddingpubliccomment@fire.ca.gov.

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) is scheduled to hear and vote on the easement sale for the Usal Redwood Forest at their February 24 (Thursday) board meeting.  Funding of the easement by the WCB will permanently protect almost 50,000 acres of working forest from development, maintain sustainable forestry practices, restore degraded ecosystems and provide for permanent resource related employment.

This is the first and absolutely crucial step in RFFI’s vision to establish community-based forests that will provide critical habitat for increased biodiversity, address climate change and improve regional economic vitality.

For RFFI’s vision to become a reality, we need the WCB to approve funding for the sale of a conservation easement on the Usal Redwood Forest to The Conservation Fund without delay.

Please contact the WCB and tell them of your strong support for the Usal Forest easement.

To send a letter to all nine Wildlife Conservation Board members, please click here.

The rally Monday represented much more than the mostly student contingent, that staged the civil disobedience. A broad diversity of voices in the group were united with a single goal that shook the offices of Caltrans in the form of a chant that rang out throughout the rally: “One Demand: Cancel the Plan!”

A range of people involved in the Coalition to Protect Richardson were asked to speak into the microphone during the rally, to offer brief words of inspiration, songs, and accurate information about the project to the crowd. One of the speakers, Barbara Kennedy, has been working to educate the public about the project since Caltrans began drawing up plans, back in 2007. Her words for the crowd were spoken in a characteristically measured tone, but the crowd’s enthusiasm grew as she spoke. Kennedy’s words of insight were followed by a long time Piercy resident named Cheri Porter, who explained the adverse impacts that businesses in the town of expect, should the project proceed.

In summary, Porter explained, “Every business in Piercy will be negatively impacted, if not destroyed through this project.  We just can’t afford it.  With two lumber mills closing in our community, we depend on tourism to survive and this project will hurt that.”

Withstanding debate between the needs of export-reliant businesses and the many voices of opposition to the project, most people agree that the State Park must not be harmed. This resolute stance by many in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties, the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond may outweigh vocal beneficiaries of the project, like Sun Valley Group Inc. and Emmi Holding Inc.’s Cypress Grove Cheese Company. Until now, these companies and a handful of others have seen no other alternative to fulfill their transportation needs then the widening of 101 through Richardson Grove State Park for larger truck access.

With only a few months before planned construction and a swelling number of defiant activists becoming involved in fighting the project, the time has come to identify an agreeable alternative and push for its implementation. The two sides of the debate could find common ground, by identifying a plausible solution to satisfy a few businesses’ shipping needs but without completing an expensive and risky construction project in the old growth redwood grove within the State Park. One immediate alternative to Caltrans’ Richardson Grove plan would be a new legislative exemption to allow certain industries to run larger trucks through the grove.  This could both offer relief to businesses burdened by expensive shipping costs and preserve the community of ancient trees for future generations.

Currently, cattle trucks are allowed through the grove, even though the trucks’ longer trailers exceed the 48 foot kingpin to rear axle restriction.  If new legislation was introduced that allowed for a permanent exemption for additional trucks, perhaps the heated debate of “trucks versus trees” could be resolved.

Meanwhile, the campaign is growing.

EPIC’s campaign to protect Richardson Grove State Park has gathered thousands of postcards to stop the project, mailed “activist packets” to campaign supporters across the state and hosted well-attended educational forums.  With the Californians for Alternatives to Toxins, the Center for Biological Diversity and five citizen plaintiffs, EPIC also filed two lawsuits challenging the project on legal merits.

The first of these lawsuits charges that the Environmental Impact Report prepared for this project does not meet California Environmental Quality Act standards, and that the project is unnecessary because equivalent trucks pass through the grove every day, without incident. The Federal case cites violations of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The attorneys representing the plaintiff group include Sharon Duggan, Kevin Bundy and the esteemed Cotchett, Pitre and McCarthy law firm. Former US Congressman Pete McCloskey and other well-known California public figures have also come forward opposing the plan, and supporting EPIC’s legal and campaign strategy.

Throughout the last year, over 35,000 people took online actions protesting the plan, and that number will continue to grow. As more people learn that the treasured, ancient trees marking the entrance to the redwood region face a risky construction project by Caltrans, the opposition will grow with the numbers of people informed. Social networking sites like Facebook help viral messages like these extend to unlimited numbers of potential supporters. Already, the Save Richardson Grove FB page has 1670 members, and this is without any assertive campaign to promote the social site.

Now campaign organizers are discussing proposals for massive rallies, action camps, major concerts and other big events to attract activists from around the state to show their strong opposition to Caltrans and the plan to widen 101 through Richardson Grove. All of these efforts could be redirected if either Caltrans cancels their project voluntarily, or another alternative with California lawmakers can be reached quickly.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service took action this week on EPIC and the Center for Biological Diversity‘s petition to list the Humboldt Marten under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).  According to correspondence to the petitioners dated February 3, the agency aims to publish the 90 day finding –the first step toward potential ESA listing– either “late this fiscal year or during the first half of fiscal year 2011.“

This comes as a welcome development, departing from the October 2010 announcement by the Service that it would not be able to work on the petition this year, citing budgetary restrictions. See Scott Greacen’s article entitled, “Feds to Critically Endangered Humboldt Marten: You’re On Your Own”.

According to correspondence from the Service to the petitioners, funding has become available and the Arcata Office of the Fish and Wildlife Service will be the lead Office conducting the finding work.

The Humboldt marten is a cat-sized carnivore related to minks and otters that lives only in coastal, old-growth forests in Northern California and southern Oregon. Because nearly all of its old-growth forest habitat has been destroyed by logging, the Humboldt marten is so rare that it was believed extinct for 50 years.

To download the Petition to List the Humboldt Marten under the Endangered Species Act, click here.

Program Director Job Description:

Position Title: Program Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
Supervises: Program staff
Position Type: Full time, salary
Location: Arcata, California
Salary and Benefits: DOE

Position Summary:

The Program Director is principally responsible for developing, implementing and managing the policy agenda for EPIC’s four intersecting Program areas: Public Lands, Industrial Forest Lands, Biodiversity, and Clean Water. The Program Director is part of the EPIC leadership team, and serves as the anchor for EPIC’s conservation advocacy for the North Coast and Klamath-Siskiyou bioregions in northwestern California. The Program Director works both independently and in collaboration with diverse teams, supervises staff and volunteers, and represents the organization as needed, especially in public fora.

Organizational Background:

The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) is a community-based, non-profit organization that works to protect and restore forests, watersheds, coastal estuaries, and native species in Northern California. EPIC was founded in 1977 when Humboldt County residents came together to end aerial applications of herbicides. EPIC has played key roles in the protection of the Sinkiyone Wilderness State Park, Headwaters Reserve and many other areas; has a long record of effective advocacy on state-regulated forestry issues; and has successfully litigated dozens of cases, including key precedents and cases before state and US Supreme Courts.

For more than 30 years, EPIC has been at the forefront of environmental protection, ensuring that state and federal agencies follow their mandate to uphold environmental laws and protect endangered species. EPIC uses an integrated, science-based approach that combines public education, citizen advocacy and strategic litigation to secure protection for the globally significant biodiversity of the North Coast and Klamath-Siskiyou.

Responsibilities:

Coordination/ Advocacy

Applicant will represent EPIC to:

• Media (including monthly radio show)
• Members
• Allies
• Key regulatory venues
• Public

In addition, the applicant will

• Stay up to date on key issues and developments in:
• Local, state and federal environmental policies, planning, regulations and laws
• Local and regional governmental and private projects
• Science, as it relates to programmatic work
• Monitor and respond to key proposals and initiatives
• Advocate for improved resource management, support appropriate proposals
• Comment, exhaust administrative remedies, and prepare for litigation where necessary
• Coordinate with allied groups and advocates
• Research, develop and orchestrate EPIC’s campaigns, independently and in coalition with other organizations

Administration

• Coordinate with Administrative Director, Development Director and Board of Directors on EPIC organizational logistics including strategic planning and selection and prioritization of EPIC projects, campaigns and litigation
• Supervise and direct Program staff, including:
• Creating work plans, deadlines and schedules
• Mentoring
• Coordinating staff development and training as needed
• Performance reviews

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in environmental science, environmental policy/law, natural resource management, or related field strongly preferred. Multiple years of professional experience, plus relevant Bachelor’s degree may substitute.
• Experience with environmental advocacy and non-profit organizations, preferably with progressive supervisory responsibilities.
• Knowledge of federal and California environmental laws, regulations and policies, specifically those affecting California’s northern forests, rivers and biodiversity.

Desired Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to develop working relationships with stakeholders across the spectrum on a range of issues including multiple partner agencies/organizations, elected officials, community supporters, staff, and volunteers.
• Expertise in public and private land conservation techniques, land use, forestry, and natural resource management; legal and planning knowledge preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of northern California’s water and fisheries issues.
• Extensive knowledge of northern California’s threatened/endangered species and species of concern.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking, negotiation, and consensus building.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to organize and manage diverse activities, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Flexible and able to work well under pressure, with limited supervision.
• Ability to work some non-standard hours, including attending evening and weekend meetings and events.
• Ability to travel significant distances and navigate challenging terrain with aplomb.

The Ideal Candidate will possess the following qualities:

• A flexible personality, sense of humor, and real passion for conservation are essential.
• Ability to maintain a balanced perspective, critical analysis, and cool composure when discussing contentious issues and confronted with strong opinions on all sides.
• Desire to live and work in fairly small, but interesting, communities in a semi-rural region, surrounded by wild places, several hours from urban centers.

To apply send cover letter, resume, references and a writing sample by February 11th to EPIC’s Search Committee at jobs@wildcalifornia.org.

No phone calls please.

“It seems that we have no other choice than to bring our message straight to the decision-makers,” said Kerul Dyer, EPIC’s Richardson Grove campaign coordinator. “Even with two lawsuits pending, the agency continues to barrel ahead with tunnel vision. They seem dead set on damaging the gateway into the redwood region.”

Over the last three years, the campaign to protect Richardson Grove State Park from the ill-advised Caltrans project has collected thousands of letters in opposition, generated tens of thousands of online protest actions and organized dozens of events to educate the public about the myth that local businesses need the project to thrive.

“The many citizen activists who have led this coalition have carried a message forward, but to deaf ears,” said Dyer. “These people can see no other option than to stage a rally at the doors of Caltrans. Perhaps then they will have to listen to the public’s concerns for the trees, and our local community.”

While EPIC, the Center for Biological Diversity, Californians for Alternatives to Toxins, and five citizen plaintiffs are engaged in a lawsuit challenging the plan in California and Federal courts, the grassroots campaign continues to gain momentum. A public update and planning event will take place at the Bayside Grange February 2, at 5 p.m.. In Southern Humboldt, Richardson Grove Action Now organizers have extended an invitation to meet on Sunday, February 6 at noon in the Garberville town square to coordinate efforts for their rally next monday.

For more information about the rally or other events, call (707) 602-7551 or write rgroveactionnow@gmail.com.

During the holiday season, these photographs have been deeply discounted to make them affordable for more supporters of EPIC! All of these amazing, framed photographs are available for only $79.00 each!

To look at his full collection, please visit his gallery and look through all of the images there.

To see them in realtime, just stop by the office in Arcata during regular business hours, and look for yourself at these photographic works.

Proceeds benefit EPIC’s work.

At this writing, EPIC, the Californians for Alternatives to Toxins (CATs), the Center for Biological Diversity and five citizen plaintiffs have filed two lawsuits challenging the project, one in State court and one in federal court. The two lawsuits raise many issues to the court, namely that Caltrans did not adequately assess the environmental impacts under either Federal or State laws designed to protect our rivers and forest ecosystems. We have an incredibly talented legal team, including the leadership of Sharon Duggan and the support of the acclaimed Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy law firm. Soon, these cases will be heard in San Francisco for the Federal lawsuit and in Humboldt County for the state lawsuit. As soon as we hear from either court about scheduled dates, we will post them on our website, so those interested may attend the hearings.  Even with many of the attorneys working pro-bono on this case, the cost of these legal challenges can be overwhelming. Please consider donating to the Richardson Grove Legal Fund, to support the effort.

Rumors and poor media coverage have led the public to inaccurate conclusions about the Richardson Grove highway widening project, including that Caltrans’ project planners have all but one permit to proceed, and that they intend to begin the project as soon as February, 2011.  Sources at Caltrans consistently state that they cannot begin the project next month, and that agency does not, contrary to popular belief, have all of their permits in order to even contract the construction work. Estimated start date for Caltrans is June 2011, but if we have anything to do with it, no project will proceed!

While construction will likely not start as soon as anticipated, our collaborative campaign to protect the ancient stand of redwoods along 101 must now get more organized, for anticipated public events in the coming months. Now is the time for campaign supporters to create visual tools, spread the word and organize regional meetings with a member of the coalition to keep informed.  One self-organized group of activists have taken the first step and organized a meeting (location TBA) during the last week of January. This free potluck gathering in Arcata will offer an opportunity for an in-depth update from EPIC, a strategic planning discussion, and plenty of time to paint banners and build puppets for future rallies. In addition, Richardson Grove Campaign materials will be available, including t-shirts, brochures, stickers and petitions. EPIC will send out an announcement on our Enewsletter list and post details on our website at wildcalifornia.org.

To get your own Save Richardson Grove t-shirt, please stop by the EPIC office at 145 G Street Suite A in Arcata, write epic@wildcalifornia.org, or call 707-822-7711 to make other arrangements. These organic T-shirts cost a minimum donation of $15, and are available in Chocolate Brown, Black, Forest Green, and Natural Beige.

Thanks to your ongoing support and involvement, our work this year has brought in many new allies and generated thousands of online actions in support of the incredible ecosystems of the Northcoast and beyond.

EPIC’s office will be officially closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day, but we can be reached anytime at epic@wildcalifornia.org.

With 2010 drawing to a close, we look toward the New Year with a renewed sense of commitment to protecting the forests and watershedsof Northwest California in 2011.

Sincerely,

EPIC Board and Staff