One of the most amazing things about Humboldt county is the absence of big box stores and strip centers so common in most parts of this country. With the introduction of Target we saw several small businesses go under. We must work to keep our local businesses thriving. Opening this section of highway could have a negative impact not only on this amazing stretch of old growth forest but also on the local businesses that so many of us support. Keep it local and keep corporate America out of Humboldt.

Money money. Thats what EPIC is all about. Come sheep! Save the trees!! LOL You guys are like evangelical environmentalists. Like any religion, its about preying on the weak, and making people who are guilty about their lifestyles feel better about themselves.

“”EPIC has now analyzed the 1200+-page environmental document. We have found substantial flaws in this defective document, leaving it vulnerable to legal challenge. We are confident that our strategy can provide full protection for these trees and the expose the myths Caltrans and lobbyists use to mislead the public.”"

Well done, sue on a technicality. What “full protection” are you going to ensure for the old growth trees that line the freeway in one of the most trampled state parks in the state? This aint little Yosemite, its a park split by a freeway, and paved with miles of road, power line easements, dozens of state buildings, and hundreds of people tromping around daily. Are you going to close it down? That may give the trees “full protection”.

To me it’s not just the trees but the experience of driving thru an ancient forest along a narrow winding road. No where in the world can you experience this. I think of this stretch of road as the gateway to Humboldt county. These ancient forests stretched all the way to Santa Rosa only fifty years ago, now there is no trace of the towering giants down south.

Glad to see EPIC get on the legal case. I just surfed the final report and gagged on the main report’s total indifference to whatever wasn’t happening on the pavement. But the appendix! Even to my untrained eye the writer(s) weren’t even trying to defend the damage that would be resulting to the oldgrowth. Or the quarter acre of tanoak to be clearcut with again a ridiculously weak defense as to the threatened birds. Let’s get-em.
I also found great stuff – like the Yuma Bat, the Pallid Bat, and a host of creatures I immediately fell in love with all over again. The appendix was like a Disney movie written by Freddie the hockey mask guy. I am working on a utube musical (5 minute version). Maybe Freddie will be in it – as CalTrans.

Thanks EPIC for your ongoing wonderful work. Obviously, Caltrans should have done the thorough EIR/EIS but instead only did the half-ass version for the federal side of things (the Environmental Assessment) rather than a full EIS.

The Richardson Grove will have growth and extraction implications throughout the North Coast, and the odds of Marbled Murrelet recovery if there is deterioration of Richardson Grove habitat is grim indeed. Help those species — including those humanoids too! Thanks !!!