Helicopter logging in Oregon in 1967. Photo: Forestry History Society, via Flickr. Creative Commons license.

Press release from the Mattole Restoration Council:

The Mattole Restoration Council (MRC), in partnership with the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD) will be conducting helicopter operations in the Petrolia area between Monday, September 23rd and Wednesday, September 25th (7:00AM and 7:00PM).

The work being completed between includes removing over 400 Douglas-fir trees that have encroached into historic grasslands and flying them into McGinnis Creek for in-stream habitat. This project is the result of a collaborative effort between CalFire, HCRCD, MRC, Mattole Salmon Group, 3030 Ranch, 7B Ranch, Humboldt Redwood Company, Colombia Helicopters, and William J. Etter Construction. The project will result in reduction of hazardous fuels, grasslands restoration, biomass utilization, and instream habitat restoration.

These operations are part of the Mattole and Salmon Creek Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Project, funded by CalFire. The Mattole and Salmon Creek Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Project, is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and- Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.

There will be controlled traffic and brief road closures at the end of Conklin Creek Road on Monday September 23rd and Tuesday September 24th.

For more information about the project please contact hugh@mattole.org or call 707.629.3514.