Logging crews gaze up at a 252-foot old-growth redwood slated for removal in Lower Redway. | Photo submitted by Sue Maloney.

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Following months of pushback from environmental advocates over the removal of an old-growth redwood in Lower Redway, the county is now requiring the landowner to obtain a special permit before the 252-foot tree can be cut down — a weeks-long process that will require a public hearing before the Humboldt County Planning Commission.

This is the latest in a five-month controversy over the removal of several old-growth redwoods from a corner lot, owned by CalFire employee Robert Scarlett, at Oakridge Drive and Briceland Road in Lower Redway. 

Concerned that the centuries-old redwoods posed a hazard to his house, Scarlett secured a hazard tree exemption from CalFire to have the trees chopped down. When tree removal began late last year, environmental activists urged the county to intervene, arguing that the trees were protected by a county-designated “Q Zone” that prohibits the removal of old-growth redwoods near the John B. DeWitt State Natural Reserve. The dispute ignited a debate between the county and CalFire, which, as the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, has permitting and enforcement jurisdiction over timber operations on timberland.

Just last week, several people showed up to protest the removal of the last remaining old-growth redwood on the property, a 252-foot tree estimated to be between 350 and 370 years old. County officials and local law enforcement intervened after several hours, halting operations and informing Scarlett that he would have to block the road to fell the tree safely, which requires an encroachment permit. 

Asked why the county had decided to require Scarlett to obtain a special permit as well, Humboldt County Planning and Building Director John Ford told the Outpost that the county just confirmed that its jurisdiction overrides CalFire’s in the Q Zone.

“In 2020, some redwoods were removed, and the county attempted to enforce against the removal,” Ford wrote via email. “We were told by both the County Forest Review Committee and CalFire that we did not have jurisdiction where a CalFire permit was being issued. That has been our understanding. Recently, I had a meeting with CalFire, [which] explained that we did have jurisdiction in the Q-Zone. Our understanding of county jurisdiction was incorrect, but that has been corrected.”

Asked about next steps for obtaining the special permit, Ford said the county will send out notices for the upcoming public hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. Under the best circumstances, Ford said, it will be “several weeks” before a decision is made. If the decision is appealed to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, it will take even longer.

Reached for comment on the matter, Scarlett advised the Outpost to contact his attorney, Tonya Farmer, who provided the following statement via email: “Mr. Scarlett will continue to proceed in accordance with applicable law. Because this remains an evolving matter, we will not be commenting further at this time.”

Those opposed to the tree’s removal are celebrating the news. Redway resident Sue Maloney said she’s “hopeful that the last remaining 10-foot diameter, 252-foot-tall redwood that was slated to be destroyed will remain standing and old-growth redwood dependent critters will still have a home.  

“There is only one reason to live in Lower Redway, and that’s because you want to live among the ancient redwoods,” Maloney wrote in an emailed statement. “The purpose of the Q-zone is to protect irreplaceable old-growth redwoods from being liquidated for profit. We believe the landowner and the registered professional forester, both CalFire employees, abused the exemption process, and our Humboldt County officials chose to shirk their responsibilities.”

“We are deeply saddened that four large redwoods were allowed to be destroyed, but we are elated that the county appears to finally be willing to give this issue the process it deserves,” she continued. “We urge the county not to weaken the [Q Zone] ordinance.”

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will review the county’s Q Zone at its June 2 meeting.