Headwaters Appropriation Bill Signed

Governor Pete Wilson signed the bill September 19, 1998 appropriating $242 million to purchase the Headwaters old-growth redwood forest grove.

In a flurry of last minute legislative activity, the California State Assembly appropriated the money to purchase the forest grove from Pacific Lumber Company. In what has been quoted as a “minor miracle,” the Assembly agreed to the measure August 31, with no votes to spare.

The appropriated funds include $130 million to match federal funds for Headwaters, plus another $100 million to acquire additional Pacific Lumber Company old-growth reserves to the southwest of Headwaters, and another $12 million for Humboldt County for economic recovery purposes. The bill also specifies conditions to be added to the Habitat Conservation Plan.

A draft set of the HCP principles was agreed to February 27, 1998 among Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Department of the Interior, State Resources Secretary Doug Wheeler, and Pacific Lumber. The draft calls for protection of 85% of Pacific Lumber’s remaining old-growth, covering 8,000 acres in 13 marbled murrelet conservation areas by prohibiting harvesting for at least 50 years.

A key part of the Assembly measure signed by the Governor is development of an HCP covering the rest (200,000 acres) of Pacific Lumber’s timberlands. A detailed HCP is being completed.