Reply to Sean Burch:

Sean, I do appreciate your reply to my post and would like to respond.

1)We realize logging is your family's business, but there are still restrictions written into law on what any landowner can do on his/her property. Appealing to those government agencies charged with enforcing same to reconsider your harvest proposal is a public right and duty if health, safety and environment are to be protected. Doing so is not meant as a personal attack in any way or a threat to your livelihood.

2) We are not "crying wolf" so much as speaking up for the wildlife and ecology of a sensitive area of our county and state. Logging, no matter how tenderly you slice it, has a direct impact on endangered species and water quality, and the immediate community has a right to say our piece.

3) The Ohlone tribes that inhabited this area did not cut down the redwoods. They considered them sacred, and used their shade to camp en route to and from the San Francisco and Monterey Bays, leaving burials and other ritual sites which is why CCR 929.1(a)is written into the Forest Practice rulebook.

Clearcutting began in the 19th century, though some parts of the forest were rescued by photographers and naturalists such as Andrew Hill in this case, who was responsible for having Big Basin declared the first state redwood park (1902). I'm sure you know this history.

4) There is plenty of woody debris falling naturally into creeks, providing the habitat you speak of. Besides, the issue here is logging in steep areas and along banks that will fail, erode and dump massive amounts of silt into the watercourses when winter rains come. Given this, residents downstream along Boulder Creek have legitimate concerns.

5) I think you will find people here from all walks of life and all ages who want to preserve the forests for future generations. This particular land has been logged at least three times in my lifetime, and would better serve the community as an addition to Big Basin Park. I suggest if you are truly interested in responsible forestry and not just the money from these trees, you consider offering the land in Section 34 to State conservancy, not as a donation, but for a fair price.

6) We's like to take you up on the idea of coming down to CDF in Felton for a public hearing on this THP. Thanks for offering, as we know there has already been one that was poorly attended when no one knew about your plan, and welcome the opportunity to make suggestions to you and CDF on how best to manage the property without further negative consequences to the environment. We will notify the proper agencies of your willingness to meet.