State Water Board Blocks Pacific Lumber Logging Plans
Sacramento, CA — State water regulators are blocking Pacific Lumber Company from the increased logging it says it needs to prevent possible layoffs and bankruptcy.
The State Water Resources Control Board says the North Coast timber company´s plans were improperly approved by a regional water board without a sufficient environmental review.
Pacific Lumber may appeal the state board´s decision in court. The company says the environmental review was properly conducted before the California Department of Forestry signed off on the proposed logging.
The five-member water board ruled unanimously with environmental groups who say state law requires an additional round of reviews when the logging could harm already damaged waterways like the Freshwater Creek and Elk River drainages near Eureka.
