Humboldt State University

Humboldt State Now

http://now.humboldt.edu/news/dr-rudi-becking-1923-
2009/

Dr. Rudi Becking 1923-2009

Oct 22, 2009

Dr. Becking, a faculty member in the Forestry and Natural Resources Planning &
Interpretation departments from 1960 to 1983, passed away peacefully on Oct. 13 in
Sandy, Utah. He was active in many local organizations, especially in the environmental
arena. The HSU Library has his extensive archives of research materials on the local area.

Becking is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Louise Becking, who passed away
on May 3. The family is planning a celebration of Becking’s life in Arcata on Nov. 21 at
the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 10 a.m. Friends from Humboldt State
University are encouraged to attend.

Condolences can be sent to the following address.

The Becking Family – Tasha, John, & Reane

P.O. Box 90951
Santa Barbara , CA 93190-0951

At Rudi’s request, in lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in his name to:

Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (H.U.U.F.)

P.O. Box 506
Bayside, CA 95524

=====================

http://www.mecgrassroots.org/NEWSL/ISS14/14.06Sustain.html

Sustainable Means Forever:

Supes Pick Real Wood Co-op To Harvest County Forest

by Naomi Wagner

Real Wood Co-op

Gratifying. Somewhere between vindication and validation. Astonishment, elation,

excitement. Those were some of the emotions swirling through me and my fellow co-op
members on Tuesday, October 26, when the Mendocino County board of supervisors
decided to award a contract to develop a "sustainable, long-term management plan" for
the County-owned 26 acre forested parcel near the Albion-Little River Airport, to the
Mendocino Real Wood Co-op under supervision by co-op advisor and RPF, Dr. Rudolf
Becking.

It hasn't been easy, getting even this far. Behind us is not only a scant year in our
fledgling organization's development, but the past five years of intensive engagement
with the forces of corporate-mandated forest depletion, from the halls of academia, to the
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), to the courts and the forest of Albion, the "Timber
Wars" and nonviolent Redwood Summers. All this formed the backdrop for the
supervisors' hesitantly historic decision to implement the innovative, yet traditional
method of all-age/all-species forestry of European origin known as the "Plenterung"
system.

This was the co-op's second appearance before the supervisors, who'd postponed a
decision earlier due to what they said was "insufficient information" from their appointed
"Select Timber Committee". As a few FAC- followers may recall, this body was set up
and headed by Supervisors Norman deVall and Jim Eddie after the Board of Supervisors
rejected the now dormant FAC's 1992 recommendation to limit cutting on corporate-
owned land to 2% of inventory, and on nonindustrial small forestland-ownerships under
5,000 acres to the Santa Cruz County rules, limiting cuts to 60% of volume, using
selection silviculture.

To evaluate the proposals the County had requested, the Select Timber Committee had
been expanded to include County Planning Commission Chair Billy Cornet, retiring U.C.
Extension Forester, Pete Passoff, and Willits logger Walter Smith of the Institute of
Sustainable Forestry. But with its two Supervisor heads in opposition and without a
written evaluation of the proposals, the Committee had split 3-2, recommending a motion
to adopt the competing proposal submitted by RPF Christopher Hipkin, with the Real
Wood Co-op "to be considered only for a possible role in the harvesting and milling of
the timber".

A memo from County Administrator Mike Scannel's office did not bode well for the
Becking/Real Wood proposal. It warned the Supervisors that the Plenterung method was
"untested in the United States and was not well accepted by professionals in the field". It
could, according to Passoff, actually pose "a significant risk to the Board's stated
objectives of creating a sustainable stand of trees".
Not only that, but Scannel wrote that the co-op was "too new and inexperienced an
organization" for the job. Though they were "impressed with the research and zeal of the
Real Wood Co-op", our proposal was viewed, said the memo, as "a request to perform an
experiment, by an unproven organization, on one of the County's most valuable, long-
term assets".

At the other end of our spectrum of critics sat some of our friends who were opposed to
any and all cutting on the narrow, windblown coastal parcel, bordered by Pigmy Forest,
the airport and L-P, believing that nature is the best forest manager and time heals all
wounds.

With the odds stacked against us like a mountain of Masonite chips, the Real Wood
Board Members had filed into the Supervisors' chambers, doggedly determined to be The
Little Co-op that Could. But would the County Supervisors say yes to Plenterung when
they could barely pronounce the word?

As Chairman Eddie opened the afternoon session, the back row filled with the faces of
familiar opponents to the FAC reforms: Farm Bureau folks, ex-Masonite manager John
McGregor and Louisiana-Pacific's Roger Kruger, now a realtor.

Discussion on the motion see-sawed between economical and ecological considerations,

as the Supervisors struggled once again to reconcile the needs to both produce income on
the one hand, and insure sustainable, long-term management on the other. Just how much
income?, how soon?, and how sustainable?, were the questions.

Norman suggested the board just pick a percentage of volume it wanted removed -- say
20 percent in ten years -- and go with it. But Liz Henry wondered how they could know if
that harvest level was sustainable. Wasn't that why they'd asked the two RPFs, Becking
and Hipkin, to clarify their proposals and answer the supervisor's questions directly?

Dr. Becking summarized the basics of the Plenterung method he's been propounding over
the 40-year span of his internationally recognized professional career. "Plenterung", he
explained, means literally, "pick and choose," and is a form of uneven-aged, selection
silviculture that stimulates quality growth and maintains constant volumes and closed
canopies, and works towards optimum productivity levels for all species. The method
emphasizes natural regeneration for increased genetic strength, protects old growth and
seeks to restore the environmental quality of soil, water and wildlife.

Plenterung operates on a 100% inventory basis and creates a permanent record for
monitoring and adjustment. The system is designed to provide an even cash flow from an
increasing supply of high quality timber and other diverse forest products in perpetuity.

A Professor Emeritus of Forestry retiring this year from Humboldt State University, at 72
Dr. Becking is a large, robust man whose craggy bulk belies the quick wit twinkling from
his sharp blue eyes. When Rudi talks about "regeneration", his gnarled hands make
vigorous motions -- Up! Up! -- seeming to spur the seedlings from the dark forest floor
towards the sunlight of the canopy.

Becking's proposal called for a maximum of 15% initial volume removal, with successive
harvests at seven-year intervals.

"But won't such frequent re-entries cause a lot of erosion?" Supervisor McMichaels
voiced a common concern.

"This is a common fallacy," responded Rudi. "But we're talking about a permanent, well-
maintained, minimum-width road net with no landings to take up growing space. Zero
sedimentation is possible using Plenterung methods of proper road maintenance, just like
conventional roads", he said. The Supes nodded at this novel notion, though it was
unclear whether it was Rudi's Dutch-Indonesian accent, or the concept of permanent
sustainability that was foreign to their deficit-deafened ears.

"Won't the road system be expensive," the Supes continued questioning. Although the
initial cost of road layout is slightly higher, subsequent costs are lower or non-recurring,
replied Becking, adding that "it usually ends up costing about the same to do a good job
as a lousy one."

Next came questions about growth. Would the Plenterung closed-canopy approach "open
up the forest enough to allow sufficient sunlight for regeneration", queried County
Administrator Scannel.

Dr. Becking referred him to the comparative analysis of growth projection included in his
comprehensive proposal, based on 1981 data from a 1/5-acre growth plot by Pete Passoff
and a "point sample" inventory by Burton and Baldo of Willits Redwood Company,
along with a current 100% inventory of 2.5 representative acres performed by the Real
Wood Co-op in July. These figures, though incomplete, all indicated a growth rate of 1%-
1.5%. Thus, a 15% initial removal on a 7-10 year cycle would represent the upper limit of
a conservative cut while stimulating overall productivity.

In European forests where Plenterung has been successfully practiced for 400 years,
growth rates of 5%-6% of inventory had been reached, according to Becking, until acid
rain had damaged many forests. A letter to the supervisors from Real Wood Co-op
founding member, Bill Mannix, praised Becking's proposal, noting that "if Becking's
method was not well-received by local professional foresters, that was -- if anything -- an
advantage, considering the devastated state of our locally harvested forests".

"But are the forests in Europe, where this, er . . . , Plenterung system is done, the same as
our forests?" asked Frank Mc Michaels, pronouncing the term correctly. "They are
similar," answered Rudi, "in latitude and climate, although if anything, European and
Scandinavian forests grow on steeper slopes at colder, higher elevations, with more snow
than our Pacific Northwest coastal forests. The danger of avalanches is a constant
motivation for careful practices."
"Many species are related, the fir family and hemlock, for example, and the beach tree,
which is like our tan oak as a soil binder and source of wildlife sustenance," said
Becking, compressing the comparison into a nutshell.

"But what about redwood?, Mc Michaels questioned. "Ah, redwood is unique," replied
Rudi, "that is why we must be very careful."

Mannix's memo predicted the Becking-Real Wood plan would "definitely stimulate
quality growth", whereas "opening too much ... produces excessive limbs and knotty
wood, instead of clear, fine-grained boards from trunk height growth".

Supervisor Sugawara spoke up, apologizing for his unfamiliarity with forestry, and
hence, the "elementary" nature of his questions. "I just can't see how the county's asset
can be harmed by taking out fewer trees," he speculated, "but what's the real difference
between 15% and 20% or 25% removal?"

"Well," replied Dr. Becking, with a distinctly non-technical analogy, "suppose I'm a
surgeon, and you come to me for an operation and transfusion. You have Type A blood,
but I offer you Type B. Will you take the risk? The maximum Plenterung prescription
calls for 15% -- if you want 20%, don't blame the surgeon if the patient dies!"

The Becking-Real Wood Co-op proposal projects about 250 thousand board feet removal
volume and an approximate revenue of $150,000, pending 100% inventory and variable
log prices, from the first harvest.

Next, it was Chris Hipkin's turn at the podium. A young man of medium build and a
moderate manner, the 1980 U.C.-Berkeley graduate of Forestry and Botany received his
RPF license in 1986 and had been involved in the 1983 Railroad Gulch "uneven-age"
silvicultural demonstration area in Jackson State Forest near Mendocino Woodlands, as
well as working for small landowners, the Forest Service, and Georgia-Pacific
Corporation.

Mr. Hipkin's proposal was short and relatively simple. Describing the airport parcel as an
even-aged stand, Hipkin suggested a multi-stage "move ... toward a desired stand
structure that reflects the county's goals for sustainable production of timber, open space
and diversity of plant and animal life". Using a group selection with target basal area
removal method much like the Woodlands experiment, a 20% removal would be "in the
ballpark to initiate this transition", he felt. But at the same time, he emphasized that he
could be flexible to meet the county's needs.

"We know what our needs are, but we don't know what's sustainable" repeated Liz. "Tell
us, don't ask us!"

"Is it true," deVall asked bluntly, "that your proposal calls for up to five acres of 1/2 to 1
acre clearcuts on the 700' wide piece of property?"
"They'd be more like small openings," rejoined Hipkin, to "provide regeneration space
for redwood sprouts and other tree seedlings."

The genetic superiority of naturally selected redwood seedlings over the clonal sprouts
was a subject co-op members had debated with Hipkin and USDF forester Norm Henry
on a recent tour of the Mendocino Woodlands project. The airport parcel contained an
unusual number of redwood seedlings in the under-story that Hipkin's plan would thin
from below. But there was no way to elucidate these details to the supervisors, crucial
though they might be to the long-term survival of a species that evolved with the Gynko
tree.

A statement submitted by RDF Alan Mohr, Chair of the local Resource Conservation
District and project manager for New Growth Forestry, raised reservations about the
group selection openings' vulnerability to blow-down in the storm-exposed coastal zone
and said large gaps were unnecessary for good regeneration on this site. After three or
four such entries, a "pattern of small, even-aged stands would be created", he said, not the
diversity of a truly uneven-aged stand.

"If the size of the holes is a problem, we can close them up," offered Chris reasonably,
"or just get rid of them completely."

The Hipkin proposal included no on-site inventory data, no specific estimates of volume
or revenues to the county, nor assurances of local employment, no in-county milling or
value-added marketing, nor mention of the demonstration and educational elements
called for in the county's original Request for Proposals. But Chris was interested in
working with the Real Wood Co-op on these aspects, and would be open to the
Plenterung method, if he were selected as the RPF.

Could the Real Wood Co-op work with Mr. Hipkin?, Norman wanted to know. We
affirmed the co-op would work with anyone who agreed to implement Plenterung
principles and practices of sustainable forestry.

Supervisor Eddie called a short recess and the two foresters immediately put their heads
together while the room buzzed with discussion. Identifiable by their T-shirt, an Albion
Nation representative asserted the accuracy of 100% field inventories done with tree
forks over computer simulations based on partial plot samples and average yield tables.
Behind the video camera, an Ecotopia Earth First!er recorded the proceedings for the
public and posterity.

Public comment was brief, and solidly in support of the Real Wood Co-op and Dr.
Becking's proposal, with the exception of the opinion expressed by Mr. Passoff. Walter
Smith told the Board he expected the timber harvest plan prepared according to
Plenterung would "meet or exceed CDF standards". Supervisor Sugawara confessed he'd
already shown Dr. Becking's proposal to CDF officials and was pleased to report that
they saw no problem.
"This kind of management would qualify for certification as sustainably harvested
wood," continued Walter, "just like the organic label for produce, the certified sustainable
stamp adds value in itself and will command a premium price in a growing market."

Alan Mohr said the Little River Forest was a "diamond in the rough, that if intelligently
managed on the Plenterung basis would not only produce a 'golden egg' of periodic
income for the County but would also play an equally valuable educational role by
establishing a forestry model that will open doors to the small-landowner timber supply".

Jim Eddie said he didn't believe there was any such method or market, but allowed that
he wouldn't "organize folks against it." He called for the vote. But Norman floated an
amendment to utilize the services of both foresters on the job.

A voice burst out from the back row: "Does that mean this is going to cost the county
twice as much?" inquired an applauded Kathie Cooke, L-P secretary and prominent
Woman in Timber. Were the Supes about to lose their marbles?

Rudi rose to the occasion. Legally and ethically, he declared, there can be only one RPF
signing the bottom line on any THP or contract, and supervising the timber operator and
workers. "I will take full responsibility for the plan and operations," he said, "but Mr.
Hipkin is welcome to come on board."

Norman's rider died and Seiji introduced a new motion, seconded by Liz, to give
Plenterung and the Real Wood Co-op a chance.

Plenterung passed 3 to 2, with supervisors Eddie and McMichaels opposed.

"Gee," remarked Liz, "I don't think we've ever done anything like this before."

"Yes," murmured Seiji, "time for a change."

Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004

Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited

-
http://www.mecgrassroots.org/NEWSL/ISS11/11.07sustain.html

Institute For Sustainable Forestry

by Alicia Bales
Those of you who are concerned about the timber industry's near-sighted forest practices
will be excited about the Institute for Sustainable Forestry. We've been around for a year
now, promoting logging practices that will not only keep forest ecosystems intact and
healthy, but restore already devastated lands to their previous natural productivity. This
will provide small landowners with the potential to manage their forests in a responsible
and profitable way.

ISF grew out of the holistic forestry of Jan and Peggy Iris. Jan was doing fire hazard
reduction and overall stand improvement in Briceland, taking out excess tan oak and
madrone, when he realized that the trees had more potential value than just firewood. He
and Peggy developed a system for drying and milling the previously "worthless"
hardwoods, and marketed their product through Wild Iris Forestry. Eventually, hoping to
spread the word about sustainable forestry and bring it to other watersheds as an
alternative to unhealthy forestry practices, they set up the Institute, and we've been
working to realize this vision ever since.

We have been busy! In January 1991, with the first Institute Brainstorming Weekend in
Briceland, ISF was born. The past year has seen a series of workshops in the woods,
including, "Sustainable Forestry Management Options for Small Landowners," and an,
"All-Aged, All-Species Forest Inventory Workshop" led by HSU's Dr. Rudi Becking. The
sight of our first Pilot Project has been found and funded, to create a living model of the
implementation of our, "Ten Elements of Sustainability," holistic guidelines that take into
account the forest ecology, soils, hydrology, wildlife, and the local community. And
we're looking forward to beginning two more pilot projects, as well as workshop series
on restoration forestry and hardwoods utilization. Our first issue of Forestree News, the
ISF newsletter, is hot off the press and packed with details about our recent endeavors.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the ISF, and the culmination of all of our efforts, is
the creation of a certification process and criteria to distinguish ecologically harvested
products in the marketplace. This program, Pacific Certified Ecological Forest Products
(PCEFP), is like the "organic" label of the forest products world, ensuring that the
stamped product was obtained in a way that is beneficial to the forest. The certification
process starts long before the first tree is cut, and continues until the product is introduced
into the retail market.

Redirecting the focus of today's forestry from short-term profits to sustainable

management and stewardship is a monumental job. There's always more that needs to be
done, and any extra volunteer effort is gratefully appreciated, especially in our Briceland
office. To get involved with ISF, drop us a line or give us a call! We'd love to hear from
you, and spread the word! We want to let people know we're out here, and providing an
option to industrial logging that will nourish instead of destroy our forests.

The Institute for Sustainable Forestry,

POB 1580, Redway, CA 95560,

707-923-4719

Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004

Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited
http://books.google.com/books?id=FxBqp-
wo9R0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?
id=lmoRsxRGVRcC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onep
age&q=&f=false

Timber plan approved

The state has approved the City of Arcata's Non-Industrial Timber Management Plan.
Approval of the document, which may be in effect for up to 50 years, clears the way for
planned timber harvests, though no cutting will be performed until next June at the
earliest. Development of detailed responses to public comment apparently delayed sign-
off on the NTMP by the California Division of Forestry. Nine original letters, four copies
of one form letter and an eight-page petition were received. Three of the letters were
submitted by retired forestry professor Dr. Rudolph Becking. These comprise the bulk of
the official response section of the NTMP. Two more letters from Becking as well as a
letter from Red Cloud Thunder were sent in after the close of public comment, but these
were not responded to. Though protesters have abandoned their tree-sit vigil in the Arcata
Community Forest, debris remains lodged in one tree. Andre said Red Cloud Thunder has
promised to remove the material during winter solstice Dec. 21.

http://www.arcataeye.com/old/top/991214top01.shtml

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http://www.arcataeye.com/old/top/000808top02.shtml
Logging showdown in forest, City Hall
By Kevin L. Hoover, Eye Editor

APEG Channel 12 viewers from Fortuna to Trinidad

marveled last Wednesday night at the spectacle of
environmentalists fighting over the controls of
Spaceship Arcata.
Zero-cut advocates tangled with Arcata decision-
makers on the trail and in the halls of government over
management of Arcata's forests. Logging now in
Anti-logging protesters enjoy a
group hug outside City Hall after
the confrontation at the City
Council meeting. A group hug
between shaken councilmembers
was accomplished with professional
dispatch, too quickly for a
photographer to wield a camera in
their direction. (Photo by
KLH/Eye)
progress in the Arcata Community Forest and related protests became the week's defining
issue, as well as a cause for contretemps at the Wednesday night City Council meeting.

At odds were two sets of ardent environmentalists: Arcata's now-entrenched old guard,
some of whom would have fit in well with the protesters in their younger years.

Mayor Connie Stewart is office manager at the Northcoast Environmental Center.

Councilmember Jim Test is also a veteran of that organization. Councilmembers Jennifer
Hanan and Bob Ornelas are both members of the Green Party.

The enviro-elders found themselves defending logging on public lands following

objections by less polished newcomers to environmental politics. The ragtag group,
unfamiliar both with meeting procedure and the particulars of Arcata's forest policies and
history, found a lot to question about the City's policies and tactics.

History

The 11-acre, selective cut in the ACF is being performed in conformance with the Non-
Industrial Timber Management Plan approved last year by City and state authorities after
extensive public hearings. The NTMP was also reviewed by the Institute for Sustainable
Forestry, which then offered SmartWood certification to City of Arcata timber.

The current harvest six acres in the Campbell Creek watershed and five acres in the Jolly
Giant Creek watershed will yield about 400,000 board feet and half a million dollars.

The monies will be placed in the presently exhausted Forest Fund, which pays for
maintenance of Arcata's municipally owned woodlands. Last year, the harvest contract
had been awarded to J.L. Logging, but that firm was unable to perform the work until
September.

The contract was then awarded to Tim Renner of Diamond A Ranch for $92,104. The
City says that with selective cuts, it is generating revenue while restoring the forest's age
and species diversity, addressing damage created during clearcuts and sloppy forestry
going back to the 1870s. Last year, forest activists roughly associated with a group called
Red Cloud Thunder established tree sits in the Community Forest in hopes of preventing
logging there.

The sitters were widely criticized for turning part of Trail 3 into a party zone, infested
with litter and human waste. One passerby was attacked and his arm shredded by an
unleashed dog, with the owner refusing to surrender the animal. When the harvest was
put off till this year, the sitters left. In the last few weeks, a new group of tree sitters have
returned and established at least two platforms in trees of Trail 3.

The City's policy has been to ignore the illegal camping while attempting to
accommodate the protesters' wishes that certain trees be spared. "If they want to sit in a
tree, let 'em sit in a tree," said Police Chief Mel Brown.
City Forester Mark Andre said he has met with the activists several times, answering
questions and filling in large gaps in their knowledge base. Some protesters have asked
which large corporation will be profiting from the harvest (the operation is City-
managed); others have voiced fears that county Sheriff's deputies will attack them with
pepper spray (the Arcata Community Forest lies within Arcata city limits, within the
jurisdiction of the Arcata Police).

Many protesters appear to believe the City is clearcutting in an ancient redwood forest,
rather than making selective cuts in a second-growth forest. Tree sitter supporters tabled
at the Co-op Saturday, July 29, gathering donations of food and money. A man named
Aaron said he had just found out about the planned harvest and was unclear on details,
but was opposed to any tree cutting. "I don't think they should log 'em for any reason,"
Aaron said.

Another supporter called the City's claims of

sustainable management "an escape goat." Sitter
supporter Adrianne Coffman also contested the City's
claims of sustainability. "Call it what you want, they're
cutting the biggest trees they can to make the most
money," she said.

Anti-logging slogans appeared on stumps last week,

including "Die loggers die" and "Hope you like spikes."
Flyers posted downtown over the weekend promised a
major protest set for Monday morning, July 31.

'It's like, y'know'

That morning, a confrontation along Trail 3 ended in

the arrest of three anti-logging protesters.
Logger Tim Renner and Arcata
After going through a barricade at the base of Trail 3 City Forester Mark Andre at the
not far from HSU's Redwood Sciences Lab, about 20 lgging site off Trail 3. (Photo by
KLH/Eye)
protesters some with infants and small children -
traveled up the trail to within feet of the logging operation. There, they were stopped by
two APD officers and a pair of City workers.

The protesters verbally sparred with the four City employees, finding little common
ground.

A City worker, Forest Tech Dennis Houghton, appeared to bait the protesters with
provocative statements. "They're my trees, too," he said. "And I'm going to log mine."
At these and other utterances, a shudder of shock ran through the anti-logging protesters
milling about the trail. Police remained mute, standing at ease behind a branch which had
fallen across the trail and which served as a rough and ready barricade.

One protester said chainsaws and heavy equipment should not be used in the Arcata
Community Forest under any circumstances not even to remove invasive non-native
species such as holly, English ivy, pampas grass and others which crowd out natural
vegetation and destroy habitat.

He spoke at length of an artist's need to find the right medium for expression, frequently
punctuating his ruminations with the term, "It's like, y'know." He said forest management
is "bogus," noting that forests managed themselves without apparent problem before the
advent of humans.

He did acknowledge that invasive plant invasions occur in disturbed areas, but dismissed
the problem as a "little issue." Another protester agreed that non-native invasives are a
problem worthy of City intervention.

Houghton said he wished the turnout for City-sponsored volunteer forest work days
would approach the level of participation in the protest, since an average of just three
people turn out for those events.

A number of protesters agreed, but said they had never heard of the work day events. Just
one of the two-dozen protesters had heard of the planned 171-acre Timber Harvest Plan
filed by Sierra Pacific Industries in Sunny Brae, and she appeared to believe the
Community Forest was included in that harvest and that City activities would somehow
imperil Grotzman Creek, which is a couple of watersheds to the south.

That afternoon, protesters crossed the inner barricade to enter the logging area and
encircled a tree to prevent it from being felled. Two were arrested on the spot while
others left the area; a third person was arrested on a nearby trail. Those arrested and
charged with trespassing were identified as Coffman, Katherine Merrell and Stuart Abel,
all listed as transient.

Wednesday morning, a falling redwood tree which had been tied with ropes by protesters
hung up on a second tree, creating what police Chief Mel Brown called "a bending bow
effect," complicating the second tree's falling and increasing danger for timber workers.

Another roped tree fell in the wrong place and partially shattered, rendering part of the
tree unmillable.

Council confrontation

Though not an agenda item, the matter dominated the Wednesday, Aug. 2 City Council
meeting. Several of those who oppose any logging in City-owned forests delivered
impassioned pleas and admonishments to the City during Oral Communications, often
mingling personal issues with ideology and folklore.

Nicholas Hendricks alleged that City-hired timber fallers had dropped a tree in the
direction of a tree which contained sitters. He said those committing "direct action"
protests deserve safety and respect.

A poncho-clad man known only as Shunka reminded those present that he was present at
the 1998 death of forest activist David "Gypsy" Chain as he was to do several times
throughout the evening. "I still have a lot of open wounds from that day, Sept. 17, 1998,"
he said. He blamed the City for reopening his emotional wounds by deliberately falling
trees at protesters.

He further castigated Police Chief mel Brown for "allowing" loggers to taunt and aim
trees at protesters, and operate chainsaws "within inches of peoples' knees." "Why were
the protesters arrested and not the loggers?" Shunka asked.

He called the protests a way for logging opponents to "cross over the artificial lines that
the Babylon system sets up in order to bring attention to themselves and get their voices
to their message. And the message is the people don't want logging in the Community
Forest."

Shunka claimed widespread community opposition to City logging plans. "I've dedicated
my entire life to the forest movement for the past two years," he said.

"I think I know the issue by know." He complained of alleged rude treatment by City
staff and by Mayor Stewart, by whom he said he was "brushed off."

Shunka objected to use of "prison labor" in the forest. The City will use workers from the
state Department of Corrections' High Rock Conservation Camp to clean up debris in
harvested forest areas following the cut.

The prisoners also work at the Marsh and other sites around town. Shunka said he has
contacted various organizations including Cal-OSHA and the American Civil Liberties
Union, a representative of which was on hand for the meeting. Shunka used the term
"neo-liberal" to describe Arcata's political gestalt.

Shunka demanded that the City Council guarantee then and there that no logging would
occur while protesters are in the timber falling area. Mayor Connie Stewart told Shunka
that per routine, responses to citizen comments are offered at the end of Oral
Communications.

"I would really like to have like, a conversation now, because I'm here now. And see
that's the problem, it's like, it's one-way, you know?" Logging opponent Jason Bernard
fervently protested what he apparently believed is wholesale decimation of an old-growth
redwood forest. "These are ancient, beautiful beings that we cut down," he said.
"Some of them are thousands of years old longer than we can conceive." He said it is
"very, very apparent that what is going on isn't right."

Bernard expressed outrage at the scale of environmental destruction and the system he
believes allows it.

"All these legalities and technicalities and loopholes and twists and ties should not stand
in the way of keeping beautiful land." Other speakers faulted the City for the peril to
protesters, and for sacrificing the lives of trees for financial reward.

A young woman named Rachel offered a testimonial account of Monday's forest

encounter between the young idealists and an allegedly aggressive logger. "And that was
my first time ever protesting, too," she said proudly.

Jared Gerstein said he understood the previous speakers' concerns, but said that "through
education, I've come to a little bit different perspective."

He said the Community Forest's sustainable management is "a way to demonstrate that
there are alternative to the type of forestry which is generally being practiced on millions
of acres" in the U.S. and elsewhere. That includes "short rotation harvests, monocultures,
clearcuts, herbicides, fairly intensive roading and generally a lower regard for
environmental consequences than is practiced in the Community Forest by far." (Gerstein
and a companion were later taunted by anti-logging protesters outside City Hall, and were
told "You're going to get someone else killed out there.")

A man named John spoke breathlessly of the trees' right to life. "It is not right to kill; it os
not right to take the lives of other beings," he said. He suggested imagining the trees as
people, and pledged to put his life in danger to save other lives.

His voice breaking, John said that "There's a lesson to be learned here. These trees love
us. They don't want any of us to get hurt. We love them. We don't want any of them to
get hurt. So let's learn this lesson of love.

Let's not hurt each other; let's love each other. Like the way we love the trees. Like the
way the trees love us. Like the way we love each other. We are people; we are living
beings.

Love is what created us. Love is what keeps us alive." With that, John seemed to exhaust
himself, and appearing emotionally drained, he let out a little gasp, thanked the council
and left the podium to sparse but emphatic applause. Still, John's love riff seemed
theatrical and weak compared to Jason's earlier soliloquy.

A man named Nick spoke at length, deriding police for allowing rough and menacing
treatment at the hands of loggers at the Monday forest encounter.
He also criticized Arcata's utilization of the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, and
use of the Community Center for the recent gun show. At the conclusion of Oral
Communications, four or five of the protesters began chanting, "Stop the logging now,"
but quieted down after a request by Stewart.

"If you'll stop chanting, we'll answer your questions," she said.

City responds

"I've never marked an old-growth tree to be cut in my life," said Mark Andre, city
forester. "We aren't cutting old growth. This is all second growth."

Audience member Shunka then interrupted with an interjection, which drew a warning by
Stewart. "Excuse me," Stewart said. "We listened to you folks politely, so out of respect I
would ask that you do the same for us."

Andre said that extra expenses the City might incur by dealing with protesters, including
police overtime and the shattered tree, would have to be offset by cutting more trees.
"That's the irony that I want to get across," he said. Another interjection from Shunka.

"Excuse me," Andre said pointedly. He emphasized that all logging must be performed in
a conscientious fashion, without risk to anyone present. Andre repeated his offer to
personally walk the forest with anyone and discuss harvest issues, down to whether
individual trees should be cut.

Andre has been stood up repeatedly in recent months after making arrangements with
activists to do just that. "Direct action has its place," Andre said. "I don't agree with it in
this case." Councilmember Jennifer Hanan emphasized the importance of safety.

The thought of anyone getting hurt "scares me personally," she said. She pointed out that
the forest is managed in conformance with the 1979 Forest Management and Parkland
Initiative. "Initiatives are to be upheld, because they are the vote of the people," Hanan
said.

"Just as we have worked diligently to uphold Prop 215, which was the legalization of
medical marijuana, we have also upheld this initiative." She called Arcata's forest
management "the best example of how a forest can be logged in a way that, long-term,
sustains the forest and still upholds the will of the people." Hanan said, however, that she
believes the forest's charter may be out of date. "I believe, personally, that what we need
to do is have another initiative," she said.

"I think it's time for this community to revisit the issue of logging in the forest and to
allow our community to make this decision again." She directed activists to the massive
SPI timber harvest planned for Sunny Brae next year.
"Those are clearcuts, and there's a lot of participation that is needed in that issue," Hanan
said. Councilmember Jim Test reminded protesters that direct action targeted at loggers is
inherently confrontational.

"If you expect that person to be pleasant with you, you are probably deluding yourself,"
Test said. "You're talking to the guy that's on the bottom of the heap, and he's just there
because we've allowed him to be there."

Test noted that the Arcata's forests are heavily used, and are harvested to pay for
themselves. "We're not talking about some primeval spot here," he said. This triggered
more interjections by Shunka and others. "Once again, I'm gonna remind you that we
have sat here and we have listened to you politely, and you're will the same for us,"
Stewart said.

"Let's have a conversation now!" Shunka demanded.

"You're really rude," Test said. "You know Shunka, you're just full of yourself." Stewart
again asked for courtesy. "I'm done," Test said. "I'm not interested in talking to these
people." "We have a serious difference of opinion." said Councilmember Bob Ornelas.

"I don't agree with the methodology you folks are using in protesting what this
community has decided," he said. He noted that the Community Forest is not old-growth,
and called the protesters "misinformed." Ornelas credited good management with
bringing about large trees. "The protesting has to stop, and you have to accept these
community standards by which we've been living," Ornelas said. "No more business as
usual!" Shunka shouted.

"If you really believe Arcata is Babylon, I'm sorry for that," Ornelas said. "In my opinion,
it really doesn't get any better than Arcata. It's too bad that we disagree." Shunka then
called Arcata a "police state," and objected to use of Department of Corrections prison
crews to tend forest harvest sites, as is planned. Ornelas exploded.

"Prison crews have absolutely nothing to do with this," he said. "I listened to you talk for
25 minutes, you go on and on and on about stuff that has nothing to do with this." But
Shunka would not be silenced, and continued to offer rejoinders to the dais even as
Stewart again asked that councilmembers be given a chance to speak.

"You want to just interrupt me?" Ornelas asked. "If I can't talk for four minutes without
interruption... I sat here for an hour until I was so bored by to this guy talking about stuff
that had nothing to do with this supposed issue you're into."

From the audience, Shunka maintained a stream of rejoinders of his own, ratcheting
Ornelas into the redline zone. "Shunka, you think you're a conversationalist? You think
you communicate well? I'm done with you! And I'm done talking!" Stewart then
addressed the folks at home, watching the spectacle on APEG.
"I just want to say that it should be obvious to the public who is listening to this why I
blew Shunka off today," she said.

"My attitude was that I could sit there and listen to him or I could solve the problem."
Stewart said the City demands safety in the harvest zone. She welcomed both the ACLU
rep and "open dialogue," but that Shunka's obstreperous personal conduct made him
unworthy of serious attention.

"I've been involved in nonviolent protests for a long time," Stewart said, " And I don't
believe Shunka practices nonviolence. I believe that he is verbally assaultive." The
protester continued to talk back to Stewart, making kissing noises and rubbing his fingers
and thumb together in the "filthy lucre" gesture as she spoke.

Hanan appealed to the activists as humanitarians to refrain from verbal assaults. She
begged Shunka "to please allow the council just to express themselves," but to little avail.
"Can we have him thrown out?" Test inquired.

Another meeting attendee, who had apparently come to speak on another issue and at one
point approached the podium, did not address the council but stated to the more unruly
protesters that she wanted to "monkeywrench" them. Stewart attempted to outline the
City's position, noting the numerous public hearings, field trips and expert consultations
which shaped the City's present forest policy.

"I believe that we've come up with a plan that the citizens of Arcata can be very proud
of," she said. "I'm not a zero-cutter," Stewart said.

"I feel it's important for Arcata to have a model where people can come to see that there's
such a thing as responsible logging."

Shunka continued to interrupt with slogans and sound effects. An exasperated Stewart
then asked Police Chief Mel Brown to have the poncho-clad protester from the council
chamber.

"You have a big mouth and you don't know how to control it," Test said. "That's right,"
Stewart said. Within seconds, a half dozen or so APD officers who had obviously been
monitoring the proceedings on APEG downstairs, flooded the City Hall lobby. Hanan
told Shunka that if he wouldn't listen to the council, she wouldn't listen to him.

"If you want us to hear your opinion, then I'm gonna ask the same from you in return,"
Hanan said. "Just get up and leave," Stewart said. Shunka was escorted from council
chambers, and left with an officer on one side and Chief Brown on the other.

"Get your hands off me, now!" Shunka said as police nudged him from his seat. "Is this
how democracy works?" he asked? "Yes, this is how democracy works," Stewart said.
"We listened to you; you listen to us." As words flew in the back of council chambers,
Stewart invited serious participation by activists in development in Arcata forest policy.
He then stood outside and shouted epithets through City Hall's door. "Fascist police
state!" was a typical jeer. Stewart continued. "If you truly support zero cut... no, no I'm
gonna finish my statement... then you're welcome to go down to the City and figure out
how to get another initiative on the ballot... until then,

I think the council has a duty and a responsibility to fill out the existing laws to the best
of our ability." The mayor also lauded the Arcata Police Department's experience and
record insofar as managing protests in town.

Outsiders

Outside, the protesters then enjoyed a lingering group hug, asking that their picture be
taken. The group then migrated over to the bus stop near the Judo Hut entrance,
discussing the evening's events. An APD car hovered across the street, monitoring the
group.

Some protesters, while supporting Shunka's position, told him his conduct was out of line
with his tactics. He said he refused to listen to "lies."

After again mentioning the name of his fallen comrade Gypsy, Shunka appeared not to
understand why that invocation did not invest his every utterance with unquestionable
righteousness. He dismissed the 1979 initiative which governs City forest use as "old."
John, who had spoken so movingly about love moments earlier, was visibly agitated at
the presence of a reporter playing devil's advocate with troublesome questions. "THANK
YOU!" he barked dismissively.

Inside, councilmembers took a break and had a group hug or two of their own, but did so
with professional dispatch, too quickly for a photographer to capture the moment. Stewart
was visibly distraught at the turn of events. As mayor, she has on previous occasion
publicly admonished fellow councilmembers Ornelas and Test after they interrupted
rambling public speakers.

While scrupulously refraining from any interruption at the stream-of-consciousness

testimonials of the protesters, the some councilmembers' restraint had crumpled at the
onslaught of abuse from Shunka. After asking police to remove him, Stewart evinced a
rare moment of emotional vulnerability.

Whether this was because of the hemorrhage of public process or because she took an
action which might be interpreted in different ways during an election year, only she will
ever know.

Harvest days

Interim City manager Steve Tyler said logging along Trail 3 ended Friday.
Operations now move to an area near Trails 8 and 9 in the Jolly Giant Creek watershed.
barring the unexpected, timber falling could be completed this Friday.

Forest protests died down near the end of the week as many activists left town to attend
the Reggae on the River festival in Southern Humboldt.

Many were still filtering back into town by midweek. The City and other observers were
well aware of the Reggae Distraction, with many privately hoping the protesters would
get so stoned there that they might wander off in some random direction other than
Arcata afterward. If they had, they would likely have stumbled upon environmental
atrocities far in excess of any known activity in the Arcata Community Forest.

Traditional timber circles are said to hold Arcata's demonstration of profitable

sustainability in exceedingly low regard, since it compels reform and change in forest
practices. The irony of protesters focusing their fury on the eco-grooviest, most famous
woodland in the Pacific Northwest was palpable.

Also popular was the observation that the slogan-spouting Shunka, resplendent in his
omnipresent Sears poncho, could not have been more precisely cast as the unreasoning,
near-feral "wacko" activist some in the timber industry might wish all environmentalists
were regarded as. Councilmember Ornelas said of Shunka, "He needs goals and he needs
a plan.

A clue or two would help, too." Retired HSU forestry professor Dr. Rudolph Becking
said he is working on a new initiative for a future election which would restrict City use
of forest-derived revenues. "I think the only alternative is to take it to the voters,"
Becking said.