Californians have repeatedly voiced their support preserving and restoring redwood forests for habitat and recreation.

Although Chesbro's reform legislation, SB 1648, falls short of fully preserving Jackson State Forest, it is a giant step forward and deserves our wholehearted support. The alternative is continued industrial logging with only token consideration of the habitat, recreation, and spiritual values of restoring our public redwood forest to old growth.

SB 1648 would allow continued timber production, but only within the context of scientific research, maintenance and restoration of forest resources, recreation, education, and public enjoyment. The bill establishes a politically appointed advisory committee to oversee operations of the forest, advise on management plans, and report to the Board of Forestry. It bans all forms of clearcutting, protects all heritage trees from harvesting, and ensures that mature second-growth stands will be not be liquidated.

At fifty thousand acres, Jackson State Forest is the largest public redwood forest between Humboldt County and San Francisco.

SB 1648 is needed to ensure that Jackson State Forest and other state forests are protected and restored to health for the sake of our children.

SB 1648 is not so much a forestry bill as a bill to protect the public interest in an irreplaceable publicly owned asset.