For Immediate Release: March 2, 1999

Contact: Tim Ahern (202) 208-5089

Final Agreement Reached on Headwaters Redwoods Transaction

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government, the state of California, and Pacific Lumber Co. reached agreement on the final details of the Headwaters transaction, which permitted the federal government to acquire the Headwaters forest of old-growth redwoods in northern California, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt announced today.

"The protection of these magnificent trees is a tremendous achievement. It is a wonderful gift to the people of this nation and to future generations," Babbitt said. "This has been a long and arduous process but the result is excellent."

The $380 million transaction involved the purchase from Pacific Lumber of 7,500 acres of redwoods in the Headwaters Forest in Humboldt County, Calif. That includes about 3,000 acres of old-growth redwoods, many of which are more than 1,000 years old and more than 300 feet high. In addition, about 4,500 more acres of redwoods will be acquired as a "buffer" zone.

In addition, a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) establishes conditions which Pacific Lumber must comply with when it logs on 210,000 acres of nearby land. Those restrictions will include a ban on logging in 12 so-called "lesser" cathedrals, which include about 8,000 acres of old-growth redwoods. Pacific Lumber will also be restricted from logging in "no-cut" buffers on streams and areas prone to landslides. The HCP, developed in compliance with the Endangered Species Act, protects a number of endangered or threatened species, including the marbled murrelet, a small bird which lives in old-growth redwoods, and coho salmon.

The $380 million cost includes $250 million in federal funds and $130 million approved by the California legislature. In addition, California approved spending another $100 million to buy additional lands.

"This HCP is good for everyone," said Babbitt. "It allows the company to meet its economic goals, and it will protect the species we need to protect under the Endangered Species Act."

"This is an important achievement that has resulted from the hard work of a lot of people," said Babbitt. "I particularly want to thank Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose leadership and personal attention made this possible. Without her hard work and tenacity, this transaction would never have been completed. I also want to thank Congress for having the foresight to provide the funds to make this transactions possible."

"In addition, I want to thank David Hayes, my Counselor and the person who did the hard work of bringing this transaction to closure. He has worked countless hours on this," said Babbitt. "I also want to thank David Nawi, the regional Department of Interior solicitor in California. This transaction would not have been concluded without David Nawi."

-DOI-