More on the Redwood Boycott

More on the Redwood Boycott

I read with interest

EBN’s April article on our campaign to end the use of old-growth redwood. I think your analysis of the situation is very valuable, especially your discussion of how to identify “old-growth” on the shelf at your local building materials store. There are several points in your article I would like to comment on from the perspective of the environmental community.

First, while Pacific Lumber Company was once considered the industry standard for thoughtful forest management, they are no longer. They aren’t avoiding the last ancient forest groves because of an enlightened attitude, but rather because they are prevented by provisions of the Endangered Species Act which protects the critical habitat of the marbled murrelet and coho salmon, among other species. Pacific Lumber Company is making the best public relations they can out of their unwilling compliance with environmental law. If they could cut their last ancient redwood groves, they have indicated that they would, in spite of these groves’ biological importance.

It is true that there is no certain link between an old-growth redwood tree and a particular grade of lumber. The best guideline is to look at the premium grades which are produced in a higher proportion from old-growth trees (clear sections of trunk, larger proportion of heartwood, less dishing or cupping of grain) and then evaluate the grain density. The point we are trying to make is quite straightforward. Old-growth trees are increasingly rare, and when cut they are made into premium grades of lumber. People who are opposed to logging the last ancient forests can make decisions about the grade of wood they buy with the intent and reasonable prospect of avoiding wood made from ancient forest.

This is not a foolproof method. We are working with the tools and information we have on hand. I applaud

EBN’s effort to encourage Pacific Lumber to pursue independent certification for its extensive timberlands. Certification done through independent organizations would largely eliminate the concerns of the environmental community regarding the logging on Pacific Lumber’s lands, as long as PL also agrees to sell or otherwise permanently protect the 8,000 acres of remaining ancient groves.

Meanwhile, our coalition will continue to educate consumers about the link between old-growth forest logging and premium lumber grades. We don’t want to confuse people, and we aren’t boycotting Pacific Lumber Company. We want to eliminate the market for wood made out of old-growth redwoods, thereby reducing incentive to cut down the last ancient groves. If we don’t buy it, they won’t have a reason to cut it. Join us and pledge to end your use of old-growth redwood lumber. Let’s work together to protect Headwaters Forest.

Tom Platt

Forest Campaign

Greenpeace USA

Seattle, Washington