Letter to Maxxam/Pacific Lumber

John Campbell November 10, 2000
Pacific Lumber Company
125 Main St
Scotia, CA.

Dear Mr. Campbell,



To follow up on our October 27, 2000 letter we are reiterating that Maxxam/Pacific Lumber Company must surely be aware that operating on such controversial plans as THP 1-99-475 is more than likely to result in public protest including non-violent direct action on site. With a lawsuit filed for THP 1-00-475, any operations prior to a court ruling also heighten the possibility that non-violent direct action to stop the falling of trees will be used.
In the event that such non-violent direct action should occur, we hereby inform you of our expectations that you, your employees, subcontractors, security guards and any others in your hire abide by your company policy as follows: to immediately notify supervisors when protestors are in logging areas so the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office can be contacted and asked for removal of said persons; to not engage in any confrontations with said persons; and to NOT use physical force to remove said persons. We also expect you and your workers to behave in accordance with Cal-OSHA Code of Regulations, Section 6280, Subchapter 13, Logging and Sawmill Safety Orders, Article 5, Falling and Bucking (attached).
In past situations, protestors have faced both verbal and physical assault while in the forest. Protestors have been verbally threatened, and have been shot at, tied up, yanked from trees, beaten, and killed.
We believe that sustainable forestry is important for all aspects of life in this county. We will continue to engage in non-violent direct action to stop logging that is harmful to our community, environment, and the labor community of Humboldt County.

We, the Mattole Forest Defenders and members of the activist community, call on you to obey all safety regulations to the fullest, in order to avoid another tragedy such as the death of David Gypsy Chain. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Mattole Forest Defenders
(707)-441-3828

California Code Of Regulations, Section 6280, Subchapter 13, Logging and Sawmill Saftey Orders, Article 5, Falling and Bucking

a) Fallers shall give timely audible warning to buckers and other persons in the vicinity of the tree to be felled, indicating the direction of fall and taking notice that such persons not only hear the cry and are out of reach of the tree, but also in the clear of logs, fallen trees, snags, or other trees which may be struck by the falling tree. Fallers shall stop saw motors when giving such warning.

In Memory of David "Gypsy" Chain