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ACQUISITION: On March 1, 1999 the Headwaters Forest and surrounding lands, totaling 7,400 acres in central Humboldt County, California, were acquired from private owners by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the State of California. These newly acquired public lands called the Headwaters Forest Reserve, are co-managed by the BLM and the State of California to protect the stands of old-growth redwoods that provide habitat for the threatened seabird, the marbled murrelet, and the headwaters that serve as a habitat for the threatened coho salmon and other fisheries.
PUBLIC ACCESS: Public access into the Headwaters Forest Reserve has been obtained by BLM as part of the acquisition. Those wishing to visit the Reserve must access the area from the northwest along the Elk River County Road, approximately six miles southest of Eureka. The county road terminates at the reserve boundary. A parking area for visitors is available on the edge of the reserve, and a kiosk provides important information for a safe hiking experience.
A 5-1/2 mile trail follows an abandoned logging road to the old-growth forest. Recreation is limited to day hiking only. Because of the resource sensitivity we ask that visitors remain on the trail and out of the old-growth forest. Located one mile from the trailhead is the remains of the old town of Falk. Aside from the exotic plant life, little remains of the once booming mill town. Built in 1884, the town had approximately 400 people until itīs decline in 1937. Limited public access to the southern part of the Reserve is available May through November 15, with wet weather restrictions. Two guided hikes are provided per week, one hike daily Saturday and Sunday. The hike is limited to 20 people per day. On Tuesday and Wednesday the trail is reserved for schools and educational programs. The trail is approximately four miles round trip and runs parallel to the old-growth forest along Salmon Creek. See the Basics of the Tour and then contact the Arcata Field Office at 707-825-2300 for reservations.
MANAGEMENT PLAN: The BLM and the State of California are developing a coordinated management plan, in cooperation with other interested agencies, private groups, and individuals, to guide the future management of this special area. Although some initial restoration work, signing, and other necessary steps will be taken immediately, the cooperative management planning process, which will guide all other activities is expected to take about a year. All suggestions and ideas from interested members of the public are welcome. Comments can be e-mailed to headwatersplan@att.net or sent by regular mail to P.O. Box 189445, Sacramento, CA 95818-9445.
HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN/SUSTAINED YIELD PLAN: The Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and the Sustained Yield Plan (SYP) affecting the rest of Pacific Lumber Company's holdings are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDF&G). Timber Harvest Plans on these private lands authorized in conjunction with the HCP/SYP are under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF). Contacts for information about those activities are listed at the end of this fact sheet.
BACKGROUND: The controversy over the Headwaters Forest came to national attention in 1986, when Charles Hurwitz's MAXXAM Corporation acquired Pacific Lumber Company, the previous owner of Headwaters. Plans by the company to harvest timber in the area became very controversial, with public protests and disagreements over potential impacts to the habitat of the threatened marbled murrelet. In September 1996, the Federal and State Governments, along with U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, negotiated an agreement amounting to $380 million and other conditions to acquire the Headwaters Forest. The Federal Government appropriated $250 million and the State another $130 million to be paid to Pacific Lumber Company and the Elk River Timber Company, the adjoining landowner, in return for Headwaters and a buffer, totaling about 7,400 acres. Both appropriations specified certain conditions.
In the complex deal, Pacific Lumber sold to the government for $300 million approximately 5,625 acres of property, including 2,738 acres of old-growth at Headwaters, 307 acres of old-growth at Elkhead Springs to the east and additional second-growth forest lands. Pacific Lumber was also required to submit a Habitat Conservation Plan to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service and a Sustained Yield Plan to the State for approval to allow the company to conduct logging on its remaining 200,000 acres of timber holdings as part of the deal. Elk River Timber Company agreed to sell approximately 9,600 acres of its adjacent lands for up to $80 million, with about 1,700 acres to go to the government as a buffer for Headwaters and the remaining lands to go to Pacific Lumber.
Contacts for Further Information:
BLM Arcata Field Office (707) 825-2300
California Resources Agency (916) 653-5656
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (707) 822-7201
National Marine Fisheries Service (707) 441-3682
CA Dept. of Fish & Game (707) 445-6493
CA Dept. of Forestry (707) 725-4413
BLM Californiaīs Headwaters Forest Reserve main page
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