Salvage Scam Stopped at Dillon Creek

Activist Run Over by Log Truck

On October 23, during a protest on Sidewinder Rd. (Forest Service Rd. 14-N-21) in the Klamath National Forest, an activist was hit by a log truck. Weston Reed was blockading one of the main haul roads into the controversial Outside timber sale twenty miles south of Happy Camp, CA. Both of Weston's feet were broken by the log truck. The clearcutting violence against the forest ecosystem near Dillon Creek has been equally severe.

This endangered ecosystem, home to the ancient sugar pine, scarce Port Orford cedar, native runs of Coho and steelhead trout (about 15 percent of all steelhead in California spawn here) has been a focal point of resistance since day one of the plan to salvage-log 67 units of burnt and intact old-growth forest, all in the name of forest health and fuels reduction under the Salvage Rider. The Outside timber sale was the last salvage sale to be approved on December 31, 1996, the Rider's deadline.

"The truck was stopped in the road and I was in front of it, yelling at the driver not to move, that I was under his tire," Weston stated. The truck jerked forward and both his feet were crushed and broken. There is an investigation being carried out by the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department, though no charges have been pressed against the log truck driver.

In response to this violence, Dillon Creek Defenders blockaded the entrance to the USFS headquarters in Yreka. In the early morning of October 24, two activists locked themselves to a fifty-five gallon barrel full of concrete in the entrance to the USFS office.

Dillon Creek, a majestic tributary of the Klamath River, lies in the heart of the Klamath National Forest of northern California. Some 23,000 acres in this watershed were intentionally charred in an effort to stop a wildfire, employing the infamous practice of "backburning." One lifetime local hit it right saying, "The Forest Service used to log then burn, now they burn then log."

Occupation of Forest Service road 15N19, the only artery leading to the north units, was the first step in the battle to preserve this high-elevation forest. The beautiful highlands and crystal clear creeks are sacred to both the Kurok and the Yurok tribes, so they came together with locals and Earth First!ers to protest roadbuilding at Dillon Creek. The campaign has been going strong since early summer. Because of many days of actions, logging was completely shut down for nine days.

During the wee hours of one such day, a motorless VW bus was stationed at the base of Sidewinder Road, the main haul road to and from the south units of the sale. The jalopy was people-powered by two individuals locked to the rear axle in the engine compartment. The rig didn't budge and neither did the timber workers or log truck drivers. As dawn cracked, the first Freddie came upon six stalled log trucks, four worker pickups, a van painted with colorful anti-Forest Service slogans and 20 forest defenders with arms linked across the road, ensuring a day off for everyone. It was a quiet day at the Outside timber sale.

When the disgruntled truck drivers and workers headed home for the day, eight Freddies and 20 uncompromising riff-raffers were left discussing the issues, creating a deceptively peaceful atmosphere. Eventually the activists unlocked, received a round of $50 citations, handed over the lockboxes and were released.

Fortunately, the forest defenders were undaunted in their resistance. Slash piles and night elves greeted trucks at 4:45 a.m. the next day on Sidewinder Road. Although a tripod was eventually cut down, the trees that day were not.

The logging season is nearing an end in the Klamath highlands and many of the units remain untouched. The true wildness of northern California is crying for your help. The fight to save the Dillon Creek watershed will continue until this lawless logging is put to a halt. Any and all help is needed. To find out further information, please contact: Northcoast EF!, POB 4796, Arcata, CA 95518; (707) 825-8911.