Wilson Seeks to Save Stand of Redwoods : Environment: The governor-elect sides with ecologists to try to keep loggers from cutting down the ancient trees in Headwaters Forest.

SACRAMENTO —  In the first environmental test of his new Administration, Gov.-elect Pete Wilson will seek to preserve the Headwaters Forest in Northern California, the largest stand of ancient redwoods remaining in private hands, his office said Thursday.

Siding with environmentalists who want to save the redwoods, Wilson will urge the state Board of Forestry to reject plans for logging two parcels of the 3,000-acre forest in Humboldt County, according to communications director Otto Bos.

“It is his intent to let it be known that this stand of old forest (should) not be jeopardized,” Bos said. “We need to work together to preserve old-growth redwood stands. He is going to look for a responsible and equitable plan to make that happen.”

The Board of Forestry is scheduled to decide Jan. 9--two days after Wilson is sworn in as governor--whether to approve logging plans submitted by Pacific Lumber Co. for an initial 564 acres of the redwood forest near Eureka.

But the issue poses somewhat of a dilemma for Wilson, because he will have no direct authority over the board. All of the panel’s current members were appointed by Gov. George Deukmejian and will owe no allegiance to the incoming governor.

Environmentalists say the Headwaters Forest is their top priority for preservation, in part because it is the home of a rare bird, the marbled murrelet. Like the endangered spotted owl, the murrelet makes its home in ancient redwood forests and is dwindling in numbers.

Two environmental initiatives, Propositions 128 and 130, would have authorized bond money to buy the Headwaters Forest for a park, but both were rejected by the voters in November.

“I think there’s a real political advantage to anyone or any group of people who help solve the Headwaters problem,” said Gail Lucas, a spokeswoman for the Sierra Club. “It would be a very positive way to begin his (Wilson’s) Administration if he can contribute to the solution.”

Pacific Lumber’s proposal to cut redwoods in the rugged, mountainous region has become the most controversial issue to reach the Board of Forestry in more than a decade, state officials say.

Specifically, the timber company is seeking approval to log two parcels on the north and south sides of the Headwaters Forest, one 399 acres and the other 165 acres. The forest was given its name by environmentalists because it sits at the headwaters of Salmon Creek and the south fork of the Eel River.

Pacific Lumber has been widely criticized by environmentalists for accelerating the harvest of redwoods elsewhere in California following the highly leveraged acquisition of the company in 1985 by Maxxam Inc.

Despite Pacific Lumber’s request for approval of its logging plans, company officials say they have no intention of harvesting the Headwaters Forest until a self-imposed moratorium ends in February, 1992.

“If they are approved, we would put them on the shelf,” said Mary Bullwinkle, a spokeswoman for Pacific Lumber. “We need to plan ahead, obviously. But due to the concern over this area, we would be observing a two-year moratorium on logging.”

The two logging plans were rejected earlier this year by the state Department of Forestry, in part because of concern over the fate of the marbled murrulet.

In a separate action, environmentalists are seeking a federal declaration that the murrulet is an endangered species--a decision that also could make logging of the Headwaters Forest more difficult.

Nevertheless, Pacific Lumber has taken its case to the Board of Forestry, which has the power to overrule the department’s decision to reject the logging plans.

During the Deukmejian Administration, environmentalists have frequently accused the board of serving the interests of the timber industry and challenged many of the board’s decisions in court. Proposition 130, the defeated “Forests Forever” initiative, included a provision that would have altered the composition of the board to include environmentalist representation.

Six days after the panel is scheduled to take up the issue of the Headwaters Forest, the terms of three board members will expire and Wilson will name their successors. Wilson will appoint two more members of the panel each year for the next three years until eventually all nine appointees are his own.

But for now Wilson will have to rely on his powers of persuasion to influence the board’s decision.

Bos said the governor-elect is preparing a letter to board members urging them to uphold the department’s decision and reject Pacific Lumber’s appeal.

“He does intend to make it clear that he is concerned about the old redwoods going down,” Bos said.

The debate over the Headwaters Forest comes as representatives from the timber industry and environmental groups begin negotiations in an attempt to reach a compromise and head off another costly initiative campaign in 1992.

Lucas of the Sierra Club, one of the six negotiators, said the environmentalists’ top priorities are preservation of the Headwaters Forest and reducing the rate of logging in all California forests so that logging companies do not take more trees than they grow. Environmentalists point out that only 5% of California’s original redwood forests still are standing.

“The Headwaters Forest is the last remaining unprotected ancient redwood forest and it needs protection,” Lucas said. “We just need to find the funds to be able to purchase it.”

But David Galitz, a spokesman for Pacific Lumber, said the Headwaters Forest does not merit acquisition for park land because of its steep terrain, high brush and a lack of public access to the area. “I’m amazed this is still a large focal point when you’ve got so much (redwood forest) already locked up in parks,” he said.

BACKGROUND During his gubernatorial campaign, Gov.-elect Pete Wilson promised to be the state’s “environmental advocate.” Although he opposed two environmental initiatives on the November ballot, Propositions 128 and 130, he called for the preservation of old-growth redwoods and a reduction in clear-cutting of forests. Wilson also pledged to appoint members to the state Board of Forestry who favor long-term management of forests and the protection of watersheds, fisheries and wildlife.