October 3rd 1998

October 3, 1998

Ms. Hannah-Leigh Bull
7735 Black Mesa Loop Southwest
Albuquerque, NM 87105

Dear Ms. Bull:

Bob Fisher is forwarding your letters and accompanying petitions to me for response. The petition language is quite out of date and in many cases inaccurate. We're considering contacting all petition signers with accurate information. Perhaps this is something you might consider doing as well.

We believe the tide has been turned in terms of eliminating any further destruction of the redwood forest on the lands owned by the Mendocino Redwood Company. Our actions will demonstrate the truth of this statement, every day.

We do respect the right of every citizen to petition. But like those who sign petitions, we have an expectation that the allegations or reasoning behind the petition and the facts to support it are sound. As we review petition Number One, these are the more accurate facts:

  • Far from becoming rare, there is a substantial amount of redwood on Mendocino Redwood Company's lands, and we'll be planting more each year.
  • The Mendocino Redwood Company is developing a harvesting plan that will differ in substantial ways from that of the former owners.
  • Where there is clear-cutting, it will be minimized and used for justifiable silvacultural reasons that are generally explained in advance.
  • Our use of herbicides is limited. They are applied by hand directly to specific, individual plants. The purpose is to carefully restore the redwood and douglas fir forests that were once on our land.
  • The coho salmon is threatened, but we're taking important steps to preserve, protect, defend and monitor this species to help assure its survival. We're working diligently and will continue to devote major interest and effort to the great salmon. Our future and the future of this great fish are very closely related.
  • Mendocino Redwood Company currently employs 450 people. We're among the largest local employers. We intend to be a company that has public support and pride in what we're accomplishing in the forest.
  • We live and work everyday in the shadows of the ancient redwoods. Sadly there are none in our area that are 2,000 years old, but there are still some that have achieved great age and stature. They'll be managed carefully. In fact, we have one area where no one has entered, and we're determining how to best preserve this site.

Our goals are to:

  • Create a great rhythm with nature, working together to preserve and protect what is irreplaceable and develop, nurture, and harvest what is truly needed and appropriate; and to
  • Leave a larger forest every year by cutting less than the forest is growing.

Our approach as a forestry company is very different. We're developing a great laboratory for ethical forestry. The lessons we learn will be shared with anyone who is interested.

Let me again ask for your understanding. You've been here; we've talked together. Perhaps you'd like to visit again to talk further. I'm more than willing to spend whatever time is appropriate to continue a conversation with you on these critical matters.

Very sincerely,

Sandy Dean

Letter from Hannah-Leigh Bull