New Forest Project to Greatly Expand Conservation of Pristine McCloud River, Water Tap to 25 Million Californians
18,100 Acres of Working Forests—including the Wild and Scenic McCloud River, a Direct Source to Lake Shasta—Will Remain as Productive Forestland and Support Local Economies while Supplying Clean Water for the State.
SAN FRANCISCO (August 14, 2012) – Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) and The Hancock Timber Resource Group (Hancock Timber) have entered into an option to conserve two tracts comprising 18,100 acres of forested watershed that supplies clear, cold water directly to Lake Shasta and on to fisheries, farms and 25 million thirsty Californians. If funded, the McCloud River working forest conservation easement will quell encroaching residential development and secure forests and watershed quality while boosting the economic health of a struggling Northern California timber region, including the historic town of McCloud. Formerly one of the world’s most productive mill towns (1829-2002), McCloud nurtures a fledgling tourist economy today.
“This working forest project will conserve about 28 square miles—an area 20 percent larger than the island of Manhattan—of vital lands. Working cooperatively with Hancock Timber, we will protect some of the cleanest water flows in the state and habitat for threatened species in a way that rewards this major landowner’s commitment,” said Constance Best, Co-CEO of Pacific Forest Trust. “The conservation of this well-managed private forest supports a more diversified, resilient economy for this region—one that still relies on forestry for wood products but also provides the public with benefits like recreation and tourism, sustainable energy, and other ecosystem services, including climate mitigation.”
“Consistent with our stewardship ethic, we are very pleased to work with the Pacific Forest Trust in the effort to preserve these vital forest lands,” said Hancock Timber Resource Group President Dan Christensen. “Our conservation partnership with Pacific Forest Trust is good for the timber industry, supports quality jobs in the forests and wood products industries, as well as keeping wildlife and watersheds healthy. With the McCloud project, we’ll also help boost the local economy by protecting viewsheds and expanding recreational access.”
The project resides in the Klamath-Cascade region, an anchor of the state’s timber industry and home to some of the world’s most bio-diverse mixed-conifer forests. Located in Siskiyou and Shasta Counties along Highway 89, the National Volcanic Scenic Byway, and adjacent to the historic town of McCloud, the project links old-growth reserves on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest for habitat benefits and expands access to a popular recreational hub. Located within a state Area of Conservation Emphasis, the property’s habitats benefit many special status or imperiled plant and animal species, including the willow flycatcher, northern spotted owl, Pacific fisher and McCloud redband trout. The Town Block (12,805 acres) forms McCloud’s scenic viewshed and the River Block (5,344 acres) connects the Shasta-Trinity National Forest with an additional 4,900-acre tract previously conserved by PFT along the pristine McCloud River.
Working forest conservation easements keep lands in private ownership and productive use, allowing the landowner and the land trust to work together to safeguard their resources in perpetuity for far less than what it would cost to purchase lands outright for state or federal protection. Property owners can continue to earn forest revenues, and the property remains on the county tax rolls, ensuring tax money is available to local government. Conservation of the McCloud parcels will help sustain Hancock Timber’s already excellent forest stewardship at levels above and beyond what even the state’s strict forest regulations require—and prevent future conversion to residential and other uses, keeping the tract from being broken up into many smaller parcels.
With an option to purchase this working forest conservation easement from Hancock Timber, Pacific Forest Trust is now seeking grants from the Wildlife Conservation Board’s Forest Program, the Forest Legacy Program, and other public and philanthropic sources. The President’s 2013 budget includes a request for a $2.3 million grant toward the acquisition of the Town Block – Phase I easement; and the River Block is under consideration for a Forest Legacy grant the following year.
The McCloud River working forest conservation project is part of Pacific Forest Trust’s long-term vision for conservation in the Klamath-Cascade region. Working with private landowners and other stakeholders the trust hopes to conserve key private forests in the Mt. Shasta Headwaters area in high priority watersheds. Its rich natural resources are at risk from economic pressure on forest landowners to harvest more timber to maintain a shrinking bottom line, or to sell out altogether.
“Working forest conservation easements provide incentives for lasting forest stewardship, benefiting McCloud and the whole of the region,” said Best.
For more information, contact:
Connie Best, Co-CEO, Pacific Forest Trust: (415) 561-0700 ext. 19
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Kim Kowalski, Communications Director, Pacific Forest Trust: (415) 561-0700 ext. 13
Brian Carmichael, Director, Corporate Communications, Hancock Timber Resource Group, 617-663-4748
About the Pacific Forest Trust
Founded in 1993, the Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) is dedicated to conserving and sustaining America’s vital, productive forest landscapes. Working with forest owners, we focus on conserving privately owned working forests for all the benefits they provide, including clean water, sustainably harvested wood, green jobs, renewable and sustainable energy, fish and wildlife habitat, and a livable climate. With an array of stakeholder partners, we advance innovative, incentive-based strategies to safeguard our nation’s diverse forest landscapes and the communities they support. Learn more at www.pacificforest.org.
About the Hancock Timber Resource Group
The Hancock Timber Resource Group, founded in 1985, is a division of Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc., an operating company of Manulife Asset Management. Based in Boston, it manages approximately 6.6 million acres of timberland across the United States and in Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and Australia on behalf of investors worldwide. Additional information about Hancock Timber may be found at www.hancocktimber.com. All of Hancock Timber Resource Group’s timberlands in the U.S. are managed by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hancock Forest Management.