Stewards of the land

ll-\ REEN Diamond Resource Co. has a proud tradition \Iof caring for some of the most beautiful of California's redwood forestlands. It manages those lands in accordance with perhaps the highest environmental standards in the world, while providing quality redwood decking, fencing and siding products.

"Managing our forestland is about far more than providing quality redwood products," said Neal Ewald, vice president and general manager of Green Diamond's Califomia timberlands. "We have a responsibility to sustain ecosystems, and that in turn leads to healthy forests, great growing conditions, and high-quality redwood products."

Evidence of Green Diamond's commitment to resource conservation can be found in its daily operations and in the company's latest Habitat Conservation Plan. The company recently finalized its second Habitat Conservation Plan with federal agencies, this one focusing on aquatic species across more than 415,000 acres in Northern California. The agreement encompasses a 5O-year plan to conserve habitat and help aquatic species thrive.

Officially known as an Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan/Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances, the plan recently was approved by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Research Association's National Marine Fisheries Services (NOAA Fisheries Service) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

"NOAA is very pleased to approve Green Diamond's habitat conservation plan," said NOAA Fisheries Service regional administrator Rod Mclnnis. "The plan provides significant habitat protection and restoration for salmon."

The agreement details Green Diamond's 50-year plan to assess and monitor the populations of seven aquatic species on company lands: Coho salmon, steelhead, Chinook salmon, coastal cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, the southern torrent salamander, and the tailed frog.

"This plan demonstrates our commitment to manage our lands sustainably," Ewald says. "It highlights something that many people do not realize-that forest management can enhance water quality and wildlife habitat, while providing wood products for our everyday lives."

The plan identifies four specific conservation goals: Maintain cool water temperatures consistent with the (Please turn to page 6l)