Redwood Region Presents its Park Plan

The Redwood Region, which has for the past year watched the unfolding of several plans for redwood parks sponsored by nonresident organizations has presented its own program for parks and recreation during a conference of the American Forestry Association in San Francisco.

The plan, drawn up by the Redwood Park and Recreation Committee, a group of community and industry leaders, calls for the sale to appropriate government agencies of some 8,000 acres of the most handsome redwood sroves of trees now in private o*r,IJTn. In addition, the redwood industry will open for public recreational use approximately 260,000 acres of timberlands.

Together the two proposals form the largest single ofier ever made by a region for meeting future recreation needs.

The reeion's committee said it was not offering ihe park lands as "surprises." o'Their desirability has long been known to park and grove sponsors."

Outstanding areas pledged to government under equitable conditions of sale

Catifornia Lumber Merchant

or exchange include the tallest known redwoods on lands owned by Arcata Redwood company, the renowned Gold Blufi's acreage near Prairie Creek State Park, Fern Canyon, and the world-famed Avenue-of-the-Giants, all owned by The Pacific Lumber Company. The Smith River timberlands of Simpson Timber Company adjoining Jedediah Smith State Park will be included, plus Georgia-Pacific Corporation's stand of giants called the Directors Grove.

All told, the region's plan calls for more than 20 additions to existing parks.

'oWe want the world to know," the committee's report said, "that the landowners and the redwoods are for a park development program consistent with the ability of industry to serve honorably its purposes in our region's expanding economic life."

Regarding its plan to open 260,000 acres of producing timberland to the public, the committee said its major objective is to develop an overall land-use plan which clearly emphasizes preservation, conservation, multiple use and recreation benefits. These lands will accommodate that large segment of the public which seeks its recreation through hunting, fishing, hiking, swimming and other vigorous activities in the outdoors.

ooCareful study," the committee said, "reveals this approach will provide the greatest good to the greatest number of people with a maximum of flexibility for the future."

The region's representatives said that whether fees must be charged to help split the cost is to be determined by experience. If such were the case, fee schedules would be compatible with those now charged by government agencies.

Also, the committee recommended that whoever acquires land from private ownership should pay in-lieu taxes.

"Since the companies have paid taxes on these lands while preserving them without profit," the committee's report said, "then the succeeding ownership-state or federal-should likewise be responsible."

Members of the committee include: Bernard Z. Agrons, Rockport, Calif.; Dave Cave, Eureka, Calif.; Harold DelPonte, Crescent City, Calif.; Dr. Walter W. Dolfini, Eureka, Calif. (chairman, Council oI Humboldt County Chambers of Commerce) ; C. Russell Johnson, San Francisco; Howard A. Libbey, Eureka, Calif.; John Mayfield, Jr., Ukiah, Calif.; Alfred H. Merrill, Arcata, Calif. (president, Redwood Region Conservation Council and Governor's Committee for Redwood District); Stanwood A. Murphy, San Francisco (president, California Redwood As. sociation) ; Dwight O'Dell, Fortuna, Calif. (president, Redwood Empire Association) ; Darrell Schroeder, Crescent City, Calif., and Henry Trobitz, Arcata, Calif.