Dear Friends and Supporters,
Today, a group of Cascadia Earth First!ers and Rising Tide members took action against the continued liquidation and destruction of Oregon’s Elliott State Forest. Using sky pods, bipods, road blockades, overturned cargo vans, lock downs and many other beautiful installations, the road to Umpcoos Ridge timber sale has been occupied, held and reclaimed for the forest, the people and future generations.
For decades this forest near Coos Bay has been hammered, managed as if it was a piggy bank, smashed in an unsuccessful attempt to fund public schools.
Some of Oregon’s (and the world’s) last native forests, old growth, and future old growth forests are on the chopping block in the Elliott. A lawsuit has been filed against the current management plan for sanctioning the killing of endangered spotted owls. That lawsuit has been ignored. Community groups have resisted the extraction for years and have been ignored.
But the blockade stands, and WE CAN HOLD THE ROAD, but NOT WITHOUT YOUR HELP! Please take some time to protect your public land!
How to help:
First, call Oregon Land Board members Kate Brown and Ben Westlund and tell them you support the blockade! Ask them to cancel the current timber sales in the Elliott State Forest, set the area aside as a biodiversity and carbon reserve and make up the lost revenue by revoking the Timber Harvest Tax exemption for private land owners of over 5000 acres.
Second, JOIN US! Bring all you need to be self sufficient in the woods for as long as you plan to stay and come to the Elliott! (directions at bottom)
Third, if you can’t come, please donate to the cause on our web site: www.ForestDefenseNow.org (but make sure you call the land board first, the success of this action depends on everyone showing support)
Directions:
Go West towards Reedsport on Highway 38
Turn Left on Loon Lake Road
Pass Camp Creek Road, take first right (unmarked)
After 100 feet on unmarked road you will see Cougar Pass Road sign
This road becomes 7000. Follow 6.7miles to site. Careful of multiple forks, stay on road more traveled. Look for Free State on right.
