WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOREST?

A community forest is owned and/or managed by a local entity, whether it be a city, like the Arcata Community Forest, or another public entity.  In fact, we have an excellent example of a successful community forest in Arcata.  Their forest is 1100 acres, 900 acres of which are located next to the town.  The forest is highly visible from Highway 101 and most parts of the town.  It has been managed as a community forest for over 40 years.

With a community forest, the community gets to decide what the values are.  In Weaverville, important values that have been expressed include high visual quality, fuels reduction, sustained revenue, recreation, timber harvesting, firewood  collection, improved forest health and wildlife habitat.  In addition, areas that are sensitive to ground disturbance, like historic resources, and unstable slopes, can be protected in the plan.

These values are not mutually exclusive.  In addition, the jobs stay in the community, as well as the logs.  Public input and awareness is welcomed and encouraged.  As a result, the community has a stake in the forest, and can become better educated about forestry issues.

COMMUNITY FORESTRY - PROS AND CONS


PROS CONS
  • Protect and manage watershed lands 
  • Revenue source for the TCRCD 
  • Timber assets stay in the county 
  • Local jobs created
  • The land is managed to reflect the community’s values 
  • Forest provides a wildlife/viewshed buffer between SPI lands and Weaverville 
  • The forest will be managed by the BLM and RCD, through a Stewardship Contract
  • Opportunity for high level of citizen participation 
  • Can provide local firewood sources
  • Can be integrated with the Weaverville Basin Trails system (click trail for more info.)  
  • Can be managed to reduce fire hazard  
  • Can be managed in compatibility with other community goals (wildlife habitat, deer winter range, open space etc)  
  • Provides regional tourist attraction  
  • An existing community forest (Arcata) can expand concept of community-based forestry  
  • Environmentally sensitive and historical areas can have specific management objectives
  • Provides increased recreational and educational opportunities
  • Requires a high level of citizen participation 
  • Need to resolve an existing road maintenance issue - road access to Democrat Gulch from Oregon Street 
  • A highly visible ridge from most parts of town - scrutiny and feedback could be high, depending on management plan objectives. 
  • A possibility of the Weaverville bypass going through the forest - probably 20 years out at this point 
  • The yearly cost of managing a community forest may modify goals and objectives, depending on revenue levels.
  • Stewardship Contracting enabling legislation sunsets in 2010, with no guarantee of its renewal

 

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