Help us protect Shaahnaa' Lhook'

Current threats to Shaahnaa’ Lhook’
Two Timber Harvest Plans (THPs) were approved in July 2026 within the Shaahnaa’ Lhook’ watershed and immediately adjacent areas which, if carried out, would have devastating effects.

    • Shaahnaa’ Lhook’ is one of a handful of streams which together are home to the last functioning population of coho salmon between Northern California and Southern Oregon.

    • Shaahnaa’ Lhook’ has not seen significant logging in 25+ years, while all other coho-bearing watersheds in the area have been significantly damaged by logging in recent years.

    • Extensive use of a bare dirt road network on steep unstable slopes and through streams.

    • A primary haul road through a wetland and immediately adjacent to Dutch Charlie creek’s prime coho salmon spawning habitat that will erode sediment into the creek ruining this habitat.

    • Plans to operate in winter which exacerbates all of the above.

    • Cutting 50%+ of the canopy including most of the largest trees, leading to erosion and landslides discharging sediment in the creek, drying out of soil, wildfire risk, etc.

    • Use of persistent non-specific herbicides throughout the watershed, long term effects not yet known.

    • Eliminate most hardwoods (tanoak and madrone) which are key for wildlife habitat

    • For much more detail see our submitted public comments here

  • The THPs were approved by Cal Fire on July 2 and 3, 2026 and logging could begin at any time without further warning. We had previously submitted extensive public comments clearly making the case that these plans would cause significant harm to this habitat, and supported by extensive up-to-date scientific literature. See our comments on the “Hot Tuna” plan here, and “Lincoln Logs” here. After delaying for six months, Cal Fire responded to our comments with mostly-AI-generated text which restates the THPs' claims that it won’t cause significant harm, and mostly not addressing the specific points in our comments. See Cal Fire’s responses here and here.

How to help

Friends of Shaahnaa’ Lhook’ is filing a lawsuit to compel Cal Fire to void its approval of these plans so they can not be carried out, which is the next step we must take to ensure lasting protection for the watershed. We fully expect to win in court. All donations go directly to covering the costs of this litigation.

Your donation is tax-deductible (EIN 94-3263110).
Click below to donate via Paypal:

If you prefer to donate by check, make checks payable to Forest Unlimited and write “for Friends of Shaahnaa Lhook” in the memo line, and mail to:

Forest Unlimited
PO Box 506
Forestville, CA 95436

Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the timeline here? The two THPs are now approved, so the timber company could begin logging at any time. Therefore we are filing the lawsuit and motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction ASAP to prevent trees from being cut in the next weeks.

What exactly will my donation be used for? Primarily for paying our attorney’s legal fees for the time they spend preparing, filing, and litigating to stop the THP, and court’s fees for filing. So far this is the only thing we have used funds for.

What portion of my donation goes to overhead? Friends of Shaahnaa’ Lhook’ are all volunteers. Our fiscal sponsor 501(c)3 Forest Unlimited keeps a reasonable 4% for overhead. If donating by Paypal or gofundme, they take 2%. So for large donations it’s worth writing a check, e.g. for a $5000 donation, sending it by check instead of Paypal saves $100.