Siskiyou Free State Declared in the Biscuit

HOBSON OLD GROWTH RESERVE, Ore. -- In an exciting new chapter of the campaign to save the Wild Siskiyou, forest activists announced today the construction of a bold and elaborate infrastructure of resistance at the Hobson old growth reserve timber sale in the Biscuit Fire area. Southern Oregon forest defenders are calling on all allies to support these actions in whatever ways they can.

An impressive log cabin fortress now stands on the single road leading to this remote North Kalmiopsis timber sale, sealing off vehicle access to an area now referred to by many as the “Siskiyou Free State.” In addition, an unusual new form of tree sit has been established in one of the units of the sale that connects many trees together across multiple acres in a rope-work network that suspends an activist in midair while preventing any trees from being felled in the area.

Dozens of people worked through the night with chainsaws and other tools to transform an abandoned log deck and boulder pile into a Lincoln Log-style cabin that completely blocks the road from human passage, other than foot traffic. Beneath the fortress is a boulder-fortified basement chamber that contains two activists secured to lockdown devices that prevent their removal.

Law enforcement has now made contact with the blockade. Spirits are high and activists are confident the fortress will remain in place for a good while. The forest canopy network is sure to last even longer. Now is the time to take action in defense of this magnificent landscape. We cannot sit idly by while the last of the pristine backcountry on our public lands are sold away for corporate profit! Activists are on their way to the Free State now! Join us! Spread this message! Donate to local groups! Write letters to the editor and to the Forest Service! Have your voice heard in defense of the Wild!

See www.o2collective.org for photos and updates.

To The Tree Sit!

*From I-5 take the Merlin exit just North of Grants Pass
*Head West on the Galice Rd and pass Indian Mary campground
*Left on Forest Service 25 Rd (also known as Taylor Creek Rd)
*Go 10.5 miles, take a right onto the gravel FS 2510 rd
*Follow detour signs about 4 m then right onto the FS 2402 rd
*Left at the junction and again follow the detour signs
*After about 3 miles left onto paved FS 23 rd (on some maps it is labeled 34-8-36)
*After about 2 miles take a left on FS 2411 rd
*You are at Hobson and will soon be greeted.