WHO and WHERE
RCWA (say: reck' wah) is an alliance of citizen organizations on ridges, valleys and waterways of the Mendocino Coast. We are a tax exempt IRS approved non-profit organization.

RCWA was formed to bring together a small community threatened with excessive logging by Louisiana Pacific Corporation. Within a couple of years activists concerned about thousands of acres joined RCWA and began to petition the government and industry at all levels. When such failed we went to Court.

WHY
Because we believe that neither the County, State nor Federal Government, with all their regulations, provide adequate protection for the sustainability of our resources.

EXAMPLES OF OUR FIGHTS
We've protected some acres, we've lost others. We've won some law suits, and lost others. We've pressured agencies to enforce the laws, attempted to influence the opinions of policy makers, and both worked with and fought against industrial and small property owners.

Each member of the Alliance chooses it own battles and objectives. Each sends a representative member to the RCWA Board of Directors, where our objective is to keep the non-profit corporation functional with a balanced budget.

WHAT
While we have been primarily focused on the protection of forest and fishery resources, we've also been involved in the opposition to the use of toxics, supported the opposition to GMO seed propagation, and been supportive of reasonable land use planning.

Since 1988 we have been organized and in one Court or another suing or pressuring County, State and Federal agencies. A quick visit to Google will give you a brief glimpse of some of our battles.

If you are a group of citizens concerned about any resources base on the redwood coast, and need a tax exempt non-profit umbrella, we might be able to work together.

WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL
But not successful enough. Some of the fight and flare of the 80's and 90's are behind us. Government budgets have been cut back. There is today less government inspection, fewer violation citations issued, and less concern by those who issue the permits.

BUT NOW THE BAD NEWS
Our forests and fishery resources are no longer sustainable. While the quality and quantity of forest resources are in decline, erosion and stream temperatures are increasing, and that's not all.

No matter how much we've tried, or how hard we've worked, we're losing more than we're winning. But to us, this is no reason not to continue. These are difficult times and we remain as committed to our objective as when we began 15 years ago.

And we know that the more who join us, the stronger we all become.

IF YOU CARE
And of course you do (and so do your kids), we urge you to contact us. Anywhere on the California coast where you believe resources are being poorly managed, depleted or taken in quantities that are not sustainable. Either as a Board or an Affiliate, we will get back to you.

AND NOW FOR THE OTHER STUFF
Elsewhere on this site you will find:

• our Affiliation Agreement
• our Articles of Incorporation

You'll see that we keep the organization together with no more than a thread. Virtually all funds collected go to our work. None of us are paid, and we all contribute to keep going.

- Norman L. de Vall
  President

RCWA Board Members RCWA Home page

Redwood Coast Watersheds Alliance            PO Box 87, Elk, CA 95432            email: info@rcwa.us

Space for this website is provided as a community service by the
Mendocino Community Network.