Pacific Lumber Co. has resumed logging operations on 1,100 acres in two environmentally sensitive watersheds, triggering a new controversy over the company's timber harvest practices.

The company said the winter logging operations in the Freshwater and Elk Creek watersheds in southern Humboldt County, which resumed New Year's Day, are being extensively monitored by state foresters and staff of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. The control board set new guidelines last year for timber harvesting in the two watersheds.

Critics, however, fear the logging will exacerbate sediment problems, especially because the harvesting will involve some clear-cutting of 15- to 20-acre patches. Clear-cutting operations typically strip the land of all mature trees, although Pacific Lumber said it plans to leave an average of three to five trees an acre, as well as two large downed logs per acre for wildlife habitat.

Pacific Lumber owns about 65 percent of the Elk River watershed and about 42 percent of the Freshwater watershed.

Pacific Lumber spokeswoman Erin Dunn said a large percentage of each watershed is set aside for fish and wildlife protection, including large buffers along streams and unstable slopes.

Dunn said the harvesting operations in the two watersheds are following guidelines developed jointly by the company and state water board staff.

"These environmental measures make it possible for us to keep a steady supply of logs to our mills for economic sustainability and provide year-round work for our employees and contractors," said Dunn.

Dunn also said winter logging operations are necessary to avoid cutting trees during wildlife breeding seasons.

The Humboldt Watershed Council and the Environmental Protection Information Center in Garberville have been pushing for tougher state water quality standards, contending current rules don't go far enough to protect fisheries and prevent sediment problems for downstream water users.

Critics argue that the state water board's winter logging guidelines primarily address road work and stream crossings, not how new logging might lead to additional sediment in waterways.

Dunn said the contentions are unfair, noting that the jointly developed Freshwater and Elk creeks guidelines specifically address erosion control issues.

"Questions are being raised only because of a few noisy individuals in the area who like getting things stirred up," said Dunn.

You can reach Staff Writer Mike Geniella at 462-6470 or mgeniella@pressdemocrat.com.