North Coast Biology Scandal Update

As the Recreation HQ prepares to celebrate the 4^th of July with family and friends, we wanted to give you a quick update regarding the Feb - 2012 arrest of Ron LeValley and other associates of Mad River Biologists for embezzlement of over $900,000 dollars.  HQ believes this scandal calls into question the quality of their  “science”  that was used by land management agencies on closure-oriented projects.

 

July 3, 2013 Times Standard Article on Mad River Biologist Scandal

http://www.times-standard.com/news/ci_23590360/fallen-forestry-director-cooperating-prosecutors-attorney-federal-charges

 

HQ believes it is important to find out how much of their science was “dry-lab” vs. field-based research.    As a native of Humboldt County, I am concerned that a lot of the public land closures in the area based on LaValley’s “work” related to the Northern Spotted Owl, marbled murrelet, and snowy plover may have been unwarranted.

 

Link to Feb. 27, 2012 HQ Report on the Initial Arrest of LeValley and Crew

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2012/02/arrest-of-northcoast-scientists-rivals.html

 

HQ believes it is scandals like this that creates more distrust of the “science” and research being used to effect the closure of motorized trails and other multiple-uses of public lands.  Closures based on bad science, corruption, and political agendas have no place in 21^st Century land-use planning and management.