Monday August 10, 2026
Redheaded Blackbelt —
The waters of Dutch Charlie Creek flow in northern Mendocino County, west of Laytonville into the South Fork of the Eel River. The peaceful area is now the subject of contention.
Friends of Dutch Charlie Creek has filed a lawsuit challenging CAL FIRE’s approval of two timber harvest plans in the Dutch Charlie Creek watershed, alleging that logging authorized under the plans could damage habitat used by state-listed endangered coho salmon. The organization is asking the court to halt operations under the “Hot Tuna” and “Lincoln Logs” timber harvest plans while the case is considered.
According to Friends of Dutch Charlie Creek, surveys cited by the organization show that Dutch Charlie Creek has the highest coho redd—or salmon nest—density among tributaries to the South Fork Eel River. The organization also says much of the watershed has been logged only once and contains hundreds of remnant old-growth trees. Documents cited by the group identify the creek as an important or high-priority habitat for coho recovery. California Dept of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the National Marine Fisheries Service both have identified Dutch Charlie Creek as top priority coho habitat.