Cracking down on Redwood Thefts, Feb. 27

Redwoods State Park officials in Northern California have reduced the open hours in a portion of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, south of Crescent City, in an effort to deter natural resource thieves.  The proposed plan involves the parkway, which will be closed during the evening hours at the north gate where it intersects with Coastal Drive at the south gate, Elk Prairie Campground intersection.  Thieves have been reportedly stealing burls, trees and even logs within the Redwood National and State Parks.  The plan should be in place by March 1, 2014.  The thefts have been occurring throughout the parks system from the parkway in Humboldt County up to Walker Road off US Hwy. 199, northeast of Crescent City.