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BRIEF: Two tree sitters in Northern California were forcibly removed from their temporary homes last week under orders from Pacific Lumber logging company, a subsidiary of Houston-based multinational corporation, MAXXAM. Part of Pacific Lumber's profits go towards paying the debt owed to the Federal Government by MAXXAM CEO and Houston resident, Charles Hurwitz, incurred during a 1996 savings and loan scandal. Pepper spray and clubbing were just some of the tactics applied to non-violent protesters from their tree-sits on old growth forest property owned by Pacific Lumber. But by moonlight, the trees were reoccupied by 2 more activists and a 1,000 pound block of concrete. Another tree-sitter was forcibly removed from a 400 year old tree named Utopia, which was later cut down. Yesterday, Pacific Lumber contracted fallers cut a tree named "Ripple", despite being informed that the tree was tied with rope to adjacent trees. Two more trees, named Robin and Wind Talker, containing tree-sitters who refused to move, were destroyed by being girdled- a process that peels off the outer/ protective layer of their bark. Early this morning, when the tree-sitter occupying Wind Talker descended the tree to go to the bathroom... loggers seized the opportunity to cut her down. Tree-sitters say MAXXAM's corporate profits continue to take precedence over public concern and environmentally sound forest management. Several trees are located on steep and unstable freshwater slopes, causing mudslides and damage to endangered species habitat. Maya & Renee Feltz, KPFT News, Houston. E-mail Maya & Renee Feltz at news@kpft.org & chickpea_@ziplip.com . This story was broadcast on March 28, 2003.