The California State legislature has approved a deal to purchase the headwaters forest. Under the $245 million bill, the world’s largest privately owned stand of ancient redwood trees will be transformed into a public preserve. But environmentalists say the settlement will only save a portion of the pristine land. What’s more, they say the deal will mean millions for Pacific Lumber Company, which owns the land. However, politicians who brokered the agreement say it is sensible. The state of California will pay $130 million to buy Pacific Lumber’s 7,500 acres of redwoods and turn it into a public park. Congress has already approved its $250 million share of the deal.

Guests:

• Julia Butterfly Hill, an environmentalist who has been literally living in a tree that could now be sacrificed as a result of this settlement. She says she has no plans to come down. We talk to her via cell phone as she sits in that tree.
• Kevin Bundy, the Education Coordinator of EPIC, the Environmental, Protection Information Center, which has been fighting the headwaters deal.