White

I. Background

Plaintiff owns a 40-acre parcel in Fort Bragg that is bounded on three sides by the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF), which is owned by the State of California and managed by Cal Fire. The remaining side is bordered by two privately owned parcels. She has owned or co-owned her parcel since 1998, following her marriage to the now-deceased William White. William and his brother Robert White originally obtained the parcel in 1973 for approximately $60,000. William obtained full ownership of the parcel in 1991. The JDSF is a 48,652-acre forest located in Mendocino County between Fort Bragg and Willits. It is the largest of California’s demonstration state forests. These forests are mandated to conduct research, demonstrations, and education on sustainable forestry practices using active forest management techniques, including periodic timber harvests. The dirt roadway that is the subject of this action (the access road) has historically provided regular vehicular access to plaintiff’s land. The access road extends from the end of the county-maintained section of Mitchell Creek Drive, traversing other private property as well as JDSF land. Plaintiff’s…