Comment Letters

In November, Humboldt Baykeeper filed an appeal to the California Coastal Commission of Mercer Fraser's asphalt plant at Big Lagoon. 
Mercer-Fraser Co. has waived the deadline for the appeal hearing. We will keep you informed of next steps.
In September, the County Planning Commission approved a 5-year permit with a 5-year extension for an asphalt plant just east of Big Lagoon. The County's environmental review was limited to the impacts of the 1-year temporary permit that was approved in 2017. The County failed to address many of its own coastal policies, including impacts to recreation, sensitive habitat, scenic views, and floodplain development.
The site is within the 100-year flood zone adjacent to Maple Creek on the site of the former Louisiana-Pacific lumber mill, which was dismantled in 2003. Potential industrial contamination at the site has not been analyzed. 
The asphalt plant would be allowed to operate 24/7 with no plan to limit light pollution, odor, and other impacts to a designated Coastal Scenic Area, Harry A. Merlo State Recreation Area, Big Lagoon County Park and Campground, and CDFW's Big Lagoon Wildlife Area. Although the temporary permit expired in March, the asphalt plant is still on the site, and is visible from Big Lagoon and Highway 101. 
Big Lagoon is an important area for coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead and coastal Cutthroat trout, tidewater goby, migratory birds, and water-based recreation, including kayaking, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, waterfowl hunting, standup paddling board, and swimming.
If you recreate at Big Lagoon and/or Maple Creek, we want to hear from you! Tell us why you love Big Lagoon and how often you go there. 
We will keep you informed of next steps, including future opportunities for public comment. If you are not on our email list and would like to be added, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Humboldt Baykeeper commented on the Eureka Area Stormwater Management Plan, which will prioritize funding for projects to reduce stormwater runoff and protect water quality in creeks and the bay. 

 

Click HERE to view the comments.

Humboldt Baykeeper submitted these comments on the City of Arcata's proposed workplan for identifiying the extent of soil and groundwater contamination at the former Little Lake Industries lumber mill on South I Street.

 

Click HERE to view the comments.

Humboldt Baykeeper submitted scoping comments on the Humboldt Bay Sediment Management Strategy Notice of Preparation of a Draft EIR, which proposes to develop a long-term strategy for managing spoils dredged from Woodley Island Marina, the Eureka Boat Basin, and other docks around the bay. 

Click HERE to read more.

More Articles …

  1. Appeal of Royal Gold's Conditional Use Permit, Aug. 2016
  2. Humboldt County Septic System Regulations Update, March 2016
  3. Coast Seafoods proposed expansion of oyster beds, Feb. 2015
  4. PG&E's Canal Remediation at King Salmon, Jan. 2014
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