Billboards on the Bay

We live in a beautiful place and we are reminded of this every time we bike, walk, or drive around Humboldt Bay. Unfortunately, for many years these scenic coastal views have been marred by the presence of unsightly billboards jutting up along the Highway 101 Safety Corridor between Arcata and Eureka.

Humboldt Waterkeeper has been working for years to have these billboards removed - legally and permanently. There have been many unsuccessful attempts in the past to remove these billboards, but in Sept. 2013, the California Coastal Commission responded to our calls to address this blight. Since then, Caltrans has finally revoked permits for most of the billboards along the bay. Since 2012, 16 fewer billboards obstruct our beautiful bay views between Arcata and Eureka, and today only 3 remain. We will continue our efforts until they are all gone for good.

Billboard Butcher Caught on Camera!

1/21/14

The image of the vandal responsible for the third billboard toppling this month was captured earlier this week on a camera installed by a now thrice-bitten local sign management company.

Third Billboard Cut Down

1/20/14

Another one down. The third plank to be felled this month, which is located near the Bayside Cutoff between Arcata and Eureka, features an ad for the Northcoast Horticulture Supply. Jen Kalt of Humboldt Baykeeper got a call yesterday informing her that it was down. She snapped the above picture and tells the LoCO that, like the Bailey Mortgage sign cut down a couple weeks back, this one is believed to be on Caltrans property.

For now, leave billboards be

1-18-14 

Let’s review the Great Humboldt County Billboard War to date: September 2013: The California Coastal Commission in a 9-1 vote gives Caltrans the go-ahead to build an interchange at the Indianola Cutoff as part of its Eureka-Arcata Route 101 Corridor Improvement Project — providing the agency meets certain conditions. One of these conditions is the removal of all billboards along the corridor.

Arcata responds to rebuilt billboard; Owners given two weeks to address violations

1/14/14

When the billboard next to Gannon Slough bridge on Highway 101 was found cut down on Jan. 10, that incident was considered to be a crime. When it was found rebuilt the next morning, the City of Arcata said it had violated the city building code.

Billboard Battle Brings Claims, Counterclaims, Correspondence

1/11/14

Out amid the discarded macaroni salad containers, Carls Jr. cups and spray-painted graffiti tags along U.S. Highway 101 in south Arcata, the culture wars are heating up.

Another billboard along the U.S. Highway 101/Humboldt Bay corridor was cut down last Thursday, this one advertising mattresses for Living Styles furniture store. It was almost immediately re-erected, after a fashion.