ADVOCATING FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT

Humboldt Baykeeper monitors development proposals, land use planning, and permitting agencies to ensure compliance with environmental laws and the highest level of protection for the environment, with an emphasis on toxics from past industrial uses, water resources, riparian areas and wetlands, and salmon habitat that is critical for rearing and spawning. 

In the past year, we advocated for responsible coastal development by reviewing and commenting on the Samoa Town Project, as well as the City of Arcata’s Local Coastal Program - the land use plan that governs development in coastal areas of the City. Additionally, we are currently involved in litigation with the City of Eureka regarding violations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on the Marina Center Environmental Impact Report. This litigation is currently on hold due to its review by the California Coastal Commission as a result of our advocacy efforts in that forum. 

As a member of the Healthy Humboldt Coalition, reviewing and commenting on the County’s General Plan Update has been a major focus for several years. This year, we were successful in advocating for better policies to protect water resources, including expanded riparian and wetland buffers, oversight of water withdrawals from salmon-bearing streams, and increased protections for open space. Once adopted, these policies will provide greater protections for salmon habitat and water quality. We will continue to watchdog the General Plan Update through its next steps as the process of developing ordinances to implement these new and improved policies moves forward.