A permit for Nordic Aquafarms was unanimously approved by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, with some amendments, in a meeting Thursday in Eureka. This permit, surrounding wastewater discharge of the project, is one of the requirements the project needs to meet to build a fish farm project on the abandoned pump mill site in Samoa.There was some back and forth between staff and the board — board members were hesitant to approve the permit, noting a lack of data and concerns brought up during public comment. Chair Hector Bedolla began the discussion with a call to eschew politics and make decisions based on the available science. Multiple public commenters brought up the lack of a full antidegradation analysis that regulates water quality. Carla Avila-Martinez, from advocacy group Surfrider Humboldt, asked for the analysis to keep water quality high. Jennifer Kalt, executive director of Humboldt Waterkeeper, which was formerly known as Humboldt Baykeeper, noted the brown water from the days of the pulp mill showed her that the water discharged in the ocean outcrop can be washed back in the bay.“Our primary concern is related to the nutrient discharge into the ocean and potential impacts on beneficial uses,” said Kalt. She said that while Humboldt Waterkeeper appreciates the most recent changes, intake and effluent limitations aren’t quite to their liking. Regina Chichizola, executive director of Save California’s Salmon, who said the nutrient impacts need to be clearer also noted a similar point. Other concerns noted include socioeconomic factors, like the fishing of salmon, clams, and crabs, plus how the practices of those Indigenous to the area would be affected. Surfrider voiced concerns about the health of people swimming and surfing in the bay, which also sees treated effluent from the Elk River wastewater treatment plant.A number of changes were made to the permit after input by the board and the public. The work plan is subject to a 30-day public comment period. A mitigation plan is also to be submitted to the board.Read More
