History of Humboldt Watershed Council

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HWC was founded in 1997 in response to widespread complaints of damage to water quality, habitat, stream conditions, and private property due to intensified logging by the Pacific Lumber Company.

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HWC sought to provide affected residents a collective voice to agencies, politicians and the general public, and successfully petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to list several watersheds as sediment impaired under 303d of the Federal Clean Water Act.

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During its first 3-4 years, HWC focused on forestry rules, THP-monitoring & litigation, and the Headwaters Deal, where it played a prominent role in fighting for a scientifically credible HCP/SYP. The focus of its second 3-4 years was the application of the Clean Water Act.

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HWC organized public and scientific testimony for Regional Water Board meetings and evidentiary hearings, filed regulatory petitions, participated in mediation, and initiated litigation, to force the State and Regional Water Boards to develop the unprecedented Watershed-Wide Waste Discharge Requirements for logging. These WWDRs are serving as an interim measure until Water Quality’s Total Maximum Daily Load regulations can be developed and implemented.

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The revival that is today’s Humboldt Watershed Council began with a meeting that occurred a week after the November 2008 election, which saw two of our board members elected to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors. At that meeting over 30 watershed advocates of Humboldt gave updates. Since then a new Board of Directors formed, a new website launched, and membership / funding drive is underway.

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