From Healthy Humboldt County:

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CRITICAL LAND USE ELEMENT HEARING on THURSDAY, JUNE 11TH
5:30pm * College of the Redwoods * Forum Theater

At the April 30th hearing, over 80 members of our coalition spoke out for focused growth, land conservation, and a strong local economy.

After winning a key vote on affordable housing last week, the consensus is that we can dramatically influence the GPU if we continue to mobilize in favor of the environmentally superior plan.

We’re asking our members who

–Support Alternative A’s “Community Forest Acquisition and Management Program” that could create a Community Forest for Eureka

–Would choose a smaller urban footprint over sprawling residential development onto Humboldt’s prime farmlands and forests

–Would like to prevent subdivision and development on industrial timber lands while allowing small landowners to live on the land they manage

–Would like to keep development far enough from streams so that runoff and sedimentation do not further degrade salmon habitat

to join us on June 11th.

The County has moved this hearing to the College of the Redwoods because people from all over Humboldt are going to make a point of being at this Town Hall style hearing.

A massive turn out of our constituents is needed to generate the political support to protect Humboldt’s agricultural and timber lands from development.

Written comments to Senior Planner, Martha Spencer, are also needed.  Please email them to mspencer@co.humboldt.ca.us

Feel free to call 682-5292 or visit http://www.healthyhumboldt.org to learn more about these issues.

Below are brief synopses of several important policies that will be discussed on June 11th

Riparian Buffer Zones: The Department of Fish and Game has been clear about the need for adequate buffer zones between streams and development.  Erosion and sedimentation caused by development are among the greatest threats to salmon and other wildlife.  Increased stream turbidity prevents salmon from finding food while settling sediment destroys salmon eggs and the gravel bed that supports them.

Industrial vs. Non-Industrial TPZ: Separating industrial from non-industrial timber zoning would allow small landowners to live on the land they manage, while protecting large landholdings from fragmentation.

Only Alternative A includes two tiers of land use classifications for timber. Non-Industrial Timberlands would allow one house per 40 to 160 acres. Industrial Timberlands (typically based on single ownership of more than 5,000 acres) would allow one house per 600 acres and a minimum parcel size of 160 acres.

Community Forest Acquisition and Management Program: If adopted, this Alternative A policy would enable the County to establish a Community Forest Acquisition and Management Program.  Many think that the McKay Tract would be an ideal community forest for Eureka residents.

Community forests can provide recreational opportunities, protection for fish and wildlife habitat, income from sustainable timber harvest, and can establish a buffer zone between residential areas and industrial timber production zones. This policy would also set the stage for a Transfer of Development Rights Program and a Carbon Sequestration Program to be established by the County.

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