Press

Stalemate continues on Marina Center

Coastal Commission still awaiting project info

9/29/13  

Nearly three years ago, Eureka voters took to the polls to overwhelmingly approve a zoning change for a huge mixed-use waterfront development after a campaign that touted the ballot measure with the slogan: “Marina Center now.” Years later, little progress is apparent, and it appears the project remains entrenched in a stalemate between the project developers and the California Coastal Commission. 

 In fact, things appear to be moving at such a snail’s pace that Humboldt Baykeeper recently dismissed its lawsuit against CUE VI, the developer and the city of Eureka. The suit challenged the city’s environmental impact report for the proposed development on the Balloon Track property, the sprawling site of a former rail yard that sits at the foot of the city’s downtown commercial district off Waterfront Drive. 

NEC, Baykeeper respond to 101 corridor decision

9/22/13

 On behalf of the Northcoast Environmental Center and Humboldt Baykeeper, we are writing to reflect upon the Coastal Commission’s Sept. 12 decision to conditionally approve Caltrans’ 101 corridor project. First we would like to thank the many people whose efforts led to what we feel is a reasonably balanced outcome: the many transportation and trail advocates, the various municipalities and county representatives, business owners, outspoken members of the public, and those who took a principled stance in the face of opposition.

Let’s work together for a better way

5/1/13

Re: “City to Bayshore Mall homeless: It’s time to move on” (Times-Standard, April 21, Page A1). Humboldt Baykeeper and our volunteers were just out at Palco Marsh over Earth Day weekend, where we worked with New Directions and homeless campers to clean out about 30 cubic yards of trash and waste. We recognize that there’s a real need to protect the public, habitat, and water quality at many of our unsupervised urban open spaces such as Palco Marsh, but we also hope that environmentalists, social service organizations and government will come together to find compassionate and lasting solutions to the deep and tragic problem of homelessness.

PINK STUFF INVESTIGATED! Science People Bring Back Microscopic Imagery of the King Salmon Pink Fuzz

5/23/13

It started, as you remember, with a Lost Coast Outpost reader sending along a photo of some pink gunk on the shore of a King Salmon canal and asking: What is this stuff?

Readers had their theories: Algae. Bacteria. Crabs. Krill. Nuclear waste.

And then the most amazing thing happened. Yesterday, during KHUM’s regular “Coastal Currents” program, Humboldt Baykeeper Executive Director told KHUM’s Mike Dronkers that she had put together a crack team to investigate the mystery. Last night she sent us amazing images from a digital microscope at an HSU lab, along with a precis of her team’s methodology.

Eureka will seek rail study grant; Atkins expresses concern about timing

 3/30/31  

The Eureka City Council on Friday approved a resolution to allow the city to apply for a $295,000 Caltrans grant that would go toward a rail feasibility study.  The council voted 4-1, with Councilwoman Linda Atkins dissenting, to go forward with the grant application. Atkins said the matter, which was approved in a special meeting announced Thursday, should have been given more public notice.