News

Offshore Wind Energy Project Proposed for Humboldt Coast

The Humboldt Bay area may become the site of the first offshore wind energy project on the west coast of North America. The pieces are quickly falling into place for Redwood Coast Energy Authority to become the first local government entity to apply for a commercial offshore wind lease from the federal government. Unlike land-based projects, this lease bid would be just the beginning of a series of studies and related permits that could culminate in project development in 5-7 years.

Our Mission and Who We Are

Humboldt Baykeeper was launched in October 2004 to safeguard our coastal resources for the health, enjoyment, and economic strength of the Humboldt Bay community through education, scientific research, and enforcement of laws to fight pollution.

Our Staff:

Jennifer Kalt, Director

707.499.3678

jkalt [AT] humboldtbaykeeper.org

Jasmin Segura, Bay Tours Coordinator

707.407.6183

jasmin [AT] humboldtbaykeeper.org

Humboldt Baykeeper is a program of the Northcoast Environmental Center, a non-profit organization devoted to conserving, protecting, and celebrating terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems of northern California and southern Oregon.

Our Tax ID# is 23-7122386. Please specify that your donation is intended for Humboldt Baykeeper.

Board of Directors:

Larry Glass - President, Representative for Safe Alternatives For Our Forest Environment
Dan Sealy - Vice President, At-Large

Chris Beresford - Treasurer, At-Large

Jennifer Kalt - Secretary, Representative for Humboldt Baykeeper

CJ Ralph - Representative for Redwood Region Audubon Society

Gary Falxa, Representative for California Native Plant Society, North Coast Chapter

Richard Kreis - Representative for Sierra Club North Group, Redwood Chapter

Tom Wheeler, Representative for Environmental Protection Information Center

Alicia Hamann, Representative for Friends of the Eel River

Margaret Gainer, At-Large

Jim Test, At-Large

Humboldt Baykeeper Advisory Committee:

Fred Evenson - Director, Ecological Rights Foundation

Larry Glass - Board President, Northcoast Environmental Center

Aldaron Laird - Sea Level Rise Planner, Trinity Associates,

Mike Manetas - Retired Educator

Kerry McNamee - Conservation Planner, Northcoast Regional Land Trust

Pete Nichols - National Director, Waterkeeper Alliance

Laurie Richmond - Assistant Professor, Humboldt State University

Michelle D. Smith - Environmental Attorney

Michael Welch - Director, Redwood Alliance

What are Coastal Resources?

Humboldt Bay is the second largest estuary in California. The Bay and the adjacent Pacific Ocean coastline give our community its unique character. The health of our waters both in the bay and along our coastline depend greatly on the functioning of the intertidal mudflats, salt marshes, and freshwater wetlands of Humboldt Bay which act as a natural pollution filter and flood plain. Clean water supports healthier fisheries, which in turn support bird and wildlife populations.

For the human community around the bay and coast this means more lucrative fisheries, better bird hunting, bird watching, and cleaner water for recreating, including boating, surfing, diving, and swimming.

Humboldt Baykeeper's programs involve scientists, boaters, fishermen, birdwatchers, students, and other concerned citizens in the important work of protecting Humboldt Bay, its tributaries, and the near-shore waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The geographical reach of Humboldt Baykeeper's programs includes Humboldt Bay, its tributaries, and the Pacific Coast between Trinidad Harbor to the north and the Eel River estuary to the south. Baykeeper maintains an on-the-water presence throughout the area, patrolling by motorboat, kayak, and airplane, with upland areas patrolled by car and by foot.

Coastal Commissioner Steve Padilla hospitalized with COVID-19

Coastal Commissioner and Chula Vista Councilmember Steve Padilla was admitted to the hospital and placed on a respirator to aid with difficulty breathing associated with COVID-19. Padilla, who has asthma, asked his daughter to pass on this message:

“Everyone needs to take COVID-19 seriously. Please follow the advice of our public health professionals to reduce spread of the virus and take precautions to keep your families and our community safe.”

He had recently traveled through the San Jose Airport, where multiple TSA agents have tested positive.

Island of Resilience: The Wiyot Reclaim Their Land and Culture from a Dark Past

This past October, the City of Eureka returned the island to the Wiyot people. Although in 2014 the Wiyot Tribe was able to complete the World Renewal Ceremony that was cut short by the massacre, this March, they will be holding this sacred ceremony on their own island. The land, which has long been known as Indian Island, will now be called by the Wiyot name, Tuluwat Island. This unconditional return of land by a U.S. city to its original Native owners is a historic opportunity for both the tribe and the island to heal.

“This story tells you that you can change history,” said Tribal Administrator Michelle Vassel. “But it doesn’t happen just because it’s right. It takes a lot of people working over time.”

Nordic’s fish farm plans beginning to take shape

While they’re not exactly finalized, a Norwegian company’s plans for a proposed fish farm at the site of a former pulp mill are starting to take shape.

“It takes about two years to build it,” said Marianne Naess, Nordic Aquafarms’ commercial director, at a meeting attended by a couple dozen people at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka on Tuesday night.

Nordic Aquafarms is still going through the permitting process to build the $400 million on-land fish farm on the Samoa Peninsula, but Naess said she expects the company to complete that process this summer and start demolition of the old buildings within a year to a year-and-half. Construction will likely start in 2021 or 2022, meaning fish will be on the market around 2024 or so, Naess said.

In terms of the soil and groundwater, Erik Nielsen, of SHN, said “they’re chipping away at the facility as things become available” because the buildings that remain are blocking their ability to check for dioxins and heavy metals, but so far the results are favorable.