A bad policy by the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District and the City of Eureka to dump 200,000 cubic yards (20,000 dump truck loads) of sediment from
11 proposed Bay dredging sites onto a local beach, has been significantly changed thanks to the persistence of Humboldt Baykeeper.
For many years, the Humboldt Bay Harbor District has made a practice of disposing of contaminated dredge "spoils" onto Samoa Beach, a local favorite surf spot and recreational beach. This material, which is deposited in the Bay from the upper watershed during the rainy season, contains fine sediment that coats the beach with a layer of sludge for many months.
After requiring the Harbor District and the City of Eureka to conduct additional testing for toxins, such as dioxin, and requiring all the appropriate permits necessary to dispose of this material on the beach and in the nearshore environment, the Coastal Commission reluctantly agreed to allow these materials to be disposed of on Samoa Beach--one last time. While this compromise decision provides short-term relief for the District and, more importantly the commercial fishing fleet, it ensures long-term change for the benefit of the environment and the community.
Humboldt Baykeeper: Fighting Industrial Pollution of OUR Bay
As a historic industrial port, Humboldt Bay is plagued by many contaminated sites that impact fisheries and water quality. Contaminated industrial properties are probably the most serious threat to our bay and coastal waters, and they pose a (serious) costly impediment to local economic growth.
Humboldt Baykeeper recently identified two major sources of pollution to Humboldt Bay and has taken action to ensure that the flow of pollution to the bay stops.
In December of 2005 Humboldt Baykeeper filed a Notice of Intent to File Suit against Simpson Timber Company, Preston Properties, and a number of other defendants for the contamination of and subsequent discharge of pollutants from the property known locally as the Flea Mart by the Bay.
Baykeeper has also taken legal action against Union Pacific regarding contamination on the largest undeveloped piece of property on Humboldt Bay, a 30-acre parcel commonly known as the "Balloon Track" for the balloon-shaped rail track located there. The Balloon Track property has been an industrial railroad yard for more than a hundred years. Significant contamination from decades of industrial use continues to impact the soils and groundwater on the site, as well as the nearby wetlands, Clark Slough, and Humboldt Bay.
For more information on these projects and other Humboldt Baykeeper programs visit: www.humboldtbaykeeper.org.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Spring 2006