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Last week, the Humboldt County Planning Commission unanimously voted to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and issue a coastal development permit to Nordic Aquafarms California, LLC, a subsidiary of Norway-based Nordic Aquafarms, which intends to build a 766,530-square-foot recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility on the Samoa Peninsula.

After the decision, we reached out to a number of leaders of local environmental organizations who have criticized the project to ask for their responses. To a person, they deferred commenting until after meeting yesterday morning to discuss the matter. Yesterday evening they emailed a joint media statement, which we’ve published below. 

Asked if they plan to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, Humboldt Baykeeper Director Jennifer Kalt replied via email, “We’re still contemplating that question.” 

Below is the media statement, which was sent on behalf of Humboldt Baykeeper, Northcoast Environmental Center, Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities, 350 Humboldt and the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC):

On Thursday August 4th, the Humboldt County Planning Commision approved a conditional permit for the proposed Nordic Aquafarms project and certified the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Our organizations—Humboldt Baykeeper, Northcoast Environmental Center, Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities, 350 Humboldt, and EPIC—have engaged with the proposed Nordic Aquafarms from its inception. The project, unprecedented in size and design, has rightfully drawn critical attention.

While the project has the potential to negatively impact the environment, our organizations have not opposed it because redevelopment of the existing site would require remediation of a contaminated former pulp mill site, which we see as beneficial to the community and the environment. Instead, our organizations have focused our efforts on working with Nordic to improve the project by reducing the impacts.

Our engagement with the project over the past three years has led to some improvements, including:

1. Commitments to purchase renewable energy for the project;
2. More monitoring of ocean waters near the effluent discharge;
3. Employee commute programs to help reduce the greenhouse gas impact of 100+ employees driving single-occupancy vehicles to the site.

Although we were successful in getting these improvements, there remain significant unresolved issues that we intend to continue to address, including greenhouse gas emissions related to fish feed, increased truck traffic and associated safety, coastal access and tailpipe emissions impacts, and the impacts to the aquatic environment from the bay intake and ocean discharge.

Our organizations will continue to exhaust all opportunities to improve the project through the Coastal Commission and the Regional Water Quality Control Board, as well as seeking voluntary improvements to the project with Nordic.

The recent reorganization of company leadership and the fact that Nordic California LLC has split from its parent company, coupled with the fact that Nordic CEO Bernt-Olav Rottingsnes was quoted in July 2022 saying, “I think it is fair to say the banks still think it is too early to lend to land-based fish farming,” make us increasingly skeptical of Nordic’s financial ability to pull off a project of this magnitude.

Although Nordic claims that this technology is tested, they have yet to embark on a project of this size. Nevertheless, our organizations will continue to push for improvements and resolutions to the outstanding issues as long as the project continues to move forward.

Mamea.

An Arcata man was sentenced this morning to 13 years in state prison for stabbing and attempting to kill a homeless man who was asleep on an Old Town street.

Judge Kelly Neel handed Tory Tasi Parker Mamea the maximum term of nine years for the attempted murder of Timothy Edward Hansen. Mamea received an additional three years for causing great bodily injury and one more year for using a knife.

Jury selection for Mamea’s trial had begun when he accepted an offer to plead guilty, with the benefit being that the prosecution was no longer calling the attack premeditated. In California premeditated attempted murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Mamea stabbed Hansen multiple times on Sept. 24, 2020. He died later, but from other causes.

Judge Neel reprimanded Mamea today for his crime, questioning his motive and asking whether he had thought about the impact on his own family. Seven people supporting Mamea were in the courtroom audience. One of them was holding a baby girl.

Neel also pointed out Hansen was already in terrible circumstances, living on the street.

“How much worse can it get?” she asked.

As part of his agreement with the prosecution, the 29-year-old Mamea agreed to give up all credit for the two-plus years spent in Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

When Mamea was arrested about six weeks after the stabbing, Eureka police said they had conducted an extensive investigation, relying on video surveillance and witness statements, to identify the suspect.

Just eight days before he stabbed Hansen, Mamea was arrested for suspected drunken driving, his second arrest for that offense. And four months before the stabbing, Mamea was charged with misdemeanor battery on a spouse or cohabitant.

Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm handled the case for his office, with Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo representing Mamea.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Eureka Police Arrest Arcata Man for Attempted Murder After Investigation Connects Him to September Stabbing
• Stabbing Suspect Charged With Premeditated Murder
• Law Enforcement Looking For Suspect in Eureka Stabbing, Who Had Been Released From Jail
• Attempted-Murder Suspect Back in Jail After Being Freed on Supervised Release
• Arcata Resident Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Murder in Stabbing of a Man Sleeping on Eureka Street
• TODAY IN COURT: Defense Puts Forward Plea Offer in Bear River Triple Murder; Plus: The State of Play in Three Other Local Homicide Cases
• TODAY in COURT: Trial Dates Set for Hikshari Murder Suspect, Eureka Attempted Murder Suspect, Suspect in Shooting of Fortuna Juvenile

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Brett Watson is seeking re-election.

This despite sustained allegations of sexual harassment against a city staff member, despite being stripped of all committee assignments by his council colleagues, who cast a vote of “no confidence” and are pursuing a retraining order against him, and despite widespread calls for his resignation. 

Watson announced his decision on social media last night, saying his mental health “is better than its [sic] ever been” and alleging that he’s been the victim of “endless bullying” for asking questions and representing “the wishes of the community.”

Here’s his full post:

PREVIOUSLY:

• Arcata Mayor Brett Watson Arrested for DUI, Drug Possession Late Last Night
  
• Arcata Mayor Brett Watson Issues Statement on His Arrest for DUI, Drug Possession
• Is Arcata Mayor Brett Watson Being De-Mayored? Amid Mysterious Circumstances, Arcata City Council Calls Special Meeting to Elect New Mayor and Vice-Mayor
• Arcata City Council Casts Vote of ‘No Confidence’ in Brett Watson, Removes Him as Mayor
• Arcata City Councilmember Says He’s Entering 30-Day Rehab Program to Deal With Personal Issues; Will Make Decision About His Future as Public Servant at a Later Date
• Residential Rehab Program Completed, Former Mayor Brett Watson Rejoins the Arcata City Council
• (UPDATE, BRETT RESPONDS) City of Arcata Announces It is Investigating Allegations Against Councilmember Brett Watson
  
• Arcata City Councilmember Announces Resignation, Citing Family Medical Issues, Poor Local Healthcare Options
• Arcata Councilmember Brett Watson Reveals That He Suffers from a Learning Disability as Mysterious Investigation Continues to Limit His Access to City Staff
• (UPDATE) Investigation Sustains Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Arcata City Councilmember Brett Watson; Former Mayor Was ‘Obsessed’ With Staff Member, Report Finds
• Arcata City Council to Consider Disciplinary Action, Including Possible Restraining Order, Against Councilmember Brett Watson in Response to Sexual Harassment Investigation
• Arcata City Councilmember Brett Watson, on the Verge of the City Seeking a Restraining Order Against Him, Says That He is the Actual Victim of Harassment and Discrimination
• Brett Watson, You Must Resign: An Open Letter From 50+ Local Women Leaders
• The City of Arcata Will to Have to Live With Brett Watson for a Few More Months, as the Councilmember Refuses to Allow Himself to Feel Shame or Remorse
• Arcata City Councilmember Brett Watson Accuses City Staff of ‘Lies and Deception’ During Very Long and Uncomfortable Council Meeting
• ARCATA CITY COUNCIL ELECTION: Councilmember Meredith Matthews Announces Candidacy; One Other Community Member Has Taken Out Nomination Papers So Far

PREVIOUSLY:

• THIS WEEK in COUNCIL: Eureka’s Waterfront Development Plan, Civil Grand Jury Weighs in on Sea Level Rise Around Humboldt Bay, Dolos on Broadway and More!
• Eureka City Council Approves Demolition of Broadway Dolos After Emotional Debate, and Also Discusses Waterfront Development Strategies
• Community Members Rally to Save Broadway Dolos That’s Currently Slated for Demolition
• The Dolos is Still There, But The Trees Are Gone

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Press release from the City of Eureka:

At its July 19, 2022 meeting, the Eureka City Council approved the demolition of the 42 ton Broadway dolos, should a cost-effective solution to move the dolos not be identified. The City of Eureka sold the property on which the dolos is located and the new owners need the dolos removed as soon as possible to begin construction of a new hotel.

Local residents voiced their concerns, and encouraged the City to work with local businesses and contractors to find a solution to move it to a new home. Leroy Zerlang, chair of the Humboldt Harbor Safety Committee, met with City staff and businesses to identify a way to safely move the dolos to Madaket Plaza.

The City is pleased to announce that the dolos will be moved to Madaket Plaza on Monday, August 15th. According to Councilmember Natalie Arroyo, “I’m so pleased that the dolos, an important maritime artifact of Humboldt Bay, will be relocated to Madaket Plaza. It’s a perfect location that will allow people to continue to learn about its significance for years to come.”

The City would like to thank Leroy Zerlang for rallying the community and finding a solution to keep the dolos in Eureka. The City would also like to acknowledge and thank North Coast Fabricators and Kernen Construction for assisting with their equipment and time – this relocation is only possible through their generous help.

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Ramping up goals for tackling climate change, Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked the Legislature to accelerate greenhouse gas cuts, set new interim targets for reaching 100% clean electricity and codify safety zones around new oil and gas wells.

Newsom also is seeking regulations from the state Air Resources Board that would govern controversial projects that would remove carbon dioxide from the air and sequester it underground.

The governor’s memo on his beefed-up priorities — including measures that he would like the Legislature to enact this session — was sent to the leaders of both houses in the past week, according to Alex Stack, a Newsom spokesperson.

His memo comes during the last month of the session, with little time left for the Legislature to accomplish what Stack described as an “ambitious climate agenda for this session.”

“We’re trying to get all this done,” Stack said about the five goals in the memo.

The last day for the Senate and Assembly to pass bills this year is Aug. 31.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, a Democrat from Torrance, may have experienced deja vu reading the governor’s proposals, as he’s sponsored bills that would have required setbacks around oil and gas facilities, established guardrails for carbon capture and sequestration and codified California’s commitment to carbon neutrality. None of that recent legislation made it past the Senate and Newsom did not appear to champion the bills.

Muratsuchi said while he’s pleased that Newsom has set new climate priorities, he needs to do more.

“We need him to not only to nudge the Legislature, which has been working on these issues for years, we need his leadership, we need his willingness to push back against big oil and its allies,” Muratsuchi said. “The Legislature cannot do it on its own.”

Several top-ranking legislators did not comment on whether they would pursue new legislation based on the governor’s recommendations.

“The Assembly appreciates the governor’s strong stance in favor of bold climate actions, especially as it echoes steps the Assembly has taken in recent years,” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, a Democrat from Lakewood. “I more than support such efforts. I agree with the governor that California absolutely must take more of the same kind of actions that the Assembly has been working on.”

State Sen. Bob Wieckowski, a Democrat from Freemont, said “the governor’s latest climate proposals are getting a close look by senators as we come down to the end of session.”

The question remains, however, whether there will be enough time in the legislative session to accomplish the goals.

Dave Weiskopf, senior policy advisor with NextGen Policy, an organization that advocates for progressive policy in California, said “this is an important moment in history with the federal government finally acting, with this urgency from the governor’s office, and with a lot of groundwork already laid by the Legislature for a lot of these priorities.”

Danny Cullenward, policy director at CarbonPlan, a nonprofit climate research organization, said the Legislature may be able to act quickly.

“This isn’t a conversation that’s emerging out of whole cloth at the last minute,” he said. Each element of Newsom’s new strategy “has a connection to long-standing policy discussions that have either been the subject of legislative oversight hearings, or actually addressed in real bills.”

The memo comes after environmentalists have criticized Newsom for not acting faster to phase out fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gases.

Newsom sent a letter to the California Air Resources Board last month asking the agency to strengthen its draft climate change scoping plan by including measures for offshore wind, heat pumps in homes and cleaner aviation fuels, among other areas.

Newsom and legislators also are negotiating details of a nearly $39 billion climate budget.

The five priorities outlined in the Newsom administration’s memo are:

• Establishing in law a goal, originally set by former Gov. Jerry Brown, to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and no later than 2045.
• Accelerating the pace of greenhouse gas cuts by requiring a 55% reduction to 1990 levels by 2030; the former goal was 40% in the same timeframe.
• Setting interim targets for alternative sources of energy — at least 90% by 2035 and 95% by 2040 — while maintaining the goal that 100% of the state’s retail electricity comes from solar, wind and other clean sources by 2045.
• Creating a buffer of at least 3,200 feet between new oil and gas production wells and homes, schools and parks, and adding additional environmental controls for existing wells within the buffer zone.
• Establishing a program at the Air Resources Board to advance research into carbon sequestration technologies for removing greenhouse gases from the air and storing them. He also sought a permitting system for geologic sequestration projects, in which carbon is buried in underground rock formations.

Some bills that are making their way through or stalled in the Legislature would address the governor’s priorities. Included is a bill that stalled last year that would have set a target to become carbon neutral no later than 2045, and another that would set interim goals for reaching 100% clean electricity, starting with 90% of all retail sales by the end of 2035. Others would set limits on carbon injection at oil fields and advance research on carbon sequestration.

The governor’s office didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry about which bills Newsom intends to publicly back.

Increasing the 2030 goal for greenhouse gas reductions to 55% “would be among the most ambitious goals in the world,” said Ryan Schleeter, communications director for The Climate Center. “This, to me, really is what stepping into a void of climate leadership looks like.”

“What’s missing is a key strategy, a firm strategy to implement our existing targets.”
— Danny Cullenward, CarbonPlan

But California is not on track to meet the existing goal, the Air Resources Board said in a statement after the release of the state’s greenhouse gas inventory last year.

“If I had to armchair quarterback state climate policy for a second, I don’t think we lack for ambitious targets. What’s missing is a key strategy, a firm strategy to implement our existing targets,” Cullenward said. “There’s a lot to like in the new provisions from a climate perspective, but there’s not a lot on implementation.”

Efforts to create safety zones around oil and gas facilities should sound familiar to Californians. The Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management Division, also known as CalGEM, released draft rules proposing a 3,200-foot public health setback around new oil and gas development last fall as part of an ongoing rulemaking process. California lawmakers have also repeatedly tried and failed to pass laws establishing safety zones.

Stack said the governor’s new goal for oil and gas setbacks isn’t a referendum on CalGEM’s ongoing efforts, but instead a signal of urgency.

“Nobody’s dropping the ball,” Stack said. “It’s not to say that anybody’s doing anything wrong or that we don’t want to go through a CalGEM rulemaking process. But we know that this needs to happen and this is a priority.”

But environmental justice advocates have for years called for stricter regulations regarding existing oil and gas operations, which emit pollutants that can cause health effects. One 2017 study estimated that more than 2 million Californians live within one mile of an active well, although other estimates put that number as high as 7 million.

By focusing mostly on new oil and gas development, Newsom’s proposal doesn’t go far enough, said Cesar Aguirre, senior community organizer for the Central California Environmental Justice Network.

“Until it applies to existing wells, this policy is not complete and it will do nothing for the almost three million Californians who live right next to oil and gas extraction today,” he said in an emailed statement.

Environmentalists also have long viewed carbon removal, capture and sequestration technologies as continued investments in the fossil fuel industry.

But Newsom said in his memo that the state won’t be able to reduce carbon emissions fast enough without them — a stance echoed by the oil industry. The Air Resources Board projected in its draft scoping plan that carbon removal projects must eliminate nearly 80 million tons per year by 2045 in order for California to achieve carbon neutrality.

Some experts say technologies already in use can capture and store more than 90% of carbon dioxide emissions from smokestacks. But Mark Jacobson, a Stanford University engineering professor, recently told legislators that the state is overstating the impact, and that the projects would provide “a lifeline for emitting facilities and will lock in fossil fuels for decades to come.”

When asked why the memo was sent to the Legislature so late in the session, Stack said “there’s a lot happening,” such as the climate budget. “And this was another set of priorities that we’re moving on with urgency.”

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Albert was born on February 27, 1922 in Scotia to John and Connie (Malftte) Mela and passed on August 8, 2022 at 100 years and 5 months!

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his beloved wife Jackie; his sisters Flora and Alice; his sons Ron and Paul Mela; daughter Janeyessa Harrigan; son-in-law Dan Harrigan; nieces Dana Wilson and Danielle Saffell; his brother-in-law Jim Green; sister-in-law Dolly (Green) Lucky; and nephew Jack Green.

He is survived by his son Jon Mela and daughter-in-law Jerrie Mela; grandchildren Jeremy, Vanessa, Jesse, Katie, Kaycee, Mariah Mela, Amanda Dias Adam Dias, Brett Harrigan; great-grandchildren Daylyn, Layla, Baily, Haydin; great-grandson Kaston; his nieces Jill Faughender, Julie Winburn, Gwen Luckie, Denise Sevean; his nephews Jaime Green, Larry Luckie, Hilton Luckie and Kelly O’Donald.

Albert attended Rio Dell Elementary and Fortuna High School. Albert worked at Pacific Lumber Company during summer vacations, and later after he was discharged from the Navy which he and cousin Louie Rovai had joined at the same time. Albert served on an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific from Manila, Philippines to south of Okin. After his discharge in December 1945 he began work at Pacific Lumber Company for about 40 years as a saw filer.

Albert met Jackie shortly after being discharged and married her a year later. They lived in Rio Dell where they built their home and raised their four children. Prior to Albert retiring, he and Jackie had begun building a home in Shelter Cove which they finished. Albert was able to look out the window to check the water to decide whether to go fishing or abalone diving or just enjoy the beautiful weather.

Albert loved his family and his many friends. His best times were having them all gathered together. He loved his time with Art and Keith at Poppa Joe’s for breakfast on Thursdays and his fish chowder at Gill’s. He so enjoyed all the wonderful waitresses who took care of him at these restaurants.

He was most loved by his wife Jackie. The two of them were quite a pair. They truly were best friends and enjoyed many miles of traveling adventures in the motor home. He will be missed by so many.

Pall Bearers: Kelly O’Donald, Jeremy Mela, Jesse Mela, Brett Harrigan, Jaime Green, Roger Bradley, Frank Luiz, Keith Milican, Randall Stone, Jack Saffell, Adam Dias, Justin Pedrotti, Dusty Pedrotti, Lon Winburn and Trace Faughender.

There will be a celebration of life will on Sunday, August 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fortuna Fire Hall in Fortuna.

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The obituary above was submitted by Albert Mela’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Velda Marie Ferguson passed away peacefully at her home in Fortuna with family by her side on July 22, 2022. She was 94 years old.

Velda was a wonderful mom, grandma, great-grandma, auntie and friend, and was most affectionately known as “Gram.”

Velda was born on January 4, 1928 to Loren (Dutch) and Florence (Flossie) Wilkinson in Alderpoint . Velda had three sisters — Nettie, Forrestine and Lola — as well as three brothers, Emmit, Loren and Cecil.

Velda attended Lowell High School in San Francisco. It was the only time she wasn’t in Humboldt County. On her return home to Humboldt County she settled in Fortuna, where she met her future husband John Keith Ferguson. They bought a home in town and Velda lived there for 54 years until her passing.

Velda loved camping, fishing, hunting and backpacking with family and friends. Her two favorites, though, were the Wilkinsons’ family reunions, where 70-90 family members would get together and camp out on the Upper Van Duzen over Memorial Day, and Velda and John’s hunting camp on South Fork Mountain with best friends Gary and Dorothy Craig and Frank Richards. She would be anticipating and looking forward to the arrival of her sons and grandkids in camp.

She was an avid bowler, liked playing softball and enjoyed the years she was with the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW in Ferndale.

Most of all, Velda loved to be involved in any youth events. She was active in Little League, Babe Ruth, Pop Warner, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She worked for years at two day care homes. She attended as many youth sporting events as possible.

Mom was an Avid San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan. There was rarely a time a game wasn’t on in her house.

Velda and John had three sons — Loren (Michelle), Buck (Sharon) and Mike. She had four grandkids — Morgan, Falon, John and Huck — and 10 great-grandchildren (all girls). She also many nieces and nephews.

Velda is preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents, all six of her brothers and sisters and one great-granddaughter.

The family held a private graveside service on July 30, 2022.