Nearly two hundred people opposed to the proposed Humboldt Wind Energy Project marched from Rio Dell to Scotia on Saturday. Many carried signs and voiced their distrust of Terra-Gen, the company hoping to build the project’s 47 massive wind turbines on nearby ridges. (Dig into LoCO‘s previous wind project coverage here.)

“Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Terra-Gen has got to go!” was among the popular chants of the day. In addition to their environmental concerns, many in attendance worry about the irreversible cultural impacts to Bear River Ridge, part of the project site, which the Wiyot tribe considers sacred and has traditionally called Tsakiyuwit.

The demonstration comes days before a major showdown. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is set to hold a special meeting on Monday to consider an appeal of the Humboldt County Planning Commission’s recent rejection of the project. The meeting is expected to draw a large crowd, so much so that the county has booked a much bigger venue, the Adorni Center in Eureka. 

The protesters plan to be there. To pump themselves up they marched from Rio Dell across the Eagle Prairie Bridge — where they momentarily blocked traffic for a photo op — and on into Scotia where they filled the Winema Theatre for a rally including speeches by local officials, political candidates and activists. Your Lost Coast Outpost was on hand for the procession and snapped a few photos. 

The rally began in front of Rio Dell City Hall

Local songwriter Anna Hamilton composed some anti-Terra-Gen protest songs for the occasion.

Protesters are concerned that the turbines will decimate the hoary bat population.

Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes megaphone-led much chanting.

Onto the Eagle Prairie Bridge that connects Rio Dell and Scotia.

Scotia’s Winema Theater.

Wiyot tribal member Cheryl Seidner.

Frank Bacik, Scotia’s town president.

Mayor Garnes gives an impassioned speech.

Activist David Cobb.

Sean DeVries, Humboldt County Second District supervisorial candidate.

Michael McKaskle, Humboldt County Second District supervisorial candidate.

Cliff Berkowitz, Humboldt County First District supervisorial candidate.

Larry Glass, executive director of the Northcoast Environmental Center.

# # #

PREVIOUSLY

• Large-Scale Wind Farm South of Scotia Should Be Up and Running in Roughly Two Years, Project Director Says
• Wind Energy Project Near Scotia Would Impact Birds and the View, Report Finds; Public Scrutiny Invited
• OP-ED: Wiyot Tribe Urges People to Cast a Wary Eye on Ridgetop Wind Power Project, Submit Comments on its Environmental Impact Report
• Humboldt Wind Energy Project Proponents Give Presentation to Skeptical Crowd in Ferndale
• County Extends Public Comment Period for Humboldt Wind Energy Project
• Rio Dell City Government is the Latest Organization to Give the Terra-Gen Wind Power Project a Big Thumbs Down
• Board of Local Energy Agency Unanimously Directs Staff to Pursue Agreement With Terra-Gen Wind Project
• Local Enviro Groups Demand Changes to Proposed Terra-Gen Wind Energy Project Slated for Ridges South of Rio Dell
• County to Release Final EIR For Terra-Gen Wind Energy Project; Public Hearing Scheduled Early Next Month
• OP-ED: The Terra-Gen Wind Power Project Will Chain Us to the PG&E Grid and Ruin a Sacred Place
• OP-ED: The Terra-Gen Wind Power Project Will Give Humboldt Clean, Green Energy Independence
• OP-ED: Citing Danger to Birds, Three Conservation Groups Urge the County to Reject the Humboldt Wind Energy Project
• OP-ED: Adequately Mitigated, the Humboldt Wind Energy Project Would be an Urgently Needed Response to Climate Change, Says Friends of the Eel
• City of Rio Dell Opposes the Humboldt Wind Energy Project, Citing Environmental Concerns and Cultural Impact to Wiyot Tribe
• TODAY IN SUPES: A Protest Song, a Likely Hemp Moratorium Extension and the End of Columbus Day
• The Planning Commission Could Reach a Decision on the Humboldt Wind Energy Project Tonight
• In a Wild Meeting, the Planning Commission First Deadlocks, Then Denies the Humboldt Wind Energy Project
• Planning Commissioners Explain Their Flip-Flops as Supes Prepare to Hear the Terra-Gen Wind Project Appeal at the Adorni Center
• THE ECONEWS REPORT: Wiyot Tribal Representatives Talk About Their Objections to the Terra-Gen Wind Project
• Terra-Gen Reaches Agreement With Local Unions, Says Wind Farm Would Be Built Entirely With Union Labor