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Following tense deliberation at today’s meeting, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted to appoint Board Chair Mike Wilson and Arcata resident Carol Vander Meer to two at-large seats on the Great Redwood Trail Agency’s (GRTA) board of directors. Vander Meer, a local nonprofit consultant, currently serves on the Humboldt Trails Council.

The motion passed in a 3-2 vote, with First District Supervisor Rex Bohn and Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell dissenting.

The Board of Supervisors reviewed 18 applications from a wide range of contenders, including several elected officials, retirees, city engineers and consultants, many of whom described themselves as avid cyclists and trail users. All but one of the applications were sent in by Humboldt County residents, with one submitted by Trinity County Supervisor Julia Brownfield, which would become a point of contention among supervisors.

At the outset of the discussion, Clerk of the Board Tracy D’Amico informed the board that two applicants had dropped out “due to the number of applications and other restraints,” including Trinidad resident Susan Ferson and Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes, who is currently serving as the city appointee on the GRTA board. Garnes’ two-year term is up in August.

Each applicant was given two minutes to make their case as to why they would be the best fit for the GRTA’s nine-person board, which includes two representatives each from Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino and Sonoma counties, as well as a city representative, who is selected by cities located along the path of the 300-mile trail. 

Everyone who spoke expressed great enthusiasm for the trail, though some warned that such an ambitious project would come with complications, including Trinity County Supervisor Julia Brownfield.

Brownfield | Screenshot

“I love trails, but we need to address the issues — [and] there’s some very big issues,” she said, noting that the trail passes through a “very historic and very cultural” portion of her district in Trinity County. “There will be obstacles in the way of this trail, and we need to be very cognitive and respective of those.”

Supervisors Bushnell and Wilson saved their pitches for last. Bushnell emphasized that one of the most critical segments of the trail passes through the remote Eel River Canyon, which straddles the Humboldt-Mendocino county line. Given that the area is already in her district, she felt she would provide much-needed representation for SoHum landowners.

“I think I bring a unique opportunity to the board [because] I represent those landowners already, and I see a great opportunity through the Eel River Canyon,” Bushnell said. “I want to make sure that people’s voices are heard, that we can do it right and we have a smooth transition with having that trail go through the canyon. … Regardless [of the appointment], I’ll continue to represent my constituents through the Eel River Canyon and look forward to what the Great Redwood Trail can bring to Humboldt County.”

Wilson began his pitch with a reminder that the GRTA is a state agency, and emphasized that representation is “not just for our local community, but users across the state.” 

Wilson | Screenshot

“I’ve been a trails advocate since 2005, [and] I have extensive experience working with local communities, tribal governments and state agencies,” he said, referring to his tenure on both the Board of Supervisors and the California Coastal Commission. “I recognize the challenges and the opportunities the trail represents to connect our communities, strengthen the regional economy and benefit residents and visitors alike. I’m committed to ensuring to a diversity of local voices that shape the development, and it would be an honor to represent Humboldt County on the GRTA.”

During public comment, Tom Wheeler, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center, vouched for Vander Meer, who was unable to attend today’s meeting due to travel. “She was instrumental in getting the Bay Trail done [and] ran Friends of the Dunes for 30 years,” he said. “She — I think all of you know her — is a collaborative, thoughtful person, and I think that she would do very well on this board.”

Following public comment, outgoing GRTA board member and Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone also highlighted Vander Meer’s resume, noting that she secured a personal reference from Hank Seemann, the county’s deputy director of Public Works, “who really championed getting [the Bay Trail] done and getting it built.” 

Madrone made a motion to appoint Vander Meer and Wilson to the GRTA board, which was seconded by Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo “for the purpose of discussion.”

While discussing whether or not it would be appropriate to appoint a Trinity County representative to the seat, Wilson said, “I don’t think it would be advantageous for Humboldt County to give half of its representation to Trinity County.” Instead, he suggested that the county advocate for Trinity County to have its own seat on the GRTA.

Bohn spoke highly of a few applicants from the Eel River Valley, but felt Brownfield and Bushnell would be the best fit for the GRTA board.

“We have two capable people [who] have two very different … approaches to this thing, but I know they will listen to their people along the trail to make a successful trail,” he said. “To make a successful operation, you’re going to have to have the neighbors involved.”

A little later in the discussion, Madrone echoed Wilson’s call for Trinity County to get its own seat on the GRTA, which drew sharp criticism from Bohn. “Today’s your opportunity,” he said. “You walk the talk, or you just talk the talk.” 

Madrone | Screenshot

“I find it unfortunate that in order to push your position, you feel the need to insult me,” Madrone responded. “Anybody that knows me knows that I have been dedicated to trails for over 50 years here in Humboldt County, and I walk my talk every day in regards to that and the rest of it. So, it’s unfortunate you feel the need to do that. I’m going to leave it at that.”

Given the two-year term for each appointee, Arroyo thought it would be advantageous to select people who lived in communities that are next in line for trails. 

“I think the phases of the trail that we’re most likely to see developed … are the ones that are already kind of in the queue or where there are small gaps to fill, like the Annie and Mary Trail to Blue Lake, like the segment to College of the Redwoods,” she said. “All of the areas in the sort of greater Humboldt Bay Area, broadly speaking, and then just outside of that are the likely next ones to move forward.”

After some additional discussion, the board voted 3-2, with Bohn and Bushnell dissenting, to appoint Vander Meer and Wilson to the GRTA.

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The board is about to come out of its closed session discussion. Check back a little later — or perhaps tomorrow morning, this is shaping up to be a long one — for more coverage of today’s meeting.