The following press release was sent by Denise Harrison Rumberger, one of the organizers behind a proposed citizen ballot initiative that, if passed by voters, would limit the size of warehouses in the county’s Coastal Zone, effectively blocking a 40,000-square-foot Amazon distribution facility that’s currently slated for McKinleyville:

Dozens of volunteers fanned out across Humboldt County this week, collecting signatures for a citizens ballot initiative that would give the public a direct say in whether an Amazon warehouse can be built in the county’s Coastal Zone.

The initiative, undertaken by volunteers from Fortuna to Trinidad, would establish a maximum warehouse and distribution center size of 20,000 square feet within the Humboldt County Coastal Zone — less than half the footprint Amazon is currently seeking for its proposed facility.

Organizers received approval to begin signature collection Thursday morning, and canvassers were in the field within hours. Despite a full day of rain on Friday, hundreds of voters signed petitions at locations across the county, including the Eureka Friday Night Market.

To qualify for the November ballot, the campaign must gather 4,687 valid signatures. Volunteers are planning an intensive push through the Fourth of July holiday, when large public gatherings are expected to provide significant outreach opportunities.

Organizers report that public support has been strong, with hundreds of signatures being collected from around Humboldt County each day.

“We know our effort to put the Amazon warehouse on the ballot is a massive undertaking,” said Debbie Harrison Rumberger, canvassing in Eureka. “However, we believe the public frustration will only increase if avenues to be heard are shut off.”

Rumberger noted the campaign has been overwhelmed by community interest. “We are frantically trying to get back to all the folks wanting to help. This is the real Humboldt County.”

Residents wishing to sign the petition or volunteer with signature collection efforts are encouraged to contact debbie.harrison.rumberger@gmail.com.

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