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When the last remaining pulp mill on the Samoa Peninsula shuttered in 2010, the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD) lost its entire industrial customer base, resulting in an 80 percent drop in water consumption across the district. 

To make up for the dramatic reduction in water use, the district launched a water resource planning initiative to look for ways to increase industrial use to maintain its existing water rights, which are slated for review by the State Water Resources Control Board in 2029. If the district can’t find a way to increase its water use in the next five years, it could stand to lose nearly 50 percent of its water rights under the state’s “use it or lose it” system.  

“We have to figure out how to maintain our local water rights because, in the state of California, water rights are owned by the state,” district General Manager John Friedenbach told the Outpost. “The water board could say, ‘Well, you’re not using the water that you used to use for the pulp mills, so we’re going to take that water back and you can only lease what you’re using for municipal customers.’ That would have, in our opinion, a dramatic detrimental effect on the aquatic life in the Mad River.”

So the water district is applying to permanently dedicate a portion of its rights to the Mad River for instream flows for environmental benefit. The proposal would incorporate the district’s current water releases from Ruth Lake Reservoir, which mimic natural seasonal flows on the Mad River, into its water right, allowing the district to retain as much of its water right as possible while also ensuring enhanced summer flows that benefit salmonids and other special status species for the foreseeable future.

The proposal would not change the water district’s current instream flow allocation, which accounts for roughly 25 percent, or 20-25 million gallons per day (MGD), of the district’s proposed water rights allocation, as seen in the pie chart below. “It’s not going to increase the rate of outflow from Ruth Lake,” Friedenbach said. “We’re just trying to preserve the status quo.”

The water district received a $693,000 grant from the state Wildlife Conservation Board in 2018 to fund the various studies needed to amend its water rights and “all of the components that were necessary to get us in a position to file this petition for change,” Friedenbach said. 

“We have a draft petition that we’ve sent to the water board staff for their draft review, and they’ve provided feedback to us,” he continued. “Our next step is to talk to the public about this petition for change and receive feedback. I want to reiterate that [this proposal] would not impact customers.”

The water district will host an informational workshop at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka on Feb. 12. (More information below.) If the state water board grants the instream flow petition, that would keep approximately 27 percent of the district’s existing water rights intact. 

“Of the remaining 55 MGD (35 MGD transport [and] 20 MGD local sales), the district could stand to lose the 35 MGD transport, or about 47 percent, in 2029 when our water rights are up for renewal,” Friedenbach said. (In this case, “transport” refers to water sales outside the district’s existing boundaries. ) “That said, the district will put forth an argument to the water board that we continue to seek beneficial users of those 35 MGD through our transport option in our Water Resource Planning effort.”

The water district has explored the possibility of piping water to municipalities and public agencies outside of the district to boost water sales but, surprisingly, there hasn’t been much interest from neighboring counties. 

“We did a high-level engineering study to kind of flesh out the concept of building a pipeline from Humboldt County south through Mendocino and most likely to Sonoma County because of the high population down there,” Friedenbach said. “Our board marketed the idea during the recent drought years, I think between 2014 and 2017, but none of the agencies we went to in Northern California said, ‘Yeah, that’s a great idea! Sign me up!’”

Selling water outside of the area would provide additional protection for the district’s water rights, but doing so could also put the district in a vulnerable legal position. For example, customers could become dependent on our water supply and “litigate or legislate for terms beyond contractual agreements,” according to a 2010 Water Resouce Planning Report.

The district has also looked into the possibility of increasing local sales in recent years. Three years ago, the water district agreed to conduct a feasibility study to investigate the possibility of extending water service from McKinleyville up to the Trinidad Rancheria to supply water for the proposed multi-story Hyatt hotel at the Cher-Ae Heights Casino. The district is also working on a Mainline Extension Agreement with the Blue Lake Rancheria. 

The district was hoping to bolster industrial sales by supplying the water needed for Nordic Aquafarms’ onshore fish farm, but those plans fell through when Nordic decided to raise yellowtail kingfish at the facility rather than Atlantic Salmon.

“Nordic was going to take about three [MGD] of industrial water, which isn’t a lot compared to the 65 [MGD] the two pulp mills used when they were in operation,” Friedenbach said. “[The Department of] Fish and Wildlife didn’t approve their permit for a salmon species, so Nordic had to change their fish species to a saltwater fish. They don’t require industrial water, but they’re going to take domestic water for their fish cleaning process. It’s disappointing, but nonetheless, they will be a retail customer.” 

The district is also working with the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District to look into the possibility of supplying industrial water to the Humboldt Offshore Wind Terminal Project.

But for the time being, the district is focused on incorporating its instream allocations into its water rights, Friedenbach said.

If you have thoughts on the matter you’ll want to attend the workshop on Monday, Feb. 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wharfinger Building at 1 Marina Way in Eureka. More information can be found in the flyer below.

Gov. Gavin Newsom last fall signaled he was ready to bring psychedelic drugs into the mainstream of California’s mental health system, and a pair of lawmakers today submitted a bill to hold him to his word.

Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, and Assemblymember Marie Waldron, a San Diego Republican, are carrying a bill that would legalize psychedelic therapy. It would allow adults 21 and older to use the hallucinogenic drugs psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, DMT and mescaline in a controlled setting and under the supervision of a licensed and trained facilitator.

The new proposal follows Newsom’s veto of a broader bill in October that would have decriminalized the possession of psychedelic drugs. At the time, he indicated he would support a measure focused on therapies.

“California should immediately begin work to set up regulated treatment guidelines — replete with dosing information, therapeutic guidelines, rules to prevent against exploitation during guided treatments, and medical clearance of no underlying psychose,” Newsom said in his veto message.

The new measure, Senate Bill 1012, would require the state to establish a licensing board that would develop training and oversight rules for therapy facilitators. Facilitators would have to screen individuals before they can participate. The bill also asks for the creation of a public-private fund to support grants for public health education related to psychedelics.

“I want California to be on the leading edge of psychedelic access for people seeking therapy, I also want California to be on the leading edge of public education and safety around psychedelics, and this bill will point us in that direction,” Wiener said in a briefing with reporters.

New research into psychedelic therapies

Growing research characterizes psychedelic drugs as promising in helping people address various mental illnesses, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved psychedelic-assisted therapies, although some may be close. In December, the nonprofit research group Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies applied for FDA review of its MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. That review could come later this year.

Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs last month announced its intent to study psychedelics for the treatment of PTSD and depression. According to the department, this is the first time since the 1960s that it is funding such research.

Wiener said California can move forward on psychedelic therapies even though their status is uncertain with the federal government. “We are not waiting for the federal government to bless us,” he said. “We are addressing California’s legal obstacles to this therapy.”

Oregon last year became the first state to open centers that offer regulated psilocybin therapies. More than 700 people used these services in the second half of 2023, said Dr. Brian Anderson, a psychiatrist at UC San Francisco.

“And they had waitlists of thousands of people at the different centers,” Anderson said. “In Oregon, you see people coming from out of state, so we’d have to anticipate how many Californians would access this versus other people possibly wanting to access it, but there seems to be quite a demand.”

Bipartisan support for mental health measures

Several Republicans voted for last year’s decriminalization bill. Waldron said lawmakers from both parties support the therapies because they see a new need for new mental health solutions. She shared she’s heard from veterans and first responders who shared that psychedelics have helped them overcome severe traumas and suicidal thoughts.

“Our current approach to mental health has been criminalization and lack of access, we can do better,” said Waldron, who is also the author of a second bill that establishes a state workgroup to study psychedelic-assisted therapies.

A UC Berkeley poll last year showed that 60% of those surveyed supported psychedelics for therapeutic use, and 78% supported making it easier for researchers to further study psychedelics. Meanwhile, 49% said they supported removing criminal penalties for personal use.

A number of law enforcement unions, cities and the state lobbying group for district attorneys opposed last year’s decriminalization bill. Parents and several researchers also spoke at hearings on the bill, with some requesting additional safety and education components.

Outside of the Legislature, a group of doctors and advocates are gathering signatures to place a measure on the November ballot that would approve $5 billion in state general obligation bonds to create a state agency for psychedelic therapy research. The group has until March 20 to submit signatures.

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Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.

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

Jim Meade, 103, of Fortuna, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2024, in Fortuna. Born on April 28, 1920, in Eureka, Jim was a beloved father, brother and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jim, also known as James Martin Meade, was a cheerful and positive individual with an very active social life. He had a great love for his family and made it a point to call them every day. Jim’s warm and caring nature endeared him to those around him.

Jim is survived by his children: Sue Tresback of St. Louis, Dian Jung of Bakersfield, Tim Meade of Fortuna, and Bruce Meade of Hawaii.

He is also survived by his siblings: Don Yarger of Palm Springs and Ken Meade of Alhambra. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Clark Sidney Meade and Florence Virginia McNamara, his wife Alma, his son James Meade Jr. (Little Jim), and seven siblings.

Orphaned at the age of 15 Jim continued his education through St. Bernard Primary School, Ferndale High School and Humboldt State University. He had a strong passion for aviation and served in the U.S. Army Reserve for one year and the U.S. Navy for three years. Jim was a pioneer helicopter pilot, co-developer of Rohnerville Airport, and served as a pilot for the U.S. Forest Service in the California Fire Division. Jim and “Little Jim” received the Outstanding Civilian Service medal from the Department of Army for their efforts in the 1964 flood relief. Jim was also the founder of a major ultralight plane manufacturing company called Mitchell Aircraft.

In his free time, Jim enjoyed indulging in his hobbies, which included flying planes and riding motorcycles. His major love was a passion for the sea, and he spent several years of his retirement sailing the world, mostly solo on his sailboats. He also enjoyed building model airplanes and engaging in numerous social activities.

A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held on February 23 at 1 p.m. at Fortuna’s Veteran Hall. Goble’s Funeral Home in Fortuna is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.

Jim’s memory will forever be cherished by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. He will be remembered for his kind heart, adventurous spirit, and contributions to the aviation industry. May he rest in peace.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jim Meade’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

Leona Marie Bishop
September 30, 1953 - January 28, 2024

“It’s Not The Freaking Lottery, Everybody Gets Picked”

— Leona

On Sunday, January 28, 2024 Leona, also known as “B” lost her courageous two-year long battle with cancer. She passed comfortably surrounded by her husband and girls.

Leona was born in Scotia the youngest of four and She was raised in Holmes Flat. She attended Fortuna Union High School ,where she met her future husband, Grant. She graduated in 1971. After two long persistent years of asking, she finally accepted his proposal! Grant and Leona were married July 1, 1972.

They resided in Scotia for 28 years, where they raised their two daughters. She was a stay-at-home mom and a house cleaner for many years. In 2002 they moved to Rio Dell, where Grant still resides.

Gardening was her passion and she spent the next 22 years creating the garden of her dreams. She absolutely loved sharing seeds, plant starts and vegetables from her garden with her neighbors, friends and family.

She loved her grandsons dearly and was very proud of her “boys.” Although a tiny person in stature, she was a large presence in spirit and attitude. She was true to her word and spoke it as she saw it. She lived life on her own terms. She never said “why me?” or that “life is fair.”

She accepted “The Old Boy Upstairs” would be calling the shots.

• “Everybody has choices. It’s better to laugh than cry. If you don’t have a sense of humor, you’re going to have a long, miserable life. “
• “I am who I am. If it works for you good, if not, oh well.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Marie Machado and her brothers, Bob Bellum and Don Bellum.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Grant Bishop, her daughters Heather Collings (Jared), and Jenni Gans (Randy) and five grandsons — Jordan, Riley, Branson, Rogan and Calvin.She also leaves behind her sister, Bernie Miranda, Sister-In-Laws that she considered sisters, brother-in-law’s and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to her amazing hospice nurse, Bridgette as well as her very special neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, Heather and Jenni will happily be accepting red wine. (Just kidding, mom would be honored to have donations made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Hospice of Humboldt.)

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

On December 7, 2023, in Eureka, Angela Price unexpectedly passed away. Angela was born November 16, 1981.

She was a mother to three children — Heather, Tina and Kaden. She was a loving sister to her brother Josh, a sister/best friend to Juanita and a sweet friend to Kristen. She was a wonderful aunt to Nolan and Peyton as well as to the many other nieces and nephews she shared. She will be greatly missed by us and all of her extended family.

Angela spent some of her years serving the Eureka Rescue Mission Thrift Store and women’s shelter. She worked hard at the Recology Humboldt and other local retail service stores. She was a gentle spirit with a soul hard to forget.

Celebration of life for Angela will be on February 28, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eureka Rescue Mission Men’s chapel building — 100 Second Street, Eureka.

Family and friends are welcome to attend for a time of remembrance of Angela. We will share stories and a meal. Dessert will be potluck style.

Please email siemprese24@gmail.com with any questions.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Angela Price’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

Press release issued Sunday by the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta:

Bonta

California Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed an amicus brief supporting the City of Eureka in a lawsuit challenging an amendment to its housing element, which would provide affordable, climate-friendly housing to an area experiencing a severe housing shortage. The housing element amendment identified nine city-owned sites for housing development in and around downtown. Housing in this area would place residents near their jobs, services, and retail, and allow residents to access public transportation.

A local opposition group, Citizens for a Better Eureka, sued the City under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), arguing that an addendum to the environmental impact report failed to analyze traffic impacts, and that providing affordable housing on these sites would replace City parking lots and result in congestion in the downtown area. However, Eureka concluded that the plan for housing would contribute to an overall decrease in vehicle miles traveled – thus reducing harmful emissions – and impacts to intersection levels of service would be similar to the original housing element. In three other separate actions, Citizens for a Better Eureka has challenged the City’s efforts to provide housing.

“I proudly support Eureka in opposing this cynical effort to hamper development projects that benefit low-income residents; I will not stand for it,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The housing crisis and climate crisis are among the largest, most urgent issues facing California and we need to act swiftly and fiercely. Eureka is doing exactly this and has my steadfast support.”

State law requires local governments to include housing elements in their general plans, which serve as a “blueprint” for how the city and/or county will grow and develop. A housing element must include, among other things, an assessment of housing needs, an inventory of resources and constraints relevant to meeting those needs, and a program to implement the policies, goals, and objectives of the housing element. Once the housing element is adopted, it is implemented through zoning ordinances and other actions that put its objectives into effect. The housing element is a crucial tool for building housing for moderate-, low-, and very low-income Californians and redressing historical redlining and disinvestment.  

Eureka’s housing element implements the goals and purposes of state housing laws, and the Department of Housing and Community Development certified it as complying with the Housing Element Law. In challenging the City’s housing element, the petitioner, Citizens for a Better Eureka, attempts to obstruct the development of future housing.

Attorney General Bonta is steadfastly committed to enforcing California’s housing laws. 

Earlier this month, Attorney General Bonta secured an appellate court order in the state’s favor compelling a prompt resolution of the enforcement case against Huntington Beach for its failure to adopt a housing plan compliant with state law. Also earlier this month, Attorney General Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez, and the City of Fullerton announced an agreement requiring the city to adopt a plan to allow for the development of 13,209 housing units. In December 2023, Attorney General Bonta, Governor Newsom, and HCD announced filing a request to intervene in Cal. Housing Defense Fund v. City of La Cañada Flintridge, to uphold California’s housing laws, and reverse the City of La Cañada Flintridge’s denial of a mixed-use affordable housing project that would bring 80 mixed-income residential dwelling units, 14 hotel units, and 7,791 square feet of office space to the community.

In May 2023, Attorney General Bonta, in collaboration with state leaders, filed a lawsuit against the City of Elk Grove, challenging the city’s denial of a proposed supportive housing project which would add 66 units of supportive housing for lower-income households at risk of homelessness. In 2023, Attorney General Bonta, in collaboration with state leaders, announced settlements with the City of Coronado and the City of San Bernadino, for violating the state’s Housing Element Law. 

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PREVIOUSLY:

• New Group — ‘Citizens for a Better Eureka’ — Says It Will Sue Eureka Over Downtown Housing Development
• Here is the Housing Development/Parking Lot Lawsuit Served on the City of Eureka Today
• Arkley-Affiliated Group ‘Citizens for a Better Eureka’ Files Second Lawsuit Against the City Over Development Plans
• Local Group Announces Intent to Stop the City of Eureka’s Conversion of Downtown Parking Lots Into Housing With New Ballot Measure
• Group Circulating Eureka Housing Petition Says the Wiyot Tribe’s Projects Are OK, Clarifies That Parking Lot Conversions Will Be Allowed So Long as Developers Build Even More Parking Than Before
• Eureka Gets $30 Million Grant for Housing Projects That the ‘Housing For All’ Initiative Hopes to Block
• (UPDATE) Arkley-Affiliated ‘Citizens for a Better Eureka’ Files Two More Lawsuits Against the City, Aiming to Block Linc Housing Developments
• State Attorney General’s Office Joins the Fight Against the Pro-Parking Group ‘Citizens for a Better Eureka’

PREVIOUSLY:

• CHP Provides Details on Last Night’s Fatal Highway 101 Head-on Collision South of Fortuna
• OBITUARY: Christina Freitas and Nevaeh Beyer, 1981-2024, 2014-2024

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Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

The identities of all involved parties have been confirmed and the families have been located and notified. The investigation into this crash is continuing and attempts to identify why Mr. Baker was driving the wrong way at the time of the crash are ongoing. Anyone with information that may aid in this investigation is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol at 707-822-5981.