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Press release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is continuing the temporary recreational crab trap restriction from the Sonoma/Mendocino county line to Lopez Point (Fishing Zones 3 and 4) and expanding the restriction to the California/Oregon state line to Cape Mendocino (Fishing Zone 1) due to presence of humpback whales and the potential for entanglement from trap gear. The recreational trap restriction for Fishing Zone 1 will go into effect on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at 6 p.m. and continue in Zones 1, 3 and 4 until at least the next risk assessment. This means recreational crabbers must remove all traps in Zone 1 by the time the restriction goes into effect. CDFW reminds recreational crabbers that take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is allowed during a temporary trap restriction. The use of recreational crab traps in Fishing Zones 2 and 5 is still allowed. In addition, the Fleet Advisory issued for all Fishing Zones (1-6) for the recreational fishery remains in effect. CDFW encourages recreational crabbers to implement best practices, as described in the Best Practices Guide.

Pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 8672.2, CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham delayed the northern California commercial Dungeness crab season, which had been scheduled to open on Dec. 1, 2023, due to poor crab meat quality test results for Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties (Fishing Zones 1 and 2). The commercial Dungeness crab fishery in this area will be delayed until at least 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, pending another round of meat quality testing.

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery in Fishing Zones 3-6 will also remain delayed due to the presence of high numbers of humpback whales and the potential for entanglement with lines and traps in this fishery.

CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place on or around Dec. 7, 2023, at which time Director Bonham will re-evaluate the temporary recreational crab trap restrictions and commercial fishery delay. That risk assessment is expected to inform the potential for a commercial fishery opener and modification of the recreational trap restriction. For more information related to the risk assessment process, please visit CDFW’s Whale Safe Fisheries page or more information on the Dungeness crab fishery, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab.

PREVIOUSLY:

• Wanna Paint a Utility Box? Eureka is the Place to Live Your Dreams

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It’s been six years since the city of Eureka launched its program to adorn those big, ugly utility boxes that stand on sidewalks all around the city, and by now most Eurekans are accustomed to having those spaces decorated by artists, hundreds of whom have dressed all of them up with little mini-murals.

Now the city, armed with a new grant from Caltrans, is ready to redo a bunch of those boxes — basically, all the ones along the Highway 101 corridor through Eureka. Work is scheduled to begin on that in the spring. And some of the artists involved are currently a little peeved that their work may be painted over.

“My concern is that there is much really fine art that they are planning on painting over,” writes muralist Debbi Sholes in a letter to the Outpost. “My initial reaction was that there seems to be a large lack of respect for the time and energy to create many truly fine art pieces.  Would this not qualify as a vandalism of our local art?”

That’s certainly the opposite of the intention, according to Sarah West, an economic development coordinator with the city of Eureka who is heading up the project.

A few days ago, West sent an email to all of the artists who currently have murals up on the utility boxes targeted for repainting. Though some of the artists were alarmed, the email noted that the city has opened a special Call for Proposals for people who already have art up on the boxes. If they like, artists can simply re-submit their original plans, and if the Arts and Culture Commission chooses those designs again they may not have to do anything more than touch up their original work.

Submissions are due by the end of the year, and can be sent in via this link. Proposals must conform to Caltrans numerous transportation art guidelines — for instance: no business logos, no advertisement, and no words whatsoever — and artists must be available to perform the work in the spring, whenever the rains slow down. There is a $1,000-per-project stipend available.

Though you’d probably think that public art as something designed to last longer than five or six years, the utility boxes are kind of a special case, according to West. Being working pieces of equipment, they do get a lot of wear and tear, and being at street level means they are prone to graffiti and other forms of defacement.

Though the utility box project was pretty novel at the time, one of the city’s original descriptions of the program foresaw that the murals would be more temporary than those you might see on the side of a building. Utility box murals would be maintained for a minimum of three years, it reads, and ones in the downtown core would be “refreshed” every three to five years to “promote economic vitality by attracting new and visiting populations.”

Nevertheless, West said maintaining good relations with the region’s artists is a top city priority, and she’s encouraging existing muralists who have any concerns about the program to give her a ring at 441-4178. 

“We want to be as sensitive to their beautiful work as we can be,” West said.

Press release from the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation:

Alegria Sita. Image: Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation

EUREKA, CA – The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation (SPZF) is honored to announce long-time local business owner, non-profit executive, and community organizer, Alegria Sita, as our Executive Director. Alegria brings a unique mix of talent and expertise to the position. This includes more than a decade of successful entrepreneurship, years of leadership in the Humboldt County non-profit community, and experience working in education and local government. Alegria along with her dedicated SPZF team and this amazing community, endeavor to continue the Foundation’s support of the ongoing transformation of our esteemed Sequoia Park Zoo. “On behalf of the City of Eureka and Sequoia Park Zoo, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to Alegria Sita as she steps into the Executive Director role at the philanthropic Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation,” says Zoo Director, Jim Campbell-Spickler. “I have enjoyed getting to know Alegria during her years of service as a volunteer Board Member of the Foundation, and I am excited to continue the long history of successful collaboration and innovation between our organizations.”

 
SPZF Board President Michale Dearden said, “The entire Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Alegria to lead us into a new era at the organization. Her gifts and experience ensure continuity of leadership and vision as the new chief executive of our non-profit. Alegria’s passion for our community and our world-class Zoo radiates. We hope you will join her in her efforts to support Sequoia Park Zoo and Foundation for many years to come.”
 
Alegria received her Bachelor of Arts in Youth Advocacy from Cal Poly Humboldt. She spent her early professional career working throughout Humboldt County schools and within the non-profit sector, developing programs, projects, and events fostering youth empowerment. She is the founder and owner of the award-winning event planning company, Gala Events and Weddings, which continues to serve individuals, couples, and businesses with event-planning and officiant services. Alegria has supported local businesses with consulting, marketing and communications, event management, membership management, and hospitality. She has served on several local non-profit boards including the Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation, and currently serves on the Fuente Nueva Charter Council. Alegria is a Humboldt County resident of 25 years and currently lives in Eureka with her daughter. “My daughter, Jamilah, and I are fortunate to make and share lifelong memories at our neighborhood zoo which holds a special place in our hearts. It is an honor to accept this opportunity to contribute to the long-term vision and legacy of Sequoia Park Zoo as Executive Director of the Foundation.”
 
We hope to see you at one of our many upcoming exciting events! Join us this holiday season for a stroll through the zoo at night during the inaugural Zoo Lights: Holiday Extravaganza presented by First 5 California and powered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company on December 16/17 from 5:15 PM-7:17 PM at Sequoia Park Zoo.
 
Help fulfill the mission of Sequoia Park Zoo and Foundation; reach out to Alegria at spzf@sequoiaparkzoo.net to get involved today!

PREVIOUSLY: Fred Van Vleck, the Sometimes Controversial Superintendent of Eureka City Schools, is Stepping Down After Next Semester

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Press release from Eureka City Schools:

On November 16, 2023, the Eureka City Schools (ECS) Board of Education appointed Gary Storts as the new Superintendent for Eureka City Schools. In August 2023, the Board commenced an extensive search and recruitment process for the Superintendent position and received application packets from many qualified applicants across the State of California and other parts of the Country. Ultimately, the Board determined Storts to be the best candidate for the position.

Storts, who has been serving as the District’s Assistant Superintendent of Education Services since November 2021, expressed his gratitude for the appointment, saying, “I feel extremely blessed to be able to give back to the community who helped shape me into the person I am today. Serving as the Superintendent of Eureka City Schools is both an honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously.”

“We are excited that Gary has accepted the role of Superintendent, a position he is extremely qualified for and passionate about,” stated the Board President, Mike Duncan. “The selection process for this critical role has been thorough and thoughtful, reflecting the board’s commitment to finding the right leader to build upon our district’s successes. We believe Gary is the right leader for Eureka City Schools.”

As the newly appointed Superintendent, Gary Storts has outlined his top priorities, emphasizing a strong focus on early literacy, creating a sense of belonging on campus, and preparing students for future success in the workforce.

Storts remarked, “Investing in early literacy is fundamental to building a strong foundation for our students. Additionally, I am dedicated to fostering an environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and is celebrated for their unique strengths. We aim to create an inclusive community that nurtures the potential of each individual.”

Recognizing the importance of preparing students for the future of work, Storts highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to education. “Our students deserve a well-rounded education that not only imparts academic knowledge but also equips them with the skills and mindset necessary for success in the rapidly evolving world. We are committed to providing a learning experience that prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Eureka City Schools looks forward to the positive impact Gary Storts will bring to the District and the community. His leadership, combined with a deep understanding of the local context and a passion for education, is poised to elevate the educational experience for all students in Eureka.

Van Vleck. | File photo by Andrew Goff.

The Board of Education also extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Fred Van Vleck for his leadership and dedicated service as the Superintendent of Eureka City Schools for the last 12 years. In June 2023, Dr. Van Vleck advised the Board that he would be leaving the superintendent position in January 2024. Dr. Van Vleck’s unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and community has left an indelible mark on our District.

As we transition to this new chapter, we remain steadfast in our dedication to providing the highest quality education to the students of Eureka City Schools. Our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and academically enriching environment will continue to guide our actions and decisions.

The ECS Board of Education expresses its deepest gratitude to Dr. Van Vleck and extends a warm welcome to our new Superintendent Gary Storts, who will assume the role of Superintendent in January 2024. We look forward to the continued growth and success of Eureka City Schools under the leadership of Superintendent Storts.

Photos, video: Andrew Goff

Dozens of local scientists took to the streets of Eureka this morning to demand higher wages for state-employed workers.

The California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS), a union representing more than 5,000 state scientists working across 50 departments, called for a rolling three-day strike following three years of stalled contract negotiations with the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), the bargaining arm for the Newsom Administration. CalHR accused the union of bargaining in bad faith following the union’s request for the declaration of an impasse in bargaining talks. Subsequently, CalHR filed an Unfair Practice Charge with the Public Employment Relations Board in an attempt to quash the strike.

Monty Larson, a senior environmental specialist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the state has been “an unwilling partner” in the recent negotiations.

Larson

“We’ve been out of a contract for over three years, and in negotiations for over three and a half,” Larson told the Outpost during this morning’s demonstration. “About 25 percent of scientists work side by side with engineers, but they get paid up to 40 percent more. It’s embarrassing, you know, working with the same people on the same projects – often interchangeable between staff – and there’s no difference in what they’re doing, except for a giant disparity in pay.”

At this point, the state has offered a three percent salary increase for all state employees, Larson said, emphasizing that state-employed scientists have been out of a contract for more than three years.

“I’m a topped-out state scientist, so my pay hasn’t increased in a couple of years,” Larson continued. “Myself and many of my colleagues have been losing buying power since we’ve been out of a contract. We’re asking for pay equity between ourselves and our engineering counterparts.”

Keep scrolling for more pictures of today’s demonstration.

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Press release from the City of Arcata Environmental Services Department:

The Environmental Services Department encourages residents to properly dispose of cooking grease this holiday season and all year long.

Many people celebrate the holidays by preparing traditional feasts including turkey, ham, gravy, stuffing and desserts. As delicious as these foods may be, they are typically prepared with fats, oils, butter and grease which can wreak havoc on drains and the City’s wastewater system if not disposed of properly. When residents pour fats, oils or grease down a sink or toilet, it increases the chance of clogged drains resulting in costly plumbing problems or sanitary sewer overflows. Sanitary sewer overflows are a public health concern and can cause serious environmental issues.

The Environmental Services Department has some helpful tips for all community members to help avoid clogging sewer drains with fats, oils and grease:

• Avoid pouring cooking grease or oil down the sink or toilet.
• Do not dispose of food through the garbage disposal.
• Wipe greasy dishes and pots with a paper towel or napkin to absorb cooking oil before washing them in the sink.
• Scrape vegetable scraps from dishes for composting and scrape greasy food residue into the garbage prior to washing dishes. Outdoor compost bins can be purchased from the City of Arcata’s Environmental Services Department for $35. Residents can also utilize a local compost company such as The Local Worm Guy or Full Cycle Compost. Visit this link or call (707) 822-8184 for more information.
• Cooled and solidified cooking grease or oil should be placed in a sealed container and then put in a solid waste garbage bin. Alternatively, pour fats and oils into cat litter until it is absorbed and dispose the litter into the trash.

To report sanitary sewer overflows and for more information regarding fat, oil and grease disposal and proper disposal of Household Hazardous Waste, please call the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184 or email eservices@cityofarcata.org.

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Press release from Rep. Jared Huffman:

Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) released a statement praising Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) initial draft plan to remove two dams on the Eel River. The plan also sets the stage for negotiating a new diversion from the Eel to the Russian river.

“PG&E’s draft surrender application is a major step forward to achieving the Two-Basin Solution I’ve advocated for years. The plan includes full and expedited removal of two dams that harm salmon on the Eel River while allowing for a modern fish-friendly diversion to provide water to Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties. I’ll be working to ensure that both elements are completed in a way that best protects communities, tribes, and natural resources in the Eel and Russian river watersheds,” said Rep. Huffman.

Congressman Huffman has played an active role in this matter, having facilitated initial discussions to create a Two-Basin Solution for the project and establishing the Potter Valley Project Ad Hoc Committee in 2018 when they learned that PG&E was surrendering the license. The committee, made up of a wide range of tribes, stakeholders, agencies, local governments, and PG&E, formed the basis for negotiations surrounding dam removal and water supply in the two watersheds.

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Press release from the Friends of the Eel and Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations:

For well over a century, Eel River dams have blocked salmon access to hundreds of miles of cold water habitat in the Upper Eel River watershed, but not for much longer. Today PG&E unveiled their initial draft plan for removing two Eel River dams and surrendering the utility’s federal license for the 100 year old Potter Valley Project. One alternative would simply remove Scott and Cape Horn dams; the other, advanced by Sonoma Water, would move forward with a new diversion to the Russian River during the dam removal process.

“Either way you look at it, the Eel River Dams’ days are numbered,” remarked Friends of the Eel River Executive Director Alicia Hamann. “We prefer the most straightforward and quickest path to dam removal possible – the fish can’t afford any delays.”

The Eel River was once a prolific salmon producing stream with upwards of a million fish returning annually to spawn and provide an abundant food source for Native American Tribes. Later, after the early 1900’s in-river canneries closed, the Eel supported a carefully managed ocean commercial fishing economy “These dams helped put a lot of commercial fishermen out of work,” notes fisherwoman Vivian Helliwell. “If we bring back the salmon, we can bring back the local food-producing jobs.”

The Eel River dams are part of the Potter Valley Project (PVP) which diverts Eel River Water through a tunnel to the adjacent Russian River Watershed. However, the PVP no longer generates power, or profit, for PG &E. The power plant is in disrepair as is Scott Dam and its reservoir, which cannot be filled due to seismic risks, and thus offers little benefit even to water users.

Eel River advocates are excited about PG&E’s plans to remove the dams, but they have concerns regarding the alternatives put forth by Sonoma Water et al.. While Sonoma’s draft Plan accepts the removal of Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam, it also vaguely describes the creation of a new governmental entity that would build new diversion infrastructure to maintain an out-of-basin diversion. Sonoma’s plan leaves some of the most difficult questions unanswered, such as who will pay how much for diverted Eel River water.

And a number of groups, including the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA), question whether the historical water diversions from one river (the Eel) to an entirely different river (the Russian) should continue to exist, especially if that water is needed for Eel River salmon and steelhead recovery. “All the downstream water users on the Eel River have been deprived of “beneficial use” of the diverted water for 100 years, including “Tribal beneficial use,” recreation, domestic, municipal, ranching and farming, and fish and wildlife that rely on plentiful cold water, instead of warm water from the reservoir that promotes predatory pike minnow and toxic algae,” PCFFA’s Helliwell stated. Sonoma Water has had plenty of time to put forth a plan to maintain the diversion. “Sonoma Water’s Plan looks like a last-ditch effort to delay dam removal while they try to find political support for subsidizing the wine industry. While we will listen to any creative solutions to meet the region’s water needs, we will oppose anything that adversely impacts Eel River fisheries or delays dam removal,” said Hamann.

Members of the public interested in supporting the most beneficial option for Eel River fish can submit comments to PG&E by December 22. Visit eelriver.org to learn more.

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NOTE: This post originally stated in its headline that PG&E intended to remove the dams in 2028. However, Paul Moreno, a spokesperson for the utility, later clarified, “The only timeline is that our application is due to FERC [in] January 2025. PG&E believes the earliest we would see FERC issue an order [for dam removal] would be 2028. This does not mean construction would occur in 2028, nor is there any regulatory requirement for FERC to act in a specific time.”