[While a full clean-up of Eureka's Balloon Track is obstructed by linguistic judo, another bay-front area is going for clean-up gold. Below is a press release from Humboldt Baykeeper.]

EUREKA – Clean-up of the wetland channel adjacent to the former Simpson plywood mill on Del Norte Street is underway, and a major source of dioxin to Humboldt Bay is being eliminated. The wetland channel drains into Humboldt Bay and is close to the Del Norte fishing pier, the only public fishing pier on Humboldt Bay.

Humboldt Baykeeper worked with Simpson Timber Company to design a clean-up plan for the wetland channel to remove dioxin-contaminated sediment and restore the area with native wetland vegetation. The end result will create a safe place for local and migratory birds and other wildlife, as well as a cleaner Bay for fish, shellfish, and the people and wildlife that eat them.

Pete Nichols, Executive Director of Humboldt Baykeeper says that the clean-up underway is the result of full-characterization and the willingness of Simpson Timber do the right thing. “This clean-up is happening as a direct result of Humboldt Baykeeper’s work to protect the Bay, the adjacent wetlands, and the members of the community who utilize this fishing pier from the impacts of dioxin contamination on the site. We are glad Simpson Timber understood the necessity of fully characterizing this site and doing a thorough clean-up,” he said.

In 2005, Humboldt Baykeeper discovered that an inadequate clean-up had been conducted at the site under an order from the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. The cleanup had focused only on pentachlorophenol, or “penta”- a wood preservative banned in the 1980’s due to extremely toxic components that were known to cause cancer and birth defects in humans and wildlife, and had totally ignored the more dangerous and persistent chemical dioxin. Humboldt Baykeeper knew from past experience that wherever penta was used, dioxins are sure to be found.

In 2006, Humboldt Baykeeper’s engineering consultants collected sediment samples from the channel, finding extremely toxic levels of dioxin in the sediments. Humboldt Baykeeper and Californians for Alternatives to Toxics notified Simpson Timber of these sampling results and eventually the watchdog groups filed an action seeking cleanup of the pollution.

As a result of the federal suit, the environmental groups and Simpson Timber agreed to a full characterization and clean-up of the wetland channel next to the property. Simpson conducted a cross-sectional analysis along the full length of the channel to determine the complete extent of the contamination. Full characterization ensures that the cleanup will be adequate and prevents the accidental mobilization of pollutants to Humboldt Bay.

In addition to the proper clean-up, a fund was established at the Humboldt Area Foundation to support other restoration projects around Humboldt Bay.

Clicketh to reveal the coming of ye dark riders. Tell it in the comments if you must, but know the reign of error is upon you, heathens!

“We know businesses can’t afford the ever-rising cost of health care. We know individuals can’t afford it. We know local governments can’t afford it. The wrecking ball to the economy is to stick our head in the sand and let costs continue to rise.” – North Coast Rep. Mike Thompson after a historic health care plan passed the House of Representatives 220-215.

Pete Nichols, the Executive Director of Humboldt Baykeeper, has an editorial in today’s Times-Standard.

[T]here seems to be a cloud of influence that hangs darkly over the city of Eureka. I find it disturbing that the city has agreed to a generous “indemnification” agreement with Security National for any legal liability regarding the Marina Center project. This essentially hands the keys to the city of Eureka over to Security National regarding all things Marina Center.

The power players in Eureka must feel comforted by this indemnification agreement.  It protects the city against all threats — except from Security National.

The Campaign Against Marijuana Planting eradicated 4.4 million California marijuana plants in 2009, up from 2.9 million in 2008.

The Press Democrat reports Shasta County clocked in at #1 for most plants seized, while Lake County fell to #2.  Humboldt County doesn’t even get an honorary mention.

Here’s the letter that created all the fuss at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Eureka City Councilman Frank Jager continued his big talk in support of Security National’s proposed Marina Center mall a day after he called critics of the Environmental Impact Report “extortionists.”

While reciting lines from Security National lawyers, Jager admitted on KMUD Wednesday night that he hasn’t yet investigated the title and boundary disputes raised by the State Lands Commission (SLC) in a letter to the Council.

Jager said it’s typical of state organizations to drag their feet and he lamented that poor Security National has been victimized by 3 1/2 years of foot dragging.

“I’m just pretty angry about it, to be honest,” said Jager, “and I intend to be calling them to find out what needs to be done to get it going.”

Good idea!  Pick up the phone and call to get the other side before parroting word-for-word Security National’s complaints.

KMUD was one step ahead and actually spoke with SLC attorney Curtis Fossum about the letter.

Fossum said the city has long been aware of the disputes — and has participated in meetings with SLC and Security National about them.  The letter from SLC says the last meeting was in April, and that SN has so far failed to respond to settlement requests since September.

Fossum said the SLC was surprised to learn Monday about the city’s agenda to approve a Coastal Development Permit Tuesday night.

“We don’t like making last minute comments,” said Fossum, “but when that’s all the time we have to comment that’s what we do.”

UPDATE: Download the letter from the State Lands Commission

Click image for best viewing.

Randy Gans "implores" the Eureka City Council on behalf of Security National.

The Eureka City Council voted 4-1 to approve a Coastal Development Permit for Phase 1 of the Marina Center project at Tuesday’s meeting.  Councilman Larry Glass cast the dissenting vote.

The hearing featured another passionate plea from project proponent Randy Gans and a long public comment period mostly in support of the permit.

But a last-minute letter from the State Lands Commission (SLC) put a dent in the party atmosphere.  The SLC wrote that the city’s approval may be “without legal authority” due to title and boundary disputes over the Balloon Track property.

Larry Basil, an attorney for proponents Security National, decried the SLC saying it could delay the project for “years if not decades.”  Basil said his clients offered to settle 3 1/2 years ago but hasn’t heard back from the SLC.

In contrast, SLC wrote that Security National failed to respond to settlement instructions submitted just two months ago.

The motion to approve the permit was passed with amendments drafted by City Attorney Sheryl Schaffner which require dispute resolution before Phase 1 can begin.  If disputes remain unresolved by April 1, 2010 the Council will meet to decide the next step.

Before the public comment period Mayor Virginia Bass again instructed residents to refrain from clapping or making personal comments at the podium.

But Councilman Frank Jager went rogue at the end of the hearing and blasted environmental groups Humboldt Baykeeper, EPIC and the Northcoast Environmental Center as “extortionists” for threatening to sue the city.

Perhaps Jager will apologize at the next Council meeting for his slanderous statement.

The Humboldt County elections website is MIA but the Journal has the first absentee results for the Harbor District.  Mike Wilson and Richard Marks are in the lead so far, with John Ash giving Marks a surprising challenge.

UPDATE V:  Wilson wins with a landslide 71%!

Final report –

MIKE WILSON 2,680
DAN HAUSER 1,023

RICHARD MARKS 1,268
JOHN ASH 957
SUSAN PENN 447

UPDATE IV: Forth report –

MIKE WILSON 1,436
DAN HAUSER 743

RICHARD MARKS 1,268
JOHN ASH 957
SUSAN PENN 447

UPDATE III:  Third report –

MIKE WILSON 1,436
DAN HAUSER 743

RICHARD MARKS 1,268
JOHN ASH 957
SUSAN PENN 447

UPDATE II:  Second report –

MIKE WILSON 1,308 65.2%
DAN HAUSER 681 33.9%

RICHARD MARKS 1,129 46.2%
JOHN ASH 890 36.4%
SUSAN PENN 412 16.8%

UPDATE: First report.