Land Use Talking Points

Alternative A offers the most protection for resource lands because it has policies leading to the smallest urban footprint and checking unbridled sprawl and residential development of Humboldt’s prime farmlands and forests. We encourage the adoption of a Land Use Element that:

• Maintains the timber and agriculture jobs that have historically formed the backbone of our economy.
• Protects timber and agriculture lands, clean water, and scenic values.
• Preserves large agricultural parcels and keep them safe from development, so that farming can be economically viable.
• Promotes local farmers and the food they produce.
• Prevents subdivision and development of large industrial timber parcels and allow small landowners to live on the land they manage.
• Benefits the salmon and other wildlife.
• Reduces traffic, commute times, and greenhouse gas emissions from cars.
• Plans for housing opportunities close to work, school, and parks.
• Strengthens “Riparian Buffer Zones” to keep development far enough from streams and wetlands so runoff and sedimentation don’t further degrade watersheds and salmon habitat.
• Adopts the “Community Forest Acquisition and Management Program” to create a Community Forest for Eureka.
• Opposes policies that result in sprawl, which will raise taxes, increase carbon emissions and may lead to sedentary lifestyles with increased rates of obesity, asthma and diabetes.

The Planning Commission is also looking for specific policy recommendations. For those interested in giving more detailed testimony, generally limited to three minutes, Healthy Humboldt has developed a Policy Brief Forest Resources with specific recommendations.

Click here for the Forest Resources Brief.

Click here to read the General Plan policies and the various alternatives under consideration. (Land Use Element is Part 2; Forest Resources - Section 4.6)

Written comments are important and should be emailed to Martha Spencer at mspencer@co.humboldt.ca.us and addressed to the Planning Commission. Or, mail your comments to:

Planning Commission,                        c/o Martha Spencer
Community Development Department
County of Humboldt
3014 H Street
Eureka, CA 95501

If you need more information or want to discuss potential testimony or letters, call us at 707-633-8478.

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