Eureka's McKay Tract: Forest or Houses?

Green Diamond owns most of the Ryan Creek watershed, including the area known as the McKay Tract. Green Diamond’s 2008 McKay Tract Master Plan encompasses nearly 1,000 acres, with 442 acres slated for residential development along the lower reaches of Ryan Creek.

A tributary of Freshwater Slough, Ryan Creek is regarded as the best remaining coho overwintering habitat in the Humboldt Bay area. Green Diamond’s road system has been the subject of much restoration work to reduce sediment, all for the improvement of fish habitat. And this work has been successful, with more than 220 adult coho observed in 2002 and nearly 5,000 coho smolts estimated in Spring 2004.

The gentle gradient of Ryan Creek is one of the reasons it is such good overwintering habitat for juvenile coho, which typically spend a full year adjusting to brackish water before heading out to sea. Ryan Creek also supports steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout.

More information on forests in the General Plan

• Key Forest Issues in the General Plan - background information on key Land Use Element policies that impact forest resources
• "How will timberlands fare in the GPU?" - article by Jen Kalt of the Healthy Humboldt Coalition in EcoNews
• About Ryan Creek: Click here for an overview of Ryan Creek conservation and restoration (Source: RCAA's Humboldt Bay Watershed Salmon and Steelhead Conservation Plan)
• Green Diamond's proposed development: Click here for a letter from Green Diamond to the County Planning department regarding the McKay Tract, including a map of the area
• North Coast Journal Article on the McKay Tract - Healthy Humboldt's Jen Kalt asks, "Why aren't we developing better in the existing towns?"

You can help protect Ryan Creek by submitting written comments on the Land Use Element, using our talking points below. You can also read the full Land Use Element by clicking here.

Talking Points
We encourage the adoption of a Land Use Element that:

• Maintains the timber and ag jobs that have historically formed the backbone of our economy.
• Protects timber and ag lands, clean water, and scenic values.
• Promotes local farmers and the food they produce.
• 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.

Email your comments to mspencer@co.humboldt.ca.us or mail them to the Planning Commission at:

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

It's up to us to speak up for this vision and ensure that the General Plan Update provides the blueprint for a future that is healthy for us all. You can help by getting involved today!