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New Health Officer in Humboldt
Interior Opens Offshore Wind Comment Period
T
he U.S. Department of the Interior announced May 26 that it would publish a Proposed Sale Notice on May 31, opening a 60day public comment period on plans to open lease areas off the California coast — including one off Humboldt Bay — to bidding for the creation of offshore wind farms. “The Biden-Harris administration is moving forward at the pace and scale required to help achieve the president’s goals to make offshore wind energy a reality for the United States,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a press release announcing the move forward with what would be the first-ever offshore wind lease sale on the United States’ West Coast. “Today, we are taking another step toward unlocking the immense potential of offshore wind energy (off) our nation’s west coast to help combat the effects of climate change while creating good-paying jobs.” The proposed notice of sale (PNS) posted May 31 and provides detailed information about the proposed lease areas, proposed provisions and conditions, and details of the auction. The May 26
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press release notes potential stipulations that would give preference to bidders who pursue community benefit agreements with surrounding communities and ocean users (commercial fishing fleets are mentioned specifically), those who will commit to investing in training an offshore wind workforce and those who engage with tribes and underserved communities “in a manner that minimizes and mitigates their projects’ adverse effects.” In response to the DOI announcement, a trio of local environmental groups — the Environmental Protection Information Center, Humboldt Baykeeper and the Northcoast Environmental Center — sent out a joint press release applauding the important step and pledging to work to safeguard the environment as the process moves forward. The proposed lease sales, they said, mark the beginning of the next chapter in the development of offshore wind. “Through negotiating community benefit agreements, we can ensure that projects go above and beyond to protect the environment, create family-wage jobs and work together with sovereign tribal governments and our fishing communities,” NEC Executive Director Caroline
POSTED 05.26.22
POSTED 05.26.22
Digitally Speaking The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Humboldt County as the Journal went to press May 31, a sharp increase over the past month. The county on May 25 also reported its 147th confirmed COVID-19 death since the pandemic began.
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Submitted POSTED 05.24.22
POSTED 05.26.22
Masks Back in Court: Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases locally, the Humboldt County Superior Court reinstated rules requiring face masks be worn in all county courtrooms and the Jury Assembly Room. The new rules went into effect May 25. The court also reminds anyone due to appear in court who is symptomatic to make arrangements for their hearings to be rescheduled or appear remotely.
northcoastjournal
Humboldt Independent Practice Association Chief Medical Officer Candy Stockton has been confirmed by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors to serve as the county’s next public health officer. Stockton, a fourth generation Humboldt County resident, replaces Ian Hoffman, who stepped down as the county’s health officer in March. Stockton is slated to start July 18. Read the full story at www.northcoastjournal.com.
–Thadeus Greenson
Ford on the Move: Humboldt County Planning and Building Director John Ford has informed the Board of Supervisors that he will be leaving his post this month and is expected to start work as the city manager of Fort Bragg in July. Ford, who stepped into the role in 2016, helped Planning and Building oversee implementation of the county’s land use ordinance governing recreational cannabis cultivation.
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POSTED 05.25.22
Griffith said in the release. EPIC Executive Director Tom Wheeler said the organizations will monitor and participate in project development to ensure coastal ecosystems are protected in the quest for renewable energy development. Baykeeper Director Jenn Kalt, meanwhile, said the real work to assess environmental impacts and work to mitigate them will come after the leases are sold. “Once developers enter into lease agreements, those site assessments will begin and we’ll have a much better understanding of how to protect wildlife and their habitats as these projects move forward,” Kalt said. Comments received on the document during the 60-day period will be considered before the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management decides whether to publish a final sale notice, which would include a time and date for the sale and a list of companies qualified to participate. For further details on the project and how to comment, view the proposed sale notice at www.federalregister.com.
ncjournal
Jail Overdoses: Humboldt County correctional officers saved two jail inmates of suspected opioid overdoses, the sheriff’s office announced May 25. The correctional officers reported administering the overdose reversal drug Naloxone after finding two female inmates unresponsive in their cell and showing signs of a possible overdose. Both are expected to recover. Subsequent searches reportedly found 19.8 grams of suspected heroin and 0.6 grams of suspected fentanyl. POSTED 05.25.22
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Comment of the Week
“The Department reminds individuals to respect the ocean. … Never turn your back on the ocean. Heed posted warning signs.”
“I’d describe it as poolside world music with an AOR feel during the day, and funky boogie after dark. The vibe was great!”
The Shelter Cove Fire Department after two hikers were swept into the water near Black Sands Beach, with one declared dead at the scene and the other in unknown condition after being flown out of the area for treatment. POSTED 05.31.22
“getmeintohere” painting the picture while commenting on the Journal’s website on a calendar listing about an upcoming June 18 show featuring DJs Pandemonium Jones and Tactile” at Mario’s Marina Bar in Shelter Cove. POSTED 05.31.22
NORTH COAST JOURNAL • Thursday, June 2, 2022 • northcoastjournal.com
