Port Development

A great deal of pressure is mounting to expand the Bay's deep-water port facilities. Proposals include expanding the Bay's harboring capacity to accommodate cruise ships, container ships, and to facilitate the exportation of gravel and logs. A primary goal of some of Humboldt Bay decision-makers is to develop a deepwater, industrial port for the importation and exportation of raw materials and other marine-dependant industrial projects.

Any expansion would require massive, and frequent, dredging. While Humboldt Baykeeper supports sustainable development around the Bay, our philosophy is that there must be consideration of the overall health of the Bay as a major component of any development proposal. This would include planning for a continued healthy fishing industry and an environment conducive to enhanced natural features and recreational opportunities.

The development of Humboldt Bay has historically been a somewhat polarizing issue in the local community. Despite the efforts to lure heavy industry into the Bay, the Northern Humboldt community has displayed its aversion for development projects that are perceived as dangerous or that may potentially harm the health of the Bay.

For example, the community recently fended off an effort by Calpine Corporation to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility and a power plant on the Samoa Peninsula of Humboldt Bay. The company proposed bringing LNG into Humboldt Bay on tankers the length of three football fields, storing it in a pair of tanks 15-stories tall, and feeding it into a power plant and then a pipeline leading to California's Central Valley.

At a public meeting called by the City of Eureka, nearly 1,500 people turned out to express their opinions. The vast majority of attendees were strongly opposed to the project, citing public health risks and environmental harm as the primary reasons to reject Calpine's proposal. When it became clear that the Eureka City Council was not likely to enter an exclusive right to negotiate contract, Calpine withdrew its proposal. To be certain, many future proposals for heavy industrial facilities will be presented to the County, and the Humboldt Baykeeper will be a vigilant and active participant in the development process.

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