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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Humboldt County Grand Jury
• 2014-2015
Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 5 findings
F1
The delay in dredging this year by the Army Corps of Engineers has prevented access to Humboldt Bay by large commercial vessels. This has resulted in the loss of over $350,000 to the local economy. Timely dredging to 48 feet of the deep harbor channel and turning basin is crucial for safe passage of commercial vessels.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors request the Army Corps of Engineers complete dredging to 48 feet as soon as possible. (F1)
R3
The Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors lobby legislators to ensure funding for annual dredging is a priority at the state and federal levels. (F1,F2)
F2
Annual lobbying of Congress for increased, maximum funding of the Army Corps of Engineers is paramount in keeping Humboldt Bay commercially sound as well as safe. 7
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors lobby legislators to ensure funding for annual dredging is a priority at the state and federal levels. (F1,F2)
F3
As cost share sponsor, the Harbor District borrowed $4 million as its share of the total $17 million cost of the initial deepening of the harbor in 2001. The Army Corps of Engineers is obligated to annually maintain the harbor depth of 48 feet, subject to available funding. Any improvement or modernization of the bay may require the Harbor District to again be the cost share sponsor.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends that the Harbor District consider establishing a dedicated dredging reserve fund, accumulating money, ahead of need, with the goal of reducing the need to borrow and incur interest obligations when sponsoring future harbor dredging to augment the declining surcharge fund. (F3)
F4
The Harbor District has been successful in generating new revenue streams and stabilizing finances.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends the Harbor District continue to pursue new revenue and economic development as a high priority. (F4, F5)
F5
The Harbor District is pursuing new and increased revenue opportunities with expanded oyster operations, increased use of Redwood Terminal 2, and other potential projects.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Humboldt County Grand Jury recommends the Harbor District continue to pursue new revenue and economic development as a high priority. (F4, F5)
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District
Conservation District