Whenever a state agency begins a new development project, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires agencies to evaluate and disclose to the public the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. This evaluation of impacts usually comes in the form of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). These reports are an important part of … Read more
Dear Friends, Taking time to pause and celebrate victories is often challenging, but it is so good for the soul. So, I want to take a moment to shout from my metaphoric rooftop that we saved the North Coast from being poisoned by coal!! Maintain the momentum – please make a generous gift today and … Read more
Dear Friend of the Eel River, We are happy to announce that we are growing to meet the mounting challenges to the health of the Eel River. Stephanie Tidwell joined our team as the new Executive Director on October 2nd. Having previously served as Executive Director at the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, Stephanie is no stranger … Read more
Video from our hearing at the California Supreme Court on May 4 challenging the North Coast Railroad Authority’s refusal to conduct thorough environmental review is now available. A decision is required within 90 days of the hearing, we anticipate a decision may be published in early July. Listen to our June 1 EcoNews Report on KHSU or … Read more
November 4, 2015 Humboldt County Planning & Building Department Attn: Steve Lazar, Senior Planner 3015 H Street Eureka, CA 95501-4484 slazar@co.humboldt.ca.us RE: Medical Marijuana Land Use Ordinance – Phase IV Dear Mr. Lazar, The following comments are offered on behalf of the board, staff, and supporters of Friends of the Eel River. FOER advocates for … Read more
A case before the California Supreme Court over a freight railroad in the northwestern reaches of the state has drawn the attention of agricultural organizations in the central San Joaquin Valley, but not because they have a particular stake in trains running through Santa Rosa, Ukiah and Eureka. The Farm Bureaus in Madera and Merced counties last … Read more
A three-year legal battle over the environmental impact of freight rail on the North Coast is headed to the state Supreme Court. The case involves two environmental groups who are pushing for more rigorous study of the effects of rail service in the ecologically sensitive Eel River Canyon in Mendocino and Humboldt counties. The groups … Read more
For Immediate Release Patty Clary Californians for Alternatives to Toxics (CATs) 707.834.4833 Scott Greacen Friends of the Eel River (FOER) 707.502.4555 California Supreme Court to Review North Coast Railroad Lawsuit Conflicting appellate court decisions create uncertainty regarding environmental assessments required of High Speed Rail and other publicly owned railroads The state’s highest … Read more
We could not agree more with the Times-Standard (“Get ready for legalization, or get ready to lose”) that it is high time for Humboldt to address the impacts of its marijuana industry through locally appropriate regulation. We are heartened by cannabis cultivators speaking out about serious damage to our rivers, forests, fish, and wildlife, and … Read more
Railroad Agency Ducking Environmental Review to Avoid Disclosing Harms to River River advocates have been encouraged, if not surprised, by the rapid return of salmon after the two Elwha River dams in Washington state’s Olympic National Park were removed. Even a century’s absence won’t keep fish out once barriers are removed. Our generation’s best chance … Read more