Humboldt County Sheriff's Office
The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) supports grant funding for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to increase the enforcement of off-highway vehicles (OHV). TWC owns and operates private property (the Sounding Seas Beach Reserve and Eel River Estuary Preserve) that extends from a few miles north of Centerville Beach to the mouth of the Eel River. Illegal OHV use has been documented since we purchased the property in 2008, and it is known to cause damage to the sensitive habitat and species (some specially listed) along the coast. TWC is not an enforcement agency, and as such, we are unable to handle serious issues with trespass and/or illegal OHV use. Some issues we’ve experienced include: illegal OHV trails through our property that damage sensitive habitat and species such as the nesting Western snowy plovers, and that reduce the stability of the dune system in some cases leading to dune overwash events that severely impact agriculture operations; disturbance to marine life on the spit by OHV’s driving into groups of harbor seals; trespass hunting; and vandalism of private property (signage, trails, etc.). Although signage is posted to promote safe and responsible OHV use, there is a blatant disrespect for these signs as seen in vandalism (bullet holes in signs/signs removed). This grant funding would provide additional resources to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and in an event that TWC needs support in dealing with these serious issues we will call upon them to assist. Sincerely, Emily Afriat-Hyman, Preserve Manager Eel River Estuary Preserve and Sounding Seas Beach Reserve Humboldt County, California The Wildlands Conservancy – 3/24/16
On behalf of the North Group, Redwood Chapter, Sierra Club, which has nearly 1000 members in Humboldt, Del Norte, and western Trinity Counties, I am writing in favor of continuing the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant to support law enforcement on the beaches of Humboldt County. Of particular interest to us is the Western Snowy Plover that nest on Clam Beach and the South Spit. Having a law enforcement presence to enforce rules regarding vehicles and unleashed dogs – as well as camping, dumping, and fires on the beach – is essential to the well-being of these threatened birds. Public safety is another extremely important issue. Many individuals who were put at risk by reckless drivers relayed this information to the Humboldt Country Board of Supervisors during its consideration of a new management plan for Clam and Moonstone Beaches. In response, in July 2006, the Humboldt Country Board of Supervisors voted to ban driving on Clam Beach between March 1 and September 30, except for certain groups obtaining permits. However, nearly 7 years have passed, and no permit system has been put into place, no cardlock or other type of controlled entry system has been installed, and no implementing changes have been made to County ordinances and posted as new signage. This makes continued patrol by the Sheriff’s Office critical to protect people and natural resources. Continuation of a beach and dunes deputy funded by the OHV grant is extremely important for Humboldt County beaches. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this issue. Susan Leskiw, Treasurer, NGSC – 3/31/16
To: California State Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Date: April 2, 2016 Friends of the Dunes, a non-profit organization and land trust, is dedicated to conserving the natural diversity of coastal environments in Humboldt County, California, through community supported education and stewardship programs. The organization owns 113 acres of coastal property on the North Spit of Humboldt Bay, bordered to the north and south by coastal lands owned and managed by Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Manila Community Services District. These entities share a common objective: outdoor exploration and enjoyment in keeping with habitat conservation. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department is a part of this shared objective—essential to it—in their role of managing OHV use on the beaches of Humboldt County, which includes public education. Balancing public recreation, the experiences of the various user groups, safety measures, and conservation of some extremely rare habitats and species is challenging and essential. Organizations like Friends of the Dunes depend on the efforts of the County Sheriff’s Office to negotiate these challenges through patrolling, public contact, and if need be, enforcement of the law. Friends of the Dunes readily offers its support to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department’s in pursuit of the Off-Highway Vehicle Grant. Sincerely, John St. Marie President, Friends of the Dunes – 4/2/16
I do not believe that OHV money was intended for Law Enforcement. My monies should be going towards maintaining the OHV system of parks and creating new opportunities for the tax payers that provide the funding. Chris Gallop – 4/2/16