Lets protect the Humboldt brand and small farms. Before we don't have that option.

The Redwood Times did a story on a PowerPoint presentation I did recently for the Garberville Rotary Club. California Cannabis Voice Humboldt is getting close to have an Ordinance that is a completed document. There is a huge need in Humboldt County to eliminate trespass grows, stop water diversions and use Best Management Practices preserving small Cannabis farms.

Have the youth of this county lost the ability to organize?

This last Sunday it was nearly 70 degrees and just beautiful outside. I was going to relax from a busy week but got ansy and hopped in my truck to do something active. I went to the Hammond park with hopes to hook up with some tennis, but there were no people. So I drove to Hartman and Kennedy to maybe hit some softballs, but again, nobody there. I then hoped that by this time guys would be hitting in Samoa so I headed home. Yep, no one to be seen. So I hooped it alone at the Samoa outdoor courts. What happened to the younger generation getting out and doing sport stuff? When I was in my teens, 20's, 30's, 40's or even early 50's people were out and about. The town of Samoa used to be bustling with youthful activity. Now silent. So is Eureka. Sad times.  

Mad River Watershed worth 1/2 Billion in Cannabis revenue!

Scott Bauer, an environmental scientist with the Department of Fish and Game did a comprehensive study of the effects of Cannabis cultivation on the Mad River watershed and reported results to the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. He identified pollutants as petroleum products, fertilizers and pesticides. Fish predominate in the watershed were identified as Coho and Chinook salmon, Steelhead and Cutthroat Trout. He used Google maps from 1998 to 2014 to measure changes in the landscape. A majority of the farms were on private property, much on Green Diamond lands.

The study found that there were 14,414 outdoor plants and 42,512 indoor plants in 438 greenhouses totaling 56,926 plants representing about $500,000,000. (Yes; a half of Billion Dollars!) It was estimated that 51,233,250 gallons were used a day for cultivation in 431 sites total. There has been a 170% increase of grows in the Mad River watershed from 2009 to 2014.

There are currently 41 permitted water diversions in the watershed. There has been no comprehensive water quality monitoring due to lack of funds. There was a discussion of “Team” efforts by different affected agencies. Maybe have the Mad River serve as a “Pilot Project” for permitting and monitoring. This is an opportune time to consider regulatory compliance in the form of a Humboldt County Land Use Ordinance to allow a permitting process to do things in order. Stay tuned.

Jocelyn, Papa and Grandma's little joy.

My granddaughter Jocelyn turned 2 recently and we spent X-mas with the little bundle of joy. She dragged me around the house and introduced me to her stuffed animal friends and read her books to me. I was surprised that she knew her ABC's and how to count. She identified numbers on a clock and loved to draw. Just made my heart melt. Man I am getting old!