The Humboldt County Forestry Review Committee (FRC) is a standing subcommittee of registered professional foresters, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors.  They act in an advisory capacity to both the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and to the Planning Commission and consider technical forest related matters of concern to Humboldt County. The committee informs and makes recommendations on these matters to both the Supervisors and the Planning Commission.

In 2007 and 2008 the FRC met several times to go over forestry-related issues in the proposed GPU and passed a number of motions outlining their comments. These were presented in June of 2008 and were discussed by the Planning Commission in April 2010 when the commission was discussing section 4.6 (Forest Resources) of the GPU.

However, the discussion of section 4.6 was not limited to one meeting and there were numerous times over the course of several meetings when commissioners sought the input of FRC members but there was no spokesperson in attendance.

Another issue that came up was the need for input on new and revised policies, standards and implementation measures that had been added since the FRC had first looked at the proposed plan.

Throughout the Planning Commission’s review of the GPU it has become very clear that the commissioners welcome and indeed desire, expert input on the policies before them. Yet that input has been lacking on forestry issues.

On Wednesday, October 20th HumCPR Executive Director, Estelle Fennell went before the FRC to encourage more participation in the GPU. Upon hearing the following letter, committee members discussed scheduling a study session and looking at other sections of the proposed plan that also touch on forestry issues.

We’ll keep you posted on further developments.

To: Humboldt County Forestry Review Committee 10/20/2010

Re: Participation in General Plan Update (GPU)

HumCPR appreciates the expert input you have already provided to the Planning Commission regarding Forest Land Use issues.

However, we believe that this is a conversation that has been truncated, interrupted and all but muzzled by temporary time constraints and other factors advanced during the process.

We share your frustration with some of those constraints and were pleased to note that the Planning Commission was respectful of your knowledge and experience with regard to forest management issues and asked for your input on many of the proposed policies, standards and implementation measures.

We also note that the commission specifically requested that staff provide you with revisions and additions to the proposed GPU that have been developed since your initial study of the plan in 2007 – 2008.

However, we were surprised to note that there is no planned discussion of the GPU on tonight’s agenda. Is this because you have not yet received those materials?

Over two years ago the FRC requested that the Board of Supervisors hold a study session on January 15, 2008 (or another suitable date) with the Planning Commission and the FRC to discuss TPZ issues. But it is our understanding that such a study session was never held.

Now that the Planning Commission has completed it’s review of section 4.6, Forest Resources, the next time this issue will come before the public is when it is forwarded to the Board of Supervisors. Given the need for clarity in this important decision making process we urge the FRC to remain active and to schedule a committee study session of the latest version of the proposed language in anticipation of being able to provide input to the Board.

We also note that in March of 2008 the FRC passed a motion recommending that: “the draft TPZ implementing ordinance language should be brought to the FRC for review of the development standards for ministerial permits on TPZ parcels less than 160 acres prior to Board adoption.”  Though plan – related ordinances await future final approval of the plan we urge you to remind the Board and the Commission of that request.

In summary, we believe that your input is essential to a General Plan Update that addresses the future of Humboldt County’s privately held forestlands in a constructive and appropriate manner. We strongly urge you to remain involved in this process.

After much discussion as to whether or not their input was warranted, the Forestry Review Committee will finally have a chance to present their GPU recommendations to the Planning Commission on Thursday, MARCH 11TH (The meeting was originally scheduled for February 25th).

The FRC is a standing subcommittee appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors.  They act in an advisory capacity to both the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and to the Planning Commission, and consider technical forest related matters of concern to Humboldt County. The subcommittee informs and makes recommendations on these matters to both the Supervisors and the Planning Commission.

This presentation has been on hold for some time as the commission discussed Planning Director Kirk Girard’s position that the FRC charter adopted by the Supervisors, does not authorize the FRC to make policy-related recommendations.

The upshot of the discussion is that a representative of the FRC will present their recommendations on the 11th

The FRC has not commented on the plan recently but in 2008 they presented their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

This will be a very important meeting for those interested in TPZ- related issues, such as BUILDING A HOME ON LAND ZONED FOR TIMBER.

According to staff, “The Commission intends to continue the ongoing discussion of the draft Land Use Element, Sections 4.5 Agricultural Resources (and possibly Section 4.6, Forest Resources) from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and then accept a presentation from the chair of the Forestry Review Committee of the Committee’s recommendations on the Forest Resources policies”.
The Assessor has also been added to the agenda: Again, according to staff, “The Assessor will follow with a presentation on revenue and valuations concerning the Timber Yield Tax and the Timber Production Zone”.

Land Use Element of the GPU

6:00 PM January 21st, 2010 CANCELLED

Board of Supervisors Chambers, Eureka

The Planning Commission will continue deliberations on Section 4.5, the Agricultural Lands section of the Land Use Element to February 18th

Also, at it’s Jan 14th meeting the Commission had discussed scheduling a presentation from the Forestry Review Committee on the 21st.

According to senior planner Martha Spencer “It is anticipated that the Forestry Review Committee will be available to present their recommendations” during the February 18th meeting instead.

Public Comment will be Accepted at this Meeting.

It is very important to attend these meetings if you can. This is when resource land owners will learn the Commissioners’ responses (if any) to their issues and concerns. Decisions made at this level will have major impacts on your stewardship rights. There is no clear indication of when we will be able to address them again

Kevin Caldwell FRC

This is a link to a PDF file

GPU – Forest Resources Policies