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Advisory commission to forward research on coastal encampments and water‑quality risks to sheriff, CDFW and board
Summary
Commissioners reviewed research on water‑quality impacts from illegal encampments along coastal streams, identified potential funding sources for cleanup (including the State ERF program), and agreed to draft a letter and informational packet to the Board of Supervisors, the sheriff and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The commission discussed possible actions to address habitat and water‑quality impacts caused by illegal encampments in coastal watersheds, with particular attention to Hare Creek and Pudding Creek, where regional sampling shows pathogen impairments.
Commissioner Patty presented research and grant ideas, citing the State’s ERF program (described as a revolving fund targeted toward cleanups), the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) framework under the Clean Water Act and local Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) listings as context for possible funding and regulatory pathways. Patty said the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s coastal pathogen source report identified Mendocino Bay, Big River, Caspar Beach and Hare Creek Beach among sampled areas; Hare Creek and Pudding Creek were named as sites with human‑source coliform contamination. Patty recommended contacting the Mendocino Land Trust, which already runs seasonal cleanups and coordinates clearance with the sheriff’s office.
“I volunteered to come up with some grant ideas,” Patty said, and she recommended the commission consider funding or partnering with Mendocino Land Trust on cleanup or signage efforts.
Commissioners discussed whether the commission should avoid mission drift; several members noted the group is an advisory panel and lacks law‑enforcement authority. Commissioners agreed the commission’s role could be to provide information and funding support rather than enforcement. Commissioner Kyle and others recommended circulating Patty’s findings to the Mendocino Land Trust, the county sheriff, CDFW and the board of supervisors.
The commission agreed on next steps: staff will prepare a formal letter and informational packet including Patty’s research and proposed funding sources; the commission’s chair (or vice chair) will sign the letter and the staff will route it to the Board of Supervisors for possible inclusion on the Sept. 23 agenda before sending it to the sheriff and CDFW. Commissioners also discussed having the Mendocino Land Trust apply to the commission’s grants program for targeted cleanup supplies or signage and suggested testing water quality after a cleanup to measure results.
No binding enforcement actions were taken by the commission. The direction taken was procedural: prepare a letter and materials for the Board of Supervisors and identified external agencies, and encourage local partners to pursue cleanup funding and signage.
