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Humboldt Bay terminal project restored after state funding replaces lost federal grants; DEIR targeted early 2027
Summary
District staff told the board that California Energy Commission funds have replaced earlier federal grants, allowing sediment sampling and permit work to resume for the proposed heavy-lift marine terminal; the draft environmental impact report (DEIR) release is targeted for early 2027 and a 30‑day public comment period will follow.
Humboldt Bay Harbor District commissioners on March 16 received a status update on the proposed Humboldt Bay heavy-lift marine terminal, including a funding replacement that the district said keeps the project on a constrained timeline.
Executive Director Rob told the board that federal grants previously allocated to the terminal were rescinded last year but recently have been replaced by funds from the California Energy Commission, allowing key studies and permitting work to resume. "Now we are back up and running," staff said during the presentation, while cautioning that grant deadlines limit how much the timetable can shift.
Staff and the district's consultants identified the draft environmental impact report (DEIR) release and concurrent permit submittals as the critical near-term milestones. The district is targeting DEIR release for public comment in early 2027, followed by the statutorily required comment period and subsequent permit reviews. Staff emphasized the DEIR schedule is driven by grant conditions and cannot be extended indefinitely.
Consultants from Moffatt & Nichol are conducting sediment sampling in the bay; the board was introduced to the project manager, Shelley, who described the field work now underway. Staff said special studies and design work will continue in parallel and that operator selection for terminal operations will occur later in the process.
The presentation reiterated the district's limited direct control over offshore wind developer community benefit agreements, while noting the district can negotiate locally deliverable benefits tied to terminal construction or operations. Staff also announced a voluntary re-issuance of the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the SQA review to re-engage the public; the reissued NOP will include a 30-day comment period.
Next steps: staff will continue sediment sampling and special studies, prepare the DEIR materials for the scheduled public release in early 2027, and pursue required permit applications. The board and staff said they will continue public outreach and monthly updates as the project advances.
