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Council adopts Humboldt County hazard mitigation annex for Blue Lake amid resident demands for creek and levee fixes
Summary
The council voted to adopt the Humboldt County operational‑area hazard mitigation plan annex covering Blue Lake, making the city eligible for federal hazard mitigation funding. Residents pressed council for clearer, specific mitigation steps for Powers Creek, the uncertified levee and culvert problems; staff said adopting the annex is the first step to pursue grants for projects such as culvert replacements, water tank seismic upgrades and culvert/levee maintenance.
Staff presented the county’s hazard mitigation plan annex for Blue Lake, describing identified vulnerabilities including dam failure, drought, earthquakes, flooding, landslides and wildfire, and the updated mitigation actions that could be eligible for grant funding. “This is the countywide risk management, hazard mitigation plan,” staff said, and explained adoption would enable eligibility for programs such as FEMA hazard mitigation assistance and possible funding for water tanks, culvert replacements and wastewater solar/battery storage.
Multiple residents criticized the plan as an outline with insufficient specificity for affected neighborhoods, particularly residents who described repeated flooding on Powers Creek and sediment accumulation at culverts. One resident said the creek was “totally blocked up” with sediment and urged the council to pursue immediate debris removal and levee improvements. Staff acknowledged the plan is an annex from the county but said it lists mitigation actions the city can prioritize and use to apply for funding; adopting the resolution will not itself change projects but makes the city eligible for grant programs. The council moved to adopt resolution E1265 authorizing the annex adoption; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote.
