Board of Supes to Hear Appeal of the Blocksburg Family Farm Cannabis Cultivation Permits

Press release from the Northcoast Environmental Center:

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 13, 2022, to hear an Appeal of the Blocksburg Family Farm Cannabis Cultivation Permits. Citizens for a Sustainable Humboldt (CSH) and the Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC) filed this Appeal of the 6.39-acre cannabis mega-grow due to unaddressed concerns about environmental and social impacts.

On May 5th, the Planning Commission adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project despite substantial evidence that indicates the Project is of an industrial size and scope that should require a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR). CSH and NEC are asking the Board to support this Appeal and deny the permits, or else require that a full EIR is prepared before the Project operations commence.

Concerns stem from the location of the proposed grow in a remote rural area, and include:

  • The use of gasoline generators for the initial phase of the project (2-3 years), refueled by hand from five gallon containers.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation of 25 employees to the remote worksite.
  • Public safety issues presented by the inadequate access roads leading to the Project, in an area vulnerable to wildfires and far from emergency services.
  • Groundwater extraction for cultivation of two additional acres before adequate water storage is developed, and without proper analysis of potential hydrologic connection of wells to surface waters, as well as improper well testing in violation of County regulations.
  • Cumulative impacts to the rare prairie grassland that the project is located in.

“When the Commercial Medical Marijuana Land Use Ordinance (CMMLUO) was adopted, the stated intent was to discourage cannabis cultivation in undeveloped remote areas and encourage cultivation on agricultural land close to existing infrastructure. This project IS NOT consistent with the intent of the CMMLUO,” said Robie Tenorio of CSH. “Because of these concerns, the Board of Supervisors should uphold this appeal and require a full EIR so the public, and the neighbors, can assess the potential impacts of this grow.”

Mary Gaterud, Board President of CSH, is baffled by the apparent disregard by County Staff of codified State and County regulations for access road requirements and well testing.  “As a small cultivator who has been put through the wringer to ensure that my minuscule operation upholds the letter of the law, I am mystified by the County’s green light for huge projects that do not conform to the rules—which were designed for exactly this kind of industrial scale.”

Caroline Griffith, Executive Director of the NEC, agrees. “This is exactly why we have these processes, so the potential environmental impacts of industries can be brought to light and transparently assessed. The fact that Humboldt County appears to be rubber-stamping projects that clearly have impacts is concerning. We would like to see the full impacts of this proposed project assessed, or the application denied. The stated intent of the Humboldt County Cannabis Land Use Ordinance was to bring these grows out of the wildlands and mitigate environmental impacts. This project does not fit that intent.”

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41 Comments
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Taxation is Theft
Guest
Taxation is Theft
1 year ago

Mystified…?

It’s 2022, you need to connect the dots why the few control the many.

Government attracts a special kind of person, the ones who are looking for power and control.

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
1 year ago

“Government attracts a special kind of person, the ones who are looking for power and control.”

So true! That is a very important reason to limit the power of government as much as possible, government does not deserve our trust.

Seth
Guest
Seth
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Koch

Gov’t = Rex, Bushnell, Wilson, Madrone and Bass including the planning commission.

Not Gov’t = CSH, NEC

Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
1 year ago
Reply to  Seth

Not exactly a brain trust

Jeffersonian
Guest
Jeffersonian
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Koch

Then dont vote for democrats

Dude
Guest
Dude
1 year ago

Is this another vc funded pie in the sky cannabis project that will never come to fruition now that gas is 7$ a gallon and the price of a lb is less than $300?

c u 2morrow
Guest
c u 2morrow
1 year ago
Reply to  Dude

how much does it cost to produce one pound ?

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  c u 2morrow

Lots of variables for each site. Much depends on the style (light dep, outdoor), trimming method, efficiency of facilities, etc. I’m hearing $100-300. Most in the $200-250 range.

Mega me
Guest
Mega me
1 year ago
Reply to  c u 2morrow

With trimmers , soil , permits , nutrients , clones , usual overhead ?
Not really worth it.

Sword Fest
Guest
Sword Fest
1 year ago
Reply to  c u 2morrow

Chad & Brad have it below $100 lb. Sunshine & Moon Child says it costs over $500 lb. But it’s organic bruh.

thatguyinarcata
Guest
thatguyinarcata
1 year ago
Reply to  Sword Fest

No one is producing market ready flower for under $100/lb. The most efficient operation I’ve seen, autoflower seeds machine trimmed, is at around $130-140 in direct costs. Their strategy is only viable because they also brand and package eighths with the aim of being the cheapest eighth on the shelf.

Some guy
Guest
Some guy
1 year ago
Reply to  Sword Fest

No one wants Chads boof they are going broke as we speak

Sword Fest
Guest
Sword Fest
1 year ago
Reply to  Some guy

Show me any data point that supports customers lining up to purchase Sunshine & Moonchilds biodynamic boof muffin. You can’t. Because no one is. Chad & Brad have all the boats & hoes that customers ACTUALLY want. Good luck with your ideologically psychotic marketing plan.

Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Sword Fest

//”Chad & Brad have all the boats & hoes that customers ACTUALLY want.”//

Apparently you ignored my list of the top Cannabis stocks (done at your request btw) showning that contrary to your assertions here, the corporate gang is generally drowning, not flourishing.

JB

Last edited 1 year ago
thatguyinarcata
Guest
thatguyinarcata
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

But your chart did not indicate their boats and hoes holdings which, as we all know, are the cornerstones of a thriving cannabis business.

Legallettuce
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay Beigh

JB my friend. They pay people to post blog comments. All good my brother. I am actually south of you right now. We gonna open up this path you’ll see. We have had a great time and everyone has been amazing. We don’t see Chad’s pitch for money as bad we gotta learn as well. As you remind everyone about change. Blessings, we got this.

Huh?
Guest
Huh?
1 year ago
Reply to  c u 2morrow

$40 before trimming.

Flat Woman
Guest
Flat Woman
1 year ago
Reply to  Dude

Billionaires look for money losing investments. It is how they managevto avoid income taxes

mlr the giant squirrel in Eureka
Guest
mlr the giant squirrel in Eureka
1 year ago

Humboldt needs scaled up operations to compete in new marketplace. Let them try if they’re willing and good luck

Flat Stomper
Guest
Flat Stomper
1 year ago

“Needs scaled up operations”
The market demand says otherwise.

“Compete”
Humboldt is synonymous with Cannabis, no competition there.

“New marketplace”
The “new” market place is stymied by a retail access point bottleneck. And its not really a new marketplace, just some fancy window dressing and a ton of regulation.

Naw .. I’m not good at all with watching chad’s greedy ass exploit the land and it’s resources.

Susan Nolan
Guest
Susan Nolan
1 year ago

If you are moved to write your supervisor about this, it’s PLN-12265-CUP. The initial study can be seen at https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/105666/12265_MND_BlocksburgFamilyFarmsLLC_392022-PDF

wow
Guest
wow
1 year ago
Reply to  Susan Nolan

Already did!!! IN 100% SUPPORT!!!!!!

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Susan Nolan

Read the MND. This project does not require a EIR. Cumulative impacts to prairie grass is not supported. Pond is scheduled for start of second year. Just condition approval so the canopy available to cultivate is 85% of available water supplies. If there is limited rain fall and pond doesn’t fill fast enough, have the canopy limited until there is sufficient water.

Suggesting that hand filling gennies out of two 5 gallon containers is a problem suggests the appellants have their own ideology problems. The gas and gennie should have containment to prevent oil and fuel contamination of soil. Employees should van shuttle during peak periods to reduce impacts.

The PR states there are unaddressed concerns about social impacts. This is not relevant to CEQA. Social impacts are only considered for NEPA or in statements of overriding consideration. Why would they even say this? Emotional appeal to the public?

This is a risky project for the investors/sponsors right now with wholesale prices but this is not a planning/land use consideration.

Last edited 1 year ago
Jay Beigh
Guest
Jay Beigh
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

//”This is a risky project for the investors/sponsors right now with wholesale prices but this is not a planning/land use consideration.”//

^^^ This.

JB

willow creeker
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

I really feel sorry for you growers today. I mean, just the acronyms make my head hurt. It was so much better back in the day. Best of luck guys.

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  willow creeker

Yes, agreed. Environmental law (CEQA) is designed to be impenetrable I believe. It took years of reading, watching, and learning to get it. However, it’s relevant to almost all develop in Cali with the federal version (NEPA) applicable often also. So if you want to develop land, change zoning or obtain use permits for specific activities it is the backbone of a successful entitlement which can yield good money.

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago

But …but…Trevor is their consultant. It’s already been walked through John Ford’s office. The fix is already in…you think you can stop those guys now?! A certain very wealthy investor from Florida will not be happy!!!

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Farce

How do know Trevor is their consultant? Or are you making this up?

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayforker

I was wrong (You should be pleased by that!) Thought this was Rolling Meadows…I got corrected by Locals below. I don’t know who was the hookup/consultant. Being a consultant yourself perhaps you know?

Hayforker
Guest
Hayforker
1 year ago
Reply to  Farce

Hey good to hear you can admit to being wrong. Since I’m not a consultant, do you care to offer another mea culpa?

Flat Stomper
Guest
Flat Stomper
1 year ago

Large scale, off grid Commercial Cultivation up the hills is a model that is going extinct. Only Johnny come lately types are the ones who dont know this.
Who are these folks? Let me guess!? Are they Canadians or Floridians??

Locals
Guest
Locals
1 year ago

This is actually a local family. Chad & Brad from Florida is the project (Rolling Meadows) connected to Rex’s boy.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
1 year ago
Reply to  Locals

Is this LR place? If so, these are locals, not “Chad and Brad”. Having said that, 6 acres off grid?? Why?

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  Locals

Thanks for saying. I had it wrong as I thought this was the Rolling Meadows project. Thanks for the correction!

wow
Guest
wow
1 year ago

Good project. Full support. Mary Gaterud and the rest of her gang are nothing but NIMBYS. The only shame will be if the BOS kowtows down to the special interest groups and denys this permit.

Flat Stomper
Guest
Flat Stomper
1 year ago

Nevermind the potential environmental impact.. what kind of special do you have to be to continue to pursue commercial cannabis cultivation operations up in the hills in this day and age? Sounds like someone has a bad case of greenrush fever.

Might as well just go build avacado farms in Alsaka!

Aguyinalderpoint
Guest
Aguyinalderpoint
1 year ago

Worked there. Being honest, that ‘family’ is just full of lies.

Working sites are trashed and almost feels like a slave camp.

They should pay them a visit when full season is going to check the conditions their workers are living.

Get then inspected!!!

Aguyinalderpoint
Guest
Aguyinalderpoint
1 year ago

Get them inspected!

Collin
Guest
Collin
1 year ago

I’ve been to this farm multiple times and every time it’s beauty blows me away, hands down one of the cleanest farms in humboldt! If any one deserves a larger cultivation permit in humboldt it’s Blocksburg family farms!

Disappointed
Guest
Disappointed
1 year ago

Didn’t the planning commission approve these projects months ago? 10 days to appeal and 30 days to be heard by the BOS?

Isabella Brown
Guest
7 months ago

Insightful article and video regarding the Blocksburg Family Farm cannabis permits. The discussion highlights the importance of sustainable practices, including the use of organic cannabis nutrients. Thanks for shedding light on this topic!