Tasha McKee, Environmentalist, 4th Generation Whitethorn Valley Resident, and Grandmother Urges Poll-Goers to Vote No on Measure A
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Please Vote No on Measure A
If you support collaborative science-based solutions for the environment and our local communities, please vote NO on Measure A, this coming election (on or before March 5th, 2024). I am a fourth-generation resident of the Whitethorn Valley, grandmother, and respected community leader with more than 20 years of experience pioneering solutions to water scarcity in the Mattole River. As the Water Program Director of Sanctuary Forest, I have worked in cooperation with restoration partners, government agencies and our diverse community to pioneer science based, win-win solutions that have increased water security for families and businesses as well as improved streamflow for fish and wildlife.
Research conducted by Sanctuary Forest and collaborating scientists suggests that climate change and a pattern of longer dry seasons may be the most significant factor causing extreme low flows in the last two decades. Our overly dense young forests have also been identified as one of the largest driving factors of low flows. Water diversions during the low flow period can be very significant depending on both the amount of natural flow and cumulative diversion. There is a wealth of science based cooperative solutions that balance the needs of people and the environment that we can implement here in Humboldt County. Examples include water storage from the wet season for use during the dry season (storage and forbearance) across all sectors of the population – residential, businesses and farms. Forest thinning to reduce evapotranspiration is now recognized as critically necessary for streamflow restoration. Agency support and funding is available for planning and implementing projects that improve fish and wildlife habitat and drought resilience with the highest level of support for disadvantaged communities such as Humboldt County. These are examples of science based collaborative solutions that bring everyone to the table to share knowledge, participate in creative and practical solutions development and help develop effective stewardship policy.
Unfortunately, the proponents of Measure A did not engage in a collaborative process with environmental organizations or community stakeholders. Measure A targets the only farming in Humboldt County – legal cannabis – that requires water storage and forbearance, while doing nothing to address the major impacts of dry season diversions for other kinds of farming, industry, and residential use. If it passes, it will move the regulatory goal posts yet again for the cannabis industry, which is already the most highly regulated agricultural industry in the state and because of the rigorous streamflow protections already in place, it will not result in improved streamflow. If passed it will have significant negative impacts on cannabis farms of all sizes, big and small. Many of our small cannabis farms are leaders in regenerative farming and actively engaged in land stewardship. Although Measure A claims to help small farms, the proposed increased regulations impact farms of all sizes with no provisions to support small farms. If passed it will harm the environment – by forcing many small farms out of business and encouraging illegal cannabis cultivation with no environmental protections. Combined with the current economic downturn which this county is facing, the socioeconomic impacts of Measure A will only increase divisiveness and polarization at a time when we need to work together.
We are living at a time when our environmental problems have never been greater – and yet, never have we been so aware of our impacts and the need to change how we work and live, and never have we had so many resources to help us. Please vote NO on Measure A so that we can move forward to the real work that needs to be done – developing collaborative, science-based solutions for the environment, local communities, and future generations.
Sincerely,
Tasha McKee McCorkle, environmentalist, grandmother, and fourth generation resident of the Whitethorn Valley
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
Vote no on A because growing cannabis is hard enough already.
Vote no on A to protect our environment and our county! Measure A is unchangable unless it goes back to the voters and that can only happen every 2 years. So all the issues that will be discovered while trying to implement Measure A couldn’t be fixed for at least 2 years. This was specific language in the bill. The initiative process is flawed and this one is no different.
A no vote on Measure A is a vote for the status quo which is corrupt, chaotic, and inequitable.People who care about the long term sustainability of both the environment and clean weed will vote yes on A.
How will measure A improve anything?
The proponents have actually came out and told the truth finally. Now they put in their radio ad that a farm can expand, as long as it has nothing to do with cultivation, water, or power. So no on A for the continued responsibility we all hold for our environment.
Is this the status quo you speak of?
Government
• Humboldt County Sheriff, William Honsal
• District 1 Supervisor, Rex Bohn
• District 2 Supervisor, Michelle Bushnell
• District 3 Supervisor, Mike Wilson
• Frankie Myers, Vice-Chair, Yurok Tribal Council & Candidate for 2nd District State Assembly
• Wes Chesbro, former 2nd District Assemblymember
• Garth Sundberg Sr. Chair Trinidad Rancheria
• Yurok Tribal Council
• Arcata City Council
• Eureka City Council
• Rio Dell City Council
• Mark Lovelace, Former District 3 Supervisor
• Johanna Rodoni, Former District 2 Supervisor
• Virginia Bass, Former District 4 Supervisor
• Ryan Sundberg, Former District 5 Supervisor
• Paul Gallegos, Former Humboldt County District Attorney
• Sarah Schaefer, Arcata City Council
• Alex Stillman, Arcata City Council
• Meredith Matthews, Mayor, Arcata City Council
• Stacy Atkins-Salazar, Arcata City Council
• Kyle Conley, Fortuna City Council
• Elizabeth Conner, Former Arcata City Council
• Connie Stewart, Former Mayor Arcata City Council
• Noah Levy, Humboldt County Planning Commissioner
• Thomas Mulder, Humboldt County Planning Commissioner
• Scott Davies, Arcata Planning Commissioner
• Kim Bergel, Mayor of Eureka
• Mario Fernandez, Eureka City Council
• Leslie Castellano, Eureka City Council
• Kati Moulton, Eureka City Council
• Neal Latt, President, Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District
• Jeana McClendon, Candidate for 2nd District Supervisor
• Brian Roberts, Candidate for 2nd District Supervisor
• Roy Gomez, Candidate for 3rd District Supervisor
• Gordon Clatworthy, Candidate for 1st District Supervisor
• Tief Gibbs, Candidate for US Congress District 2
• Mike Greer, Candidate for 2nd District State Assembly
• Deborah Garnes, Mayor of Rio Dell
• Amanda Carter, Rio Dell City Council
• Julie Woodall, Rio Dell City Council
• Robert Orr, Rio Dell City Council
• Frank Wilson, Rio Dell City Council
• Kyle Conley, Fortuna City Council
• Sue Long, Former Fortuna Mayor
Add your voice now!
Political Organizations
• Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee
• Humboldt County Republican Party
• Humboldt Deputy Sheriffs Organization
• AFSCME Local 1684
• Humboldt Progressive Democrats
• Humboldt Green Party
• North Coast People’s Alliance
Add your voice now!
Farmers Organizations
• Humboldt County Growers Alliance
• Willow Creek Cannabis Alliance
• Uplift Cannabis Co-Op
• Lost Coast Farmers Guild
• Mendocino Cannabis Alliance
• Trinity County Agriculture Alliance
• Origins Council
• North Coast Growers Association
• Cooperative Agriculture Network
Add your voice now!
Chambers of Commerce & Tourism Organizations
• Eureka Chamber of Commerce
• Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce
• McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce
• Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce
• Humboldt County Visitors Bureau
• Southern Humboldt Business & Visitors Bureau
• The Cannabis Trail
• Humboldt Cannabis Tours
Add your voice now!
Environmental
• Cannabis For Conservation
• Tasha McKee-McCorkle (self) 20-years Sanctuary Forest Program Director
• Sun + Earth Certified
Add your voice now!
Businesses
• Darren Tomasini, CEO, Dazey’s Supply
• Pat Neighbors, CEO, Vocality Credit Union
• Jaymi Dark, CEO, Dark Staffing Solutions
• Nicole Riggs, Manifest Synergies
• Dane Valado, ReProp Financial
• Sandi DeLuca, Caldwell Banker
• Larry Doss, Ming Tree Realty
• Kelly Flores, Margro Advisors
• Steve Luu, SL Consulting Services
• Praj White, P.E., NorthPoint Consulting Services
• Suzanne Maese, Margro Advisors
• Vanessa Valere, ETA Humboldt
• Paul Gallegos, Attorney at Law
• Paul Hagen, North Coast Environmental Law
• Neal Latt, Latt Law Group
• Beorn Zepp, Rain Zepp Law
• Nathan Madsen, Rain Zepp Law
• Ed Densen, Attorney at Law
• Patrik Griego, Janssen Malloy LLP
• Kathleen Bryson, Attorney at Law
• Farmor Cigars
• Kiskanu
• Royal Gold Soil
• Humboldt Terp Council
• Galactic Farms
• Liv Emerald
• Mattole Valley Sungrown
• Emerald Queen Farms
• Ice Box Flat Farms
• Humboldt Nation
• Sway Back Ridge Farms
• Lost Creek Farms
• One Log House
• Whitethorn Valley Farm
• Wild River Farms
• Moonmade Farms
• Honeydew Farms
• Clearwater Farms
• New Earth Farms
• Alpenglow Farms
• Empress Farms
• Bear Humboldt
• Midnight Gardens
• Cherry Valley Farms
• Hum. Co. Traditions
• Northern Emeralds
• Palo Verde Farms
• Humboldt Exotics
• Full Cup Farm Stand
• Lady Bug Sanctuary Farms
• Bigfoot Cannabis Co.
• Full Moon Farms
• Humboldt Redwood Healing
• Willow Creekside Farms
• Power Flower Farms
• Green Ox
• Spruce Grove
• Skyline Farms
• Xotic Flavorz
• Terp Mansion
• Humboldt Forest Farms
• SoHum Royal
• Organic Liberty
• Lost Coast Mad Man
• Source Nursery
• Highline Nursery
• Patterson Flat Farms
• Moon & Stars Farm
• Wildwest Herbs
• Huckleberry Hill Farms
• New Earth Farms
• Humboldt Trim Co.
• Organibliss Farms
• Puffco
• Healing Hills Farm
• Humboldt Kine Farms
• Salmon Creek Farms
• North Fork Mattole Farms
• Holly Carter, Oaxalis Integrative Services
• Baird Engineering & Surveying
• Sisu Partners
• Hidden Praire Farm
• The Original Mom and Pops
• Nabis
• Pacific Paradise Dispensary
• Front Row Ag (Solstice Ag)
• Catch A Cloud Farms
• Mama Bear Farms
• Pavlich Professional Service
• Benbow Valley Farms
• Southern Humboldt Phoenix
• Enchanted Spring Farm
• Humboldt Cannabis Tours
• Seven Leaves Farm
• Gala Events & Weddings
• Unity Farms
• High Water Farms
• Herb and Market
• The Fireplace
Add your voice now!
Hahaha. I’ll get right on that! Humor is definitely needed as we work this out.
The status quo is chaotic and inequitable. I have not personally been able to leverage, or ever really seen anybody present specific meritous charges of corruption in the legal weed industry, or politics other than SOME distro and retail treating the payment to producers as merely an option.
How does Measure A address the chaos and inequity?
One example of chaotic inequity is the County’s abatement program. This program is undergoing a legal challenge right now. Does A hit any issues related to that weed related environmental (as claimed) issue?
How would Measure A change County policy towards illegal marijuana growing? Presumably the most environmentally destructive, dangerous, un-taxable way weed is grown in remote areas..
I’m a small farmer, voting no. I can tell you 100% that the last sentence in your comment is false. As a life long hunter/fisher, I care more about the environment than most could ever understand.
I think measure A is poorly written and agree that voters should vote NO. I also wonder if the fact that Tasha’s family is growing cannabis(whitethorn valley farms) and sanctuary forest relies heavily on cannabis growers to donate to do their work has anything about her stance.
Is there something wrong with someone directly affected by the measure voicing an opinion to the media. Let me help you not wonder. Of course it does and there isn’t anything wrong with that.
If her family grew dope… or if the Sanctuary Forest got money from dope growers… she should state that in her letter.
I’m curious. If a car sales business owner has a nephew who grew marijuana or got money from cannabis farmers should they disclose that when they speak about any cannabis related issues because…every single business I know of in Humboldt County and to the best of my knowledge almost every single non-profit received money from growers.
Great point Kym. I have often made the same argument that goes even further. Everyone in this county has in some way or another benefitted from the proceeds of Marijuana.
So if that is true, does that make it right?
Question; does it benefit a permitted cannabis cultivation business in Humboldt County to oppose Measure A? If so, then that buisness needs to disclose that financial interest if it makes a statement in public, like in a letter to the editor concerning an issues that affects his or her bottom line.
And my question is…how many people should this rule you’ve decided on affect? Does a grocery store owner need to state that they get money from cannabis when they announce their No on Measure A?
I’m just curious if only the cannabis industry is subject to this rule. And why? when its apparent that most businesses gathered a significant portion of their sales from customers that had cannabis related money.
Your examples and hypothetical situations are both far reaching and beyond the pale (comparing apples and oranges). I did not start this conversation, I was responding to your comment, that you did not answer.
And yes, there are allot of examples of needing to disclose financial interest that does not include cannabis:
https://www.fppc.ca.gov/content/dam/fppc/NS-Documents/LegalDiv/Regulations/Index/Chapter7/Article1/18704.Making-Participating-in-Making-or-Using-or-Attempting-to-Use-Official-Position-to-Influence-a-Government-Decision-Defined.pdf
I’m curious why RHBB or Kym Kemp has not come out and publicly endorsed or opposed Measure A?
Politicians disclose financial interests, not people who write letters to the editor.
You have lost your mind
Science based solutions means recognizing the majority of non government scientists as well as many government scientists do not believe climate change is caused by man in no way, shape, or form. When the Democrat party political scientists and their hordes of minions stop lying and start admitting their scheme is a political power grab, then we can amicably talk about all things science. Until then, their word is as good as a snickers bar in a pool, meaning it’s worthless, and it will be treated accordingly, with a fortified brick wall.
As for the measure, it doesn’t matter either way, the black market and their egregious environmental damage and grubby greed deserve no quarter but continue unabated anyway. In fact, these types of growers should have no vote and no say in anything at all, given they contribute no income taxes to our society. Like ticks, they bleed their host dry, cause undue stress and PTSD symptoms for non growing neighbors in formerly civil and quiet neighborhoods, and then move on to another community to infect until that one is drained of civility and resources as well. So who cares either way for this measure. Instead, completely eradicating the black market dickhead issue should be the sole focus. It’s the only scientific way to move forward.
I won’t be voting
a fools errand you ask me..
but measure a sounds like more laws
No, thank you, kindly
Unless & until a law is introduced addressing & assuring the most basic of human needs..
Ie. When the life of a human being nears the irreverent importance of saving salamanders and trees..
No, thank you, from me
20 years studying scarcity is rather bleak,
Law of man: competition/ scarcity
Law of land: cooperation/ abundance
Absolutely nothing personal: “we are all retarded by age 30” -Rudolph Steiner