District Overview

The tidelands, harbors, bays, and estuaries of Humboldt County have unique and diverse management needs. In 1970, the California State Legislature passed the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation Act to specifically address these needs. The purpose of this act was to create an agency charged with the oversight and development of the harbors and ports of Humboldt County for "multiple purpose use and for the benefit of the people." The act recognizes a necessity in Humboldt County for planned development of its harbors and ports and also the need to develop and protect the county's natural resources. A "specially created district," the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, was created for these purposes and is codified in Appendix II of the Harbors and Navigation Code of the State of California. The formation of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District was ratified by the Humboldt County electorate in 1973.

The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District is a county-wide agency with permit jurisdiction over all tide, submerged and other lands granted to the District including all of Humboldt Bay.

The Harbor District is governed by five elected commissioners with staggered four-year terms. The five Harbor District Commission Divisions share the same boundary lines as the Humboldt County Supervisorial Districts, namely Division1 encompasses southern Eureka, Loleta and the Ferndale area; Division 2 covers southern Humboldt County including Fortuna, Rio Dell, Garberville and Shelter Cove; Division 3 includes the area covered by the City of Arcata, Bayside, Kneeland, Freshwater and Manila; Division 4 includes the majority of the City of Eureka and Division 5 extends from McKinleyville north to the county line and northeast Humboldt County.

The Harbor District's principal sources of income include a small portion of Humboldt County property taxes; tideland leases from dock operators and mariculture operations; rents and leases from sources such as Woodley Island Marina, Woodley Island commercial spaces and the Fields Landing Boat Yard; and the Harbor Improvement Surcharge, a general charge levied on cargo and deep draft vessels using Humboldt Bay's improved navigation channels. In addition, the Harbor District utilizes grant funding from various sources to assist in accomplishing its mission. During the period 1998-2001, the Harbor District applied for and was awarded $1,052,944 in grant funding. Average annual operating and non-operating revenue for Harbor District during the period 1990/91 through 2000/01 was $1,103,469. Annual operating expenses (less depreciation) during the same time period averaged $ 874,541.

To carry out the Harbor District's operations, the Board of Commissioners relies on a staff that averages 11 full-time employees. The classified employees are spilt between office and maintenance job classifications and are eligible for membership in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 14A.

In order to better serve the citizens of Humboldt County, the Harbor District has divided up its functions into three operational divisions, namely, the Port of Humboldt Bay; Woodley Island Marina; and Resource Conservation. This website is similarly divided into sections that deal with each of these functions.