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Dear Members of the Arcata City Council and Planning Commission,
I respectfully request that you take the time to read this article by Michael
Machi which appeared in the MRU in March, regarding sea level rise and
our wastewater treatment plant. I just discovered this piece recently while
doing a bit of research, and I think it’s imperative to understand that sea
level rise could happen a lot faster than any of us think or are prepared for
– and could be disastrous for the health and safety of every resident in
Arcata.
Here’s the link to the article:
https://www.madriverunion.com/articles/arcata-is-heading-up-the-proverbial-creek-without-a-plan/
I totally agree with Michael’s suggestion that the Gateway Plan should be
shelved for the time being, at least until we’ve decided where to relocate
our wastewater treatment plant and the businesses south of Samoa and
West of Old Arcata Road. If the state is breathing down your necks to get
housing built, then go ahead and build the minimum number of units
required by the state, but no more! And hopefully, find more stable ground
to build on if you’re able, and keep it to 4 stories or less.
I watched the last PlanCo meeting, and I agree with Kimberley White and
Greg King that we’re putting the cart before the horse by rushing this plan
through without more input from the community and considerable thought
(“before we know what’s feasible”).
Please get a survey together and send it to every household in Arcata.
And, whatever you do, don’t forget to mention the problem with the
wastewater treatment plant, sea level rise and finding out how much
density our infrastructure can withstand. People need to be aware of
what’s at stake (I wasn’t until I saw this article!).
I also agree with everything Gregory Daggett had to say, including and
especially his observation: “What do the professionals say?And where’s
the study that says (this much density) is safe? You don’t put high
buildings on a mud service.”
I realize staff has put a lot of time into this project, and it pains me as
much as anybody to have to shelve it, but we need to get it right, or we’ll
end up paying a heavy price down the road. So let’s consult with the
professionals and do any studies needed to determine how much added
density our infrastructure can handle. I suggest you quickly assemble a
task force/ advisory board made up of experts in wastewater treatment,
wetlands, civil engineering, etc, and any other field of expertise you can
find. Fortunately, we have a wealth of expertise in our community due to
our association with Cal Poly. Please bring in these professionals and I
suggest you include climate change expert Aldaron Laird. (How do you
think we got the state’s most innovative sewage treatment facility in the
first place?)
Finally, we can’t even begin to address the Gateway Plan without knowing
where we’re going to relocate the wastewater treatment facility and
vulnerable businesses. You may need to reserve the Barrel District and
southern boundary of the Gateway for this purpose.
So please, please, please consider Michael Machi’s suggestions before
you start debating any other aspect of the Gateway Plan. Here they are:
“I would respectfully suggest that Arcata Planners start now:
1. By hiring the best experts available and by gathering all stakeholders
together such as Caltrans, PG&E, South of Samoa business owners and
residents, California Highway Patrol, etc. to determine all the rebuilding
site requirements necessary for relocation for each different type of critical
infrastructure (with Arcata’s sewage treatment facilities being the very
highest priority), and the businesses and residences.
2. Draw us a map designating where, within the City of Arcata’s Sphere of
Influence, all of most viable sites for relocating the abovementioned list,
and don’t leave Arcata UP THE PROVERBIAL CREEK WITHOUT A
PLAN!”
As Michael points out, the time to act is NOW. In the worst case scenario,
the sewage treatment plant could be inundated in as little as 5 years! So
there’s no time to lose. Please act now to protect the health and safety of
all your constituents. IMHO, that’s your first and foremost duty as council
members, so please start taking this seriously. And thank you for all you
do!
Lisa Pelletier Arcata resident