Programs
Humboldt Waterkeeper was launched in October 2004 with a mission "to safeguard our coastal resources for the health, enjoyment, and economic strength of the Humboldt Bay community through education, scientific research, and enforcement of laws to fight pollution."Humboldt Waterkeeper's programs involve scientists, students, boaters, fishermen, and other concerned citizens in the important work of protecting Humboldt Bay, its associated watersheds, and the near-shore waters of the Pacific from Trinidad Head to the Eel River estuary. We also advocate for cleanup of toxic sites in the Eel and Mad River watersheds.Humboldt Waterkeeper works to protect and enhance Humboldt Bay and near-shore waters through community education, water-quality monitoring, and pollution control.The geographical reach of Humboldt Waterkeeper's programs includes Humboldt Bay, its tributaries, and the Pacific Coast between Trinidad Harbor to the north, and the Eel River estuary to the south. Waterkeeper maintains an on-the-water presence throughout the area, patrolling by motor boat, kayak, paddleboard, with upland areas patrolled by car and by foot.
Community Outreach 4
Humboldt Waterkeeper's Community Outreach engages people of all ages in understanding, enjoying, and preserving the health of Humboldt Bay. Our Bay Tours Program highlights the area's natural history. Our dedicated volunteers monitor local streams, table at community events, clean up trash from Tuluwat Island, and watchdog everything that impacts the bay, from illegal dumping to development proposals. To find our more about how you can get involved, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Toxics Initiative and Enforcement 16
Humboldt Waterkeeper addresses water pollution on a case-by-case basis, and provides information to encourage residents to take action to address the problem of toxics in our environment. Historic industrial activity continues to impact the Bay and adjacent waterways as well as human health and the area’s economy. Dioxins, heavy metals, petroleum products, and other contaminants persist in areas where they were used in the past, and continue to enter Humboldt Bay and coastal waters through stormwater and groundwater discharges. Humboldt Waterkeeper works to stop this ongoing problem by seeking cleanup of these sites. A major focus of Humboldt Waterkeeper’s Toxics Initiative is the past use of wood preservatives at dozens of lumber mills that once lined the shores of the Bay and its tributaries. The mills used the chemical pentachlorophenol (also known as "penta") which led to the release of contaminants such as dioxins and furans. Accidental spills and illegal dumping of these chemicals resulted in soil and water contamination. For example, the former Simpson Plywood Mill, and an adjacent drainage swale that discharges directly into Humboldt Bay, was heavily contaminated by dioxins and furans. Through Humboldt Waterkeeper’s Toxic Initiative, this ongoing threat to Humboldt Bay was identified, and has been the subject of clean up activities to eliminate this source of dioxin.In 2006, Humboldt Waterkeeper petitioned the State Water Resources Control Board to add Humboldt Bay to California’s Threatened and Impaired Waters list under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. As a result, Humboldt Bay was listed for dioxins in 2007. Humboldt Bay was listed as Impaired by PCBs under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act in 2002, based on levels of PCBs found in fish tissue. PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of serious health effects, including cancer and serious effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, and endocrine system. Click HERE for more info on PCBs and their health effects. In 2012, a statewide survey of coastal fish found the highest mercury levels in Humboldt Bay leopard shark. In 2016, the California Environmental Protection Agency funded our Humboldt Bay Mercury Assessment to study mercury levels in fish and to identify communities most at risk of exposure. Phase I of this study was completed in 2018, and Phase II was funded in 2019. Water Quality Program 20
Since 2005, our Water Quality Program has documented conditions of local streams and sloughs to identify problem areas for future monitoring and to pinpoint pollution sources so we can work to reduce or eliminate them. Thanks to the dozens of dedicated volunteers and partners who help make our program successful!
Bay Tours 9
Humboldt Waterkeeper’s Bay Tours program offers free motor boat and kayak tours for community groups, as well as docent-led walking and bird-watching tours. For info, contact our Bay Tours Coordinator, Jasmin Segura, at (707) 616-7261. La programa de Humboldt Waterkeeper’s Exploraciones de la Bahía ofrece gratis, visita de guiada, así como tours de la bahía por barco de motor, kayac, o conoa. Para inscribirse en esta visita guiada gratuita, llame a Jasmin Segura, (707) 616-7261. Comunicarse conmigo directamente por correo electrónico: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
