Natural Resources Planning


Responsibilities

Natural Resources Planning develops and administers programs for water resources, environmental restoration, habitat conservation, multi-hazard mitigation, and climate change adaptation projects to advance natural resource goals set by the Board of Supervisors.

Natural Resources Planning Staff are involved in the administration and oversight of the following programs:

North Coast Resource Partnership

Humboldt County participates in the North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP), which was initiated in 2004 in collaboration with Tribes, local, state and federal government, watershed groups, private landowners, business, and other partners. The NCRP Region includes the Tribal lands and the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Modoc, Siskiyou, Sonoma, and Trinity.
 
The NCRP coordinates the planning and implementation of projects throughout the 7-county region related to water supply and water quality, energy conservation and independence, and healthy watersheds and communities.
 
With support from Natural Resources Planning staff, Humboldt County serves as the regional administrator for grants awarded to the NCRP. Current projects include those funded by Proposition 84, Proposition 1, and California Climate Investments Fund.

Proposition 1: Round 1

On April 7, 2020 on behalf of the NCRP, the County of Humboldt was awarded a Proposition 1, Round 1 Integrated Regional Water Management Implementation Grant by the Department of Water Resources. The grant includes twenty implementation projects that will bring needed infrastructure, employment, and clean, reliable water to the North Coast Region. Read the Proposition 1 Grant Manual for an introduction to the grant administration and implementation process.

Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program

In May 2019, The North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) was awarded $4.25 million from the California Natural Resources Agency and Department of Conservation for planning and the identification and implementation of local and regional projects to improve forest health and increase fire resiliency. Funded by Cap-and-Trade revenues through California Climate Investments, the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program (RFFC) aims to help communities prioritize, develop, and implement projects strengthen fire resiliency, increase carbon sequestration, and facilitate greenhouse gas reductions. Learn more by visiting the NCRP's RFFC webpage.


Humboldt County Fire Safe Council

Natural Resources Planning staff provide staff support to the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council (HCFSC), a special committee appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Staff members administer and manage grant opportunities, lead the development of plans and plan updates, and support the activities of the HCFSC. Funding for HCFSC programs has come from CAL FIRE, CA Fire Safe Council, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Title III of the Secure Rural Schools and Self Determination Act of 2000.