Humboldt Bay Trails Feasibility Study


RCAA > NRS > Projects > Bay Trails

Project Location: Humboldt Bay Area
Cooperating Agencies: Local, state & federal management entities
Funding Source: California Coastal Conservancy


The Humboldt Bay Trails Feasibility Study is a look at the "big picture" of non-motorized access to and around Humboldt Bay in northwestern California. There are currently limited possibilities for people to easily access Humboldt Bay. This Study recommends ways to help the public become more familiar with the bay, with the primary long-term goal of fostering bay stewardship.

With help from many agencies and organizations interested in the bay and improved access to it, NRS:

  • Collected information about potential bay access projects and related issues;
  • Selected and further researched priority projects; and
  • Created a report that presents the overall recommendations and findings of the Study.


The Document

Our aim is for the Study to be very visually inviting and to inspire the next steps toward improving bay access. What follows is the downloadable (viewable and printable) version of the Humboldt Bay Trails Feasibility Study. It is available by chapter, so one can focus on areas or issues of particular interest. A table of contents guide to each chapter is below, and is also available in downloadable pdf format. Maps, aerial photos and illustrations are separate files in each chapter, and are listed together below the table of contents by Figure number, based on chapters.

We were only able to produce sixty hardcopies of the document, and most of these went to local, state and federal government staff or representatives who will be using them in their daily efforts to improve coastal access in their community, transportation, or natural resource management planning work. There are a few copies available for public perusal at the:

  • Eureka and Arcata branches of the Humboldt County Library;
  • Humboldt State University Library;
  • Northcoast Environmental Center library in Arcata; and
  • The RCAA office on the corner of 9th & G in Eureka.


If you are interested in having a local copy service make an individual copy, let us know at trails@rcaa.org they are fairly expensive, but we will provide the files to the copier. If your organization or business would like to sponsor reproduction of additional copies, like the Humboldt Area Foundation and the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters' Association have, let us know. We'll print them and add your organization's name to the inside cover as thanks.

Happy Trails!


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I. INTRODUCTION File Size - 560 K  

    Cover Page - file size - 128 K
    Title Page - file size - 253 K
    Table of Contents - file size -184 K

    A. Purpose and Intent
    B. Vision
    C. Project Scope
          1.Geographic Area and Content
          2.Some Terminology: “Trails“ and “Access“
          3.Why the Focus on Non-Motorized Access?
    D. About this Document
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II. SETTING File Size - 2700 K 

    A. Humboldt Bay Area History
          1. Natural History
          2. Cultural History

    B. Humboldt Bay Observations

    C. Status of Access Facilities
          1.Pedestrian Access
          2.Bicycle Access
          3.Access for People with Disabilities
          4.Equestrian Access
          5.Canoe and Kayak Access
          6.Camping
          7.Other Amenities

    D. State Interest In Coastal Access
          1. State Coastal Conservancy
          2. California Coastal Commission
                2.1 Offer to Dedicate Public Access Easement Program
                2.2 Prescriptive Rights
                    2.3 The California Coastal Trail

    E. Local Planning for the Coastal Trail

    F. Private Property and Public Access

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III. PRIORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION File Size - 5100 K  

    A. Eureka's Elk River Wildlife Area Access Project
          1. Existing Conditions
          2. Proposed Project
                2.1 Truesdale Avenue to Corner of Hilfiker Lane
                2.2 Corner of Hilfiker Lane to End of Hilfiker Lane
                2.3 Existing Elk River Wildlife Area Trail
                2.4 Potential Project Components
          3. Other Site Considerations

    B. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge South Bay Trail System
          1. Existing Conditions
          2. Proposed Project
                2.1 Salmon Creek Headquarters (Phase I)
                2.2 Headquarters Loop Trail (Phase 1)
                2.3 Long Pond Trail Segment (Phase I or Phase II)
                2.4 Hookton Slough Unit Visitor Amenities (Phase I)
                2.5 Seasonal Loop Trail (Phase I)
          3. Other Site Considerations

    C. Humboldt Bay Access Signing Program
          1. Signing Program Goals
          2. Existing Access Signage
          3. Roadway Directional Signing
                3.1 Directional Information Program
                3.2 Coastal Access Signs
                3.3 Other Directional Signs
          4. On-Site Informational Signs
                4.1 Kiosks
                4.2 Intermediate Interpretive or Informational Displays
                4.3 Trailside Signs
          5. Water Trails Signs
                5.1 Roadway Directional Signing
                5.2 On-Site Signage
          6. Other Humboldt Bay Area Signs
          7. Sign Material Specifications
          8. Signing Placement Recommendations
          9. Signing Program Implementation

    D. Humboldt Bay Water Trails Program
          1. Goals of a Water Trails Program
          2. Existing Paddling Conditions
          3. Scope
                3.1 Types of Watercraft
                3.2 Types of Paddle Boat Access Sites
                3.3 Paddle Boat Access Site Considerations
                3.4 Water Trail Access Assessment Process
          4. Proposed Water Trail Access Program
                4.1 Priority Projects for Implementation
                4.2 Priority Projects for Implementation, If Public Access Is Developed
                4.3 Potential Projects
                4.4 Identified Access Concepts
                4.5 Potential Water Trails Activities and Other Ideas

    E. Arcata-Eureka 101 Corridor Bicycle Path
          1. Existing Conditions
          2. Proposed Project

    F. Waterfront Drive Pathway Project
          1. Existing Conditions
          2. Proposed Project
                2.1 C Street to A Street
                2.2 A Street to Washington Street
                2.3 Eureka Marina Vicinity
                2.4 Washington Street to Del Norte Street
          3 Other Site Considerations
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IV. POTENTIAL PROJECTS File Size - 2600 K  

    A. Samoa Peninsula
          1. Samoa Bridges Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements
          2. Manila Community Park

    B. Northeast Bay
          1. The Mad River Slough Wildlife Area
          2. Arcata Bay Levee Trail
          3. Hammond Trail Extension Through Arcata Bottoms (CCT)
          4. The Annie and Mary Rail Trail
          5. South Arcata (CCT)
          6. SR 255 Shoulder
          7. Arcata's Bike Lanes and Sidewalks
          8. The Fay Slough Wildlife Area

    C. Eureka
          1. McFarlan Gulch Trail
          2. Waterfront Trail: Humboldt Bank Plaza to Samoa Bridge
          3. Cooper Gulch Trail System
          4. Waterfront Trail: Adorni Center to Old Town Boardwalk (CCT)
          5. Waterfront Trail: Eureka Marsh (CCT)
          6. Waterfront Trail: Eureka Marsh to Elk River (City) Wildlife Area (CCT)
          7. Martin Slough Trail
          8. Elk River (State) Wildlife Area
          9. Bike Lanes and Sidewalks

    D. South Bay
          1. Eureka to King Salmon (CCT)
          2. HBNWR and College of the Redwoods (CCT)
          3. HBNWR's Hookton Slough to Table Bluff (CCT)
          4. Southport Landing
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V. CONCEPTUAL PROJECTS File Size - 1800 K  

    A. Samoa Peninsula
          1. Jetty Road Cove Beach (Water Trail Access)
          2. Foot of Park Street (Water Trail Access)
          3. Foot of Cole Street (Water Trail Access)
          4. Old Navy Base Road
          5. Town of Samoa
          6. Waterline Trail
          7. SR 255 in Manila
          8. Peninsula Drive
          9. Peninsula Rail-with-Trail

    B. Northeast Bay
          1. Mad River Slough at Lanphere Road (Water Trail Access)
          2. SR 255 Corridor Multi-Use Trail
          4. Jacoby Creek at US 101 (Water Trail Access)
          5. Bracut Marsh

    C. Eureka
          1. Freshwater Farms
          2. Ryan Slough at Myrtle Avenue (Water Trail Access)
          3. Second Slough Trail
          4. Indian Island (Water Trail Access)
          5. Woodley Island Trail Loop
          6. Carson Mansion to Carson Mill Park Overpass
          7. Fort Humboldt and Ocean View Bluff-Top Trail
          8. US 101 Broadway
          9. Eureka Gulches Loop
        10. Elk River (City) Wildlife Area to Martin Slough

    D. South Bay
          1. South Bay School and King Salmon
          2. King Salmon to Field's Landing (CCT)
          3. Field's Landing to HBNWR (CCT)
          4. College of the Redwoods to Elk River Road
          5. Historic Table Bluff Lighthouse Site
          6. Ocean Ranch Unit of the Eel River Wildlife Area
          7. Table Bluff to Fortuna (CCT)
          8. South Spit

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VI. OPPORTUNITIES File Size - 2400 K  

    A. Eureka Waterfront
          1. Eureka Slough
          2. Samoa Bridge and Carson Mill Site
          3. Carson Mansion to the Eureka Marina
          4. Eureka Marsh to Elk River (City) Wildlife Area

    B. Humboldt Bay Interpretive Center
          1. Existing Interpretive Facilities
          2. A New Interpretive Center
          3. National Estuarine Research Reserves

    C. Camping on Humboldt Bay
          1. Samoa Boat Ramp County Park
          2. Manila Community Park & Community Center      
          3. Other Site Considertions
          4. A Hostel on the Bay

    D. Humboldt Bay Guidebook

    E. Dog Parks

    F. A Bay Ridge Trail System

    G. Trail Development Standards
          1. Current References
          2. Surface and Width
          3. Americans With Disabilities Act Standards
          4. Bridges and Boardwalks
          5. Rail-With-Trail Specifications
          6. Other Considerations
                6.1 Drainage
                6.2 Fencing
                6.3 Equestrian Trails
                6.4 Trail Corridor Layout and Landscaping
                6.5 Additional Amenities
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VII. PLANNING FOR ACCESS File Size - 1400 K  

    A. Current Local Planning Efforts
          1. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District Plan
          2. Humboldt County General Plan
          3. Humboldt County Regional Transportation Plan
          4. Planning for Economic Development
          5. Land Management Changes and Opportunities
                5.1 Samoa
                5.2 Mad River Slough and Dunes Area
                5.3 California Department of Fish and Game
                5.4 South Arcata
                5.5 Eureka Waterfront
                5.6 South Spit

    B. Thinking Regionally
          1. Benefits of Planning and Cooperating on a Regional Scale
          2. Regional Planning Recommendations
                2.1 Local Government Staff Support
                2.2 Development Standards
                2.3 Harbor District Recreation Committee
                2.4 Regional Open Space and Trails District
                2.5 Local and Regional Land Trusts

    C. Funding Techniques
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VIII. CONSTRAINTS File Size - 772 K  

    A. The Number One Question: What About the Railroad?
          1. Status of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad
          2. Planning for an Excursion Train

    B. Regulatory and Land Use Issues
          1. Water Resources and Wildlife Habitat
                1.1 Army Corps of Engineers
                1.2 United States Fish and Wildlife Service
                1.3 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
                1.4 California Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
                1.5 Wildlife Habitat Considerations
          2. Coastal Resources
                2.1 California Coastal Act
                2.2 California Coastal Commission
                2.3 Coastal Development Permits
                2.4 Local Coastal Plan
                2.5 Beach and Dunes Management Plan
          3. Land Use Issues

    C. Costs
          1. Costs of Developing Trails and Coastal Access
          2. The Limitations of "Glass-Half-Empty" Planning
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IX. PUBLIC AND AGENCY INPUT File Size - 272 K  

    A. Agency and Organizational Input
          1. Federal Agencies
          2. State Agencies
          3. Local Agencies and Interest Groups      

    B. Public Sentiment
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REFERENCES & RESOURCES File Size - 200 K  

    Referenced Literature

    Referenced Websites

    Local Planning Documents

    Recommended Websites
          1. Coastal and Bay Access
          2. Land and Water Trails
          3. Interpretive Information for Trails
          4. Livable Communities - Biking and Walking      
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APPENDICES t


MAPS and ILLUSTRATIONS



Where is the planned trail route?
There is no "planned" route, but there are recommendations for the California Coastal Trail route through the region, for improvements to and connections between existing trails, water access sites and urban routes, and for development of new trails and access where appropriate.

Why not use the railroad corridor as a trail?
The North Coast Railroad Authority is focused on reestablishing rail service around Humboldt Bay. In some places around the bay, trails parallel to the rail corridor are recommended in the Study. It is also recommended that, if for any reason rail use around Humboldt Bay ceases for an extended period of time, that the corridor be preserved as a trail. See www.railstotrails.org for more information about rail-trails.

What do you mean by “trail”? By “access”?
A trail can be manifest in many forms: from a narrow footpath to a wide and paved multiple-use corridor like the Hammond Trail. Trails can be used for recreation or for a more 'human-scale' of transportation than roadways. Access is a general term to include a range of ways to get people to and around the bay, including bicycle lanes, sidewalks, 'water trail' routes, mulitple-use trails, facilities for people with disabilities, and walking trails.

Where can I find existing trails and access sites?
A link is provided below to the most comprehensive and up-to-date map of public access opportunities and bicycle facilities in the region - the Humboldt Bay Area Bike Map.
What is a water trail?
Routes in the bay suitable for paddle craft. This includes access to and from land as well as necessary facilities to make that access safer and less impactive. Ideas for a Humboldt Bay water trail system are presented in the Study.
What about private property rights?
Any trail routes or other access improvements suggested to be developed on private property (of which there are few) are only done with the caveat that consent of those landowners - whether by permission, grant of easement, or sale of property - be obtained in the earliest stages of project planning.
Is this just another study that will collect dust?
This Study will have many useful outcomes - several projects identified and planned during the study were already on their way to being implemented before the printing of the draft, and hopefully many more will follow. Also, recommendations in this Study will be used by a number of management agencies - such as the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, Humboldt County, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and Cities of Eureka and Arcata - in their planning and access improvement efforts. Interest groups now have a tool to improve on project ideas presented here in their early stages. The State Coastal Commission and Coastal Conservancy now have recommendations for pursuit of the California Coastal Trail corridor through the region, as well.
VIEW THE...
illustrating many of the existing trails, public lands and access points around Humboldt Bay.

Links:
Eureka Waterfront Visual Tour: www.humboldt.edu/~nvk2/watrail/watrail.shtml
City of Eureka Trails Committee http://www.eurekawebs.com/cityhall/trails/ (February 2002)
Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District http://www.humboldtbay.org/
Humboldt Bay Water Trail Task Force: www.explorenorthcoast.net
Monterey Bay Trails: www.mprpd.org/parks/coastaltrail.html
San Francisco Bay Trails: www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/baytrail/baytrail.html
Coos Bay Trails: www.coostrails.com
California Trails: www.caltrails.org
Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse: www.trailsandgreenways.org

To Contact Us:
email us at    t r a i l s @ r c a a . o r g
or call 269-2055


Draft First Posted: 2 November 2001 at 19:15 by NVK
Last updated: 28 November 2005 at 10:55 by GHT
Location: http://www.nrsrcaa.org/baytrails/