Camping ordinance workshop

A Fieldbrook property owner asked whether Public Works' category-three road form would be updated before the next draft.

The Libertarian Party chair called the draft onerous and burdensome and asked for amendments aligned with public suggestions.

Asked about sliding-scale permits for nonprofits serving disadvantaged communities, Hipcamp-style local alternatives, and workforce development at campsites.

Warned that reasonable rules on paper mean nothing without county enforcement, citing Trinidad and 'Yeehaw' as examples of unenforced regulations.

Argued the county doesn't have to adopt AB 518 at all, criticized spending without infrastructure and public safety, and said 'scratch it right now.'

A Cal Poly Humboldt professor researching the outdoor recreation economy supported the ordinance generally and suggested tiered permit fees, an emergency-contact plan instead of a cell-service mandate, and Leave No Trace principles.

Asked for clarity on 'on-site' manager for fires, noted 911 works without cell service, asked about non-potable water options, and requested a clearer RV definition.

The Farm Bureau executive director wants camping to stay low-impact: questioned bio studies on grazed land, the generator ban, the county-residency requirement, and overall cost to a small landowner.

Suggested adding camping cabins to allowed accommodations, permitting tent platforms in shallow floodplains, and using preliminary biological assessments instead of full surveys.

The North Coast Growers' ag programs director urged prioritizing small family food farmers through permit caps, fee schedules, and agritourism alignment with the county tourism plan.

Supported Hipcamp-style camping as an economic boost, asked to drop the county-residency rule, and proposed partnering with Cal Poly Humboldt to study legalizing composting toilets.

From the Ettersburg area, she appreciated the changes but called the owner-residency rule, generator ban, predisturbed-land date, and 15-18 application materials overreaching; asked what the permit will actually cost.

Runs a Hipcamp on the Avenue of the Giants and warned the urban-adjacency rule would bar half the county's existing Hipcamps, from Trinidad to Fortuna.

Called in again about fire response and revocation procedures if a camper starts a fire on timberland, and about trespass repercussions.

Suggested connecting the ordinance to homelessness programs, citing the Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz as a farm-based recovery model and urging creative incentives be built in early.