Sea level rise, nuclear rods storage on panel agenda tonight

Which Way The Wind Festival continues tonight at 7 p.m. at festival venue Synapsis, 1675 Union St., Eureka. The presentation this evening is titled HUMBOLDT BAY: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES . This is a panel discussion followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and engage in the discussion about topics that range from local efforts to address sea level rise to PG&E nuclear fuel rods storage.

Tonight’s panelists: Cal Poly Humboldt Asst. Prof. Jennifer Marlow, Three Degrees Warmer co-director; Alec Brown, graduate student; Jennifer Kalt, Director, Humboldt Baykeeper; and Stephen Kullmann, Commissioner, Division 3, Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District.

WWTW Chairperson Jack Irvine noted numerous challenges facing Humboldt Bay and our surrounding communities.

“Humboldt Bay has the fasting rate of sea level rise on the West Coast.,” he said. “As the sea level rises, the area around the Bay is sinking because of tectonic activity. At current modeling of sea level rise we can expect 1 foot of rise by 2030 and by 2060, the water level will increase by 3.1 feet. "

“Nearby low-lying residential towns, wastewater treatment plants and portions of Highway 101 will be flooded and rendered non-functional and uninhabitable.

“Understanding these challenges gives us the opportunity to begin to plan for mitigation and management. Our panel will discuss how our community can prepare for what is coming and how we, as citizens, can become engaged with these solutions.”

Advance tickets are still available: Order Tickets Here Tickets will also be available at the door. Please be on time.

Tuluwat (formerly Indian Island) was one of several locations on which the Wiyot people held World Renewal ceremonies. The island is located adjacent to Woodley Island in Humboldt Bay. Photo by Wiyot Cultural Center Manager Marnie Atkins