Board approves memorial names for Honeydew bridge and adopts hazard mitigation update; several residents seek review of law enforcement aerial surveillance

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on June 16 approved two memorial dedications for the new Honeydew bridge and adopted a planning resolution to incorporate the county’s updated local hazard mitigation plan into the general plan safety element.

Public Works Deputy Director Hank Seaman summarized the Honeydew bridge project, noting the former 1920 single‑lane truss bridge’s historic significance and explaining that the county published a nominations process for memorial naming. Two nominations met the review criteria, staff said: George Heinley (a late-19th/early-20th‑century rancher and five‑term county supervisor) and Vernon Edward Shin (local rancher, WWII veteran and community leader). Public Works recommended signs on each side of the new 386‑foot bridge.

Family members from both nominations addressed the board. Robert Shin, owner of the Honeydew store, thanked the board, calling the bridge quieter and safer for the community. Lisa Heinley and relatives provided historical context about George Heinley’s ranching legacy and prior public service — asking that signage reflect his service as Supervisor George Heinley. Hank Seaman said honoring Heinley as a supervisor on the north‑side marker was feasible. After board comment, supervisors moved and seconded a motion to support the dedications; the motion passed by unanimous consent (5–0).

Later in the meeting Planning Director John Ford recommended adoption of a resolution incorporating the county’s updated local hazard mitigation plan (adopted December 2025) into the general plan safety element. Ford said incorporation satisfies state and federal requirements and preserves higher reimbursement percentages for emergency response costs. The board adopted the general plan amendment by unanimous consent.

Separately, several remote callers during the non‑agenda public comment period urged the board to agendaize a review of Humboldt County’s participation in the Northern California Coalition to Safeguard Communities (NCCSC) after recent helicopter surveillance over southern Humboldt properties. Riley Morrison and local cannabis workers raised concerns that a coalition helicopter repeatedly circled licensed farms, causing alarm for legal operators; Sarah Shipley called the activity “harassment of legal businesses,” and Ross Gordon of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance asked the board for data from the coalition about types and geography of violations the program is addressing. Commenters noted news reporting that the coalition’s activities are funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and requested public discussion of program effectiveness, costs and community impacts.

Board members closed the regular agenda and convened a closed session later in the morning to consider initiation of litigation; staff reported no reportable action after closed session.