Del Norte element of the general plan

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

DEL NORTE COUNTY

L ocal
co,astal

rogram

LAND USE PLAN

CONDITIONALLY CERTIFIED BY THE

CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
ON 6/3/81

LOCAL
COASTAL PROGRAM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PUBLIC ACCESS

MARINE cnd WATER RESOURCES

RECREATION

MARH.OFFER CREEK SPECIAL STUDY

ELK CREEK SPECIAL STUDY

LAND RESOURCES

HAZARDS

VISUAL

PUBLIC WORKS

INDUSTRIAL.

HOUSING NEW DEVELOPMEN

LAND USE CATEGORIES

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Proaram

PUBLIC ACCESS COMPONENT

This document was prepared with financial assis-
tance from the Office of Coastal Zone'Management,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
under the provisions of the Federal Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, administered by the Cali-
fornia Coastal Commission.

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
700 Sth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

LCP--PUBLIC ACCESS COMPONENT

Table of Contents

List of Tables .........................................

List of Figures .......................................

I. INTRODUCTION ..................................... :. 1

A. Vertical/Lateral Access ....................... 1

B. General Coastline Description ................. 1

C. Shoreline Type and Ownership .................. 3

II. GENERAL FINDINGS ................................... 5

A. Summary Findings .............................. 5

B. Future Demands ................................ 8

C. Restrictions to Access ....................... 10

D. Prescriptive Rights .......................... 10

E. Access in Development ........................ 11

F. Access Dedications ............................ 11

......................... 12
G. Current Acquisitions

H.' Affects on'Agriculture ....................... 13

I. Recreational Carrying Capacity ............... 13

III. GENERAL POLICIES ................................. 15

A. Coastal Act Policies ......................... 15

B. Present Local Policies ....................... 15

C. LCP Policies ................................. 16

IV. SPECIFIC ACCESS DESCRIPTIONS, FINDINGS A'MTD
POLICIES ......................................... is

Pelican Beach State Park ..................... 19
A

B. Pelican Beach Palisades ...................... 20

C. Clifford Kamph Memdrial Park ................. 21

D. 'Indian Road ...... 22
................ 0.......

E. Mouth of Smith River ......................... 2@

F. Smith River Public Fishing Access ............ 24

G. Kellogg Road ................................. ZS3

H. Pacific Shores Subdivision ................... 26

J. Buzzini Road ................................. 27

K. Lakeview Drive ............................... 23

L. Point St. George ............................. 29

M. North Beach .................................. 30

N. Pebble Beach ................................. 32

P. Southbeach ................................... 33

APPENDIX I. SHORELINE ACCESS SU1,04ARY ................ 35

BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................... 38

LIST OF TABLES

Coastal Shoreline Ty?es and Ownerships ....... 4

2 Ownerships of Shoreline Access Points ........

3 Beach Types at Shoreline Access Points .......... 7

4 Estimates for Shoreline Access Levels of Use .... 9

LIST OF FIGURES

1 Public Access Areas ............................ 2

F-

LCP PUBLIC ACCESS COMPONENT

I. INTRODUCTION*

The California Coastal Act stresses the identification and
protection of-shoreline access as a means of insuring full
coastal recreation apportunities for the public. It is fully
recognized, however, that maximum access is not always in the
best interest of: public safety; the rights of private property
C,
owners; or the protection of fragile coastal resources. This
element of the LCP will identify and describe 6xisting and
potential access points (see Figure 1) to coastal and estuarir_-:@
0
areas of Del Norte County and define policies regarding provisior.3
for and management of public shoreline access.

A. Vertical/Lateral Access: Shoreline access may be divJ *d!@a
into two components: -17-access from the nearest public roaawoy
to the beach; and 2) access along'the beach. The'first is termed
perpendicular or vertical access while the second is referred
to as a lateral access.

B. General Coastline Descri2tion: The Del Norte County coast-
line consists of a variety ot topographic, geologic and vegetation
matrices, each possessing physical characteristics affecting
access potentials. The following discussion regards phsycial
elements favoring or restricting access in selected areas
along the Del Norte County Coastline; later topics will address
access site details and ownerships.

1. North of the Smith River, a coastal bluff and terrace domi-
nates the coastline physically restricting public access to
designated points. The'sandy beach, however, is generally wide
and open permitting unobstructed lateral access. Immediately
north of the mouth of the Smith River is a rocky beach with
limited sandy pocket beaches and numerous tide pool areas.

2. From the Smith River to Point St. George a ten mile stretch
of coastal strand--(open sandy beach and grass-covered dunes)
permits extensive physical shoreline access: both vertical and
lateral.

3. South of Point St. George to the Crescent City limits ex-
tends a grassy marine terrace with bluffs, sandy/rocky beaches
and some coastal dunes. Access is physically limted to areas
with trails or low bluffs. At Point St. George the rocky bluffs
and rock outcroppings physically impede lateral access.

*Note: This component of the LCP is subject to review and
cross-referencing to other policy components.

4. From the Crescent City Harbor Disturictl-3 southern limits n
o @ x I
the Redwood National Park boundary, a long sandy ach ::-.t---,ids
along the coast adjacent to Highway 101. There are few physical
restrictions to beach access in this area.

5.- The portion of Del Norte's coastline within Redwood National
Park tends to be physically restrictive to vertical access due
J, to very steep slopes and occasional precipitious cliffs. Several
trails exists, however, permitting substantial public access to
pocket beaches. Lateral access is generally limited by ru,-,ged
headlands.

6. T-hree areas of estuary access are reco-nized Within the Count-,@*
1) the Smith River delta; 2) Lakes Earl and Talawa; and 3) the
Klamath River delta. Steep, potentially erosive banks, together
with dense riparian vegetation tend to physically restrict access
along the Smith River. The shorelines of Lake Earl and Lal,@i
Talawa are generally open, but physical access in several ar,@as
is limited by the dense riparian habitats and marsh. The Klamath
River has numerous access points along its flood plain, with
some areas of excessively steep banks physically restricting
access.

C. Shoreline Type and Ownership: The Del Norte County shore-
line is 45.5 miles in total length. Approximately 24 miles of
this shoreline is sandy beaches with the remainder rocky bluffs
and steep slopes.

Presently 841,; of the County's shoreline is publicly owned.
Table 1 summarizes the beach type and ownership statistics for
Del Norte County's shoreline.

(1006@ MILES P E R E N

PUBLI C 38 3 3400

w
z
0 PRIVATE 7 2 16

SANDY BEACHES 24.0 531

ROCKY SLOPES 21.5 47%

TABLE 1: COASTAL SHORELINE TYPE AND OWNER-
SHIPS

II. GENERAL FINDINGS

An intensive inventory was conducted to identify, describe and
map existing shoreline access points in Del Norte County. Finding
summaries together with significant trends, problems and needs
will be addressed in this section.

A. Summary Findings: A total of 50 access points to Del Norte
Coun7Ey's coastal and estuarine shorelines have been tabulated.
The following summarizes the findings concerned with: ownership;
beach-types*; improvements; recreational uses; and'levels of use.

1. Ownership: Four-fifths of the coastal in Del Norte County
is in public ownership providing substantial access opportunities.
Of the County's 32 coastal access points, 16 are on public lands
while the remainder involve-encroachment-on Private pro9er-1,,,-.
Eighteen access points to es*tuar+t-s have been identified.
Four in this category are publicly owned. The private access
points, however, are open to the public with shoreline access
provided as part of the total array of visitor services avail-
able. Table 2 summarizes the ownership data for Del Ncrte
County's shoreline access points.

2. Beach-types: The beach-types in Del Norte County vary from
opne, sandy exiianses to rocky promontories. The majority of
areas open to the public are sandy or rocky/sandy types. Beach
types for the County are summarized in Table 3.

3. Improvements: Improvements, including parking,.trails,
stairways, restrooms, and picnic tables, are provided at many
of the access points. Suggestions will be made concerning
improvements at specific access sites in a later section.

4. Recreational Uses: The variety of beach types, shoreline
topography and vegetation/wildlife assemblages along Del Norte
County's coastal zone suggests numerous recreational uses.
Walking and beachcombing are probably the primary coastal
recreation activities for both visitors and residents of Del
Norte County. Fishing is also very popular, especially on the
Smith and Klamath Rivers, but not excluding surf-fishing and
clamming on the open beaches. Other popular recreation activi-
ties in the coastal zone include: hiking; jogging; ORV
driving; surfing; hunting; photography; and nature study.

5. Levels of Use: The establishment of planning guidelines and
policies for shoreline access require some measure of the amount
and degree of visitor use at these points. Two basic approaches
may be utilized to describe levels of use: 1) qualitative; or
2) quantitative.

OWNERSHIP
AREA
t C O.M 131 I'l E 0
PUBLIC PR I VATE

COASTAL 16 16 32
t1-

ESTUARY 4 14 18

COMBINED 20 30 50

TABLE 2: OWNERSHIP OF SHORELINE ACCESS POINTS

F
L

BEACH -TYPE
AREA
SANDY SANDY/ROCKYI MOCKY

COASTAL 19 9

ESTUARY 10 6

COMBINED 3 19 8

TABLE 3: BEACH TYPES AT SHORELINE ACCESS POINTS

Qualitatives terms (i.e. light, moderate,heavt) are tenuous as
best. For example, the levels of us for Del Norte County's
beaches, when compared to Southern California, are light. Even
light traffic, however, may provr hazardous to a fragile eco-
system such as a tidepool.

Quatification does not necessarily improve results, in that
recreational carrying capacity varies by habitat and figures are
not well established. Vistior use statistics are available for
some access points in redwood National park, but quantitative
assessments are lacking for the remaining points under evalation.
Without significant data cfoncerning levels of use, the best
estimates might be inferred from;1) the extent of vegetation
trampling in an area; 2) the distance an area lies from major
highways and population centers; and 30) the degree of litter
accumulation in an area. the following hierarchy of use is pro
posed to qualify the relative extent of use for each access point.
Heavy: continued, extensive damage to vegetation; area
readily accessible; large accumulations of litter.
Moderate: Some damage to vegetation. Scattered litter.
Light: Slight damage to vegetation. Area not readily
accessible. Small amounts of litter.
Table 4 indicates the estimates for levels of use according to
the above criteria for the 53 shorline access points in Del
Norte county. Seasonal extremes would place many areas of
moderate use into the heavy use category for summer months,
but lighter off-season use tends to moderate impacts.

Levels of use for each of the 53 access points are found in
Appendix I (Shoreline Access Summary), together with details
regarding ownersship,beach-type, parking improvements and general
recreation uses.

B. Future Demands; Recreation is generally viewed as one of
the fastest growing uses of the coastal Zone.
As woth measurements of use, however, only qulitative estimates
of future demands may be made because of an inadequate data
base.

Assuming a general increase in the demands for; adequate coastal
access; parking; and other facilities, long-range planning
policies should consider the need for new access not only to
serve the public, but to relieve those areas containing fragile

RELATIVE LEVELS OF US.
AREA
LIGHT MODERATE HEAVY
HEAVY

COASTAL 13 7 9

ESTUARY 7 4 10 0

COMBINED 21 12 20 0

TABLE 4: ESTIMATES FOR SHORELINE ACCESS
LEVELS OF USE.

coastal recources from excessive pressure. Plans for future
access should also address potential impacts on coastal resources
at the site of intended facility development.

A goal of the County will be to'direct shoreline use to areas
of sandy beaches in order to minimize visitor impacts on fragile
rocky habitats. Sandy beaches are apparel-,,r)ly more attractivoe 'to
visitors-and the ease of lateral movement encourages t 'heir use.
Rocky beaches and outcroppings, on the other hand, contain more
difficult terrain and act as a measure of protecti.on 'for the
fragile tidepool regions.

C. Restrictions to Access: Barriers to coastal access inciud.-
physical restrictions a-n-c7private property ownership. Accessi-
bility restriction, however, are not inherently evil: public
safety, resource protection and the rights of private property
owners require careful consideration.

1. Physical Barriers: Physical restrictions to coastal access
include steep clitfs, dense vegetation and beachless shorelines.
These barriers have been important in protecting significant
habitats in Del Norte County, By directing access and use awa:7
from these areas, the County's purpose is to insure the continued
maintenance of these fragile ecosystems and coincidentally
increase public safety.

2. Private Ownership Barriers: Private property owners in the
Coas:Eai zone tencL to restrict access for several reasons. First
and foremost is the factor of liability in the event of injury
on their property. Second, property owners are often discouraged
with noise, litter, and/or vandalism resutling from public
trespass. Finally, owners are forced to post no trespassing
signs in order to prevent the loss of their right to restrict
access through the doctrine of presciptive rights. A major goal
of the County is to protect the rights of private property
owners by encouraging the use and Oexpansion of existing public
access facilities where deemed appropriate.
i t
D. Prescriptive Rights.: A legal doctrine that'may be applied
to guarantee public access by easements through private land ise
prescriptive rights. Through continuous, open use the public
may have established access corridors at a number of shoreline
areas in Del Norte County. The s-t-a-t-e,should investigate the
legal and financial practicality 0-f-prescriptive access in the
following localities.

1. Pacific Shores Subdivision

a) Stuckey Street f) Bruegger Street
b) De Mars Drive g) Wright Street
h) Middleton Drive
c) Surf Drive
d) View Avenue i) View Drive
e) Lake Avenue

2. North Beach Area

3 acres between Washington Blvd. and Marhoffer Creek
On Pebble Beach Drive.

3. South Beach Area

4. Mouth of Smith River

a) Bluff Trail at mouth crossing Pyramid Point
L b) Access immediately north of Howonquet cemetary
S. Point St. George and three access point west of
Radio Road.

E. Access in New Development: The Coastal Act of 1976 with
specified exFe'ptlons, requires provisions for public access
from the nearest public roadway to the shoreline in new dev_al-
opment projects. For development projects of the size and
nature where coastal access might be substantially blocked
Cie., housing tracts, condominiums, private clubs), the County
supports this concept. The aerial extent of potentially devel-
opable land adjacent to the shoreline in Del Norte County,
however, is such that extensive developments along the ocean
front are limited. Many development projects involve single
family residences for which dedication of access is impractical.
Therefore, provisions for access should be required only for
development projects with ocean frontage greater than 400 feet
and in excess (or any portion of the property in excess) of
31 mile from an existing public access.

F. Access Dedications: Section 30212 of the Coastal Act states
in part that dedicateT accessways, where required, shall not be
required to be opened to public use until a public agency or
private association agrees to accept re@sponsiblity for mainte-
nance and liability 6f the accessway. In view of the fiscal
contraints of Proposition 13 and other revenue limiting measures,
the County is not in a position to accept and maintain access-
ways on a large or limited scale. In as much as the people of
the State of California are requesting in their behalf and for
their benefit the expansion and creation of additional access-
ways, the State shall accept responsibility for the mainte-.1--i,_,@

and liabilities of any and all accessways required as a result
of the Coastal Act of 1976 and the implementing actions. Any
accessways to be considered for acceptance by the County will
require initial and continued funding assistance for their
maintenance and liability protection.
Any action on the part of a State agency, other than for justi-
fied health or public safety purposes, which diminishes or
eliminates'in-whole or in part the value of private real property
shall be subj-ect to just compensation based on the current-,
market value appraisal at- the time of acquisition. The fact that
an agency indicates an interest in acquiring certain prop .erty
shall not be restrictive of the market condition affecting that
p7operty but it should be incumbent on that agency to be respon-
sible for its actions within a reasonable time and in an
equitable manner. Therefore the State agency responsible for
any restriction imposed to commonly understood reasonable use
and 'subsequent development approved by the County, shall alsc
bear the burden of proof in establishing state wide interest
and financial responsibility.

G. Current Acquisitions: Two major acquisitions in the Coastal
Zone'on Del-Norte County under consideration are:

1) land in the Lake Earl, Lake Talawa and Smith River delta
area; and

2) development rights in the Point St..George area.

The Smith River delta and Lakes Earl and Talawa have been
identified by the California Department of Fish and Game as
important habitat for migratory and resident wildlife and fishes.
In order to secure this major wetland and dune habitat for
resource preservation, general recreation use arid open space,
the State of California is presently negotiating the acquisition
of some 4,500 acres in the area.
L The Aleutian Canada Goose, a rare and endangered species,-uti-
0
lize.s the Point St. George area as feeding habitat in its winter
IL migratory visit to Del Norte County. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is presently considering the purchase o.f development
rights for 760 acres in the Point. St. Georlae area to insure the
continued maintenance of this important habitat.
IF
Prior to costly facility improvements in these areas, the County
should await the final outcome of acquisitions in the Point St.
George to Smith River area. No acquisition can be supported in
the coastal program which will inhibit existing county facilities
IL or place an undue burden upon the private property owner.
I
F,
L

r@
IL 11

H. Affects on Agriculture: The protection of agricultural lands
in tFie coastal zone is given prime consideration in the Coas@-al
Act:

30212. Public access from the nearest public roadway to the
shoreline and along the coast shall be provided in new development
projects except where ... agriculture would be adversely affected ...
.30241. The 'maximum amount of prime agricultural 1 and shall
be maintained in agricultural production to assure the protection
of the areas' agTicultural economy, and conflicts shall be
minimized between agricultural and urban land uses through all
of the following .... by assuring that public service and fac il4tV
expansions and non-agricultural development do not impair agri-
cultural viability, either through increased assessment costs
or degraded air and water quality.
L 30242.1 All other lands suitable for agricultural use slllial'
not be.converted to non-agricultural uses unless: 1) continued
or renewed agricultural use is not feasible, or 2) such
conversion would preserve prime agricultural and or concentrate
development consistent with Section 30250. Any such permitted
conversion shall be compatible with continued agricultural use
L on surrounding lands.

In an agricultural County such as Del Norte, efforts to maximize
L public access to coastal and estuarine shorelines will un-
doubtedly lead to conflicts with agricultural land-uses. These
conflicts can include irregular fencing of agricultural and for
accessways, breaking up of continuity of fields, harassment of
L cattle, sheep and other grazing animals, vandalism of crops and
equipment, interference by visitors of crop gathering or harves-
ting, etc. Protection of agricultural productivity will receive
priority consideration in questions regarding public access.
I. Recreational Carrying Ca@acity: The optimum amount of
recreational activity a particular site can support without
impairing visitor experience or sustaining permanent environ-
mental damage is termed the recreational carrying capacity.
The interrelationships of three factors determine the recrea-
tional carrying capacity for a given area: 1) the character
of the natural environment; 2) the degree of man-made improve-
ments (e.g., parking..lots, restrooms, trails) and 3) the
perceptions of thelrecreationists'.
Because carrying capacities are founded on both resource capa-
bilities and human expectations, their analysis is most difficult.
Each coastal zone recreationa area must be studied individually
to determine its optimum recreational use level. Some gene-
ralizations may be made, however. First, the recreational

carrying capacities of tide pools, offshore rocks an' coastal
wetlands are determined by their fragile, easily d--srupted
nature. Second, less fragile and more conducive to recreational
pressures are open, sandy beaches. The carrying capacities of
sandy beach areas are determined more by the degree of facility
improvements in the area.

In order to direct.recreational activities to the more abundant,
expansive beach areas of Del Norte County and away from the
fragile habitat areas, it is suggested t@at improvements to
existing sandy beach iccess points such as Kellogg Road and
Southbeach be given priority consideration.

III. GENERAL POLICIES PUBLIC ACCESS COMPONENT

A. Coastal Act Policies: The California constitution guarantees
the public's right of access to navigable waters in the State.
The Coastal Act of 1976 establishes a set of policies designed
to reflect this constitutional manmade along California's coastal
waters:

1. Maximum access, which shall be conspicuously posted, and
re,:reational opportunities shall be provided for all the people
consistent with public safety needs *and the need to protect
public rights, rights of private property owners, and natural
resource areas from overuse. (30210)

Development shall not enterfere with the public's right of
access to the sea where acquired through use or legislative
authorization,'including, but not limited to, the use of dry
sand and rocky coastal beaches to the first line of terrestrial
vegetation. (30211)

3. Public access from the nearest public roadway to the shore-
line and along the coast shall be provided in new development
projects except where (1) it is inconsistent with public safety,
military security needs, or the protection of fragile coastal
resources; (2) adequate access exists nearby; or (3) agriculture
would be adversely affected. Dedicated accessway would.not be
required to be opened to public use until a public agency or
private association agrees to accept responsibility for mainte-
nance and liability of the accessway. (30212)

B. Present Local Policies: Public access is addressed in the
Del Norte County Gen@_Yal Plan under the recreation element. Al-
though specific policies concerning public access to the shore-
F line are absent, the goals of the County indicate this interest:
1. To provide and maintain recreation areas for a wide variety
of activities.for all people in the County and visitors to
the County.
L

1 Article XV, Section 2: No individual, partnership, or
corporation, claiming or possessing the frontage or tidal
lands of a harbor, by inlet, estuary, or other navigable
water in this State, shall be permitted to exclude the right-
L of-way to such water whenever it is required for any public
purpose, not todestroyor obstruct the free navigation
of such water; and the Legislature shall enact such law as
will give the most liberal construction to this provision,
so that access to the navigable waters of this State shall be
always attainable for the people.

1_7 14
1.
L

2. To provide public access at selected points to areas of en-
joyment and interest.

General Plan policies of the County make no definitive statements
concerning the right of public access to beaches nor provisions
requirina access in new development along the shoreline.
C. LCP Policies: Shoreline access is emphasized in the California
Coastal Act to provide for all people the full benefits of coastal
recreation resources. This section will state the general pro-
visions regarding public shoreline access for the,County of Del
Norte:

1. The County shall work actively towards the attainment of
maximum coastal access for the public', where it is consistent
with public safety, property owner rights and the protection
of fragile coastal resources.

2. The rights of private property owners shall be protected
in all considerations of public access.

3. The County shall require funding assistance to improve and
maintain existing access and to acquire and develop any new
access and facilities.

-4. The design and construction by any public entity of shoreline access

facilities (e.g., parking,. trails, stairways, etc.) shall consider
public safety potentials for vandalism and the protection of fragile
coastal resources.

5. Agricultural lands shall be protected from adverse affects
resulting from public access. Priority consideration shall be
given to the maintenance of agricultural productivity.

6. Shoreline access should be clearly signed on adjacent major
highways and streets. A uniform shoreline access signing system
should be developed.
7. The County will encourage through implementing zoning ordinance the
private sector to develop and maintain existing shoreline access
facilities.

8. Development along the immediate shoreline shall provide
public access to the shoreline except where:

i. Findings are made consistent with Section 30212 of
the Costal Act that access is inconsistent with public
safety or that agriculture would be adversely affected;
OR
ii. Access would have unavoidable adverse impacts on
environmentally sensitive habitat area as designated
in the LUP;
OR 15

iii. An existing vertical accessway, adequate to meet
anticipated access needs, is located one-half mile or
less from the development;
OR

IV. The parcel is too small to allow for an adequate
vertical access corridor without passing within 25 feet
of a proposed dwelling:
OR

v. Project site is too small for the proposed develop-
ment and the acccess with improvements related to its use
(i.e. parking).

9. Priority for vertical access, when recommended by other
policies, shall be restricted to sandy beach areas. Access-
ways for rocky beaches will not be required for areas where
public safety is of concern or where increased visitor pressure
on biological area or areas of unique character, sensitive
to visitor pressure, will be degraded.

10. the existing quality of the county's lateral access shall
be maintained by seeking lateral access easements, inland of
the mean high tide line to the first line of vegetation or to
the crest of the paralleling bluff in areas of coastal bluffs,
for the immediate shoreline.

11. "No permit be issued for a project whicj obstructs
lateral access on the immediate shoreline, inland of the
mean high tide line to the first line of vegetation, or
the crest of the paralleling bluff. the exception would
be for the placement of navigational side or shoreline
protective devices to protect existing structures,
i.e. houses, roadways and parking areas.

12. "The country shall not allow any development between the
mouth of the Smith River and Prince island Court and from
Marhoffer Creek north to the east line of Section 14 at
point St. George, that would preempt any prescriptive
rights that may exist on a parcel.

"Upon a determination by the county that precriptive
may exist, the county shall pursue a legal deter-
mination of the existence of the access easements, con-
sistent with the availability of satff and funds.

"Any new development shall, when feasible, be sited in
such a way that it will not infringe on any existing
prescriptive rights accessways; if it is not feasible."

13. Funding will be required to improve suitable access points
for use by the physically limited.

14. Any required accessway shall not be opened to public use
until a public agency, including the State, or a private
association agrees to accept responsibility for maintenance
and liability of the accessway.

15. Developments that provide access for the general public
over a wide range of income levels, ages, and social groups
shall have priority over other private development.

16. "As there are four existing access areas on the lower
Smith River (below Dr. Fine Bridge) and the specific
area reccommendations of the land use plan designate
three additional access areas, there will be no addi-
tional areas required to provide access to the river to
reduce impacts on agriculture and to reduce additional
fishing pressure on the lower Smith. The county shall
show the three proposed accessways, on the lower Smith
River, on the final access component map or on the County's
final land use plan map."

17. "A number of offers to dedicate access easements, a
result of past coastal commission permits are outstand-
ing. This potential access is considered to be an
important part of the county's public access program.
The county shall have the right of first refusal of
these offers for a period of two years. After two years,
these offers should be made available for acceptance by
any public or private organization acceptable to the
county after consultion with the coastal commission."

16.1

IV. SPECIFIC ACCESS DESCRIPTIONS, FINDINGS AN'D POLICIES: Fifty-
three access points to coastal and estuarian areas have been
identified by this study.2 Several of these access points
are under the juristiction of Redwood National Park or are
owned and maintained by private commercial operators. No
specific policy recommendations are made for these private
concerns, nor far the Redwood National Park areas. The County,
however, encourages the National-Park to follow the general
coastal access policies :ontained herein, and will be coope-
rative and supportive of their,efforts towards.comprehensive
planning and management. The development projects of private
commercial operators will be reviewed by the County for con-
sistenc-y with these policies.

The access points within Redwood National Park and those managed
bv private operators are listed at the end of the following
discussion as an integral part of the shoreline access inventory.
The remainder are described in detail with the identification
of planning issues for each are and specific policy recommendations.

2 The discussion of these 50 access points is not meant to
preclude the consideration of other areas as potential
access. The city of Crescent City also provides numerous
po'ints for beach access not included in this total.

A Pelican Beach State Park
I

LOCATION: Section 32, T19N, RlW;
mile south of the California/ U
Oregon border.

OWNERSHIP: Public (State) mo@ei

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sandy beach;
coastal scrub; 15-20 foot bluff
and terrace.

LAND USE: Rural residential;
MOW
commercial (Motels & Restaurant).

RECREATIONAL USE: Walking; beach-
combing; surf-fishing.

PLANNING ISSUES: Unsigned access; no improved parking or other
facilities; lateral access not guaranteed beyond the Park
boundaries.- Redwood National Park is considering this park
as a gateway information center.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

l- The State or other public agency is encouraged to develop
and maintain parking and day-use facilities.
2. Signs indicating shoreline access shoulld be placed on
Highway 101.

3. Lateral access from the shoreline to the first line of
terrestrial vegetation or the bluff top should be dedicated a
minimum of mile north and south of the State Park.

B Pelican Beach Palisades kv!

LOCATION: Section 5, T18N, RIW;
1 mile-south of California/
0*regon stateline at end of Gilbert
Street.

cl@
OWNERSHIP: Private

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: 50 foot
racei sandy
coastal bluff and ter
.beach, grass and coastal scrub.

LAND USE: Aariculture east of
Highway 101; residential.

RECREATIONAL USE: Walking; bea.chcombing; surf-fishing.

PLANNING ISSUES: Existing access signed "No Trespassing"
and reserved primarily for parcel owners. Limited parking
on street. No access sign. Liability and maintenance if
opened to public.

RECOMMENDATIO11TS:

1. In that adequate public access exists nearby (Kamph Park
and Pelican Beach) this area should remain in its present status
with reservations for acquisition and opening to public if
and when the adjacent facilities appear inadequate and the
liability potential is resolved.

C Clifford Kamph Memorial Park

LOCATION: Section 5, T18N, RlW;
2 miles south of California/ 0
Oregon stateline. Residenticl

OWNERSHIP: Public (County)

P
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sandy beach
and 20 foot coastal bluff.
Riparian vegetation along stream- C)
side.

LAND, USE: Rural residential;
Agriculture and grazing;
commercial (Motel, Craft Shop).

RECREATIONAL USE: Day-use facilities (restrooms, picnic tables);
walking; beachcombing; suTf-fishing.

L, PLANNING ISSUES: Excessive vandalism to facilities; bluff erosion
resulting from non-restricted access.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Seek funds for the restoration of damaged facilities:

a) Clifford Kamph Memorial Plaque
b) Restroom facilities
c) Construct fence to discourage improper access and halt
bluff erosion.

t
t

D Indian Road

LOCATION: Section'17, T18N, RlW;
on Indian Road west of intersection
with Highway 101. 1) Active

OWNERSHIP: Private
C*)

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sandy beach;
25 foot unconsolidated sandy bluff;
coastal scrub; unstable sand dunes. /*

LAND USE: Rural residential; Indian
cemetary.

RECREATIONAL USE: Walking; beach-
combing; surf fishing.

PLANNING ISSUES: Area involves trespass on private land and
possible prescriptive rights; no parking area or signing;
excessive bluff erosion and vegetation disturbance; may be area
of archeological significance; active dune area.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. A -ccess should.-not be developed in this area because of:
the fragile nature of the sandy, unconsolidated bluff; parking
problems; prescriptive rights issues; and the potential archeoo-
logical significance of the area.

2. Seek funding by the coastal conservancy to restore vegetation
to the bluff and stabilize the dune area.

E. Mouth of Smith River

02
LOCATION: Section 17, T18N, RlW; 0
end of Smith River Road.

OWNERSHIP: Public (County)
Road

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sandy/
cobble shoreline; grass and coastal
scrub; rock outcrops. Pyromi
Rock

LAND USE: Rural residential.
PACIFIC
OCEAN
RECREATIONAL USES: Fishing;
walking; beachcombing.

PLANNING ISSUES: Excessive bluff erosion along trail access;
access to Pyramid Rock and northerly beaches crosses private
property and is resulting in significant damage to vegetation;
area north of Pyramid Rock is an environmentally sensitive
habitat area.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Improve trail access from parking area to Smith River to
halt,erosion and insure public safety.

2. Discourage access to and beyond Pyramid Rock.

3. Seek funds for the restoration of vegetation on Pyramid Rock
damaged by trampling.

F. Smith River Public Fishing
Xc-cess

LOCATION: Section 2, T17N, RlW;
3/4 mile west of Highway-101
on Fred Haight Drive.
Rom.p

n1a
OWNERSHIP: Public (State)
@'Tackle
Shop

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sandy/
gravel river banks; terrace.;
and riparian vegetation. \6's

Qb
LAND USE: Agriculture; small
number of residences.

RECREATIONAL USE: Fishing; boating

PLANNING ISSUES: Access not adequately signed on adjacent major
highway; restroom facilities needed in this moderate-heavy use area.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Seek funding for the construction and maintenance of restroom
facilities.

2. Place signs indicating access on Highway 101.

2'3

G Kellogg Road

Covered
Dunes
LOCATION: Section 17, T17N, RlW; C)
511 miles south of mouth of Smith 'T1
River, west end Kellogg Road.

OWNERSHIP: Public (County)
Rd.
Kallogg
C)
P
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sand/gravel
beach; steep dune faces; dunes
covered with grass.

Dunes
LAND USE: Agriculture (Grazing)

RECREATIONAL USE: Walking beach-
combing; off-road vehicle; surf
fishing.

PLANNING ISSUES: No access signs. Disturbance of stable
dunes by off-road vehicle use.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Place signs indicating access on Lake Earl Drive and Lower
Lake Drive.

2. R estriction of off-road vehicles to beach to protect dunes.

H Pacific Shores Subdivision

(A) Stuckey Street
(B) De Mars Drive 'b
(C) Surf Drive
(D) View Avenue
(E) Lake Avenue (west)
(F) Lake Avenue (east)
(G) Bruegger Street
(H) 'Wright Street
(J) Middleton Drive
C)
K) Middleton Drive (southeast)
(L) View Drive (southeast)
(M) Lake Avenue (southeast)

OL
OWNERSHIP: Private

L0*0
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sandy Earl
beach; grass covered dunes;
wetland. L

LAND USE:. Agriculture (grazing); Proposed residential development.

RECREATIONAL USE: Walking; beachcombing; fishing; hunting;
ORV driving.

PLANNING ISSUES: Area involved numerous prescriptive access
issues; off-road vehicle use creating disturbance in dune area.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. The State should investigate the prescriptive rights issue
and, if feasible,, acquire and maintain the access points for
public use.

2. Off-road vehicles should be restricted to the ocean beach
in order to protect the vegetated dunes.

J Buzzini Road

LOCATION: Section 34, T17N, RIW;
westerly end of Buzzini Road.

OWNERSHIP: Public (County) C2

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Wetland;
riparian vegetation. i@_Suzzini A Food
Earl

LAND USE: Agriculture (grazing);
rural residential. Pcsturaland

RECREATIONAL USE: Fishing;
hunting; boating; birding.

PLANNING ISSUES: Studies are currently considering this'area for
acquisition by California Department of Parks and Recreation.
No lateral access; no signs indicating access; limited parking.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Before undergoing any costly facility improvements in this
area the County should await the outcome of the Lake Earl/Talawa
acquisition problem.
F 2. If State acquisition is deemed not feasible, the County should
seek funds and plan area improvements including: 1) day-use
facilities; 2) expanded parking; 3) signs indicating access;
t and 4) dedicated lateral access.

IL
26
U

K Lakeview Drive

LOCATION: Section 4, T16N, RlW; Boat Romp
westerly end of Lakeview Drive.

OWNERSHIP: Public (County)

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Wetlands;
marsh and riparian vegetation.

LAND USE: Agriculture (grazing);
rural residential.

RECREATIONAL USE: Fishing; hunting;
boating; birding.

PLANNING ISSUES: Studies are currently considering this area
for acquisitions by California Department of Parks and Recreation.
No signs indicating access; no lateral access.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Before undergoing any costly facility improvements in this
area the County should await the outcome of the acquisition
problem.

2'. 'If State acquisition is deemed not feasible the County should
seek funds and plan area improvements including; 1) day-use
facilities; 2) signs indicating access and 3) dedicated lateral
access.

L Point St. George

LOCATION: Section 14, T16N, RlW;
1.2 mile north of Washington Blvd./
Pebble Beach Drive intersection.

nA
C= P
OWNERSHIP: (A) Public
(B-D) Private Gra z inq

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sand/gravel
beach; offshore rocks; coastal PACIFIC
dunes and grasses; marine terrace
and 30 foot bluff.
OCEAN

LAND USE: Agriculture (grazing)
medical clinic/residence.

RECREATIONAL USE: Walking; beachcombing; surf and rock fishing.

PLANNING ISSUES: Purchase of development rights is being
considered for 760 acres in this area by U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. Point A is a State owned, County maintained public access.
Other access points along Radio Road cross private land.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Before costly improvements the County should await the outcome
of acquisition in this area.

2. Due to the fragile nature of rocky habitats and bluff faces
in this area access should be directed north towards the sandy
beaches.

3. The State should investigate the prescriptive rights issue
for access points off Radio Road and, if feasible, acquire and
maintain these for public use.

M. North Beach
County

LOCATION: Section 24, T16N, RlW;
northerly end of Pebble Beach Drive.

OWNERSHIP: Private

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Offshore
rocks; sandy beach; marine terrace
and 10-20 foot bluff; coastal dunes.

PACIFIC
LAND USE: Agriculture (grazing)

OCEAN

RECREATIONAL USE: Walking, jogging;
oceanviewing; surf-fishing; off-road
vehicle driving.

PLANNING ISSUES: Private land (access not guaranteed).

(A) No trail access; bluff failure occurming;

(B) Disturbance to bluff face at trail access;

CC) Unimproved parking; off-road vehicle disturbance to
vegetated dunes.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. The dedication of vertical and lateral access easements to
guarantee public access 'should be investigated by the State.
Upon.acquisition of easements in this area, the State shall
provide funding assistance for continued maintenance and liability.

2. At Point A, no access should be developed due to the high,
unstable bluff.

3. At Point B, improvements should be made to insure safe
access around the southerly end of the bluff-face and repair
damage created by present access trails. Sign indiciting access.

4. At Point C, off-road vehicle use should be prohibited from
encroaching upon the small dunes nearby. Sign indicating access.

N Pebble Beach

LOCATION: Section 30, T16N, RlW;
Pebble Beach Drive in vicinity of
Pacific Avenue.

Pacific Avl.rI
OWNERSHIP: Public (County) I i. \ 4:

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Offshore PA CIFIC
rocks; sandy/rocky beaches; 40
foot bluff and coastal scrub.,

OCEAN

LAND USE: Residential

RECREATION USE: Walking; jogging;
surfing; rock and surf fishing.

PLANNING ISSUES:

CA) Bluff failure accelerated along existing trail. No access
sign.

(B) Excessive damage by trampling to promontory; vandalism
of existing facilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Funds should be sought to repair stairway and halt bluff
erosion. Placement of sign indicating access.

2. Funds should be sought to repair vandalized facilities
and revegetate damaged promontories and sea stacks.

7 31

P. Southbeach Access

LOCATION: Section 34, T16N, RlW;
0
2 miles south of Crescent City. Gas Storap

OWNERSHIP: Private,,public
(Cal--Trans, Harbor District).

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Sandy beach; PA Cl F1 C
wetland.

OCEAN

LAND USE: Commercial-Recreational;
industrial; agriculture (grazing).

RECREATIONAL USE: Walking; beach-
combing; surfing; surf-fishing;
off-road vehicle driving.

PLANNING ISSUES: Private lands (access not guaranteed); area
of heavy recreational use; effect of compaction on invertebrates
t from off-road vehicle use; off-road vehicle use of beach essential
to commercial surf-fishing and salvage operations.
L_
t
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Appropriation of funds for maintenance and liability@shall'__/'
be provided by the State for areas recently acquired.

2. The County, State and Redwood National Park should cooperate
in a comprehensive plan to enhance the recreation@ and visual
L qualities of this area.
t 3. Recreational off-road vehicle driving should be prohibited
on this beach as it is biologically one of the ost productive
areas for invertebrates on the Northcoast.
7
4. Provisions should be developed to permit off-road vehicles
on the beach for the purpose of commercial surf-fishing, claming
o
and salvage operations (including fire-wood salvage).

The following points are listed to complete the inventcry of
shoreline access for Del Norte County: (No specific policy
recommendations are made):

A. Redwood National Park Access points:

1. Crescent Beach

2. Crescent Overlook

3. Damnation Creek

4. Wilson Creek Rest Area

5. False Klamath Cover Overlook

6. Lagoon Creek

7. Requa Overlook

8. Caruther's Cove

B. Private Recreational facilities and access points:

1. Ship-A-Shore Resort

2. Sarina Road

3. Dad's Camp

4. Chub's Camp

S.. Sportsman RV Park

6. Klamath Kamper Korral

King Salmon Resort

S. Kamp Klamath

9. Chinook Trailer Resort

10. Golden Beach Trailer Park

11. Panther Creek Resort

12. Requa. Resort

Summaries concerning ownership, beach-type, improvements and
recreational uses for these points may be found in Appendix I.

EGON
u
ORNIA
-N

G.94"'m z-

six RtVERS

Z.
NATIONAL

T7L

REDWOOD

F7-
_.fOR EST

.... . .......
f ATIONAL

TATIE IlARX

7
- - - - - - - - - -

C-141 z-

Existinq Access

Potential Access

PARK
%
COASTAL ZONE
PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS

OEL NORTE COUNTY
1 LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM C171 :@U.7Y
1979

APPENDIX

APPENDIX 1: SHORELINE ACCESS SUMMARY
ACCESS POINT OWNERSHIP BEACH PARKING IMPROVEMENTS RECREATIONAL USES LEVELS OF USE
TYPE

Pelican Beach State Sandy 10 Paved road Walking; beachcombing; Light
State Park fishing; surfing; etc.
Pelican Beach Private Sandy 4-S Trail Walking; beachcombing; Light
Palisades fishing; etc.
Clifford Kamph County Sandy is Day-use facil- Walking; beachcombing; Moderate -
Memorial Park ities fishing; picnicking Heavy
Indian Road Private Sandy/ I None Walking; beachcombing; Light
Rocky fishing; etc.
Mouth of Smith County Rocky 16 Parking area Fishing; walking; Moderate
River Road beachcombing; etc.
Ship-a-Shore Private Rocky so RV campground; Fishing; camping; Moderate
boat ramp boating
Smith River County Rocky so Boat ramp Fishing; boating Moderate -
Fishing Access Heavy

Sarina Road Private Rocky 20 RV campground Fishing; camping Light

Kellogg Road County Sandy 15 None Walking; beachcombing; Moderate
fishing; ORVing; etc.
Pacific Shores Private Sandy 3-5/ None Walking; beachcombing; Light
(12 access pts) access fishing; hunting; ORV
Buzzini Road County Rocky 5 None Fishing; hunting Moderate

APPENDIX I: SHORELINE ACCESS SUMMARY
ACCESS POINT OWNERSHIP BEACH PARKING IMPROVEMENTS RECREATIONAL USES
TYPE

Lakeview Avenue County Rocky 20 Boat ramp Fishing; hunting

Point St. George Sandy/ 100 Trail Walking; beachcombing
Rocky fishing; etc.
Radio Road Private Sandy/ 2-5 None Walking; beachcombing;
(3 access pts) Rocky fishing; etc.
North Beach Private Sandy 7-15 Paved parking Walking; beachcombing;
(3 access pts) fishing; etc.
Pebble Beach County Sandy/ 30 Stairway; Walking; beachcombing;
(2 access pts) Rocky picnic tables fishing; surfing; etc.
South Beach Private Sandy so None Walking; beachcombing;
(3 access pts) fishing; surfing; ORV

Crescent Beach RNP Sandy 20 Day-use facil- Walking; beachcombing;
ities fishing; etc.
Crescent Over- RNP Sandy/ 17 Picnic tables; Hiking; oceanviewing;
look Rocky trail picnicking

Damnation Creek State Rocky 6 Trail [liking

Wilson Creek state Sandy/ 8 Picnic tables Walking; beachcombing;
Rocky fishing; picnicking
False Klamath Walking; beachcombing;
State Sandy 8 Paved park fishing; oceanviewing

APPENDIX I: SHORELINE ACCESS SUMMARY

ACCESS POINT OWNERSHIP BEACH PARKING IMPROVEMENTS
TYPE RECREATIONAL USES LEVELS OF USE@
Lagoon Creek RNP S4ndy/ 37 Day-use facil- Picnicking; fishing; Moderate
Fishing Access Rocky ities; trail hiking Heavy
Requa Overlook RNP Rocky 15 Day-use facil- Iliking; oceanviewing Moderate
ities; trail
Caruther's Cove RNP Sandy/ 3 Trail Hiking Light
Rocky
cr, Klamath Area Private Sandy/ 10-2s RV Campgrounds Fishing; camping; Moderate
(10 access pts) Rocky Boat Ramps boating heavy
ACCE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

California, State of, Coastal Zone Conservation Commission,
(December 1975), California Coastal Plan, San Francisco.

California, State of, Dept. of Parks & Recreation, (August 1971),
California Coastline Preservation and Recreation Plan,
Sacramento.

Del Norte, County of, Planning Dept., (November 1 '976), Del Norte
County General Plan, Crescent City, Calif.

Del Norte, County of, Planning Dept., (December 1977), LCP 'Issue
Identification, Crescent City, Calif.

Ironside and Associates, (September 1978), Draft Coastal Land Use
Plan: City of Pacifica, Oakland.

Santa Barbara, County of, (November 1978), Santa Barbara County
Coastal Plan: Pre-hearing Draft, Santa Barbara, Ca
O.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Office of Coastal Zone Management,
(January 1976), Coastal Recreation: A Handbook for Planners
and Managers, Washington D.C.

U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Office of Coastal Zone Management,
(August 1977), State of California Coastal Management Program
and Final Environmental 7mpact Statement, Washington-D.C.-

Del' Norte County*
Local Coastal Prouram

L14ARINE WATER RESOURCES COMPONENT

This document was prepared with financial assistance
from the Office of Coastal Zone Management, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the pro-
visions of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of
1972, administered by the California Coastal Commission.

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
700 Sth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

LCP MARINE & WATER RESOURCES COMPONENT

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION .................................... 1

A. Marine Resources ........................ 1

B. 111ater Resources .................... .......... 1

C. Sensitive Coastal Habitats .................. I

D. Purpose ..................................... 1

E. Definitions ................................. 1

II. MARINE RESOURCES ................................ 2

A. Marine Fisheries ............................ 2

B. Intertidal Areas ............................ 2

C. Offshore Rocks & Islands .................... 2

III. WATER RESOURCES ................................. 4

A. Surface Waters .............................. 4

B. Subsurface Waters ........................... 5

C. Water Quality ............................... 5

IV, SENSITIVE COASTAL HABITATS ...................... 7

A. Planning Issues ............................. 7
B. Designation Criteria ......................... 8

C. Sensitive Habitat Types ..................... 8

D. Sensitive Habitats and Land Uses ............ 9

V. EXTRACTIVE RESOURCES ............................. 13

A. Types and Sources ........................... 13

B. Findings .................................... 13

VI.. GENERAL POLICIES ................................ 15
A. Coastal Act Policies ......................... 15
B. Present Local Policies ....................... 15

C. LCP Policies ................................ 18

VII. SPECIFIC AREA POLICIES AND REcb,,,zlENDATIONS ...... 21

A. Offshore Rocks & Island ..................... 21

B. Intertidal Zone ............................. 22

C. Estuaries ................................... 23

D. Wetlands ..................................... 2S

E. Riparian Vegetation ...i ..................... 27

F. Sea Cliffs .................................. 28

G.. Coastal Sand Dunes .......................... 29

APPENDIXES:

Glossary of Terms ................................ 31

Map of Sensitive Habitats ....................... 33

BI BLIOGRAPHY ...... .............................. 34

LCP--1MARINE AND WATER RESOURCES

I. INTRODUCTION*

The marine environment and the coastal waters linking land and
ocean are essential to society. We utilize these highly pro-
ductive water and marine resources in a variety of commercial,
food and recreation industries. A significant goal of the Coastal
Act of 1976 is to maintain and enh'ance the quality and produc-
tivity of California's coastal wat-rs and marine resources.

A. Marine Resources: The ocean-waters off the Lbast of Del Norte
County is ab-u-nil-antly rich in plant and animal resources. Within
these living resources is a wealth of economic, scientific and
recreation opportunities. Prudent management of our marine
resources will insure the conveyance of their diverse and
indispensible benefits to future generations.

B. Water Resources: Though ecologically linked to the marine
environment, 71-n-la-H-T coastal water resources (e.g., estuaries,
wetlands, streams, etc.) will be examined separately. Del
Norte County is noted for its abundant annual precipitation and
ample water resources. The quality of the coastal environment is
dependent upon the maintenance of this vital resource.

C. Sensitive Coastal Habitats: Because of the unique environ-
mental conditions found in the' coastal r*egime, there exists
numerous communities of specialized life having evolved and
F_ adapted within relatively narrow environmental tolerance limits.
Such sensitive habitat areas require particular attention in
the planning process to insure their viability and continuance
0
as important segments of the coastal environment.

D. Purpose: This component of the LCP will address coastal
water an(F-marine resources in Del Norte County. Of particular
concern will be the designation of biologically sensitive habi-
tats and the determination of appropriate land uses within and
adjacent to these areas.

E. Definitions: Definitions describing commonly used terms of
marine and water resources may be found in the Appendix.

*NOTE: This component of the LCP is subject to review and cross-
referencing to other policy components.

II. NIARINE RESOURCES
Any portion of the oceanic environment of monetary, aesthetic
or other value (e.g., fisheries; offshore rocks; intertidal
areas; wildlife) may be identified as a marine resource. The
marine resources off the coast of Del Norte County are diverse
and valuable. This section will summarize the importance of
some.of these marine resources and the planning issues involved
in their maintenance. (Additional statistical or species listing
can be located in-the Harbor Port Land Use Plan; City of Crescent
City Land Use Plzen, and various reports of the Depqrtment of Fish
and Game.)
A. Marine Fisheries: The upwellina- created by currents off
the CaliforniT -coast bring nutrient C, rich waters to the surface
supporting vast quantities of plankton and thus attracting heavy
concentrations of fish. These special marine conditions result
in an excellent fishery resource for Del Norte County. Commercial
and sport fisheries are important to the economy of Del Norte
County. California Department of Fish and Game figures from 1975
estimate the annual commercial fish landing in Crescent City at
16,000,000 pounds of fish, crab and shrimp. The value of this
catch averages over $2,000,000 (1975 dollars) annually.1
Sport fisheries form a major portion of tourist attraction to
the county contributing significantly to the area's economy. Fur-
thermore, related enterprises such as marine supply and repair
industries aain from the added economic stimulus of the sport
fishery.

B. Intertidal Areas: The shoreline region lying between high
and low tide.is termed the intertidal zone. The area contains a
variety of ecologically significant marine organisms. Tidal flat
regions of mud and sand ar-e often highly productive, containing
numerous invertebrate animals. These organisms are recognized2as
sianificant links in the marine fishery food chain. Rocky por-
tions of the shoreline within the intertidal zone are also
productive components of the marine environment and by their nature
are acutely sensitive to disruptions. Tidepools, in particular.
provide important'!habitat for a rich assortment of small marine
animals.

C. Offshore Rocks and Islands: The geology of the coastline
and the erosive action of ocean waves have led to the develop-
ment of numerous sea stacks, islands, and rocks immediately off
the Del Norte County Coast. These remnant land surfaces function
as vitally important rookeries and roosting sites for both

I. Winzler and Kelly, et. al., (December 1975), Project Inde-
Pendence Economic Development-Action Plan 0
Del NortS_L2untZ, pp. 70-71. and Strategy, For

resident and migratory birds. The significance of Del Norte
County's offshore rocks is reflected by the fact that 46% of
all nesting sites on coastal rocks in California occur on Hunter
Rock, Prince Island, Castle Rock, and False Klamath Rock.2
Numerous offshore rocks are used as resting or haul-out sites
by migratory marine mammals such as the California and Steller
sea lion.

2. California, State of, Department of Fish and Game, (1973),
Coastal County Fish and Wildlife Resources and Their Utili-
Ta-tion.

III. WATER RESOURCES

Owing primarily to its heavy annual precipitation of 80-120
inches, Del Norte County has an abundance of surface and sub-
surface water resources. In general, the ground and surface
waters in the County's coastal zone are in sufficient quantity
to satisfy present and projected water demands.-@ Water quality;
the suitability of water for specified uses, is of primary
concern in maintaining the excellent.characteristics of the
coastal resources in Del Norte County. T -his section will describe
the water resources of the County's coastal zone and investi-
gate problems associated with their maintenance.

A. Surface Waters: The annual surface water runoff for Del Norte
County amounts to almost 16 million acre-feet. Less than 1% of
the mean annual surface water runoff is utilized.4 The major
surface waters in the coastal zone are: 1) the Smith River;
2) the Klamath River; and 3) Lakes Earl and Talawa.

The Smith River watershed, an area of 720 square miles, lies
almost entirely within Del Norte County. The river has a mean
annual runo.ff of 2,720,000 acre-feet. The major public use of
this water supply is the Crescent Cit-v Water System which annually
diverts over 37 million cubic feet from a Ranney Collector
situated on the Smith River. As of 1976, the water system served
over 1700 connections; 52% within the city limits and the remainder
allocated to county users.

The Klamath River, draining some 15,500 square miles in Northern
California and Southern Oreaon has a mean annual discharge of
approximately 12,000,000 acres-feet. The Klamath Community Services
District operates a well adjacent to the river providing water
for the new Klamath Townsite. The system is designed for approxi-
mately 200 connections.

Lakes Earl and Talawa were at some oint in geologic history part
p eo
of the Smith River drainage. Aeolian sand accumulation and perhaps
other geo-physical changes shifted the river mouth several miles
north isolating the lakes. Occasionally flood waters from the Smith
River*flow into Like Earl via the Talawa slough. The Lake Earl
drainage basin covers approximately 32 square miles. Jordan
Creek, entering from the east is the only major tributary. The
waters of Lakes Earl and Talawa are not drafted directly for
domestic or other uses.

3. Winzler and Kelly, (Oct. 1972), Del Norte County Water Supply
and Wastewater Disposal Comprehen-sive FlEn_,77 --1=.

4. Ibid

B. Subsurface Waters: Groundwater in Del Norte County occurs
primarily within the Smith River plain and lower Klamath River
areas. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated the subsurface
storage capacity of the Smith River plain at 99,000 acres-feet
between the depths of 10 to 35 feet. Abundant rainfull togehter
with the high permeability of surface formations normally assures
the annual recharge of these groundwater basins.

Approximately 40 percent of the consumptive u.se of water in Del
'Norte County is met by pumping groundwater.. Most aroundwater
development consists of indivi.(.ual wells for domestic or small
irrigation purposes.

Though the County in general enjoys an abundant subsurface
groundwater basin there does exist areas of varying annual sub-
surface supply. Within the coastal zone areas which have ex-
perienced water deficiencies in low rainfall periods are north
of the mouth of the Smith River and Morehead Road, just west of
Fort Dick.

C. Water Quality: The characteristics of water, principally
the impurities w'Fich affect its suitability for use, is the
subject of water quality. There exists no single measure of
water-quality, however, in that the adequacy of water varies
with its intended uses. For example, water suited for irrigation
may be unfit for human consumption.

1. Local Conditions: Within the major groundwater basins of
coastal Del Norte County the general quality of undisturbed
native groundwater is considered excellent. This excellent
quality results primarily from the combination of abundant
annual precipitation and favorable hydrologic conditions providing
a flushing action within the area's aquifers.

The surface waters in the County are also of excellent quality.
During periods of increased flow, however, high turbidity
occassionally results in a minor decrease in quality of some water
systems with the appearance of finely suspended materials.

2. Water Quality Impairment: Water quality is reduced by per-
mitt-ing wastes or degr-aTe_cFw`ater to enter a source area. Im-
pairment of water quality may result from any of the following:
sewage discharge; industrial wastes; agricultural wastes; and
seawater intrusion.

a. Sewage Discharge: A large portion of the households in
Del Norte County depend on individual water and sewage systems.
The close proximity of sewage disposal sites and shallow wells
in some areas pose a potential danger of localized groundwater
contamination. The current problem areas in the County occur

where small residential lots (usually less than 20,000-sq.'ft.)
have a--c-o-m-Fination of individual sewage systems, shallow wells
and poorly drained soils. (For additional information refer to
the public works component).

b. Industrial Wastes: The major wasteproducing industries
operating in or near the Del Norte County Coastal Zone are:
lumber; commercial fishing; and mining. All industrial waste*
discharges in the County are monitored by the Northcoast
Regional Water Quality Control Board to prevent significant levels
of""water pollution.
C. Uricultural Wastes: Agricultural and silvicultural in-
dustries occassionallT-utilize various amounts of pesticide,
herbicide or fertilizer compounds. Impairment of water quality,
especially through cumulative effects, may result as surface runoff
ana irrigation return waters carry dissolved residuals from
application areas to producing aquifers. To date, however, no
serious problem has been determined in the County.

d. Seawater Intrusion: Overdraftina in coastal wells can create
a reversal of tHe natural seward movement of freshwater with a
resultant saltwater impairment of water quality. A few incidences
of seawater intrusion in the Klamath area were experienced during
the 1976-1977 drought, but this is normally not a problem in Del
Norte County.

IV. SENSITIVE COASTAL HABITATS

The marine and coastal water resources of Del Norte County are
numerous, diverse and valuable. Included among these are:
ocean waters; streams, estuaries; lakes, and wetlands. Some
or portions of these resource areas are particularly sensitive
to direct or indirect disturbances by human activity. Proper
managQment of these sensitive resources is basic'to the economic
and social welfare of present and future generations.

A. Planning Issues: In designating fragile marine and- coastal.
water habitats for protective measures, several issues arise
concerning what constitutes a biologically sensitive habitat.
These considerations are evaluated here:
1. Productivity: Maintenance of the@overall productivity of
coastal waters is essential to fishing and its allied industries.
Communities possessing highly productive attributes, (e.g.,
feeding or nursery grounds) require particular attention.
2. Rare and Endan&ered Species: Accelerated development and
utilization o-1 iand resources in this century has led to a
diminishment of available habitat for many species of plant--
and animals on a statewide basis. Species incapable of adapt-.
ing to new environments and circumstances decline in number or-
many even become extinct. Concern over this continuing threat
to nature's biological diversity has led to a number of State,
National and International laws designed to protect rare and
endangered species. The legal protection of a species has little
impact, however, if the species has no place to live and reproduce.
The Coastal Act, therefore, recognizes the needs of rare and
endangered species and the protection of habitats necessary to
their survival.

The following is a list of current rare and endangered species
of coastal Del Norte County:

Aluetian Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis Leucopareia)
American Perigrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinu-sT
Southern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus)
California Brown Pelican (Pelecanus Occidenta-us)

(The above list will require updating annually to reflect any
addition or deletions).

3. Fragile Communities: Certain biological communities in the
Coastal Zone, such as tidepools, are very sensitive to human
activities. Even recreational pursuits can have significant

adverse impacts on these communities. Protective management
policies are required to insure the survival of these fragile
habitats.

4. Science and Education: The special character of some coastal
communities may be of outstanding value for scientific research
and educational uses. Areas of this nature require protection to
guarantee their viability for future inquiry and study. For ex-
ample, the value of a plant or animal species for medical purposes
may not,be presently known or understood. Such potential knowledge
is lost if a habitat is destroyed and potentially vital species are
no lon-er available.

B-. Designation Criteria: The following criteria are proposed for
desi-gnating biologicall-y sensitive habitats in the marine and
coastal waoter environments and related terrestrial habitats of
Del Norte County:

1. Biologically productive areas important to the main-
tenance of sport and commercial fisheries.

2. Habitat areas vital to the maintenance and enhancement
of rare and/or endangered species.

3. Fragile communities requiring protective management to
iF insure their biological productivity, species diversity
and/or continued maintenance.

4*. Areas of outstanding scientific or educational value that
require protection to insure their viability for future in-
quiry and study.

Coastal habitat areas meeting one or more of these criteria
may be considered biologically sensitivi@ and therefore given par-
ticular attention in the planning process,

C. Sensitive Habitat Types:- Several biologically sensitive
habi7Eat types,_U'esignated through the application of the above
criteria, are fouhd in the Coastal Zone of Del Norte County.
These include: offshore rocks; intertidal areas; estuaries;
wetlands; riparian vegetation systems; sea cliffs; and coastal
sand dunes. A brief description of these sensitive habitat types
is given below:

1. Offshore Rocks: Offshore rocks and islands serve as important
rookery and r-6-osting areas for many species of both resident and
migratory birds. -Offshore rocks are also utilized as haul-out
sites by marine mammals..

8
L

2. Intertidal Zone: The shoreline area lying generally between
C,
high and low tide is the intertidal zone. Within this region
the diurnal cycle of tidal exposure produces a zone of unique
marine life rich in both diversity and production.

3. Estuaries: Estuaries are semi-enclosed bodies of coastal
waters with aIfree connection to the open sea. River mouth and
coastal lagoons are examples. Estuaries are among the'most
productive-biological areas and are extemely valuable to coastal
fisheries.' The qualities that make estuaries biologicaIly rich
(i.e., confinement, shallow depth, fresh water inflow), also
increase their vulnerability to environmental disturbaiice.

4. Wetlands: Also termed marshes, swamps and bogs, wetlands
in the coastal zone vary from brackish to freshwater and range
from seasonally floodea swales to year-round shallow lakes.
Like estuaries, wetlands tends to be highly productive regions
and are important habitats and feeding grounds for numerous
wildlife species.

S. Riparian Vegetation Systems: The habitat type located along
stream and river banks usually characterized by dense growths of
trees and shrubs is termed riparian. Riparian systems are
necessary to both the aquatic life and the quality of water
courses and are important to a host of wildlife and birds.

6. Sea Cliffs:- High, steeps bluffs fronting the ocean are
valuable and Tensitive assets within the coastal zone. Bluff
face vegetation is often sparse and usually quite sensitive to
disruptions such as trampling. Many wildlife species benefit
from bluff habitats for nesting or feeding. Bluffs are generally
composed of easily erodable, unconsolidated materials making them
potentially hazardous for coastal access and as building sites.

7. Coastal Sand Dunes: Sand dunes cover a large portion of the
coastal zone between 7oint St. Georae and the Smith River. These
dunes are aenerally stabilized by polant cover and provide impor-
tant habitat for numerous small mammals and birds. The fragile
nature of the vegetative cover, however, makes the coastal dune
area particularly sensitive to disturbance. Because of its high
infiltration rate, the dunes are also recognized for their impor-
tance as a aroundwater recharge region for the coastal plain.

Table 1 identifies the principal locations of these seven sensi-
tive habitat types in.Del Norte County. Detailed definitions and
descriDtions of each sensitive habitat type will be discussed later.

D. Sensitive Habitats and Land Use: The designation o -f an area
as a biologically sensitive habitat does not necessarily preclude
its utilization. Planning issues concerning appropriate land

SENSITIVE*HABITAT PRINCIPAL LOCATIONS*
TYPE

Offshore Rocks & Islands 1. Immediately north of the Smith R.
2. Point St. George to Crescent City
3. Redwood National Park coastline

1. Tidepools throug@but the rocky
coastline
Intertidal Zone 2. Tidal flats in delta areas of
Smith & Klamath Rivers, Lake
Talawa and South Beach

I. Mouth of Smith & Klamath Rivers
Estuaries
2. Lake Talawa and Lake Earl

1. Ponds and sloughs in Lake Earl
Wetlands and coastal dune region
2. Elk Creek Marsh
3. Marhoffer Creek
4. Sandmine Road

L. Numerous coastal streams & creeks
Riparian Vegetation Systems 2. Ponds and sloughs in the Lake
Earl and coastal dune region

1 North of the Smith River
Sea Cliffs & Bluffs 2. Point St. George to Crescent City
3. Redwood National Park coastline

Co astal Sand Dunes 1. Point St. George to the Smith R.
2. Lopez Creek area
3. Dead Lake area

TABLE 1. SENSITIVE HABITAT TYPES AND THEIR PRINCIPAL
LOCATIONS

NOTE: The general locations of these sensitive habitats are
shown by the map on P.-'SS-;f this document. Detailed
maps are available for inspection at the County Planning
Office.

uses within and adjacent to sensitive coastal habitats and
criteria for designating compatible land uses will be developed.
in this section.

1. Planning Issues: Sensitive habitats are vulnerable to distur-
bance trom human activities. Recreation, agriculture and develop-
ment can threaten the integrity of sensitive habitats unless
adequate protective measures are instituted. These issues are
summarized as fo llows:

a. Recreational Uses: Potential impacts from recreational.uses
include trampling vegetation, disturbing wildlife'and litter-ing.
The severity of these problems is closely reiated to recreational
carrying capacity as discussed under the recreation component.
The need to establish permissable levels of recreational use
for sensitive habitats is especially acute. Until such guide-
lines are available, recreation activities in sensitive habitat
areas should be limited. Recreational land uses adjacent to
sensitive habitats are generally compatible, however, and should
be encouraged where found appropriate.

b. Agricultural Uses: In general, agricultural activities are
consIstent with and often complementary to wildlife habitat.
Grazing lands, for example, are utilized by water-fowl as auxi-
liary feeding areas. Certain agricultural practices, however,
have the potential for adversely impacting sensitive habitats.
As an example, intensive agricultural activities on small parcels
adjacent to riparian corridors can require the removal of vege-
tative cover and may alter or severly damage the habitat. The
establishment of buffer zones may be necessary to seperate such
incompatible agricultural uses from sensitive habitats.

C. Development: Urban or industrial development near or ad-
jaceFt to sens-itive habitats can have a significant potential
for disrupting the continued existence of threatened species.
Removal of habitat lands through clearing, grading and paving,
or disturbances through noise and pollution are impacts associated
with development. The potential for harm through development
can be minimized by locating development sufficiently away from
sensitive habitats, or requiring provisions for habitat.:mainte-
nance.

d. Incompatable Uses: Certain activities in or near sensitive
habiTats may be entirely non-conforming 'with the required protection
and maintenance of the area's natural resources. Uses which
significantly alter the productivity, water quality, or general
hydrologic conditions (i.e., groundwater levels or surface
drainage) of a designated habitat should be carefully examined
and appropriately mitigated where necessary. Further conside-
ration must be afforded to the maintenance of flora and fauna
inhabiting or utilizing a sensitive habitat.

e. Priorities: In order to maintain the overall productivity
and quality oT biologically sensitive habitats, priority should
be given to uses that are complementary to wildlife, such as
grazing land that serves as auxiliary feeding habitat or
density requirements which provide some measure of habitat
maintenance. Use,s which compliment the visual quality of the area
surrounding sensitive habitats should also be given prime consi-
deration.

f. Buffer Zones: Natural vegetation buffer strips may be in-
corporated to pr-otect habitat areas from the possible impacts
of adjacent land-uses. These protective zones should be suffi-
cient along water courses and around sensitive habitat areas
to adequately minimize the potential impacts of adjacent land
uses.

2. Land Use Criteria:. Standards for designating land uses in
and adjacent to sensitive habitats and criteria for acceptable
levels of use of these areas are proposed below:*

a. Land uses and levels of use in and adjacent to biolo-
gically sensitive habitats shall not adversely alter or
contribute significantly to a cumulative alteration of the
overall biological productivi@y of the area.

b. Land uses and levels of use in and adjacent to biolo-
gically'sensitive habitats shall not adversely impact or
contribute significantly to a cumulative impact on the-via-
bility of flora and fauna inhabiting or utilizing the area.

*NOTE: These criteria are to be incorporated into the Land Use
Designation Program and are to be utilized as general
guides in future development in sensitive habitat areas.

F_
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V
F_ 12

V. EXTRACTIVE RESOURCES

A. Types and Sources:. The coastal area of Del Norte County
possesses four sources of commercially utilized mineral resources.
These are clay, sand and gravel, stone quarries and beach sand.
1. Claj: The subsurface clav minerals are presently not
util 1z e , but studies have inaicated various sites to be an
acceptable source for kiln fired bricks.

2.. Sand and Gravel: The excavation of sand and aravel de-
0
posits-is currently the predominant mineral extraction
activity within the coastal zone. The primary location has
been on the Smith River with limited activity an the Klamath.

3. Stone Quarries: Presently there are no active stone
quarries in the co'astal zone. Future development. of this
mineral source will primarily be surface mining and there-
fore subject to provisions of the County's Surface Mining And
Quarries Ordinance as well as having to conform to Coastal
Act policies.

4. Beach Sand: The removal of beach sand has occurred
principally w-fthin the harbor area and Crescent City's beach-
front.

B. Findings: An investigation by the Department Of Water Re-
;2
sources (JWR) concerninla sand and gravel deposits along the lower
pr. Smith River, from the Hiouchi Bridge to the mouth, was completed
in 1974. The study was based on field surveys, contacts with
state and local agencies. and other parties and specific area
studies. The DWR concluded that the sand and gravel deposits of
the lower Smith River are a replenishable resource which, if
properly managed, can be utilized without adverse effects on
fishing or other recreational uses of the river. The study also
concluded that "aravel extractions have been beneficial to the
a
tv
lower Smith River ...

Other findings of the DWR Gravel Study are summarized below:

The source of most of the sand and 'gravel is the hard, erosion-
resistant rocks of the Klamath Mountains Geomorphic Province
which constitutes 80 percent of the watershed.

Ten major gravel bars along the lower Smith River in the
0
13.8 mile reach from the Hiouchi Bridge to the ocean produce
good quality materials which have been used for years for
state, county, local and private construction.

The mean bed material size distribution was found to be 17
percent sand (2mm), 61 percent gravel (2-64mm), and 22
percent cobbles (64-260mm). This material is deficient in
fines, but is otherwise an excellent aggregate source.
L

The average replenishment rate of the gravel is estimated at
about 330,000 cubic yards per year, determined as the average
of three different bedload estimating techniques.
1-7 Extraction records indicate that an average of about 180,000
cubic yards are annually withdrawn commercially from the
river and about 15,000 cubic yards annually have been pri-
vately removed since 1960.

Nearly all the gravel and sand is removed with rubber-tired
front end loaders and transported by trucks to the two com-
mercial plants in operation. The operation appears to conform
to all existing regulations.
Gravel extract0ions have been beneficial to the lower Smith
River by removing excess gravel which would have extensively
filled some of the large holes downstream from Dr. Fine Bridge.
0
Resurveying of five cross sections between Dr. Fine Bridge and
Trails End suggests only minor changes in average "bankfull"
area and riverbed elevations from 1966 to 1973. Comparing 1939
survey data at the Dr. Fine Bridge with 1966 data suggests that
the cross sectional area here decreased since 1939.

The gross value of sand and gravel taken from the Smith River
currently averages about $200,000 annually. The industry cur-
rently employs from about 12 people in the winter to 50 people
in the summer, including asphalt mixing and paving activities,
and has an average annual payroll of about $380,000.

Gravel extractions can continue if the replenishment rate is
not exceeded. Removal of gravel from point bar deposits does
0
not appear to affect the stream course. Removal of gravel
from straight reaches on the floodplain may affect the stream
L.- course.

While.this study was conducted on the Smith River, many of the
conclusions may be extended to other smaller streams and to the
Klamath River. This study and information from existing operations
were used in formulating the County's existing policies for ex-
tractive resources and in the development and adoption of the
County's ordinances regulating extractive activities.

Gravel extraction within the present stream channel has generally
been found to have less adverse impacts than gravel extraction from
former channel locations. To this end, gravel extractions which
conform to existing county policies and standards are preferred to
open pit mining of former stream channels.

VI. GENERAL POLICIES

A. Coastal Act Policies: A major objective of the Coastal Act
is t'o maintain and enh e the quality of coastal waters and
marine resources and to mitigate potential adverse impacts of
land uses adjacent to sensitive coastal habitats. To this end
the following policies were enacted by the legislature:

30230. Marine resource@s shall be maintained, enhanced, and,
where feasible, restored. Special protection shall be given to
areas and species of special biological or economic significance.
Uses of'the marine environment shall be carried out in a manner
that will sustain healthy populations of all species of marine
orcranisms adequate for long-term commercial, recreational,
scientific, and educational purposes.

30231. The biological productivity and the quality of
coastal waters, streams, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes approp-
riate to maintain optimum populations of marine organisms and
for the protection of human health shall be maintained and,
where feasible, restored through, among other means, minimizing
adverse effects of waste water discharges and entrainment,
controlling runoff, preventing depletion of groundwater supplies
and encouraging waste water reclamation, maintaining natural
vegetation buffer areas that protect riparian habitats, and
minimizing alteration of natural streams.

30236. Channelizations, dams, or other substantial alter-
actions of rivers and streams shall incorporate the best miti-
gation measures feasible, and limited to (1) necessary water
supply projects; (2) flood control projects where no other method
for'-orotectina existing structures in the flood plain is feas-
ible and where such protection is necessary for public safety
or to protect existing development, or; (3) developments where
the primary function is the improvement of fish and wildlife
habitat.

30240. (a) Environmentally sensitive habitat areas shall
be protected against any significant disruption of habitat
values, and only uses dependent on such resources shall be al-
lowed within such areas. (b) Development in areas adjacent to
environmentally sensitive habitat areas and parks and recreation
areas shall be sited and designed to prevent impacts which would
significantly degrade such areas, and shall be compatible with
the continuance of such habitat areas.

B. Present Local Policies: The Del Norte County General Plan
recognizes the importance of biologically sensitive habitats
and seeks to conserve and manage these resources for the edu-
cational, recreational and economic needs of present and future

generations. The significant coastal habitat areas presently
acknowledged by the County are:

Prince Island and Hunter Rocks
Tidal area of the Smith River
Lakes Earl and Talawa and their immediate marshland
Castle Rock
Marsh area of Elk Creek
False Klamath Rock
Tidal area of the Klamath River
White Rock
Sand dunes of Dead Lake
Crescent City Sitka Spruce Stand
Wetland of Sandmine Road and Highway 101

Standards for the management of wildlife, habitat and vegetation
in the County have also been developed. Important policies
concerning the maintenance of sensitive coastal habitats include:

1. The County should require Environmental Impact Reports to
insure the protection of fish, wildlife and plant species in
the area considered for development.

2. Development to "improve" the Klamath and Smith Rivers with
flood control facilities should be carefully reviewed and
evaluated. Efforts should be made to maintain the natural
function of the rivers.

3. The County should maintain all existing species of fish,
wildlife, and vegetation for their economic, intrinsic and
ecological values as well as providing adequate protection
of rare and endangered species.
L 4. The following areas are recognized as major locations of
k excellent wildlife habitat, nativ-e or natural vegetation and
of aesthetic value. These areas should be maintained as
wildlife habitats and protected from adverse activity. No
fu-ther commitment to development should be allowed except
that which is in the best interest of the public health,
safety and welfare, or as noted.

a. All offshore rocks and island (seaward of the mean
high tide line) excluding Whaler and Battery Islands.
C b. Inland of the mean high tide line to the first line
of vegetation (exceDt in the areas of coastal bluffs
when the area will @e to the crest of the bluff), ex-
t cluding the harbor area.
t
L

C. Lakes Earl and Talawa and their immediate marshland,
allowina continued agricultural uses.

d. Sand dunes and wet sand areas, excluding limited
development in appropriate areas.

e. The tidal influenced areas of the Smith and Klamath
Rivers. Commercial-Recr@eational and Public-Recreational
develo7)ment should be allowed but be care'LIFully controlled
to prevent significant alteration of the habitat areas.
extraction should be allowed on a small scale
consistent with local policy and state regulations.

S. The County should establisH rin-arian corridors along local
streams, creeks and sloughs to maintain their aesthetic
aD7oeal, wildlife habitat, control of erosion,'and to proviie
n@!
t-ural vegetation separations between developed uses.

The conservation and protection of water resources are recog-
nized by the County. General Plan policies designed to insure
sufficient, quality water supplies @or all beneficial uses are
as follows:

1. The County should seek to establish joint policies and
agreements with local water distribution districts for the
purpose of assuring proper water management operations which
will consider long-term municipal, industrial and agricultural
requirements.

2. The County should develop programs to reduce excessive
consumption of water, thereby reducing the quantity of sewage
effluent into the County's aroundwater reservoirs.

3. Conversion of the coastal dunes to residential use should
be discouraged. Residential development should be guided
from these areas, recognizing their importance as around
water recharge areas, barriers to sea-water intrusion and
their severe limitation to individual sewage effluent.

4. All existina and future water quality standards should be
followed and further investi gation of the effects of water
contaminants be supported.

5. A coordinated and integrated approach should be taken
towards solving water supply and demand problems.

6. The County should seek to identify and map the drainage
system of the coastal plain and take adequate measures to
insure the continued existence of these drainage systems.
Consideration of manmade drainaae courses should be examined
in an overall drainage plan.

The utilization of extractive resources and their potential
impacts have been formally state in the County's General Plan.
These policies have been implemented at the local level and con-
tinue to be carried out in the permit process.

1. The County should support studies to locate deposits of
extractive resources and the establishing of extraction
quotas if deemed necessary.

2. Operators of extraction operations should take all precau-
tions necessary to avoid contamination from waste disposal
or generdl operation activity of the site, ne*arby streams
or rivers, air and the environment in general. Existing and
future local, state and federal regulations will be met or
exceeded.

3. No extraction should be permitted in areas where it would
significantly harm, alter or destroy wildlife habitat, fisheries
or archeological or historic sites and no adequate mitigation
measures are deemed adequate.

4. Areas of known extractive resources should be protected
from incompatible development which would seriously interfere
with extractive operations.

5. Sand and gravel extractions along local streams and rivers
should continue as long as the replenishment rate is not
exceeded. To reduce impact on stream course, removal of
sand and gravel from point bar deposits is recommended and
should be critically examined along straight reaches.

6. The County should prepare and adopt a Resource Extraction
ordinance and conditions of approval of extraction permits
should include performance standards (dust emission, noise
generation, blasting, etc.) and a rehabilitation plan and
schedule if deemed necessary.

7. The County should consider the requirement of performance
and site reha@ilitation bonds for extraction activities of
a larae scale or in sensitive areas.

C. LCP Policies: Del Norte County recognizes the economic
and biologic significance of maintaining and where possible
enchancing marine resources, coastal waters and sensitive coastal
habitats. General policies designed towards achieving these
important goals are stated in this section.

1. The County seeks to maintain and where feasible enchance
the existing quality of all marine and water resources.
t

2. The County encourages programs (e.g.., fish hatcheries,
habitat rehabilitation) designed to improve the quality of
coastal fisheries and other marine resources.

3. All surface and subsurface waters shall be maintained at
the highest level of quality to insure the safety of public
health and the biological productivity of coastal waters.
4. Wastes from industrial, agricultural, domestic or other
uses shall not impair or contribute significantly to a cumu-
lative impairment of water quality to the extent of causing a
public health hazard or adversely impacting the biological
productivity of coastal waters.
5. Water conservation measures (e.g., flow restrictors,
industrial recycling of usable waste waters) should be
considered by present users and required in new development
to lessen cumulative impacts on existing water systems and
Supplies.

6. "Environmentally sensetive habitat areas shall be
protected agaist any significant disruption of habi-
tat values, and only uses dependent on such resources
shall be allowed within such areas. Development in
areas adjacent to environmentally sensitive habitat
areas shall be sited and designed to prevent impacts
which would signficantly degrade such areas, and
shall be compatible with the continuance of such
habitat area."

7. The County should encourage and support educations programs.
in schools, park programs, and community organizations which
seek to increase public awareness and understanding of sensitive
habitat areas and the need for their protection.

8. The County should seek funds and the cooperation of other
agencies to undertake studies of significant coastal resource
(i.e., salmonoid fisheries; Lakes Earl and Talawa ecology;
coastal dune system) for the purposes of systematic inventory,
analysis and the development of programs for their maintenance
and enhancement.
9 Operators of extraction operations shall take all pre-
cautions necessary to avoid contamination from waste disposal
or general operation activity of the site, nearby streams or
rivers, air and the environment in general. Existing and
future local, state and federal regulations will be met or
exceeded.

10. No extraction shall be permitted in areas where it would significantly
bar, alter or destroy wildlife habitat, fisheries or archeological
or historic sites without mitigation.

11. Extractive resource areas shall be protected from incompatible
development, which would seriously interfere with extractive opera-
tions, now or in the future.

12. Sand and gravel extractions along local streams and rivers
shall continue as long as the replenishment rate is not
exceeded. To reduce impact on stream course, removal of sand
and gravel from point bar deposits is recommended and will
critically examined along straight reaches.

VII. SPECIFIC AREA POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Several areas of biological significance require particular
attention in formulatin"g a Coastal Plan designed to maintain
the unique qualities and generally high productivity of both
marine and inland water resources. This section will selectivelv
identify and define these areas of concern and discuss specific
policies and recommendations regarding their maintenance.

In aeneral locations of the-sensitive habitats in coastal Del
Norote County have been mapped at the scale of I" ,2 miles and
appended to this document. The reader is referred to this map,
found on page 33, for the following.- discussion.

A. Offshore Rocks and Island:

1. Definition: Offshore rocks and islands include all of the
generally expFsed, solid land surfaces and rocks, of any size,
seaward of the mean high tide line.

2. Principal Distributions: With major concentrations: 1) in
the Point St. Norge Tr-ea; 2)* just north of the Smith River; and
3) along the coast of Redwood National Park, offshore rocks and
islands are distributed throughout the marine portion of the
Del Norte County Coastal Zone. Rocks and islands particularly
important as roosting and rookery sites are:.

a) Cone Rock
b) Hunter Rock
c ) Prince Island
d) Castle Rock'
e) White Rock
f) False Klamath Rock

3. Plannina Issues: The Del Norte County General Plan presently
states@that all offshore rocks and islands (excluding Whaler and
Battery Islands) "should be maintained as wildlife habitat and
prote-cted from ad,@rerse activity." Minor clarification of this
policy is needed for consistency with the Coastal Act.

4. Policies and Recommendations:

All offshore rocks and islands, except
for' @ermEtted navigational i7les, shall be maintained in their existincy
state to insure the viability of the wildlife in],iabitin7 or utill izir r7
these sites.

B. Intertidal Zone:

1. Definition: The intertidal zone is that recion of the coast-
0
line lying below the high tide mark anal above the low tide mark.
Specialized biotic communities occupying this zone include tide-
pools and tidal flats.

a. Tide pool: A tidepool is a depression in the substrate
ot the intertidal zone where an accumulation of seawater
occurs after the tide recedes. Typically a tidepool con-
tains a wide variety of specially adapted plant and animal
species.

b. Tidal Flat: A tidal flat is a sandy or muddy flatland
within the in-Eertidal zone subject to an alternating expo-
sure to the tide's ebb and flow.

2. Principal Distributions:

a. Tidepools: Tidepools along the Del Norte County coast-
line occur primarily:

1) in the Point St. George area; 2) immediately north of
the Smith River; 3) south of Pelican Beach State Park; and
4) at various headland points along the coast in Redwood
National Park.

b. Tidal Flats: Tidal flats exist principally in the delta re(7ions of
Klamath Rivers, along th@ open coast of South:Beach
the SmitIT and
and North Beach.

3. Planning Issues:

a. Tide@ools Tidepools are unique intertidal habitats for
a diversity of marine organisms specifically adapted to the
harsh and constantly fluctuating environmental conditions
found at the sea's edge. Trampling, collecting and even
handling these sensitive tidepool organisms can be very
destructive. Recreational pressures are the major threat to
tidepool habitats.

b. Tidal Fl -at-s: Tidal.flats are extremely productive and
generally sensitive regions of the intertidal zone. Comp-
action from off-road vehicle driving is a major problem on
tidal flats. A study by Bcyd (1977) found the impacts of

vehicular traffic at Crescent Beach to "result in significant
mortality among sand beach organisms." In that these inver-
tebrate organisms are important links in the marine fishery
food chain Boyd further recommends that "it may be wise to
minimize such impact by prohibiting all the vehicles in the
beach."

4. Policies and Recommendations:

a. Tidepools and tidal flats shall be managed to maintain
their present characteristics with all feasible measures
taken to mitigate uses which might prove harmful to -the biota
inhabiting, these areas.
b. Recreational activities at or near tidepools and tidal flats shall
be carefully monitored by Fish and Game to insure the continued
viability of these habitats.

c.. In order to discourage all but light recreational use
of tide pool regions, shoreline access and recreational
facilities shall be located to direct use towards the open,
sandy beaches of the County.

d. Enforceable regulations should be developed for State
enforcement to prohibit the collecting of all tidepool
organisms with exceptions for scientified purposes on a
permit basis.

e.
In order to insure the continued maintenance and productivity of
intertidal flat areas, enforceable regulations should be developed
to regulate vehicles in the intertidal zone.

f. A permit system should be established to allow-motorized
vehicles on tidal flat for commercial purposes such as
fishing and salvage operations.
C. Estuaries-
"An estuary is a coastal water body usually semi-
enclosed by land, but which has open, partiially
1. Definition: obstructed, or intermittent exchange with the ocean
and in which ocean water is at least occasionally
di1uted by fresh water runoff from the land."
2. Principal Distributions: The primary estuarian habitats in
Del Norte County are the mouths of the Smith and Klamath Rivers.
The tidal influence on the Smith River extends approximately 4
miles upstream to Rowdy Bar. On the Klamath River the tide
reaches some 31/2 miles upstream. Lakes Earl and Talawa become
estuarine in nature upon the breaching of the sandbar blocking
their opening to the sea.

3. Planning Issues: The Klamath and Smith River estuaries are
vita! to anadromous fisheries. Anadromous fish (e.g., king salmon,
silver salmon, steelhead trout, cutthroat trout, etc.) spend
part of their life cycle in the ocean and return-to freshwater
to reproduce. An extremely critical phas in the migration of
anadromous fish occurs during their transition from salt to
freshwater. The brackish waters of estuaries provide an area
where physiological adjustments may be made before entering a
new water environment.

Alterations of natural channels through straightening, widening
or deepening can have adverse impacts on the habitat qualities
of estuarine systems. The disturbance and loss of nutrient
rich sediments, nursery grounds and important bottom dwelling
organisms may result from these activities.

The maintenance of water quality is also important to the
continued productivity of eastuary ecosystems. Water quality
impairment may result when sediment or wastes are introduced
at a rate faster than can be assimilated by the system.

4. Policies and Recommendations:

a. Estuarine systems should-be maintained at their highest
feasible level of product-ivity in order to protect and enhance
coastal fisheries and other marine resources.
-b- The alteration of existing estuarine water channels through dredging,
diking, or filling shall be allowed only when consistcn@t with Coastal
Act Policy 30233 A & B and when such activity would enhance the
biological productivity of the estuary.
-c. All permitted activities7ift" b's-buia- r__i_c-s___ -a's -i-d-en'tif ied in 4-b (above)
shall be carried out in a manner that will minimize impacts on the
L biota and productivity of the area.

d. Extraction of sand and gravel shall conform with the policies
cited under general LCP policies in the previous section
(Section VI-Q.

e. Channel navigational modifications of the Smith and
Klamath Rivers which are seasonal and do not require cons-
truction of permanent facilities which will adversely affect
the flow of the stream shall be allowed if the following is
determined:

1. The modification are not permanent and will be
removed before or during the following high water period; and
2. The modiciations are necessary to provide free move-
ment of recreational and/or commercial boating.
3. The project is consistent with all 1pplicahIc laws and
regulations local, stitc alid Weral.

D Wetlands:

1 Definition:

"Wetland means lands within the coastal zone which
may be covered periodically or permanently with shallow
water and include saltwater marshes, freshwater marshes
open or closed brackish water marshes, swamps, mudflats,
bogs, and fens. The land use category will be Resource
Conservation Area."

Farmed wetlands shall be defined as wetland areas which
are grazed, planted or cut for forage during parts of
the year. The land use category will be
Resources Conservation Area with existing agricultural
uses being deemed a principal use."

2. Principal Distributions: Wetland habitats are found through-
out the generally flat-lying coastal plain of Del Norte County.
The following identifies the major wetland areas of the Coastal
Zone:
a) Tilas Slough h) McLoughlin Pond
b) Goodwin Pond i) Standard Plywood
c) Yontocket Slough j) Cadra Slough
d) Silva Slough k) Dead Lake and adjacent ponds
e) Talawa Slough 1) Marhoffer Creek
f) Lake Talawa m) Elk Creek Wetland
g) Lake Earl n) Sandmine Road wetland
o) Jordan Creek

3. Planning Issues: Wetlands serve as nursery grounds for
many aquatic species and as feeding and nesting areas for
numerous waterfowl. Additionally, wetlands act as storage and
control systems that absorb heavy seasonal rains, physically and
chemically filtering water and slowly releasing accumulations
in surface and subsurface flow. Thus in their unaltered states,
wetlands provide a clean, balanced, nutrient-rich regime highly
productive for fish and wildlife.

Draining, filling, channeling or otherwise altering the flow
patterns in wetlands is the primary threat to these unique habi-
tats. Changing natural channels configurations can result in
disruptions of the important filtering actions wetlands provide
together with loss of habitat for fish, waterfowl and other
wildlife.

Impairment of water quality may also pose a major danger to the
proper functioning of wetland ecosystems. Increases in sediments
and wastes from upstream land uses, especially through cumulative
effects, is the principal threat to the water quality of wetland
habitats.

4. Policies and Recommendations:

a The diking, filling, or dredging of wetlands shall
be permitted in accordance with other applicable
provisions of this program, where there is no feasi-
ble loss environmentally damaging alternative and
where feasible mitigation measures have been provided
to minimize adverse environmental effects. Such pro-
jects shall be limited to those identified in
Section 30233 of the Coastal Act.

b Dredging and spoils disposal shall be planned and
carried out to avoid significant disruption to marine
and wildlife habitats and water circulation. Dredge
spoils suitable for beach replinishment when feasible
should be transported for such pruposes to appropriate
beaches or into suitable longshore current systems.

c "In order to provide that the maximum amount of agri-
cultural land be maintained in agriculture production
in existing " farmed wetlands and cultivated lands
(cultivated within the last ten (10) years),
Maintenance and repairs shall be permitted for
existing dikes, levees, drainage ditches and other similar
agriculture drainage systems and will be subject to any
and all applicable policies within the certified land
use plan."

d Performance standards shall be developed and implemented
which will guide development in and adjacent to wetlands,
both natural and man-made, so as to allow utilization
of land areas compatible with other policies while
providing adequate protection of the subject wetland.

e The maintenance opening of the sandbar at Lake Talawa
shall be permitted consistent with agreements negotia-
ted between the County and the California Department
of fish and Game.

f "Development in areas adjacent to environmentally sensi-
tive, habitat areas shall be sited and designed to prevent
impacts which could significantly degrade such areas, and
shall be compatible with the continuance of such habitat
areas. The primary tool to reduce the aboce impacts
around wetlands between the development and the edge of
the wetland shall be a buffer of 100' in width. A buffer
of less than 100' may be utilized where it can be deter-
mined that there is no adverse impact on the wetland. A deter-
mination to utilize a buffer area of less than 100' shall
be done in cooperation with the California department of
Fish and Game and the county's determination shall be based
upon specific findings as to the adequacy of the proposed
buffer to protect the identified resources. Firewood
removal by owner for on site use and commercial timber
harvest to CDF timber harvest requirments are
to be considered as allowable uses within 100' buffer
areas."

E. Riparian Vegetation:

1. Definition: Riparian vegetation is the plant cover normally
found alona wa'ter courses including rivers, streams, creeks and
0 "1
sloughs. Riparian vegetation is usually characte'rized by dense
arowths of trees and shrubs.
0

2. Principal Distributions: Riparian vegetation systems are
mapped in the Del Norte County General Plan. Principal riparian
habitats include:

a) Gilbert Creek
b) Lopez Creek
c) Rowdy Creek
d) Ponds in the coastal dune area north of Point St. George
e) Talawa Slough
f) Jordan Creek
g) Marhoffer Creek
h) Elk Creek

3. Planning Issues: Riparian vegetation systems are extremely
important anT productive wildlife habitats. Numerous birds and
mammals utilize riparian corridors as nesting sites, feeding
grounds or escape cover. The trees and shrubs of riparian sys-
tems provide shelter and enrichment'for streams. Moreover the
vegetation serves as a filter to intercept and slow excessive
silt and debris and acts to stabilize streamside banks.

The major threat to riparian ecosystems is the removal of vege-
tation for stream channelization or other water projects.

4. Policies and Recommendations:
.-a. Riparian vogctation Shall bc mairitaincd along strcwiis, crccks,
and sloughs and othcr watcr courscs within the Coastal Zonc
for thcir qualitics as ivildlifc habitat, stream bu@fer zones,
and bank stabilization.

b. The County should seek funds from the coastal conservancy
to reestablish riparian vegetation in selected stream corridors.

.-*NOTE: I'his is not an all inclusive list, excludes strelms within
the Redwood National Park boundaries, and does not include
all streams which may meet Coastal Zone criteria.

F Sea Cliffs,:

1. Definition: A sea cliff or bluff is a more or less vertical
escarpment fronting the ocean.

2. Principal Distributions: A large portion of the coastline
in Del Norte County consists of sea cliffs ranging from a few
to hundreds of feet in height. The primary areas of the sea
cliffs are:

a. North of the Smith River
b. Point St. George to Crescent City
C. South of Crescent City along most of the Redwood National
Park coastline.

3. Planning Issues: The principal issues associated with the
management of sea cliffs includes their fragile nature and their
potential for geologic hazards.

The vegetation of sea cliffs serves to stabilize the generally
unconsolidated material of bluff faces. The plant life of sea
cliffs, although adapted to the harsh environmental conditions
of wind and salt spray, is typically fragile and highly subject
to disturbance. The faces of sea cliffs provide a special
habitat for nesting marine birds and various burrowing species.

Sea cliffs are inherently unstable and therefore potentially
hazardous sites when associated with development or coastal
access.

4. Policies and Recommendations:
Geological studies shall be required for new construction
within the *area of demonstration on bluff-tops to determine:
1) their suitability for development; and 2) the necessary
set-backs required to avoid hazards associated with bluff
failure.

6. The following bluff areas have undergone excessive
I- vegetation damage from trampling and should be investigated
as Coastal Conservancy restoration and enhancement projects:

1. Pyramid Point to Lopez Creek
2. Pebble Beach Public Fishing Access
3. Pebble Beach at Murphy Street

*Area of demonstration is defined as follows:
The area of demonstration of stability includes the
base, face and top of all bluffs and cliffs. The
extent of the bluff top considered should include
the area between the fave of the bluff and a line.

described on the bluff top by the intersection of a
plane inclined at a 20 degree angle from horizontal passing
through the toe of the bluff or cliff, or 50 feet
inland from the edge of the cliff or bluff, whichever
is greater. However, the County may designate a lesser
area of demonstration in specific areas of known geo-
logic stability (as determined by adequate geologic
evaluation and historic evidence) or where adequate
protective works already exist. The County may desig-
nate a greater area of demonstration or exclude develop-
ment entirely in areas of known high instability.

G. Coastal Sand Dunes:

1. Definition: Coastal dunes are ridges of sand created by
wind deposited materials carried from ocean beaches. An active
dune is one in the process of gaining or loosing sand; such a
mobile dune is commonly unvegetated or covered with sparse
grasses and low-growing succulents. Stabilized dunes are usually
covered by woody vegetation such as the beach pine.
2. Principal Distributions: Larae areas of coastal dunes exist
0
between Point St.. GeorgF -and the mouth of the Smith River. Other
scattered loca-lities of dunes in the coastal 7one'include: the
vicinity of Lopez Creek; the Dead Lake area; and adjacent to
Pebble Beach Drive near MarhoffeT Creek.

3. Planning Issues: Because of their generally light vegetative
Cover, coastal dunes are particularly susceptible to activities
of intensive uses such as development and recreational vehicle
driving. Damage to grasses and light plant cover which provide
shelter and soil stability in dune areas may result in the
reactivation of stabilized dunes.

The coastal dune area north of Point St. George to the Smith
C,
River is recognized as an important area for groundwater re-
charae in the coastal plain because of its large aerial extent
and its hiah infiltration rate.

Plans to de-velop the coastal dune system in the vicinity of Lakes
Earl and Talawa have been formulated in the past. Two major propo-
sals have been: 1) Pacific Shores Subdivision; and Z) Del Norte
Dunes Subdivision.

Pacific Shores Subdivision was recorded in 1963 with 1535 lots
on 1486 acres. A road system consisting of 26 miles of chip
seal type asphalt with no shoulder improvements or curbs was
constructed. To date no permanent housing has been built as
Pacific Shores, although two mobile homes exist in the subdivision.
The overriding problem is the development of an adequate sewage
dispo,sal system for the subdivision. A high water table in the
dune system makes the use of individual septic tanks infeasible.

The Del Norte Dunes Subdivision was proposed in 1970 to include
some 8000 acres of land between Dead Lake and the mouth of the
Smith River. The proposal included preliminary outlines for roads,
residential lots, recreation facilities, mobile home parks and
other developments. Plans for community water and sewer systems,
as required by the County, were not submitted. Development of the
Del Norte Dunes subdivision has not occurred to date. This
development site has been acquired by the State.

4. Policies and Recomendations:

a. "Coastal sand dunes, as mapped on the County constraint maps
should be maintained in their existing states or re-
turned to their natural states where feasible to ensure
their values as groundwater recharge regions and wildlife habitat.

b. Enforceable regulations should be developed to limit the
use of motorized vehicles to non vegetated dunes.

c. The removal or unnecessary disturbance of dune vegetation
should be avoided.

d. The County's existing land-filled shall be allowed to continue
to operate at its present location consistent with the state
and Federal regulations.

APPENDIX

GLOSSARY OF TERMS*

AEOLIAN: Deposits which are due to the transporting
action of the wind, i.e., sand.

ANADROMOUS FISH: A fish which migrates to the sea for
part-of its life and returns to freshwater to breed.

BIOTA: Plant and animal life.

COASTAL STRAND: A coastal plant community found in sandy
beach and dune areas.

DIURNAL CYCLE: Daily change.

ECOSYSTEM: A group of plants and animals occurring
together plus that part of the physical environ-
ment with which they interact.

ESTUARY: A drainage channel adjacent to the sea in which
the tide ebbs and flows.

FAUNA: Animal life.

FEN: An area of low land that is partly or wholly
covered with water unless artificially*drained.

FLORA: Plant 1 ife.

FOOD CHAIN: A pattern of energy (food) flow in an eco-
system. Typically from plants (which manufacture
food from the sun's energy) to plant eaters (herbivores)
to animals which eat herbivores (carnivores) and so
forth.

L
HABITAT: The place where an organism lives.

HAUL-OUT SITE: A place where marine mammals leave the
water to rest, generally off-shore rocks.

INTERTIDAL: Area between high and -low tide.

INVERTEBRATE: An animal which lacks a spinal column.

ROOKERY: A place where birds nest and/or breed.

*NOTE: Definitions quoted from the Coastal Act of 1976
are followed by section number in parentheses.
Other definitions are from various sources.

SEA STACK: A steep-sided rock above sea level, near
the coast.

TERESTRIAL ORGANISM: A plant or animal found on land.

TIDE FLAT: A marshy, sandy or muddy land area which
is periodically covered by the rise of the tide.

TIDE POOL: An accumulation of seawater remaining in a
depression on a beach or reef after recession of the
tide.

VIABILITY: The ability of an organism to exist, develop
and reproduce itself.

WETLAND: Lands within the coastal zone which may be
covered periodically or permanently with shallow
water and include saltwater marshes, freshwater
marshes, open or closed brackish water, marshes,
swamps, mudflats, and fens (30121).

2REGON
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DEL NORTE COUNT
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LOCAL COASTAL PRO RAM TF @:j.NTY
aid -rL7.Tv,-
1979 LDT

Rl.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

California, State of, Coastal Zone Conservation Commission,
(December 1975), California Coastal Plan.

California, State of, Coastal Zone Conservation Commission,
Northcoast Region, (July 1975), Preliminary Coastal Plan:
- T-)
Humboldt-Del Norte Subregional Supplement (Hearing Dra t

California, State of, Department of Fish & Game, (1973), Coastal
County Fish and Wildlife Resources-and Theit Utilization.'

(March 1975), Natural Resources of Lake Earl
and the Mmith River Delta.

California, State of, Department of Water Resources, (January
1974), Smith River Gravel Study.

, (August 1966), Water Well Standards: Del Norte
County.

, (October 1978), Land Use Within the California
Coastal Z-one.

Clark, J., (1974), Coastal Ecosystems: Ecological Considerations
for Management of the Coastal Zone.

Conservation Foundation, (December 1977), Physical Management of
Coastal Floodplains: Guidelines for Hazards and Ecosystem
Management.

Del Norte, County of, Planning Department, (November 1976), Del
Norte County General Plan.

(December 1977), LCP Issue Identification.

Funderburk, S.L., (June 1979), Assessment of the Use of the Lake
-Earl Area, Del Norte County, California by Water BirTs--an-T-
Raptors.

U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, (February
1979) ' Conce2t Plan for Waterfowl-Wintering Habitat Preser.-
vation: California Coast.

U.S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey, Water Resource
Division, (1971), A Preurbanization Reconnaissance Study
of Lake Earl.

Winzler and Kelly, (October 1972),-Del Norte County Water Supply
and Wastewater Disposal CompreF-ensive Plan, 1972-1992.
Winzler and Kelly, et. al., (December 1975), Proj ct Inde@endence
Economic Development Action Plan and Strategy for Del Norte
Clo u n -ty .
IL

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

RECREATION COMPONENT

This document was prepa red with financial assis-
tance from the Office of Coastal Zone lanagement,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
under the provisions of the federal Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, administered by the Cali-
fornia Coastal Commission.

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
700 Sth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2li9

LCP -- RECREATION COMPONENT

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION .................................... 1

A. Coastal Recreation .......................... 1

B. Purpose ..................................... 1

II. GENERAL FINDINGS ........................... 9

A. Summary Findings ............................ 2

B. Levels of Use ............................... 3

C. Recreational Uses ........................... 3

D. Future Demands .............................. 3

E. Recreation vs. Resource Preservation ........ 3

F. Recreational Use Conflicts .................. 5

G. Restoration of Coastal Recreation Areas ..... 5

H. Maintenance Costs ........................... S

I. Recreational Carrying Capacity ............... 5

J. Recreational Boating ........................ 7

III. GENERAL POLICIES ................................ 7

A. Coastal Ac:t Policies ........................ 7

B. Present Local Policies ...................... 8

C. LCP Policies ................................. 9

IV. SPECIFIC RECREATION PROPOSALS ................... 11

A. South Beach ................................. 11

B. Pelican Beach State Park .................... 14

C. Clifford Kamph Memorial Park ................ 16

D. Pala County Park ............................ 17

E. Pebble Beach Public Fishing Access ...... 18

F. Pacific Shores .............................. 19

G. Lakes Earl & Talawa ......................... 21

H. Old Klamath Townsite ........................ 22

APPENDIX

Public Recreation Areas ........................ 23

Del Norte County Public Park Summary ............ 24

BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................ 26

LCP RECREATION COMPONENT

1. INTRODUCTION*

The varied nature and scenic beauty of the Del Norte County
coastline and estuarine systems offers numerous * recreational
opportunities. Sound management of these recreation resources
is an integral part of the economic well-being of both present
C,
and future generations.

A. Coastal Recreation: Coastal recreation may be defined as
any.outdoor leisure-ti'me experience in the Coastal Zone from
which an individual derives enjoyment. Del Norte County visitors
and residents alike may benefit from the wide variety of recrea-
tional opportunities available. Simply enjoying the outstanding
aesthetic qualities of the ocean and shoreline is undoubtedly
-the primary pursuit of most Coastal Zone recreationists. Their
activities may range from walking and beachcombing on open,
sandy beaches to more rigorous experiences like surfing and
scuba diving in the cool offshore waters.

B. Purpose: The Coastal Act of 1976 places specific emphasis
on the need for diverse and well distributed public and private
recreational facilities in the California Coastal Zone. This
element of the LCP will identify and examine the adequacy of
existing recreational facilities of coastal Del Norte County
and discuss provisions for future recreational needs.

F
*NOTE: This component of the LCP is subject to review and cross-
referencing to other,policy components.

11. GENERAL FINDINGS

The outstanding scenic qualities of the Del Norte County coast-
line attracts thousands of visitors annually. Numerous public
and private recreational and visitor-serving faciliti'es cater
to their needs. This section will summarize the findings concerned
with existing facilities and discuss future problems and pros-
pects in meeting the coastal recreation demands of Del Norte
County.

A. Summary Findings

1. Public Facilities: Several public recreation areas are
located in the Coastal Zone of Del Norte County (see Appendix I).
The public parks vary greatly in size, facility' improvements and
recreational uses. A summary indicating their locations, impro-
vements and uses may be found in Appendix II.

a. State and Federal Parks: In size and ocean frontage,
State and Federal Parks-7-ominate the coastal recreational
opportunities in Del Norte County. Redwood National Park,
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, the undeveloped Pelican.
Beach State Pa@k and a portion of Prairie Creek Redwood
State Park comprise 21.6 miles or 47% of the coastline.
it4
These Parks offer visitors a variety of facil Les including;
campgrounds; day-use areas; and hiking trails.

b. County Parks: The County maintains ten parks in the
Coa-s Lone. These provide residents and visitors with
shoreline access and day-use. The Parks are all day-use
facilities with no fee charged.

2. Private Facilities: Private enterprise accomplishes a
major service to the public by accommodating visitors in Del
Norte County. Both visitor-serving and recreational needs are
fulfilled.

a. Visitor-serving facilities: Developments providing
Visitor accommodat ions, food and services are included in
the term visitor-serving facilities. Numerous motels,
recTeational-vehicle parks, and restaurants serve the public
in the coastal area of Del Norte County. There exists:*
some 33 motels with 673 rooms; more.than 50 RV Parks and
private campgrounds; and approximately 40 restaurants.

b. Commercial-Recreational Facilities: Commercial-recrea-
tional facilities are operated Torprivate profit and serve
public recreational needs. Major tourist at.tractions in
the coastal region of Del Norte County include: Ship-A-Shore
resort; Trees of Mystery; Klamath River Jet Boat Trips;
Undersea Gardens; and several charter fishing boat operations.

*March 1979

B. Levels of Use: As discussed under the public access compo-
nent, levels se without significant data are-difficult to
assess. One observation is readily confirmed, however: visitor
use at all recreational facilities is greatest during the summer
season. As illustrated in Figure 1, motels tend to fill to
capacity and highways become crowded during the months of July
and August. The light tourist use in the winter months is
reflected by the seasonal closure of many private facilities.

C. Recreational Uses: Recreational uses in the Coastal Zone
may be conveniently Tivided into coastal, lake and river cate-
gories

1. Coastal Uses: Ocean shoreline recreational uses in the
County are b-o-t-E-numerous and varied. Walking, picnicking and
beachcombing are probably the most popular coastal recreational
activities on open, sandy beaches. Surf-fishing, clamming,
wood gathering and off-road vehicle driving are also popular
uses of the open beaches. In the rugged, rocky portions of the
coastline nature study and photography are major uses. Although
the waters are quite cold, surfing and swimming are activities
enjoyed by many.

2. Lake Uses Several lakes and lagoons in Del Norte County
provide recreational opportunities. Boating, fishing, nature
study, photography and hunting are important uses in these areas.

.3. River Uses: Noted nation-wide for their runs of anadromous
salmon and s lhead, the Smith and Klamath Rivers are extremly
popular for sport-fishing. Recreational boating and swimming
0
are important recreational activities on these rivers.

D. Future Demands: Recreation is re 'garded as a relatively
he coastal zone. The demands for
__large and ta@t growing use of t
recreation facilities in Del Norte County can be expected to
increase in that population and tourism are both growing.
Long -range planning efforts must be designed towards this
reality in order to accommodate future recreational needs.
Important recreational development goals for the County to
attain include: 1) well distributed facilities; 2) provisions to
maintain oceanfront areas for future recreation needs; 3) provi-
sions to sustain the existing percentage of low cost recreational
facilities; and 4) insurance that all new recreational developments
and ex-Dansion of existing facilities are consistent with the
protection of-the private property rights and fragile coastal
resources.

E. Recreation vs. Resource Preservation: Although recreation
and open space preservation are often considered synonomous,

ANNUAL VARIATIONS IN
HIGHWAY'TRAFFIC AND MOTEL OCCU PANCY

100

E
P

R
C
E
N. 40'
T

0
F M A M i i A S 0 N i

MONTH

Monthly Traffic, U.S. 101, Crescent City(Aug.z 100%)

Monthly Traffic, U.S. 101 at U.S. 199(Aug. 100%)

Monthly Motel Occupancy (% of rooms sold)

Traffic Data: 1965-69
Motel Data: July '74 -.June '75

FIGURE 1: Annual Variations in Highway Traffic and
Motel Occupancy.
Source: Revised OEDP Progress Report for Del Norte County,
March 1976 4

recreational development and intensive use may degrade coastal
resources. For example, the development of a recreation area
habitat. Conversely,
in a wetland may adversely affect wi
the establishment of many recreation areas have artificially
improved habitat for wildlife. A careful analysis of the
factors involved should be conducted prior to the development
of any area for recreational uses.

F_ F. Recreational Use Conflicts: Competition among conflicting
'Fa- uses exi
recr tional sts in so-me areas of the County coastline.
Notably, are off-road vehicle and pedestr-ian use incompati-
bilities along the more intensively used South and North Beach
areas. A closure of vehicles is in effect under County Ordinance
72-12 from June 1 through September 15 as a remedy to this
situation in the South Beach area. The North Beach area remains
open to ORV use year-round, however, north of Marhoffer Creek.

G. Restoration of Coastal Recreation Areas: Some areas of
recreational use in the Coastal Zone hg-veunderaone extensive
physical and visual degradation from either overuse, vandalism
or a lack of maintenance. Most important to consider are those
areas enduring the heaviest use and the greatest amount of
damage, for without corrective measures the recreational
qualities of these areas will further decline. The areas re-
quiring, restoration will be addressed under specific recreational
proposals to be discussed later under this element.

H. Maintenance Costs: The Del Norte County taxpayers are
inadvertently penaliz .ed by the maintenance costs of County parks
and beaches used heavily by out-of-county visitors. The State
of California and the Federal government shall assume a greater
financial responsiblity in the maintenance cost of County parks
and beaches to help offset this inequity.

I. Recreational Carrying Capacity: 'Recreational carrying
capacity is the optimum amount of recreational activity an
area can support without enduring significant environmental
damage or imparing the recreational experience. Basically,
three interrelated factors determine the recreational carrying
capacity of a given area: 1) the natural environment; 2) man-
maae iMDrovements; and 3) the visitor's perceptions.

F Study of carrying capacities for Coastal Zone recreation areas
is minimal. Two important generalizations may be made, however.
First of all, the areas in the Coastal Zone most sensitive to
recreation pressures include tidepools, tidal flats, wetlands
and grass-covered dunes, Second, the least fragile of coastal
habitats, and therefore possessing a greater capacity to endure
recreational activities, are open, sandy beaches. A major ob-
jective in coastal planning for the County will be to direct
recreational uses to Del Norte's numerous sandy beach areas.

J. Recreational Boatia: Boating is a popular recreation
activity on the Smith and KlamathoRivers and to a limited extent
on Lake Earl.

1. Smith River: Three boat launching ramps are located along
the North Ban f the Smith River in the Coastal Zone. Two are
owned and operated by commercial enterprises and open to,the
general public on a fee basis. The third boat ramp is main-
tained by the County without charge.

2. Klamath Rive r: Boat launching facil.ities are@ available
on the KlamatT River at many of the privately owned recrea-
tional campgrounds. A fee is generally charged. A County
maintained launching facility is located just upstream from
the coastal boundary limits.

3. Lake Earl: Boat launching is provided on Lake Earl by
Coun@y maintained ramps at the end of both Lakeview Drive and
Buzzini Road. Because of its shallow depth (approx. 4 feet)
and the seasonal profusion of submerge(i vegetation, boatina on
Lake Earl tends to be limited to smaller craft.

L 6

III. GENERAL POLICIES

A. Coastal Act Policies: A basic goal of the California legis-
lature in establishini-the Coastal Act of 1976 was to "maximize
public recreational opportunities in the Coastal Zone consistent
with sound resource conservation principles and constitutionally
protected rights of private property owners" (30001.5 Q. The
followin 'a Coastal Act policies'address issues of public recrea-
tion in the Coastal Zone:

30212.5. Wherever appropriate and feasible public facilities,
including parking areas or facilities, shall be'distributed
throughout an area so as to mitigate against the impacts, social
and otherwise, of overcrowding or overuse by the public of any
single area.

30213. Lower cost visitor and recreational facilities and
housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income
shall be protected, encouraged, and where feasible, provided.
Developments providing public recreational opportunities are
preferred ...

3021.0. Coastal areas suited for water-oriented recreational
activities that cannot readily be provided at inland water areas
shall be protected for such uses.

30221. Oceanfront land suitable for recreational use shall
be protected for recreational use and development unless present
and forseeable future demand for public or commercial recrea-
tional activities that could be accomodated on the property
is already adequately provided for in the area.

30222. The use of private lands suitable for visitor
serving commercial recreation facilities designed to enhance
public opportunities for coastal recreation shall have priority
over private residential, gerieral industrial, or general
commercial development, bu@t' riot over agriculture or coastal-
dependent industry.

30Z23. Upland areas necessary to support coastal recreational
uses shall be reserved for such uses, where feasible.

30224. Increase recreational boating use of coastal waters
shall be encouraged, in accordance with this division, but deve-
loping dry storage areas, increasing public launching facilities,
providing additional berthing space in existing harbors, limiting
non-water-dependent land uses that congest access corridors and
preclude boating support facilities, providing harbors of refuge,
and by providing for new boating facilities in natural harbors,
new protected water areas, and in areas dredged from day land.

30250. (c) Visitor-servina facilities that cannot feasibly
I
be located in existing developed areas shall be located in
existing isolated developments or at selected points of attraction
for visitors.

B. Present Local Policies: A well formulated recreational
element of the County's Te-neral Plan recognizes the importance
of the generous amount of open space and scenic beauty in Del
Norte County. It further observes that tourism is, and will
remain, an important economic stimulus to the County. General
Plan policies presently insuring the maintenance of a wide
variety of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors
alike are:
I. -the County should continue to in'sure its quantity in open
land and outstan.ding natural beauty through the maintenance of
open space.

2. Improved and increased access to Six Rivers National For 'est
and the Redwood National Park should be encouraged by the County.

3. The County should protect agricultural land from excessive
urban intrusion,

4. The following are recognized for their habitat and wildlife
values and their existing and Dotentia:l recreational uses should
be maintained.

A . Lakes.,Earl and Talawa
B. Elk Creek Drainage Basin
C. The Coastline
D. The Harbor
E. The many rivers, creeks and streams of the County
F. The sand dunes and wet sand areas along the coast
G. Coastal and interior mountain ranaes
H. Much of the alluvial plain

5. Outdoor recreation projects should preserve and enhance
scenic and environmental values.

6. Priority for acquisition and development of parks and recrea-
tion areas should be given to those areas possessing special
physical features and/or under pressure'of being developed for
non-recreational uses. Prioritizin- should include standards for
the acquisition development, maintenance, and renovation of park
areas.

7. Development of areas for recreational use, on a fee basis,
by private landowners should be encouraged.

8. The establishment of public access sites should thoroughly
consider the environmental and economic impact of adjacent
property owners and provisions should be made for adequate man-
power to regulate such recreational development.

9. The development of a regional trail and path system linking
residential areas to local recreational areas, Crescent City to
the Redwood National Park and recreational areas to each other
should be explored giving strong consideration to existing public
and quasi-public rights-of-way including-railroad rights-of-way.

10. The County should continue to provide indoor and outdoor
program activities directed towards the needs and interest of all
County residents and visitors to the County.

11. The County should strive to provide diverse programs with
emphasis on coordinated pl-anning between the City, the Unified
School District, the State, Federal and private agencies.

C. LCP Policies: The County of Del Norte recognizes the need
for provisions granting full coastal recreation opportunities
for the public while assuring the protection of important coastal
resources and the rights of private property owners. This section
will state the LCP provisions for recreation in the Coastal Zone
of Del Norte County.

1. The County encourages the continued maintenance of-coastal
recreation areas by both the private sector and public agencies.
2. New recreational development shall' be located and distributed
t?
throughout the Coastal Lone cii the land use map in a manner to
prevent undue social impacts, overuse or overcrowding.

3. Visitor-serving facilities that provide recreational oppor-
tunities to persons of low arid moderate income shall have priority
over higher cost visitor facilities.

4. The rights of private property owners shall be protected in
all provisions for public and private recreation facilities.

S. Visitor-serving and commercial-recreational facilities should
be located on ocean-front parcels only when such development
provides an increased opportunity for shoreline access and coastal
recreation and enhances scenic and environmental values of the
area.

6. Fragile coastal resources shall be considered and protected
to the greatest possible extent in all new coastal recreational
development.

I .
U

7. Recreational use conflicts should be minimized on coastal
beaches through provisions separating incompatible activities
by time and/or space.

8. The County encourages the continued maintenance of existina
0
recreational boating facilities by private operators and public
aaencies.

9. The County shall protect designated agricultural lands from
in,,.appropriate development includ-Ing, but not limited to recrea-
tional development.

IL
10

IV. SPECIFIC RECREATION PROPOSALS

Several existing recreation areas of coastal Del Norte County
have been identified as requiring specific policies in order to
enhance their recreational qualities while protecting important
coastal resources. The discussion of recreational improvements
for these specific areas is not meant to preclude the consideration
of other areas found in need of further recreational development.
Each area will be examined in detail focusing on the identifi-
cation of planning issues and the establishment of specific
recommendations for recreational enhancement.

A. South Beach: Located adjacent
to Highway 1OT-and 2 miles south
of Crescent City, South Beach lies
n Anchor Way and the norther-
betweeT
ly coastal boundary of Redwood
National Park. Approximately 1.S
miles long, the 300-SOO foot wide A 00 Gas Storage
beach is noted as one of the most
biologically productive areas for Welland
invertabrate animals (e.g., worms,
mole "crabs", razor clams) on
the northcoast.1

ndmine
1 . Land Use: Land uses adjacent
to South Beach include: comm'ercial -
recreational-, industrial; and
PACIFIC
Several motels and
aariculture.
restaurants are found in the area,
touether-with tourist attractions OCEAN
and gift shops. The industrial
uses are primarily fishery
oriented and situated within the
Harbor area. An oil storage
facility is located across
Highway 101 at the northerly
end of South Beadh. The agri-
cultural use is exclusively
cattle grazing and bulb production
in the vicinity of Sandmine and Bluff Roads.

2. Ownership: Land ownership in the South Beach area is frought
is complications. Most of the area is under a single private
ownership, but small inholdings exist with visitor-serving deve -
lopments. In addition, land ownership surrounding the oil storage
tanks includes portions of South Beach. Another ownership compli-
cation is that the westerly portion of a 120 foot wide right-of-way

1 California, State of, Coastal Commission, Preliminary Coasta-
Plan: Humboldt-Del Norte Subregional Supplement, p. Z13.

for Highway 101 extends onto South Beach, Finally, a land grant
establishing the Crescent City Harbor District includes al 10
land on South Beach up to the mean high tide line of 1963. Thus
a veneer of ownerships hamper access guarantees and public recrea-
tional development in the South Beach area.

3.' Recreational Use: Good visibility, wide pull-outs and ease
of beach access makes South Beach a very popular recreation area.
Heaviest use tends to be concentrated in the summer months, but
this area receives' substantial recreational use throughout the
year. Recreational activities include a wide variety of,
pursuits: 1) walking and beachcombing; 2) surf-fishing and
clamming; 3) surfing; and 4) ORV driving. Overnight camping
is predominant in the summer season wi th numerous recreational
vehicles occupying the highway pull-outs.

4. Planning Issues: Situated as both a southerly gateway to
Crescent City and a northerly entrance to Redwood National Park,
the South Beach area occupies a dominant role in coastal recrea-
tion for Del Norte County. Though presently open to a wide
variety.of shoreline recreation activities, the existing mixture
of land ownerships tends to undermine Opportunities for compre-
hensive recreation planning and management. Visually, the area
suffers from somewhat obtrusive signing and extensive litter.
Recreational use conflicts between pedestrian and off-road 2
vehicles has effectively.been eliminated by a County Ordinance
but.the issue of compaction on invertebrates from ORV use remains
a serious problem.3

S. Recommendations:

a. Access Easements: Dedication of vertical and lateral
access easements sH-ould be sought by the State.

b. Fundina: In the event of easement acquisitions, funds
for maintenance and liability shall be provided by the State.

C. Recreational ORV Use: The recreational use of motorized
vehicles should be pro ited fi-om this beach as it-is--
L biologically one of the most productive areas for inver-
tebrates on the northcoast.

2 It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any
vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine upon,
along or across the South Beach of the Pacific Ocean south
of the Southerly boundary of Crescent City between June 1
and September 15 of each year. (Ord. 72012)
3 Boyd, M. J., Intertidal and Subtidal Biota: Redwood National
Park, p. 143.
IL 12

d. Commercial ORV Use: An enforceable permit process should
be developed t allows the commercial ORV use of the beach
for fishing and salvage operations, thus minimizing impacts
upon the tidal flat and mitigating user conflicts.

e. Cooperative Planning: The County, Harbor District, State
and Redwood Natio@H-alPark should cooperate in a comprehensive
plan to enhance the visual and recreational qualities of
this area.

B. Pelican Beach State Park: CZ]
Pelican Beach State Par7 i's a 7.12
acre, undeveloped day-use area 1/4
mile south of the California/
Oregon border. A paved loop road lb
provides convenient access from
C)
Highway.101. Wind-pruned coastal
scrub and spruce covers the bluff
and terrace nortion of the Dark
and a steep airt road proviaes
Motel
access to the upen, sandy beach.

1 Land Use: Surrounding land
uses are rural-residential and
commercial. Several residential
dwellings lie to the north of C@ I
Pelican Beach State Park. Imme-
diately to the south is a motel
and restaurant complex and opposite
Hiahway 101 is another motel and
a gift shop.
Motel

2. Ownership: Pelican Beach
State Park is owned by the State
of California, Department of
Parks and Recreation. Presently
no maintenance of the area is
conducted.

3. Recreational Use: The unimproved park currently provides
only'ocean access. Walking, beachcombing and surf-fishing are
the primary recreational pursuits.

4. Planning Issues: The major planning issue for this area is
the aevelopment ot the park. No improved parking or other faci-
lities exist at present. The California Department of Parks
and Recreation has no development plans formulated, but Redwood
National Park is @ponsidering development of the park as a gateway
information center.

Recommendations:

a. Park Develouent: In order to expand the recreational
oppoTt-unities of this portion of the Del Norte coast, the
State or other public agency is encouraged to develop and
maintain parking and day-use facilities.

b. Potential Conflicts: Future development must consider
existing uses in the Tr-ea (residential, visitor-serving and
public-) so that potential conflicts are minimized and
existing qualities maintained.

C. Immediate Action: Prior to future development the State,
shall immediately sEgn the entrance and beach access of
Pelican Beach State Park.

C Clifford Kamuh Memorial Park:
0=3
Located 2 miles south of the
California/Oregon border, Kamph
%clemorial Park is an improved day- 0
use area with beach access.

1. Land Use: Rural residential,
agri.Iculture and commercial land
uses exist in the vicinity of
Kamph Memorial Park. Residential
housina is located to the north
and agriculture (grazing) to the
south. Also in the area is a
f_X_
motel and a gift shop.
QJ
2. Ownership: Kamph 1%,lemo r i a 1
Park was dedicated to the County
in 1976. The County provides Grazing
maintenance for the'facilities.

3. Recreational Us.e: Kamph
Memorial Park-7fTe-rs day-use
facilities and beach access.
Picnicking, walking, beachcombing
and surf-fishing are dominant
recreational uses.

4. Plannina Issues: General disreprair, resulting primarily
from vandalism, is the major issue to be resolved at Kamph Park.
Additionally, bluff erosion created by non-restrictive access
is degrading the Park's ocean frontage.

5. Recommendations:

a. Restoration: The County should seek funds from the
Coastal Conservancy to restore damaged facilities.

11% Bluff Ero@ion: A fence should be constructed alona the
bluf@-top to Tir-Scourage improper access and halt blufF
erosion.

c Adjacent Land Uses: Adjacent future land uses to the
south shall mitigate any potential impacts upon Kamph Park.
Provisions to be considered shall include but not be limited
to: clustering; on-site recreational improvements; density
exchange and open space dedication with the confines of the
parcel.
0

D. Pala Co unty Park: Fronting the*
ocean approximately 2 miles south
of the mouth of Smith River, Pala
County Park is a 210 acre parcel
isolated from immediate road
access. Active and stabilized
sand dunes cover the area. Pala
Park is situated within the
Yontocket Archeological District.

1 . Land Use: Agriculture, pre-
dominantly cattle grazing, is the PALA I Road
major land use in the area. PARK i
b
2. Ownership: Pala Park is owned
by tHe -County of Del Norte.
C)
3. Recreational Use: Because of
its remoteness, Pala Park receives
very limited use. Hikers may 1 Rd
reach the park from Kellogg Road
21-z miles to the south.
I Rd
4. Planning Issues: The central Morehead Rd
issue with Pala Park is whether I
to provide for access and increased
use or let the park remain rela-
tively isolated and primitive. Improved access would require
facility improvements, maintenance, and of course, additional
fundina. Also of concern are the sensitive archeological remains
in the area and proposals by the State to obtain the surrounding
lands as part of the Lake Earl/Smith River Delta acquisition.

S. Recommendations:

a Acquisition Problem: Prior to undergoing any costly
tacility improvements, the County should await the outcome
of State acqqisition questions in this area.

b. Development: In order to maintain the quality of the
natural environment and assure the continued security of
the Yontocket archeological site, the County should let
Pala Park remain a relatively remote and isolated Park.

C. Access: The state shall provide immediate access to Pala
Park_71@aPala Road.

E Pebble Beach Public Fishing
Access: The Pebble Beach access
is -located on Pebble Beach Drive
just nort of Crescent City. A
stairway provides beach access N.
from the bluff-top parking lot
and picnic area.

1. Land Use: Single family
Tings occupy most of the land
dwel Pacific
in this vicinity.

2. Ownershio: The County owns
and maintain@ the 3.75 acres of
bluff-top and beach comprising the PA Cl F1 C
Pebble Beach public fishing access.
3. Recreational Use: Located OCEAN
adjaEent to a populated area, the
Pebble Beach access receives
moderate to heavy use year-round.
.Picnicking, ocean-viewing, walking
and jogging are popular recreational
io'? :.'
activ ties.

4. Planning Issues: The major
problem at thi-F-Ta-cility is
vandalism. Excessive damage by trampling has also occurred on
a major promontory at the base of the beach access stairway.

5. Recommendations:

a. Restoration: Funds should be sought to restore facilities
in dispair and-revegetate the damaged promontory.

F Pacific Shores: Recorded in
1963 -1t-h1535 lots on 1486 acres,
Pacific Shores Subdivision to date
has not been developed to any major
extent. Situated on a coastal dune
system, sewage disposal is the
overriding problem of the develop-
ment.
LAKE
l.- Land Use: Land use surrounding C) TALAWA
the PacMc Shores Subdivision is
predominantly cattle grazing.

2. Ownership: The lots of Pacific LAKE
Shores Subdivision were sold on a
EARL
nationwide basis. Thus areater
than one thousand ownerships are
recognized in the area. Some
larae tracts of land, originally
intended as greenbelts, are owned
by the Pacific Shores Homeowners
Association.

3. Recreational Use: Roads in the
Pacific Shores Subdivision provide
access to the ocean and Lakes Earl
and Talawa. Recreational activities'
along the ocean include: walking; beachcombing; surf-fishing;
and ORV driving. The access to Lakes Earl and Talawa provide
opportunities for fishing, hunting and nature study.
C,
4. Planning Issues: Development at Pacific Shores Subdivision
is plagued by numerous problems. First, the-subdivision is
located on a sensitive coastal dune area. Development in this
generally stabilized dune region may result in renewed activity
0
creating unknown consequences. Secondly, a high water table
exists just below the sandy surface of the area. These conditions
render the use of. septic tanks entirely infeasible, thereby
limiting home construction in the subdivision. The development
of a major sewage system and treatment facility does not appear
economically feasible. Finally, the subdivision is adjacent to
a sensitive wetland recognized by the California Department of
Fish and Game as an extremely valuable fish and wildlife habitat.

The State of California is presently studying the possibility of
Z@
acquiring the entire subdivision together with other lands in
the Lake Earl/Talawa area.

Recommendations:

a . If the State acquires the subidivion, the- California
Department of Parks and Recreation would maintain ocean and
lake access for a variety of recreational uses.

b. If State acquisition of this subdivision is found not
feasible, the State should, investigate the prescriptive
rights issue to accessway-s in the area and, if easements
are acquired, maintain these accessways for a variety of
recreational purposes.

C. Enfoceable regulations should limit ORV use to the sandy
beach throuahout this area in order to prevent disruption to
0
the fragile dune systems.

G. Lakes Earl & Talawa:. Lake Earl
is a shallow, coastal Tagoon
covering about 2,300 acres. Lake
Talawa is a narrow extention of
Lake Earl opening to the Pacific
Ocean. The area is noted as a
prime wetland habitat for fish
and wildlife.
C)
1 . Land Use: A mixture of
acriE-ulture and residential land
uses exist east of Lake-Earl. Q)
The remaining land around the two
lakes is utilized for cattle
grazing.

2. Ownership: The ownership of
Lake Earl/Talawa is presently
being considered by the courts.
The State of California and a
private landholder both claim
ownership. of the lakes. Like
Earl
A.'
3. Recreational Uses: Sportfishing,
hunting, boating, an2@ nature study
are important recreational pursuits
at Lake Earl and Talawa.

4. Planning Issues: Currently, the feasibility of acquiring
additional la-n-a-sadjacent to Lakes Earl and Talawa and-their
surrounding environs is being studied by the State.

S. Recommendations:

a. The State shall provide access to the west side of Lake
Earl on each side of the connecting channel, but not neces-
sarily at the channel, for visitor uses. In addition the
State shall provide at least one improved boat launching
f*acility on the west side of Lake Earl.

b. The historic uses of Lakes Earl and Talawa for hunting
and fishing shall be maintained.

C. The State shall provide the following types of recreational
facilities at and near Lakes Earl and Talawa:

1) Day-use facilities, at more than one location.
2) Expanded access with adequate parking areas.
3) Signs indicating appropriate access points.
4) Lateral access along the ocean shoreline and the Lakes
within State owned lands.
4) Overnight facilities adjacent to the 1.akes and the
ocean shoreline in at least one location.

I
F,

H. Old Klamath Townsite: Des-
troyed in the-1964 flo , the old
Klamath Townsite is situated on
the Klamath Rivet floodplain. An
improved access road from the )L
new Highway 101 makes the aban-
doned townsite potentially useful
an.a seasonal recreation area.

1. Land Use: Surrounding land
uses include R.V. campgroutids
and other visitor-serving develop-
0 d Old
ments and agriculture (cattle Klamath
crazing). The old townsite is Townsite
within a floodplain zone in which
uses are limited to a seasonal
basis.

Ownership: Parcels in the
old Klamath townsite are owned
by numerous private individuals.
The State of California owns a
RI Peer,
parcel of approximately 3.5
acres adjacent to the river and
old highway.

a. Recreational Uses: Camping,
fishing ang boating are the
major recreational uses in the area.

4. Planning Issues: Recreational development on the Klamath
floodplain is limited by seasonal restrictions. The area
potentially available fOr a public recreational facility is
limited to the old highway in that the State owned parcel is
poorly drained and presently valuable as a riparian habitat.

S. Recommendations:

-a. The weste'rly end of old Highway 101 at the old Klamath
Townside should be considered by the State for its value
as a seasonal day-use recreation area and river access
point.

APPENDIX

PUBLIC PXRKS

DEL NORTE COUNTY
COASTAL ZONE
SU.NIMARY INFORMATION
LOCATION ')WNER- TYPE ACREAGE FRONTAGE ACCESS CAPACITY COST LEVEL
FFAICILITY SHIP RECREATIOAAL USES IMPROVEMENTS
OF USE

Pelican Oregon State Da%- 1 .0. 2 mi Paved Park ing No Walking; beachcombing;
Beach Border W's e Road for 10 fee surf-fishing;surfing Unimproved Light
vehicles

Redwood South of Day- Several @ camp- Sightseeing; hiking; Day-use facil-
Nat 11 Crescent U.S. use 67S' 13.6 mi tag/ 20 No Picnicking; walk-"ill ities; walk- M derate
Park City Trails picnic fee camping in campground; 0
trails

4@-
Kamph 4 miles Parking
Park north of County Day- 21 . 7 0.4 mi Trail/ for 15 No Picnicking; walking; Parking; %st- Moderate
Smith R. use Stair- vehicles fee beachcombing; surf- rooms; Pic ic Heavy
way fishing tables; trail

End of
Mouth of Mouth of Day- Parking No Fishing; walking;
Smith R. Smith R. ounty use 2.7 150 ft Trail for 16 fee sightseeing Parking;trail Moderate
Road vehicles

Smith R. fred
Public Haight ;tare Day- 3.1 400 ft Boat Parking No Boat launch-
Access -Drive use Launch for 50 fee Fishing; boating Moderate
vehicles ing ramp

------- --- ..........

PUBLIC PARKS

DEL NORTE COUNTY
COASTAL ZONE
SUNLNIARY INFORINIATION
FACILITY LOCATION )iVNER- TYPE ACRFAGL FRONTAGL ACCESS CAPACITY COST RECREATIONAL USES IMPROVEMENTS LEVELS
SHIP OF USE

2@ miles
Pala north of County Dav - -111) 1.2 mi Trail unknown No
Park Kellogg U'S e fee Hiking; ORV driving Unimproved Light
Road

Kellogg W'ly end Dav - Parking Walking; beachcomb-
of Kel- County U. No -fishing; Parking Moderate
Beach se 4.2 250 ft Trails for Is ing; surf
logg Rd. vehicles fee ORV driving

Ul
Lake Buzzini Right- Parking
Lakeview Day - of - wray s for 10 No Fishing; hunting;
Earl Roads County use 011l... :10 ft Open vehicles fee birdwatching; boat- Unimproved Moderate
Access
ing

Point 3 Miles Day- Parking No Walking; beachcomb-
St. north of State Use S none Trail for 100 Parking Moderate
George Crescent vehicles. fee ing; fishing
City

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Boyd, M. J., (1977) Intertidal and Subtidal Biota: Redwood
National Park, Humboldt SEaE_eUniversity, Arcata

California, State of, Coastal Zone Conservation Commission,
(December 1975), California Coa-stal Plan, San Francisco.

(July 1975),*Preliminary Coastal Plan:
Humboldt-Del Norte Subregional Supplement, Eur-e7a-, Ca.

California, State of, Department of Parks and Recreation,
(August 1971), California Coastline Preservation and
Recreation Plan, SacrameFtF, Ca.

Del Norte, County of, Planning Department, (November 1976),
Del Norte County General Plan, Crescent City, Ca.

(December 1977), LCP Issue Identification.

O.E.P.D. Committee, (1976), Overall Economic Development Program:
Planning and Action-for Te-IiNort'g Ca.
.@nt@, crescent City,

U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, Office of Coastal Zone Man-
agement, (January 1976),*Coastal Recreation: A Handbook
for Planners and Managers, Washington, D.C.-

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PUBLIC RECREATION AREAS

DEL NORTE COUNTY
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM V
1979 lu.8060'r

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Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

MARHOFFER CREEK WETLAND SPECIAL STUDY

This document was prepared with financial assis-
tance from the Office of Coastal Zone Management,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
under the provisions of the Federal Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, administered by the Cali-
fornia Coastal Commission.

County of Del"Norte
Planning Department
700 Sth Street
Crescent City, CA 95531
L (707) 464-2119

MARHOFFER CREEK WETLAND
SPECIAL STUDY

Table of.Contents

List of-Tables .........................
List of Figures .................................

1. INTRODUCTION ....................................

II. STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION .......................... 3

A. Location .................................... 3

B. Climate ..................................... 3

C. Topography .................................. 3

D. Geology ...................................... 3

E. Soils ....................................... 3

F. Vegetation .................................. 5

G. Wildlife .................................... 5

H. Land Use .................................... 5

III. METHODOLOGY ..................................... 7

A Mapping ..................................... 7

B. Resource Inventory .......................... 7

IV. FINDINGS ........................................ 9

A. Drainage Patterns ........................... 9

B. Wetland Extent .............................. 9

C. Wetland Vegetation Types and Hydrologic
Conditions .................................. 9

D. Principal Wildlife Habitats ................. 10

E. Resource Value ............................ @-- 12

,-.F. Habitat Sensitivity ............. ........... 14

V. POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................... 16

A. Coastal Act Policies ........................ 16

B. Present Local Policies ...................... 18

C-. LCP Policies ................................ 20

APPENDIXES

I Plants in the Marhoffer Creek Study Area ..... 22

II Birds in the Marhoffer Creek Study Area ...... 25

III Mammals in the Marhoffer Creek Study Area .... 28

IV Amphibians and Reptiles in the Marhoffer Creek
Study Area .................................. 30

MAPS

1 Drainage ....................................... 31

2 Wetland Areas ................................. 32

3 Habitats ...................................... 33

4 Topography .................................... 34
5 Major Land Divisions ........................... 35

6 Zoning ........................................ 36

BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................ 37

LIST OF TABLES
1 Wetland Plant Communities .........................

2 Principal Wildlife Habitats .................... I-)

LIST OF FIGURES

1 Location Map .................................. 4

MARHOFFER CREEK WETLAND
SPECIAL STUDY

I. INTRODUCTION

Marhoffe'r Creek drains a marine. terrace located immediately
northwes-@- of the City of Crescent City. This stream together
with its associated wetiand and wildlife are the subject of
this special study. The purpose of this study'is- to: 1) deter-
mine the limits of the Marhoffer Creek Wetland; and 2) identify
its sensitive resources in order to permit logical and compatible
development within the area.

A universally acceptable definition of wetland is difficult to
establish. Wetlands are generally viewed as areas of low
topography, poor drainage and seasonally standing water. The
California Coastal Act of 1976 defines a wetland as follows:

30121. ."Wetland" means lands within the coastal
zone which may be covered periodically or perma-
nently with shallow water and include saltwater
marshes, freshwater marshes, open or.closed
brackish water marshes, swamps, mudflats, and
fens.

This study adopts the Coastal Act definition of wetland and
further extends the term to include certain areas in which
wetland indicator plant species are present. The definition
and utilization of indicator species will be discussed in the
methodology section'. Wetland in this report refers to all
marshlands, riparian corridors, seasonally flooded areas, and
certain poorly drained pasturelands.

A land use plan conforming to the policies and guidelines of the
Coastal Act is required for the Marhoffer Creek area. A primary
difficulty in developing the plan is, however, that the actual
drainage patterns and wetland limits of Marhoffer Creek are
unknown. Additionally, the resource value and sensitivity of
the wetland are not fully understood and the measures necessary
to maintain the habitat are in question,

This report summarizes the accomplishments of the Marhoffer Creek
Wetland Special Study. First, a general description of the study
area?s location, physical features and land uses is presented.
Second, the methods utilized to conduct the mapping and resource
inventory of Marhoffer Creek are discussed followed by a presen-
tation of the findings. Finally, specific policies and recommen-
dations designed to maintain and enhance the resources of
Marhoffer Creek are presented.

The maps accompanying this report (see Appendix)*illustrate
the drainage courses, wetland areas and principal wildlife
habitats of Marhoffer Creek as found by this study. Additional
maps depict the topography, major land divisions and existing
zoning designation's as compiled from various sources.

II. STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION

A. Location: Marhoffer Creek is located immediately north-
west oF__tTFe_City of Crescent City. The Creek drains an ex-
tensive marine terrace.

The portion of the Marhoffer Creek drainage examined by this
study is bounded by Washington Boulevard, Inyo Street, Pacific'
Avenue and Pebble Beach Drive (see Figure 1). The study area
encompasses approximately 500 acres.

B. Climate: The climate of coastal Del Norte County is greatly
influ-en-c-e-TT-by the Pacific Ocean. It is characterized by mod-
erate temperatures throughout the year, considerable winter
rainfall and cool foggy summers. the microclimatic conditions
of the Marhoffer Creek drainage are not well documented, but
differences in moisture, temperature and wind are known to exist.
These relate closely to topography, aspect, vegetative cover
and distance from the ocean.

C. Topography: Elevations in the study area range from sea
level to approximately 45 feet. The overall study area is quite
flat, but slopes within drainages may be greater than 30%.
The topography of the Marhoffer Creek area is shown on Map 3 in
the Appendix.

D. Geology: The Marhoffer Creek area was once a part of the
CoasT -Range Mountains that slowly separated and sank into the
sea. For the last 200,000 years the plateau has been rising
to its present level. The St. George and Battery formations
are deposited over the original Franciscan formation.

1. St. George Formation: -The St. Georae Formation was
0
deposited during the Pliocene Epoch and is some 350-400
feet thick. Because it is composed of fine grained sedi-
ments it is fairly impervious to water.

2. Batterz Formation: The Battery Formation is appro.x-imate-ly
66 feet thick. it is composed of weakly consolidated silt,
clay and fine-to-medium grained quartz sands rendering it
subject to liquefaction during,strong earthquakes. The water
table in the Battery Formation is shallow and standing water
typically accumulates in low-lying 'areas during periods of
heavy precipitation.

E. Soils: A Soil Survey was conducted for coastal Del Norte
Coun-Ey-in 1966 by U.C. Davis. Although this survey excluded the
Marhoffer Creek area, it may be assumed that Marhoffer soil types
are similar to those found in surrounding areas. Interspersed
pockets of Talawa fine sandy loam (Ta 2 & Ta 3) are the most
probable soils to be found in the Marhoffer Creek drainage.

v,
STUDY AREA

CRESCENT DEL NORTE
CITY COUNTY

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Figure 1: Location Map

1. Talawa Fine Sandy Loam (Ta2): Talawa fine sandy loam is
known to occur on marine terraces that are dissected by small
streams. Internal drainage in these areas is good due to the
0-3% slope, but runoff is rather slow. Permeability is
moderately rapid. Available moisture-in the profile is low.
2. Talawa Fine Sandy Loam, poorlZ drained (Ta3): The
poorly drained variety of Talawa tine Sandy loam occurs in
the bottom of di-ssected marine terraces as well as the.
depressed areas on top of terrace surfaces. Water tends to
occur on these areas for prolonged periods and drainage is
rather poor.

F. Vegetation: Vegetation may be defined at the aggregation
of plant life in a landscape. Vegetation is particularly useful
as an indicator of environmental conditions such as prevailin.a
climate, soil type and other physical and biological factors.

Vegetation types in the Marhoffer Creek area progress from willow
dominated marshland in the lower portions of the drainage to
pasture, brush and forest lands on higher ground. Riparian
corridors extend along lateral and upper Stream courses. The
pasturelands consist primarily of grasses, clovers and sedges.
Brushland species include coyote brush, salal, scotch broom, and
blackberry. The forests of Marhoffer Creek are principally
Sitka spruce and shore pine.

A list of plant species found in the Marhoffer Creek area is
given in Appendix II.

G. Wildlife: The wetlands and forests of the Marhoffer Creek
study area support a variety of wildlife. Lists of bird, mammal
and reptile/amphibian species sited-in the course of this study
as well as some which are generally known to utilize the area
during all or part of their life cycle may be found in Appendix
III, IV, and V respectively. An intensive year-round field
study is recommended to complete the species lists.

H. L and Use: Present-day land uses in the Marhoffer Creek area
inclu agriculture; recreation; residential; and transportation
facilities.

1. Agriculture: Grazing is the major a 'gricultural activity
in the Marhoffer Creek area. This land use is limited to the
pasturelands situated in the northwest corner of the study
area. The McNamara Ranch maintains pastureland for horses
and cows.

2. Recreation: Pebble Beach Drive along the western border
of the study area provides.a scenic drive along the ocean-

view frontage as well as an eastern view of the distant
forests and mountains. Three turnout areas provide parking
for those seeking access to the beach.

3. Residentiali Residential development has occurred on the
South and soutteast side of the study area. Structures are
primarily single-family homes.

4. Transportation Facilities: A major transportation
tacility, located approximately -Ii mile north,6f the Pebble
Beach Drive and Washinaton Boulevard intersection, is the
County Airport. NestAir and private planes utilize the
facility.

111. METHODOLOGY

The research methods employed for the Marhoffer Creek Special
Study will be presented in this section. The resource inventory
and mapping project was conducted in August of 1979. The ob-
jective of the study was to establish a more precise location of
the Marhoffer Creek drainage and associated wetlands and to
better identify the resource values and sensitivity of the area..
A. Mappinla: The Marhoffer Creek, wetland was mapped using a
combination of air photo interpretation techniques, indicator
species identifications and field measurements.

1. Photo Interpretation: Black and white panchromatic and
U-2 Eo-lor infrared aerial photography were utilized to de-
termine wetland boundaries in general terms. Color Infrared
Film (CIF), originally developed for camouflage detection,
was especially useful in distinguishing vegetation types and
differentiatina water surfaces and wet soils.
0

Drainage patterns and wetland limits were recorded on the
aerial photographs and after field checking were transferred
to a base map at the scale of 1:12000.

2. Indicator Species: An indicator species is a plant that
because o7 its specific ecological requirements for growth
and reproduction lives only in certain habitats. Such a
plant may indicate that a certain habitat exists if the
particular species is present. Indicator species used to
identify the limits of the Marhoffer Creek wetlands included:
sedges; rushes; horsetail; bur-reed; skunk cabbage; and willows.

3. Field Measurements: In areas where the wetland limits
were not readily ident.ified on aerial photography a field
check was conducted. The field checking procedure was to
first identify the wetland limits on the ground using
i-ndicator species. The wetland boundary locations were then
measured with compass and tape from identifiable points such
as survey monuments or road intersections and transferred
to the base map.

A series of maps at the scale of 1:12000 was prepared to delineate
the drainage patterns, wetland areas and wildlife habitats as
determined by this study. Various other maps including topography,
land divisions and existing zoning are also presented and may be
found in the Appendix.

B. Resource Inventory: The resource inventory aspect of the
Marhoffer Creek Special Study involved delimiting the significant
wildlife habitats of the area and identifying species utilizing
C>
these habitats.

1 Wildlife Habitats: A habitat is a place where an animal
lives. For example, the long-billed marsh wren lives in
marsh habitats. Other birds and animals are known to range
through more than one habitat type.

The identification of wildlife habitats has been emphasized
in this study over other methods of wildlife research,such as_
population counts or detailed species inventories. Establish
ing the locations and relative value of various wildlife
habitats will better serve the purpose of this study:`that is
to determine those areas most suitable for developmeftt while
maintaining the integrity and productivity of surrounding
sensitive lands and waters.

The principal wildlife habitats identified.by this study
have been differentiated on the basis of vegetation types
and water conditions.

2. Wildlife Inventory: A systematic inventory oil wildlife
was not conducted by this study. Casual observations were
made, however, during the progress of field mapping. The
observation periods amounted to approximately 6 hours durina
one summer month. Thus, by .10 means have the full diurnal
and seasonal uses of Marhoffer Creek's principal wildlife
ha'bitats been examined. Additional work is needed to further
understand the organization and interactions of the wildlife
communitie.s recognized by this study. It is therefore
reccommended that a thorough wildlife inventory and analysis
be conducted (including night observations) for at least a
one year period.

IV. IINDINGS

The principal findings of this special study include a more
complete delineation of the Marhoffer Creek drainage patterns
and its associated wetland. In addition, the major wildlife
habitats of the area have been identified. These and other
significant findings of this study will be reviewed in this
section.

A. Drainage Patterns: Earlier mapping efforts have been
incomplete as regards the delineation of the "Iarhoffer Creek
drainage system. An important result of this study is a more
precise and complete mapping of the 'Marhoffer Creek drainage
patterns. Map 1 illustrates the 'I'larhoffer Creek drainage
patterns as mapped by this study.

B. Wetland,Extent: The extent of the Marhoffer Creek wetland
as found by triis study is shown on 'tap 2. The entire wetland is
defined as several marshland subtypes (e.g., upland marsh, shrub
marsh) together with riparian vegetation and certain pasturelands.

The boundaries of the Marhoffer Creek wetlands are shown as dashed
lines to indicate the approximate limits of the wetlands.
In nature, such lines are seldom distinct. They tend rather to
be transitional zones grading from one plant community type to
another. Therefore, the boundaries shown are not precise deli-
miters of the wetland, but indicate zones of transition. Specific
findings on a parcel by parcel basis will be required for the
determination of building sites or septic tank leach fields in
or near the wetland boundary zone.

C. Wetland Vegetation Types and Hydrologic Conditions: Four
major wetland vegetation types have been differentiated in the
Marhoffer Creek study area. A brief description of the plant
composition and general hydrologic conditions of each will be
presented.

1. Pastureland: This portion of the Marhoffer Creek marsh
is located adTa-cent to Pebble Beach Drive immediately south
of Washington Blvd. Although utilized as pastureland and
containing numerous pastureland gras.ses the area is poorly
drained. Marsh associated plants such as sedge and bur-reed
are found throughout.

2. Shrub Marsh: The shrub marsh consists of very dense
populations o illows and shrubs. Typical shrub species
are: Douglas spirea; twinberry; and blackberry. Numerous
spruce snags are located in the shrub marsh. Horsetail
ferns, sedges and gra*sses are also present. The shrub marsh
is a seasonally flooded area.

3. Upland Marsh: Two upland marsh areas are located above
the Marhoffer Creek drainage. Typical plant species found in
these seasonally.flooded areas are: Sitka spruce; red alder;
labrador tea; twinberry; and skunk cabbage.

4. Riparian Corridors: Riparian vegetation is the plant
cover growing in association with stream courses. it
0
is aenerally characterized by dense growths of trees and
shrubs.

The riparian vegetation of @Marhoffer Creek is-located
along upper and side drainage courses. Except for riparian
Corridors adjacent to pasturelands and development, it is
difficult to identify this vegetation in that the riparian
community grades into forestland without distinctive bound-
aries.

Riparian vegetation in i4arhoffer Creek includes: willows;
red alder; spirea; and blackberry.

Table 1 sumarizes the typical vegetation and general hydrologic
conditions of the four wetland communities identified within
the Marhoffer Creek Special Study area.

D. Principal Wildlife Habitats: Five principal wildlife habitats
within the Marhoffer Creek stu area have been identified on
7Y
the basis of vegetation types aild hydrologic conditions. These
are pastureland; marshland; brushland; forestland; and riparian.

1. Pastureland: Pasturelands are located immediately south
Of t esterly end of Washington Blvd. These are used by
0
waterfowl and wading birds as auxiliary feeding grounds.

2. Marshland: The marshland of 'Marhoffer Creek is covered
almost wholly by dense growths of willows and various shrubs.
This provides excellent cover for a variety of birds including;
wrens, juncos, warblers, and sparrows. Raptor and some wading
birds utili--e.the numerous snags found.in the marshland for
roosting sites. Flickers and blackbirds use cavities in the
snags for nesting. Beaver are very active in the marshland,
occasionally creating flood hazard problems.

3. Brushland: Most of the brushlarid habitats of 114arhoffer
Creek are loc.ated south of the drainage near Lauff Avenue.
Coyote brush, scotch broom, blackberry and salal are common
brushland species. These sites are relatively dry, but
nonetheless serve as habitat for quail, rabbits and deer.

4. Forestland: The forestlands of Elk Creek are dominated
by Sitka spru@e and shore pine. They occur primarily on
the north side of the Marhoffer Creek drainage. The forests

COMMUNITY TYPICAL VEGETATION HYDROLOGIC CONDITION
S@

Pastureland Grasses, Sedges, Moderately to
Clover, Sorrel, Iris poorly drained

Willows, Spirea, Moist conditions,
Shrub Marsh Twinberry, Horsetail, seasonally flooded
Sedges, Grasses.

Areas of standing
Red Alder, Sitka water or boggy
Upland Marsh Spruce, Sedges conditions
occasionally drying

Riparian Willows, Alder, Associated with
Spirea, Blackberry water courses

TABLE 1: Wetland Plant Communities of
Marhoffer Creek

are very dense with understory species including: Cascara
buckthorn; red alder; thimbleberry; and salal. The forest
areas of Marhoffer Creek provide dense cover for such species
as: owls; woodpeckers; sapsuckers; thrushes; and deer.
5. Riparian: Riparian habitat is the dense vegetative cover
associate ith water courses. Sitka spruce, willows, alders
and various shrubs are common along the riparian corridors
of Marhoffer Creek.- Sparrows, thrushes, warblers, juncos and
racoons are among the species utilizing this habitat.

In addition to the wildlife habitats located within the Marhoffer
Creek Drainage there exist nearby marine habitats including
offshore rocks and islands. The sianificance of the Marhoffer
Creek wetlands to important rookery0and resting sites such as
Castle Rock is not well established, but the probability exists
that the wetlands of Marhoffer Creek provide feeding and resting
0
areas for some of the birdlife utilizing Castle Rock. 'In that
Castle 'Rock is considered one of the most significant coastal
rookeries in California, studies should be undertaken to
establish the importance of the Marhoffer Creek Drainage to the
birdlife of Castle Rock and other nearby rookeries.

The principal wildlife habitats of 111arhoffer Creek are illustrated
by Map 3. Table 2 presents a summary of each habitat type
identified for Marho-ffer.Creek, indicating both typical vegetation
species and representative wildlife.

E. Resource Value: The overall resource value of the Marhoffer
Creek wetland__ffE`ybe summarized as follows:

1. Through the natural filtering action of aquatic plants
and organic matter, the quality of water flowing from the
Marhoffer Creek wetland is improved. Sediment and other
impurities are trapped and offshore water and marine
resources are thus protected and maintained by the wetland.

Z-'. The Marhoffer Creek wetland acts to some measure as a
regulator of surface and subsurface water flow. The wet-
land helps to retain water during dry seasons and absorb
storm impact during periods of heavy rainfall. Thus the
0
wetland protects against both flooding and drought.
0

3. The Marhoffer Creek wetland functions as important
breeding, nesting, resting and feeding grounds for a wide
0 C. 0
variety of wildlife. The numerous vegetation types found
throughout and immediately adjacent to the wetland provides
for diversity of habitat and wildlife species.

4. Finally, the wetlands of Marhoffer Creek provide a
distinctive viewshed for recreationists in the Pebble Beach

HA7BITAT TYPICAL VEGETATION REPRESENTATIVE WILDLIFE)

Grasses, Sedges, Egret, Goldfinch,
Pastureland Clover, Sorrel, Swallows, Rodents,
Iris Moles

Marshland Grasses, Sedges, Hawks, Kites, Wrens,
Rushes, Silverweed, Warblers, Blackbirds,
Willows Muskrat, Beaver

Huckleberry, Salal,
Brushland Scotch Broom, Coyote Quail, Stellar's Jay,
Brush, Blackberry Rabbits, Deer, Feral
Pig

Sitka Spruce, Beach Owls, Woodpeckers,
Forestland Pine, Shrubs, Ferns, Sapsucker, Thrush,
Herbs Skunks, rodents,

L Willows, Alders, Sparrows, Thrushes,
Riparian -Spirea, Salmonberry, Warblers, Junco,
k- Blackberry Racoon

TABLE 2: Principal Wildlife Habitats of
Marhoffer Creek

13
IL

area. The open pasturelands, scrub marshlands and spruce
forests add to the aesthetics of the area.

F. Habitat Sensitivity: The ability of a habitat to absorb
environmental changes-is directly related to the diversity of
that community. Habitat sensitivity is the relative degree
to which a habitat can accommodate stressful impacts without
change in species composition-or damage to dependent organisms.
The habitats identified as most sensitive in this study are the
marshland and riparian areas. The forests and pastureland, be-
cause of their varied nature, are somewhat less sensitive. The
brushland areas are somewhat more tolerant to change than the
other habitat types.

1. Marshland:

a) Marshlanids act as a natural sponge to slow and
filter water.

b) These areas absorb water during floods and retain
it during dry periods; thus keeping the water
table relatively stable.

c) Vegetation removal may result in: 1) a loss in
ability to absorb water during floods; or 2) a
drop in the water table, leading to salt water in-
trusion in dry periods.

d) These areas also provide a unique habitat for wild-
life. Birds occupying Castle Rock as well as
Pacific Flyway migrants utilize these protective
inland areas.

2. Riparian:

a) Upstream land use practices may increase rates of
siltation which will decrease water quality.

b) Excessive siltation and debris deprived from ri-
parian areas may clog the outlet culvert, resulting
in flooding and/or disease problems.

c) Riparian areas serve as cool protective sites for
wildlife feeding, resting and drinking.

3. Forestlands:

a) Forests provide man with valuable timber and revenue.

b) Forests provide wildlife habitats and act as a cor-
ridor for their passage from upland areas to water
and feedina sources.

c) Forests can moderate wind and storms.

d) These areas act to slow runoff.

4. Pasturelands:

a) Pasturelands are used for resting, nesting, hiding
and feeding'areas by many birds and small mammals.

b) They are productive and useful agricu ltural areas.

c) The improper use of chemicals in these areas may
result in contamination to humans and wildlife
via watercourses, the food chain or the air.

S. Brushlands:

a) Brushlands act to buffer noise and wind.

b) They reduce pedestrian entrances into areas.

c) They also provide protective cover necessary for
wildlife to rest, nest, feed and hide in.

V. POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Coastal Act Policies: The 1976 Coastal Act developed several
policies tor sensitive=abitats and marine resources. A sen.-
sitive habitat is defined as:,

"...any-area in which plant or animal life.or their habitats
are either rare or especially valuable because of their special
nature or role in an ecosystem and-which could be easily disturbed
or degraded by human activities and developments." (Coastal Act,
Section 30107.5).

Coastal Act policies concerned with the maintenance of sensitive
coastal habitats and resources are:

30230. il4arine resources shall be maintained, enhanced, and,
where feasible, restored. Special protection shall be given to
areas and species of special biological or economic significance.
Uses of the marine environment shall be carried out in 0a manner
that will sustain the biological productivity of coastal waters
and that will maintain healthy populations of all species of marine
organisms adequate for lon-g-term commercial, recreational, scien-
tific, and educational purposes.

30231. The biological productivity and the quality of coastal
waters, streams, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes appropriate to
maintain optimum populations of marine organisms and for the
protection of human health shall be maintained and, where feasible,
restored through, among other means, minimizing adverse effects
of waste water discharaes and entrainment, controlling runoff,
preventing -depletion of around water supplied and encouraging
waste water reclamation, maintaining natural vegetation buffer
areas that protect riparian habitats, and minimizing alteration
of natural streams.

30233. (a) The diking, filling, or dredging of open coastal
waters, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes shaoll be permitted in
accordance with other applicable provisions of this division,
where there is rio feasible less environmentally damaging alter-
native, and where feasible, mitigation measures have been provided
to minimize adverse environmental effects, and shall be limited to
the following:
(1) New or expanded port, energy, and coastal-dependent
industrial facilities, including commercial fishing facilities.
(2) Maintaining existing, or restoring previously dredged,
depths in existing navigational channels, turning basins, vessels
berthing and mooring areas, and boat launching ramps.

(3) In wetland areas only, entrance channels for new or.
expanded boating facilities; and in a degraded wetland, identified
by the Department of Fish and Game pursuant to subdivision (b) of
Section 30411, for boating facilities if, in conjunction with
such boating facilities, and substantial portions of the degraded
wetland is restored and maintained as a biologically productive
wetland; provided, however, that in no event shall the size of
the wetland area used for such boating facility, includin 'a
berthing space, turnino-, basins, necessary navigation.,.channels,
and any necessary support service facilities, be greater than 25
percent of the total wetland area to be restored.
(4) In open coastal water, other than wetlands, including
streams, estuaries, and lakes, new or expanded boating facilities.
(5) Incidental public service purposes, including, but not
-limited to, buryin 'a cables and pipes or inspection of piers. and
maintenance of existing intake and outfall lines.
(6) Mineral extraction, including sand for restoring beaches,
0
except in environmentally sensitive areas.
(7) Restoration purposes.
(8) Nature study, aquaculture, or similar resource-dependent
activities.
@b) Dredging and spoils disposal shall be planned and
carried out to avoid si nificant disruption to marine and wildlife
9
habitats and water circulation. Dredge spoils suitable for beach
replenishment should be transported for such to appropriate beaches
or into suitable lonashore current systems.
(c) In addition to the other provisions of this section,
diking, filling, or dredging in existing estuaries and wetlands
shall maintainoor enhance th"e functional capacity of the wetland
or estuary. Any alteration of coastal wetlands identified by
the Department of Fish and Game, including, but not limited to the
19 coastal wetlands identified in its report entitled, "Acquisition
Priorities for the Coastal Wetlands of California" shall be limited
to very minor incidental public facilities, restorative measure,
nature study, commercial fishing facilities in Bodega Bay, and
development in already developed parts of South San Diego Bay,
L_ if otherwise in accordance with this division.

30236. Channelizations, dams, or other substantial alterations of
rivers and streams shall incorporate the best mitigation measures
feasible and be limited to (1) ne.cessary water supply projects;
(2) flood control projects where no other method for protecting
existing structures in the flood plain is feasible and where such
protection is necessary for public safety or to protect existing
C,
development, or; (3) developments where the primary function is
the improvement of fish and wildlife habitat.

(b) Development in areas adjacent to environmentally
sensitive habitat areas and parks-and recreation areas shall be
sited and designed to prevent impacts which would significantly
degrade such areas, and shall be compatible with the continuance
of such habitat areas.

30607.1. Where any dike and fill development is permitted in wet-
lands in conformity with this division, mitigation measures
shall include, at a minimum, either acquisition of equivalent
areas of equal or areater biological pr6ductivity or opening up
equivalent areas to tidal action; provided, however, that.if no
appropriate. restoration site is available, an in-'lieu fee sufficient
to -provide an area of equivalent productive value or surface areas
shall be dedicated to an appropriate public agency, or such replace-
ment site shall be purchased before the dike or fill development
may proceed. Such mitigation measures shall not be required for
temporary or short-term fill or diking: provided, that a bond
or other evidence of financial responsibility is provided to assure
that restoration will be accomplished in the shortest feasible time .

B. Present Local Policies: The Del Norte County General Plan
adopted policies concerning marshlands and sensitive habitats in
1976. Policies from the conservation element designed towards the
continued use and maintenance of wildlife habitat and veaetation
are:

1. The County should require Environmental Impact Reports to
insure the protection of fish, wildlife and plant species
in the area considered for development.

3. The County should maintain all existing species of fish,
wildlife, and vegetaian for their economic, intrinsic and
@cological va'lues as well as providing adequate protection
-of rare and endangered species.

4. Del Norte County should provide for diversified recreational
use of fish and wildlife while providing preservation for their
habitat.

5. The County should maintain forest lands in production under
the multiple use concept which includes recreation and wild-
life habitat.

6. Del Norte County should recounize and encourage the various
uses of wildlife and their habitat, including such activities
as passive watching, scientific studies, educational purposes
0 1
and hunting and fishing.

7. The following areas are recognized as major locations of
excellent wildlife habitat, native or natural vegetation and
of aesthetic value. These areas should be maintained as wild-
life habitat and protected from adverse activity. No further
commitment to development should be allowed except that
which is in the best interest of the public health, safety
and welfare, or as noted.

A. All offshore rocks and islands (seward of the mearl.high
tide line) excluding Whaler anJ Battery Islands.

B. Inland of the mean high tide line to the first line of
vegetation (except in the areas of coastal bluffs when
the area will be to the crest of the bluff), excluding
the harbor area.

C. Lakes Earl and Talawa and their immediate marshland,
allowing continued agricu-ltural uses.

D. Sand dunes and wet sand areas, extluding limited deve-
lopment in appropriate areas.

E. The tidal influenced areas of the Smith and Klamath
Rivers. Commercial-Recreational and Public-Recreational
development should be allowed but be carefully controlled
to prevent significant alteration of the habitat areas.
Gravel extraction should be allowed on a small scale'
consistent with local policy and state regulations.

S. The County should establish riparian corridors along local
streams, creeks and sloughs to maintain their aesthetic appeal,
wildlife habitat, control of erosion, and to provide natural
vegetation separations between developed uses.

9. The County should establish selected woodland and forest
L areas to provide aesthetic appeal, wildlife habitat and natural
separation between residential, commercial, industrial and other
uses as warranted.

10. The County should pursue a cooperative Tole with the Forest
Service in the protection and continued maintenance of all
plants and animal species and their.habitat.

Also of interest to the Marhoffer Creek Study are existing County
policies regarding extractive resources.

1. No extraction should be permitted in areas where it would
significantly harm, alter or destroy wildlife habitat, fisheries
or archeological or historic sites and no adequate mitigation
measures are deemed adequate.

2. Operators of extraction operations should take all precautions
necessary to avoid contamination from waste disposal or
general operation activity of the site, nearly streams or
rivers, air and the environment in ceneral. Existina and
future local, state and federal regulations will be met or
exceeded.

LCP Policies: Policies concerning sensitive habitats as well
as marine, water and extractive resources have been developed
in other components of Del Norte County's Local Coasfal Plan.
This section will prcscnt spocilic policies and recoinniciulat lolls
for the Ma-rhoffer Creek study area.' The policies of the ,
Marine & Water Resources Component apply to this area as well
as those listed below.
Performance standards shall be developed and implemented which
will guide development adjacent to upland marsh areas identified
in the Marhoffer Creek study so as to permit utilization of land
areas.compatible with other policies while providing adequate
maintenancelof the subject marsh area.

'I. A buffer strip shall be maintained in natural conditions
around the Marhoffer Creek wetlands where adjacent land uses are
found incompatible with the productivity or maintenance of the
wetlands.

New development adjacent to the Marhoffer Creek wetlands shall
not result in adverse levels of additional sediment, runoff, noise,
wastewater or other disturbances.

Snags shall be maintained with the Marhoffer Creek wetland
for their value to wildlife.

NO motorized vehicle traffic shall be permitted within t-ne
Marhoffer Creek wetlands except for agriculture and forestry.

Riparian vegetation along the course of Marhoffer Creek and
its branch streams shall be maintained for their qualities of
wildlife habitat and stream buffer zones.

In areas where the boundary of the Marhoffer Creek wetland
is in doubt a detailed survey of a parcel and the location of the
wetland shall be required to determine the suitability of said
parcel for dwelling or other building site and sewage disposal
system before a permit is issued.

The pasturelands in the Marhoffer Creek area provide valuable
habitat for wildlife and therefore should be maintained in their*
existing use as agricultural grazin'g.

Vegetation removal in the Marhoffer Creek wetland shall be
limited to that necessary to maintain the free flow of the
drainage courses and only when excessive impediment creates
flooding hazards on adjacent lands.

The County should encourage and support educational programs
in schools, park programs and community organizations which seek
'to increase public awareness and understanding of sensitive
habitats and the need for their portection.

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

ELK CREEK WETLAND SPECIAL STUDY

This document was prepared with financial assis-
tance from the Office of Coastal Zone 14anagement,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
under the provisions of the Federal Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, administered by the Cali-
fornia Coastal Commission.

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
700 Sth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

ELK CREEK WETLAND
SPECIAL STUDY

Table of Contents

List of Tables ................... : .............. i

List of Fiaures .................................. i

INTRODUCTION .................................... 1

STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION .......................... 3

A. Location .................................... 3

B. Climate ..................................... 3

C. Topography .................................. 3

D. Geology ...................................... 3

E. Soils ....................................... 5

F. Vegetation .................................. 5

G. Wildlife .................................... 7

H. Historical Land Uses ........................ 7

J. Present-Day Land Use ........................ 7

PREVIOUS STUDIES ................................ 10

A. Haley Land Classification ................... 10

B. Flood Control Studies ........................ 10

C. Soils Survey ................................ 10

D. Natural Vegetation Map ...................... 10

E. Flood Drainage Study ........................ 10

TV. Mr.,,1,110001I0Gy ...................................... 13

A. Mapping ..................................... 13

B. Resource Inventory .......................... 13

V. FINDINGS ........................................ 15

A. Drainage Patterns ........................... is.

B. Wetland Extent ............................... 1-5

C. Wetland Veaetation Types and
0
Hydrologic Conditions ....................... 17

D. Principal Wildlife Habitats ................. 13

E. Resource Value .............................. 20

F. Habitat Sensitivity ......................... 22

Vi. POLICIES AND RECOKNIENDATIONS .................... 25

A. Coastal Act Policies .; ...................... 2S

B. Present Local Policies ...................... 27

C. LCP Policies ................................ . -19

APPENDIXES

I Plants in the Elk Creek Study Area ........... 32

IT Birds in the Elk Creek Study Area ............ 35.

III. Mammals in.the Elk Creek Study Area .......... 38

IV Amphibians and Reptiles in the
Elk Creek Study Area ......................... 3 )9

GLOSSARY ............................................. 40

BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................ . 12

LIST OF TABLES

1 Soils of Elk Creek ................................ 6

2 I'viarshland Plant Communities ....................... 19

3 Principal Wildlife Habitats ....................... 21

LIST OF FIGURES

1 Location Map ...................................... 4

2 Early Map of Elk Creek ............................ 11

3 Topographic Cross-Sections ........................ 16

IL
IF

ELK CREEK WETLAIND
SPECIAL STUDY

I. INTRODUCTION

Elk Creek, with headwaters originating in the forested uplands
of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, 'Llows in a aeneral south-
westerly direction to the Crescent City Harbor. A portion of
this stream, to'gether with its wetlands and wildlife are the
subject of this special study.

The Del Norte County General Plan (1976) and the California
Coastal Commission (1977) have both recognized the lower
reaches of Elk Creek and its associated wetland as a sensitive
habitat requiring particular attention in the process of coastal
planning. The primary difficulty in attempting to develop a
plan for this area is that the actual drainage patterns and
wetland limits of Elk Creek are unknown. In addition, the over-
all resource value of the Elk Creek wetland is not fully understood
and the measures necessary to maintain the habitat are in question.
The purpose of this study is to define the limits of the Elk
Creek wetland and identify its sensitive resources in order to
permit logical and compatible development within the area.

A universally acceptable definition of wetland is difficult to
establish. Wetlands are generally viewed as areas of low topog-
raphy-, poor drainage and seasonally standing water. The California
Coastal Act of 1976 defines a wetland as follows:

30121. "Wetland" means lands -within the coastal
zone which may be covered periodically or perma-
nently with shallow water and include saltwater
marshes, freshwater marshes, open or closed
brackish water marshes, swamps, mudflats, and
fens.

This--study adopts..the Coastal Act definition of wetland and
further extends the term to include certain areas in which wet-
land indicator plant species are present. The definition and
utilization of indicator species will be discussed in the meth-
odology section. Wetland in this report refers to all marshlands,
riparian corridors, seasonally flooded areas, and certain poorly
drained pasturelands.

This report summarizes the accomplishments of the Elk Creek Wetland
Special Study. First, a general description of the study area's
location, physical features, history and present-day@uses is
presented and previous studies concerning the Elk Creek drainage
are reviewed. Second, the methods used to conduct the mapping
and resource inventory of Elk Creek are discussed followed by a
presentation of the findings. Finally, specific policies and

recommendations designed to maintain and enhance the resource
values of Elk Creek are presented.

An atlas of the Elk Creek Special Study area with maps at the
scale of 1:12000 has been compiled to accompany this presentation.
This map series illustrates the drainage courses, wetland areas
and principal wildlife habitats as found by the study and includes
also maps of the area's topography, soils, flood hazards, parcels
and zoning as compiled from various sources.

If. STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION

A. Location: Elk Creek, with a drainage basin covering approx-
imati'lY41=0 acres, is located immediately northeast of"the
City of Crescent City. Elk Creek originates in the upland forests
of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and flows southwesterly to
the Crescent City Harbor.

The portion of the Elk Creek drainage system examined by this
study is bounded by Elk Valley Road,. Parkway Drive, the City
limits of Crescent City and the watershed divide @eparating Elk
Creek from Jordan Creek (see Figure 1). The study area encom-
passes nearly 2000 acres.

B. Climate: The climate of coastal Del Norte County is influ-
encea greatly by the Pacific Ocean. It is characterized by mod-
erate temDeratures throughout the year, considerable winter rain-
fall and cool foggy summers. The microclimatic conditions of
'? 11 documented, but differences
the Elk Creek drainage are not we
in moisture, temperature and wind are known to exist. These re-
late closely to topography, vegetative cover and distance from
the ocean.

C. Topographv: Elevations in the study area range from sea
level to approximately 70 feet. Overall the study area is quite
flat, but slopes between 20 to 50% occur in branch drainage
systems.

0. Geology: Elk Creek lies within a coastal lowland -a-rea under-
lain y -the Franciscan Complex. This area, known as the Crescent
City Platform, was once a part of the' Coast Range Mountains until
some 25 million years ago when this block of mountains separated
and slowly sank into the sea. Two formations have since 6een
deposited over the original Franciscan formation-and for the last
200,000 years the plateau has been rising to its present elevation.

1. St. George Formation: The lower formation, deposi-t.ed
.4gring the Pliocene Epi-ch, is the 350-400 foot thick St.
George Formation. This geologic layer is compased. of fine
arained sediments and is fairly impervious to water.

2. Battery Formation: The topmost deposit, known as -the
ely'66 feet thick and consists
Battery Formation, is approximat
of weakly consolidated material; alternating silt, clay and
fine-to-medium grained quartz sands.1 This formation may be
0
subject to liquefaction: a sudden collapse of soil structure

1. Terra Scan Inc., 1976 Seismic Safety and Safety Element:
An Element of the Del Norte County General_Plan p. 11.

STUDY AREA

CRESCENT DEL NORTE
COUNTY
CITY
10
ROAD

REDDING

P.,

SACRAI@@O
SAII FRANCISCO

15 14

.371 qj ao

a/ VO'.:--
Tank

AVC

ao
%

22 23.
M
@..nty
Cern Hos Ita
10
STUDY AREA
0,
r

-30
Z @Hl
r
DAD
A-"

RESCENT CITY
40 -7
li i-J

-27
28@' J
20
krn dio Me
S,
o@,ai
L

4, W LAMA T@4 20 MI.
EUREKA H5 M1

Figure 1: Location Map

and a temporary increase of the material into a fluid mass
associated with earthquake activity. The area has a shallow
water table; during periods of heavy precipitation standing
water often occurs in low-lying areas.

E. Soils: Approximately 75 percent of the soils within the Elk
CreeT -study area have been identified in a survey of the agricul-
tural soils of coastal Del Norte County by U.C. Davis. Soil
types recognized are as follows:

Talawa Fine' Sandy Loam (Ta 2)

Talawa Poorly Drained (Ta 3)

Hutsinpillar Silty Clay Loam (Hp 2)

Peat Bog CPB)

Arcata Loam (Ar 2)

1. Talawa Soils: The Talawa soils occur on low marine
ter-races -t-h-a-t-Ta-ve. been slightly uplifted. Generally they
are well drained unless situated in depressed areas. 'Elk
Creek soils of this type are in some instances.poorly drained
as is evidenced by standing wate@r.

2. Hutsin@illar Soils: The Hutsinpillar soil-type typically
occurs in basins oF -small streams draining the nearby Fran-
ciscan formation. This soil is poorly drained, fine textured ,
and has a well developed profile.

3. Peat Boa: Peat boa occurs in areas where organi-c--matter
Z,
has accumulated in excess of mineral matter. It is poorly
to very poorly drained. The depth of these peat layers usually
does not exceed three feet.

4. Arcata Soils: The Arcata loam occurs on old marine-ter-
races. Slopes are usually less than 4 percent. This soil
is well drained; its permeability is moderately rapid.

The principal soil types of Elk Creek and their physical
characteristics are summarized in Table 1.

F. Vegetation: Vegetation may be defined as the aggregation of
plant Tife an-1 a landscape. Vegetation is particularly useful as
an indicator of environmental conditions in that the growth forms
and species composition of a given vegetation type represent
integrated expressions of prevailing climatic, soil and other
physical/biological factors.

Vegetation types within the Elk Creek Study Area progress from

I-MR

%
INTERNAL MAPPED
SOIL TYPE SYMBOL % SLOPE DRAINAGE IN DOMINANT VEGETATION
STUDY
AREA

Arcata Loam Ar 2 0-3 Good 2 Grasses; bracken fern

-i

Talawa Fine Ta 2 0-3 Good 66 Redwood; Spruce; Hemlock;
Sandy Loam Cascara; Huckleberry; Salal
0

0 Spruce; SkUnk Cabbage;
Talawa Fine Ta. 3 0-3 Poor S Horsetail;_V_arious water-
Sandy Loam' loving plants
(poorly drained)

(D
'Hutsinpillar Hp 2 0-3 Poor 23 Grasses; Bulrush; Silver-
Silty Clay weed; water-loving plants
Loam

Peat Bog PB Poor 4 Grasses; Sedges; Rushes

saturated wetlands in the lower reaches to the somewhat drier
upland forests. The lower end of the Elk Creek Wetland consists
of a variety of herbaceous plants. Chief among these are numerous
pastureland grasses and clovers. Further upstream are dense
growths of rushes and sedges: these are located primarily in
the boggy, poorly drained areas. On the periphery of the boas
are dense shrubby thickets of spirea and several willow species.
From the shrub thickets to the upper reaches of the study area
are numerous riparian corridors associated with Elk Creek and its
.--ributaries. Dense overarowths of alders and berries line the
0
banks of the streams. Skunk cabbage and horsetail fern are also
present. Second growth Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and isolated
redwoods are situated on the cutover upland areas. Understory
primarily consists of huckleberry and salal.

G. Wildlife: The diverse habitats of the Elk Creek Special Study
area support a wide variety of wildlife. Many species of birds,
mammals, and reptiles have bee-n observed and are known to fre-
quent the area.

Large mammals utilizing the area include the black bear and more
commonly, the blacktail deer. Also thought to utilize the area
are the coyote, gray fox, bobcat, raccoon, spotted skunk, and
stripped skunk. Small mammals include hares, rabbits, gophers,
squirrels, moles, shrews and bats. Associated rodents include
mice and Voles.

The Elk Creek area supports local bird populations as well as
Pacific Flyway migrants. Song birds frequenting the area include
juncos, finches, larks, sparrows, thrushes, warblers and wrens.
Quail and doves utilize the brushy areas. Raptor species in the
Elk Creek area include hawks, kites, and owls. Great blue herons,
ducks and aeese are known to use the habitat.

Historically, Elk Creek supported a large anadromous and adfluvial
fishery. The present extent of the fishery is unknown. Debris
appears to block several. areas.

Various reptiles and amphibians including: salamanders, the
western toad, the Pacific tree frog,
the common western fence
lizard, aarter snake, gopher snake and others exist in the Elk
0 0
Creek drainage.

A partial listing of species sited in the course of this study as
well as some which are generally known to utilize the wetland and
the associated riparian habitat durin 'a all or part of their life-
cycle may be found in Appendix II. An intensive, year-round
field study is recommended to complete the species list.

H. Historical Land Uses: The first known man-related land use

of the Elk Creek area was by the local Talawa Indians.. The Talawa
are known to have fished for salmon offshore from Crescent Bay
near the mouth of Elk Creek. Elk and deer were abundant; for
this reason early explorers christened the valley "Elk Valley".
Early records describe the valley as being covered with willow,
alder, salmonberry, blackberry, raspberry bushes and ferns.
The associated foothills were covered by redwoods, spruce and
fir with an estimated 24,300 acres of timber available.2

Earlv settlers sUccessfully cleared the.land for farming and
dairyina; the various products were used locally as well as for
export. A brickyard which enabled Crescent City to erect its
first brick building was located in the Valley as well as a
barrel factory.

Historically Elk Creek, or Elk River as it was once known, drained
a low, marshy prairie for several miles. Fish were abundant and
the slough served as a local swimming hole. Berry picking was
another commonplace activity.

In 1871 Hobbs, Pomeroy and Company built the Elk River Mill
which utilized logs transported from harvest sites first by
skid trails and then by flotation down the slougD In the
1880's a railroad was built to transport logs; the railroad bed
is still evident to this day.

The once expansive farms and ranches of Elk Valley have since
been subdivided. Places such as Howland Hill, McNamara Mound
and numerous streets, buildings and other areas remain as test-
imony to the early pioneers. Farming, logging, recreation and
Cp C,
industry have remained important activities through the years.

J. Pre5ent-Day Land Use: Present-day land uses in the Elk
Creek area include: agriculture; forestry; recreation-, industrial;
re5idential and open space. Each will be examined briefly.

1. Agriculture: Grazing is the predominant agricultural
0
a:ctivity in the Elk Creek area. This land use is generally
limited to the lower portion of Elk Creek where extensive
pasturelands for horses and cows are maintained.

2. Forestry: Logging in the Elk Creek drainage has occurred
on a regular basis since the 19th century. The exact history
of cutting is unknown, but it is safe to say that most

2. Bledsoe, A.J., (1881), History of Del Norte County, p. 122
3. McBeth, Frances Turner, (1960), Pioneers of Elk Valley,
p. 57

forested areas today are at least 2nd or 3rd growth timber.
C,
The most recent timber harvest activities hav e taken place
in the area between Parkway Drive and Elk Creek.

3. Recreation: A 46 acre recreational vehicle park and
campground exists off Parkway Drive near Washington Blvd.
This is the only commercial recreation land use within the
study area.

4. Industrial: Most of the existing industrial land uses
within-and adjacent to the Elk Creek studv area are located
on Elk Valley Road between Highway 101 an@ Howland Hill Road.
Industrial land uses throughout the Elk Creek area include:
timber processing; fishpacking; and various vehicle repair
facilities. A timber mill is located adjacent to the lower
drainaae area and a particle board millis situated just
south of Elk Valley Road. The fish packaging facility is
located north of Elk Valley Road between Iowa and National
Streets. Vehicle repair shops exist on Parkway Drive and
Elk Valley Road.

5. Residential: Residential development has taken place
on tH-e-periphery of Elk Creek. In general residential lots
range from one to ten acres in size and the structures on
these lots vary from mobilehomes to ranch-style homes.

6 Open Space: Recognizing the sensitivity of the Elk
Creek wetlands, the County's General Plan.designated the
0
interior portions as open space. These areas remain un-
developed today.

III. PREVIOUS STUDIES

Investiaations concerning the extent and resource value of the
Elk Creek wetland and associated drainage are few. Maps and
other information from previous studies are often in disagreement
as to the limits of the wetland and the drainage patterns of
Elk Creek. This section will briefly review the accomplishments
of past studies.

A. Haley Land Classification: An early study in which the Elk
Creek marshland was dFi-ineated occurs in the 1925 Land Classif-
ication maps of H.D. Haley and Company o, f Portland, Oregon. A
portion of one of these maps is shown in Figure 2. The accuracy
of these early maps i's quite good: unfortunately the coverage
for Elk Creek is -limited. For the portions mapped there appears
to have been little change in the extent of the marsh in the fifty-
four years since this mapping effort.

B. Flood Control Studies: Studies of the drainage problems in
the lower portion of E-17-Creek were conducted by the Del Norte
County Flood Control District with assistance from the Calif-
ornia Division of Highways between 1957 and 1966. Bridge and
culvert reconstructions together with interior channel and pond
improvements were made in this time period to help relieve drainage
and flooding problems. Hydrologic data and general descriptions of
the lower portions of Elk Creek are available from these studies.

C. Soils Survey: The soils of coastal Del Norte County were
mapp-ed by soil scientists of the University of California, Davis
in 1966. -This survey included a portion of the Elk Creek special
study area. The soil types of Elk Creek as mapped by the U.C.
Davis study are presented in the accompanying atlas.

D. Natural Vegetation Map: Kdchler mapped and described the
natural vegetation of California in 1977. Although the scale of
the map (1:1000000) makes its direct application to the Elk Creek
study impractical, the major vegetation types described for
coastal Del Norte County are useful. The vegetation units of
1(dchler are those'that may be expected to*exist if "not appreciably
disturbed by man" or those which would return in time (i.e.,
potential or climax vegetation). The vegetation of Elk Creek has
been sianificantly disturbed, but remnants and descendants of the
oriainal vegetation do exist. Using Kdchler's designations, the
natural vegetations types of Elk Creek are: Coastal Prairie/
Scrub Mosaic; Sitka Spruce Forest; Redwood Forest; and Coastal
Saltmarsh.

E. Flood Drainaue Study: A flood drainage study north of Crescent
Q
City, inc uding portions of Elk Creek, was completed by CH2M Hill
in 1978. The study was conducted for the Del Norte County Depart-
ment of Public Works to determine storm drainage deficiencies

7: '7

qxn@
N&-Ie: SaI7

14-

_Ut
co vy 6rlush an,@' 7iv@;lh @7uce
D4

U5
47'

ten,

V1.

Or'.7.
-.7

7
7

Del Nol;-le Brown Sb

126.

FIGURE 2: Early Map of the Elk Creek Marsh
showing portions of Section 22.

FROM: H. D. Hadley and Company (1925) "Official Land Classifi-
cation for Del Norte County".

and recommend solutions to these problems. A further objective
of the study was to identify flood hazards along major drainage
channels. The flood hazard areas were delineated on topographic
maps at the scale-l" 1001 with 2 foot contour intervals.

IV. METHODOLOGY

This section will present the research methods of the Elk
Creek Wetland Special Study. The resource inventory and mapping
project for the Elk Creek Wetland was conducted in June and
July of 1979. The purpose of this effort was to establish a
more precise location of the Elk Creek Drainage system and its
associated wetland and to betteridentify the resource values
and sensitivity of the area..

A. I'Mapp in g: The Elk Creek Wetland was.mapped using a combination
of a'ir photo interpretation techniques, indicator species iden-
tifications and field measurements.

1. Photo interpretation: Black and white panchromatic and
U-Z color intrared -aerial photogTaphy were utilized-to deter-
mine wetland boundaries in general terms. Color Infrared
Film CCIR), originally developed for camouflage detection,
was especially useful in distinguishing vegetation types And
differentating water surfaces and wet soils.

Drainage patterns and wetland limits were recorded on the
aerial photographs and after field checking were transferred
to a base map of the scale of 1:12000.

2. Indicator Soecies: An indicator species is a plant that
because of its @pecific ecological requirements for growth
and reproduction lives only in certain habitats. Such a
plant may indicate that a certain habitat exists if the
particular species is present. Indicator species used to
identify the limits of the Elk Creek Wetland included:
sedges; rushes; horsetail; skunk cabbage; and willows.

3. Field Measurements7 In areas where the wetland limits
were not readily i@ Tentified on aerial photography a field
c
heck was conducted. The field checking procedure was to
first identify the wetland limits on the around using in-
dicator species. The wetland boundary locations were then
m@-asured with-compass and tape from identifiable points such
as survey monuments or road intersections and transferred to
the base map.

An atlas with maps at the scale of 1:12000 was prepared to delin-
eate the drainage patterns and wetland areas as determined by this
study. Various other maps including topography, flood hazards,
soils, land divisions and existing zoning are also presented.
Note that these maps are intended for planning purposes only and
are not to be used for-detailed engineering or surveys.
B. Resource Inventorz: The resource inventory aspects for the
Elk C-r-e-e7-Special Study involved delimiting the significant wild-
life habitats of the area and identifying species utilizing these
habitats.

1 Wildlife Habitats: A habitat is a place where an
anim;@l -lives. For mple, the long-billed marsh wren
lives in marsh habitats. Other birds and animals are known
to range.through more than one habitat type.
The identification of wildlife habitats has been emphasized
in this study over other methods of wildlife research such as
population counts or detailed species inventories. Estab-
lishing the locations and relative value of various wild-
life habitats will better serve the purpose of this study:
that is to determine those areas most suitable f%)r develop-
ment while maintaining the integrity and productivity of
surrounding sensitive lands and waters.
The principal wildlife habitats identified by this study
have been differentiated on the basis of vegetation types
and water conditions.

2. Wildlife Inventory: A systematic inventory of wildlife
was not cond-ucted by this study. Casual observations were
made, however, during the progress of field mapping.

The observation periods amounted to approximately 20 hours
over the course of 11-, summer months. Thus, by no means
have the full diurnal and seasonal uses of Elk Creek's prin-
cipal wildlife habitats been examined. Additional work is
needed to further understand the organization and interactions
of the wildlife communities recognized by this study. It
is therefore recommended that a thorough wildlife inventory
and analysis be conducted (including night observations) for
at least a one year period.

V. FINDINGS

The major findings of this study involve the delineation of the
drainage patterns of Elk Creek and the determination of the
wetland's extent. Further results include the identification
of principal wildlife habitats within the study area and a better
understanding of the habitat sensitivity of Elk Creek. The signif
icant findings of this study will be summarized in this section.

A. Drainage Patterns: Previous !Papping e-.fo-r--s of Elk Creek
have resulted in confusion concerning the locatioh of the main
channel and its branch streams: no two maps depict these in the
same locations.

An important result of this study is a more precise delineation
of the Elk Creek drainage patterns. This was required to fully
understand the extent of the marshiands in Elk Creek. The drainage
patterns mapped by this study are shown in the accompanying atlas.

A.second finding concernincr the drainage patterns of Elk Creek
0 C. 0
is that considerable topographic differences exist between the
northwesterly and the southeasterly portions'of the basin. The
topography in the four branch streams entering Elk Creek from the
(11
'a. 1i streams
northwest is quite steep with slopes up to so The branc,
entering from the southeast on the other hand, lie.in channels
with relatively flat relief.

illustrate the topographic differences between
Figures 3A and )
the northwesterly and southeasterly sides of Elk Creek. These
topographic patterns greatly influence the extent of the Elk
Creek wetlands. The channels in the northwest section tend to
be quite nar-row, restricted by the steep topography. The stream
channels enterina from the southeast, conversely, tend to be
wider and the surrounding area subject to more extensive flooding
because of its flat relief. We thus find the wetland extendina
a 'greater distance from the streams in the southeasterly portion
of Elk Creek than the northwest.
B. W6tland Extent e A wetland, in general, may be identified as
0
a tract ot reTa-tively low, periodically inundated ground. Typical
0
plant species of wetlands are grasses, sedges and rushes.

The delineation of the Elk Creek Wetland is complicated by several
factors. First of all, the complex history of land use in the
area has greatly altered natural patterns. For example, road
building has created new marshland in upland areas. Second, the
wetland extends well into densely forested areas in numerous
locations. This makes interpretation of the wetland's precise
limits from aerial photography impossible in many instances. Field
checking in these areas is also difficult due to the lack of avail-
able reference points. Finally, the plant species characterizing

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the Elk Creek Wetland are much more complex than the typical
grasses, sedges and rushes of many wetland areas. Shrubs-and trees
often dominate within the Elk C.reek Wetland.

The extent of'the Elk Creek Wetland as found by this study is shown
in the atlas. This includes several wetland subtypes and riparian
veaetation as well. The boundary of the wetland is shown as a
das:hed line to indicate the approximate limits of the wetland. In
nature such boundaries are rarely ever distinct lines. They tend
rather to transirional zoi@ies gradually changing from one type to
another (e.g. marshland-marsh and scattered trees -forestland
marsh -forestland). The wetland boundaries thus shown are
not intended to be precise delimiters of the wetland, but indi-
cate reaions of transition. Specific findings will be required
on a parcel by parcel basis concerning building sites and septic
tank leach fields at or near the wetland boundary zone.

C. Wetland Vegetation Types and Hydrologic Conditions: Eight
major wetland vegetation types have been ditteren@`I`ated in the
C@
Elk Creek study area. A brief description of the plant compo-
sition and hydrologic conditions of each will be presented.

1. Pastureland: This portion of the Elk Creek wetland is
located in t lower reaches of the drainage and is presently
being grazed by cattle. Principal plant species are: bent-
grass; redtop; cow's clover; sheep sorrel; sedge; daisy; and
tansey ragwort. The pastureland portions of Elk Creek are
moderately to poorly drained and generally flood on a seasonal
basis.

2. Saltgrass Marsh: The saltgrass marsh areas are located
immediately upstr@@Tam from the pasturelands. Major species
in the saltgrass marsh include: saltarass; arrow-grass;
cinquefoil; and curly dock. This portion of the Elk Creek
wetland contains numerous small interlacing rivulets: evi-
dence of regular seasonal inundation.

-3. Sedge Marsh: The sedge marsh, consisting of dense growths
ot slough sedge, is situated upstream from the arass-lands.-
Other plant species occurring in the sedge marsh include:
cinquefoil, Queen Anne's lace and isolated patches of willows
and shrubs. The sedge marsh is inundated seasonally.

4. Rush Marsh: Rushes are located in year-round flooded
portions of t Elk Creek wetland such as along stream
channels and in various shallow ponds. Typical plant
species of the rush marsh community are: bulrush; salt rush;
spikerush; soft rush; and bur-reed.

5. Shrub Marsh: The shrub marsh may be considered a
tran onal area or ecotone between the sedge marsh and

forested areas of the Elk Creek drainage. The shrub marsh
consists of very dense populations of willows and shrubs
such as Douglas spirea and twinberry. Horsetail ferns,
sedges and grasses are also present. The shrub marsh is a
seasonally flooded area.

6. Forestland Marsh: In various locations the Elk Creek
marsh extends into forested regions. The major tree species
in the forestland marsh are Sitka spruce, redwood and
western hemlock. The understory includ4@s: huckleberry;
thimbleberry; sword fern; horsetail fern; and skunk cabbage.
Moist conditions prevail in the forestland marsh and it tends
to be flooded occassionally.

7. Upland Marsh: Several small marshland areas are located
above and away Trom the Elk Creek drainage and wetland.
These non-contiguous, seasonally flooded areas appear to
have been created by road building activities and occur,
principally on the northwesterly side of Elk Creek. Their
plant composition is quite variable depending upon the size
of the inundated area. Snags are common together with
various shrubs, sedges and grasses.

8. Riparian Community: Riparian vegetation is the plant
I
cover growing in association with streams and other water
courses. It is usually characterized by dense growths of
trees and shrubs.

The riparian vegetation of Elk Creek is distinguished in
the study as a relatively narrow strip of vegetation grow-
ing in close association with upper drainage courses. It
is difficult to identify this vegetation type in Elk Creek,
except for its proximi 'ty to water courses, in that the ri-
parian community grades into the forestland without distinc-
tive boundaries. Riparian vegetation is also found around
the perimeters of various ponds in Elk Creek.

Plant species'typically found in the riparian communities of
Elk Creek are: willows; red alder; wax-myrtle; spirea and
blackberry.

Table 2 summarizes the typical vegetation and general hydrologic
conditions found in the eight marsh communities identified
within the Elk Creek Special Study area.

D. Principal Wildlife Habitats: Six principal wildlife habitats
within the Elk Creek study area have been identified on the bas'is
of vegetation types and hydrologic conditions. These are: ponds;
pastureland; marshland; brushland; forestland; and riparian.

1. Ponds: Numerous ponds are located within the Elk Creek
study area. These range from shallow depressions in poorly

COMMUNITY TYPI'CAL VEGETATION HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS

Grasses, Sedges, Clo- Moderately to poorly
Pastureland ver,Sovrel, Tansey drained., Seasonally
Ragwort floodcd.

Saltgrass, Arrow- Moist to wet condi-
Saltgrass Marsh grass, Curly Dock, tions. Seasonally
Cinquefoil flooded.

Moist to wet condi-
Sedge Marsh Slough Sedge, Cinque- tions. Seasonally
foil, Queen Anne's flooded.
lace
Bulrush, Spikerush, Shallow flooded ar-
Rush Marsh Salt Rush, Bur-reed eas. Often along
drainage channels.

Willows, Spirea, Twin-
Shrub Marsh berry, Horsetail, Moist conditions.
Sedges, Grasses Seasonally flooded.

Sitka Spruce, Redwood,
Forestland Marsh Alder, Salmonberr7, Moist conditions.
Skunk Cabbage Occasionally flood-
ed.
Snags, Bay, Azalea, Areas of standing
Upland Marsh Sedges, Grasses water or wet candi-
tions--occasionally
drying-out.
Willows, Alder, Wax-
Riparian Myrtle, Spirea, Black-Associated with wa-
berry ter courses.

TABLE 2: Marshland Plant Communities of Elk Creek

drained areas to large open water detention ponds in the
lower marsh. Ducks, geese, kingfishers and heron are rep-
resentative birds which use this habitat.

2. Pastureland: Pasturelands are found in the lower
portions of the Elk Creek Wetland. Waterfowl and wading
birds utilize this habitat as auxiliary feeding grounds.

3. Marshland: The saltarass, sedge, and shrub marshes are
combined to describe this habitat type. It c-onsists of
moist conditions and generally dense cover for a variety of
wildlife. Hawks, kites, wrens and warblers are known to
live in or frequent the marshland habitat. .

4. Brushland: Brushland habitats are located above the
marshlands on*drier sites. These are generally cut-over
areas that have not yet returned to forest vegetation. They
often contain an abundance of new tree arowth including
Douglas fir, spruce, pine and cedar seedlings and redwood
sprouts. In this early successional stage they provide
forage for a wide variety of wildlife. Representative
species of the brushland habitat are: quail, deer and rabbits.
Bear and feral pigs are also known to exist in the brushlands
of Elk Creek.

5. Forestland: Forests with dominants of Sitka spruce,
redwood and Douglas fir occur in the Elk Creek area. Other
tree species include: western hemlock; western red cedar;
cascara buckthorn; madrone; and red alder. The forest areas
provide dense cover for such species as: owls; woodpeckers;
sapsuckers; thrushes; and a variety of rodents.

6. Riparian: Riparian habitat is dense vegetative cover
associated with water courses. Willows, alders and various
shrubs are common. Sparrows, thrushes, warblers, and juncos
utilize this habitat.

The principal wild-life habitats of Elk Creek are illustrated in
the accompanying atlas. A summary of each habitat type indicating
typical vegetation species and representative wildlife is presented
0
in Table 3.

E. Resource Value: The overall resourc e value of the Elk Creek
wetland may be summarized as follows:

1. Through the natural filtering action of aquatic plants
and organic matter, the quality of water flowing from the
Elk Creek wetland is improved. Sediment and other impurities
are trapped and harbor waters and marine resources are thus
protected and maintained by the wetland.

HABITAT TYPICAL VEGETATION REPRESENTATIVE WILDLIFE

Ponds Pondweed, Pond Lily, Ducks, Geese,.Kingfisher
Rushes, Willows, Heron, Muskrat, Frogs
Snags

Pastureland Grasses, Sedges,Clo- Egret, Goldfinch, Swal-
ver., Sorrel, Tansey lows, Rodents, Moles
Ragwort

Marshland Saltgrass, Sedges, Hawks, Kites, Wrens, War,
Arrow-grass, Rushes, blers, Blackbirds
Silverweed,Willows

Brushland Huckleberr7, Salal, Quail, Stellar s Jay,
Coyote Deer, Bear, Feal Pig,
Scotch Broom, r
Brush, Ninebark Rabbits

Forest Sitka Spruce, Red- Owls, Woodpeckers, Sap-
wood, Douglas Fir, sucker, Thrushes, Skunxs
Shrubs, Ferns, Herbs Rodents

Riparian Willows, Alders,Wax- Sparrows, Thrushes, War-
Myrtle, Spirea, Sal- blers, Junco, Racoon
monberry, Blackberr

TABLE 3: Principal Vildlife Habitats of Elk Creek

2. The Elk Creek wetland acts to some measure as a re-
aulator of surface and subsurface water flow. The wetland
helps to retain water during dry seasons and absorb storm
impact during periods of heavy rainfall. Thus the wetland
protects against both flooding and drought.

3. The Elk Creek wetland functions as important breeding,
nesting, resting and feeding grounds for a wide variety of
wildlife. The numerous vegetation types found throughout
and immediately adjacent to the wetland provides for
diversity of habitat and wildlife species.

F. Habitat Sensitivity: Each habitat type in this study varies
in its ability to assimilate impacts as well as its sefisitivity
to change. This variability helps to diversify the entire com-
munity
thereby increasing an area's ability to absorb stressful
impacts. This section will identify the sensitivity of each
habitat by recognizing human needs and impacts: i.e., planning
issues. Probably most sensitive and least tolerant to impacts
are the pond, marshland and riparian habitats. The pastureland
and forest can adjust to impacts somewhat more readily, while
the brushland are relatively tolerant.

1. Ponds:

a)
Ponds serve as resting areas for game as well as
non-game waterfowl and other birds.

b) The water in Elk Creek ponds is that which feeds
into the bay and eventually the ocean. Chemicals
directly discharged or allowed to seep through
groundwater supplies will eventually enter the bay
and ocean via these ponds.

c) Vegetation growina in and along the banks of these
ponds acts to slow" the rate of discharge into the
I
bay as well as the related quantity of sediment.

2-. Marshland:

'Aarshlands act as a natural sponge to slow and filter
a) I
water.

b) This area absorbs water during floods and retains
0
water during dry periods, thus keeping the water
0
table relatively stable.

c) Vegetation removal may result in: 1) flooding
during periods of excessive rainfall; or 2) a drop
in the water table leading to saltwater intrusion
in dry periods.

d) Marshlands provide a unique and valuable wildlife
habitat.

3. Riparian:

a) Upstream land use practices may increase rates of
siltation which will decrease water quality.

b) Excessive siltation and debris may clou,marshland
0
and nond areas which could lead to flooding, qnd/or
disease' problems.

c) Maintenance of riparian vegetation and/or mitigation
0
of stream vegetation removal will keep rates of
siltation in the marsh and the bay stable.

d) Riparian areas serve as cool protective sites for
wildlife feeding, resting; and diink-ing.

4. Pastureland:

a) Pasturelands are quite frequently used as resting and
feeding areas for many birds.

b) They are also productive and useful agricultural
areas.

c) At the same*time they serve as buffers from urban
impacts on rural areas.

d) The improper use of chemicals in these areas may
result in contamination to humans and wildlife
via water courses and the food chain.

S. Forestlands:

a) Forests provide man with valuable timber and revenue.

b) They provide wildlife habitat arid act as a corridor
for their passa-ge from upland areas to water and
feeding sources.

c) Forests can moderate wind and storms and are able
to absorb noise from traffic and industrial areas.

d) These areas also act to slow runoff.

e) Forests can be particularly attractive sites for
recreation and with wise planning, real estate values
can be maintained.

6. Brushlands:

a) Because of its relatively quick ability to replace
itself, brushland areas are seen as relatively
tolerant of various impacts.

b) Brushlands tend to reduce pedestrian entrances into
areas.

c) They also act to buffer noise and win d.

d) They provide protective cover necessary for wild-
life to rest, nest, feed and hide in.

VI. POLICIES AND RECO11',tMENDAT IONS

A. Coastal Act Policies: The Coastal Act of 1976 set forth
several policies as regards sensitive habitats and marine re-
sources. An environmentally sensitive habitat is defined as:

it- any area in which plant or anima '1 life or their habitats
are either rare or especially valuable because of their special
nature or role in an ecosystem and ahich would be easily disturbed
or d.egraded by human activities [email protected] developments." (Coastal
Act, Section 30107.53)

Section 30121 of the Coastal Act defines wetland as follows:

""Yetland" means lands within the coastal zone which may be covered
periodically or permanently with shallow water and include salt-
water marshes, freshwater marshes, open or closed brackish water
marshes, swamps, mudflats, and fens.

Specifically, Coastal Act policies concerned with the maintenance
of sensitive coastal habitats and resources are:

302130. Marine resources shall be maintained, enhanced, and, where
feasible, restored. Special protection shall be Igiven to areas
and species of spec-ial biological or economic significance. Uses
of the marine environment shall be carried out in a manner that
will sustain the biological productivity of coastal waters and
that will maintain healthy populations of all species of marine
organisms adequate for long-term commercial, recreational, sci-
entific, and educational purposes.

30231. The biological productivity and the quality of coastal
waters, streams,
L. wetlands, estuaries, and lakes appropriate to
maintain optimum populations of marine organisms and for the
protection of human health shall be maintained and, where feasible,
restored through, among other means, minimizing alteration of
natural streams.

30233. (a) The diking, filling, or dredging of open coastal
waters, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes sha*ll"be permitted in
accordance with other applicable provisions of this division, where
there is no feasible less environmentally damaging alternative,
and where feasible, mitigation measures have been provided to
minimize adverse environmental effects, and shall be limited to
the following:

(1) New or expanded port, energy, and coastal-dependent
industrial facilities, including commercial fishing facilities.
(2) Maintaining existing, or restoring previously'dredged,
depths in existing navigational channels, turning basins, vessel
berthing and mooring areas, and boat launching ramps.

(3) In wetland areas only, entrance channels for new or
expanded boating facilities; and in a degraded wetland, identified
by the Department of Fish and Game pursuant to subdivision (b) of
Section 30411, for boating.facilities if, in conjunction with such
boating facilities, a substantial portion of the degraded wetland
is' restored and maintained as a bioligically productive wetland;
provided, however, that in no event shall the size of the -
wetland area used for such boating facility, including berthing
space, turning basin, necessary navigation channels, and any
necessary support service facilities. be greater than 25 percent
of the total wetland area to be restored.
(4) In open coastal water, other than wetlands, including
streams, estuaries and lakes, new or expanded boating facilities.
(5) Incidental public service purposed, including, but not
limited to, burying cables and pipes or inspection of piers and
maintenance of existing, intake and outfall lines.
(6) Mineral extraction, including sand for restoring beaches,
except in environmentally sensitive areas.
(7) Restoration purposes.
(8) Nature study, aquaculture, or similar resource-dependent
activities.
(b) Dredging and spoils disposal shall be planned and car-
ried out to avoid significant disruption to marine and wildlife
habitats and water circulation. Dredge spoils suitable for beach
replenishment should be transported for such to appropriate beaches
or into suitable longshore current systems.
Cc) in addition to the other provisions of this section,
diking, filling, or dredging in existing estuaries and wetlands
shall maintain or enhance the functional capacity of the wetland
or estuary. Any alteration of coastal wetlands identified by the
Department of Fish and Game, including but not limited to, the 19
'
coastal wetlands identified in its report entitled, "Acquisition
Priorities for the Coastal Wetlands of California", shall be lim-
ited to very minor incidental public facilities, restorative measures,
nature study, commercial fishing facilities in Bodega Bay, and
development in already developed parts of south San Diego Bay,
of otherwise in accordance with this division.

30236. Channe7lizations, dams, or other substantial
alterations of rivers and streams shall incorporate the best
mitigation measur*es feasible and be limited to (1) necessary
water supply projects; (2) flood control projects where no
other method for protecting existing structures in the flood
plain is feasible and where such protection is necessary for
public safety or to protect existing development, or (3)
developments where the primary function is the improvement of
fish and wildlife habitat.

(b) Development in areas adjacent to environmentally
sensitive habitat areas and parks and recreation areas shall
be sited and desi 'a' ned to prevent impacts which would signifi-
cantly degrade such areas, and shall be compatible with the
continuance of such habitat areas.

30607.1 Where any dike and fill development is permitted in
wetlands in conformity with this division, mitigation measures
shall include, at a minimum, either acquisitionoof equivalent
areas if equal or greater biological productivity or opening up
C,
equivalent ar,@as to tidal action; provided, however, that if no
al,propriate restoration site is available, an in-Iieu fee suj-l:f-i-
cient to provide an area of equivalent productive value or surface
areas shall be dedicated to an appropriate public agency, or such
replacement site shall be purchased before the dike or fill devel-
opment may proceed. Such miti 'aation measures shall not be required
Lor temporary or short term fill or diking; provided, that a bond
or other evidence of financial res-ponsibiliv/ is provided to assure
that restoration will be accomplis@ed in the shortest feasible time .

B. Present Local Policies: County Policies concerning marsh-
lands and riparian habitats were adopted in the Del Norte County
General Plan of 1976. Policies from the conservation element
designed towards the continued use and maintenance of wildlife,
habitat and vegetation are.:

1. The County should require Environmental Impact Reports to
insure the protection of fish,.wildlife and plant species
in the area considered for development.

3. The County should maintain all existing species of fish,
wildlife, and vegetation for their economic, intrinsic and
0
ecological values as well as providing adequate protection
0
-f rare and errdanaered species.

4. Del Norte County should provide for diversified recreational
use of fish and wildlife while providing preservation of
their habitat.

S. The County should maintain forest lands in production
under the multiple use concept which includes recreation
and wildlife habitat.

6. Del Norte County should recognize and encourage the various
uses of wildlife and their habitat, including such activ-
ities as passive watching, scientific studies, educational
purposes and hunting and fishing.

7. The following areas are recognized as major locations of
excellent wildlife habitat, native or natural vegetation
and of aesthetic value. These areas should be maintained
as wildlife habitat and protected from adverse activity.
No.further commitment to development should be allowed
except that which is in the best interest of the public
health, safety and welfare, or as noted.

a) All offshore rocks and islands (seaward of the mean
hiah tide line) excludina Whaler and Battery Islands.
0 C

Inland of the mean high tide line to the'first line
of vegetation (except in the areas of coastal bluffs
when the area will be to the crest of the bluff), ex-
cluding the harbor area.

c) Lakes Earl and Talawa and their immediate marshland,
allowing continued agricultural uses.

d) Sand dunes and wet sand areas, excluding limited
development in appropriate areas.

e) The tidal influenced areas of the Smith and Klamath
Rivers. Commercial-Recreational and Public-Recreational
development should be allowed but be carefully controlled
to prevent significant alteration of the habitat areas.
Gravel extraction should be allowed on a small scale
consistent with local policy and state regulations.

8. The County should establish riparian corridors along local
streams, creeks and sloughs to maintain their aesthetic
appeal, wildlife habitat, control of erosion, and to pro-
vide natural vegetation separations between developed uses.

9. The County should establish selected woodland and forest
areas to provide aesthetic appeal, wildlife habitat and
L. natural separation between residential, commercial,,industrial
and other use.s as warranted.

10. The County should pursue a cooperative role with the Forest
Service in the protection and continued maintenance of all
plants and animal species and their habitat.
J_ Also of interest to this Elk Creek stud y are existing County
L
policies regarding extractive resources.

1. No extraction should be permitted in areas where it would
significantly harm, alter or destroy wildlife habitat,
fisheries or archeological or historic sites and no adequate
mitigation measures are deemed adequate.

2. Operators of extraction operations should take all pre-
cautions necessary to avoid contamination from waste dis-
posal or general operation activity of the site, nearby
streams of rivers, air and the environment in general.
Existing and future local, state and federal regulations
will be met or exceeded.

C. LCP polcies: Policies concerning sensitive habitats as well
as marine, water and extractive resources have been developed
in other components of Del Norte County's Local Coastal Plan.
This section will present specific policies and recommendations
for the Elk Creek Special Study area. The policies of the
Marine & water Resources Component apply to this area as well
as though listed below:

1. Performance standards shall be developed and implemented which
will guide development adjacent to upland marsh areas identified
in the Elk Creek Special Study so as to permit utilization of
land areas compatible with other policies while providing adequate
maintenance of the subject marsh area.
2.A buffer strip, shall be maintained in natural conditions
around the Elk Creek wetlands where adjacent land uses are
found incompatible with the productivity or maintenance of the
wetlands.

3. New development adjacent to the Elk Creek wetlands shall
not result in adverse levels or additional sediment, runoff,
noise, wastewater or other disturbance

4. Snags shall be maintained within the Elk Creek wetland for
their value to wildlife.
No motorized vehicle traffic shall be permitted within the
Elk Creek wetlands except for agriculture and forestry.

6. Riparian vegetation along the course of Elk Creek and its

branch streams shall be maintained for their qualities of wild-
life habitat and stream buffer zones.

In areas where the boundary of the Elk Creek Wetland is in
doubt, a detailed survey of a parcel and the location of the
marsh shall be required-to determine the suitability of said
parcel for dwelling or other building site and sewage disposal
system before a permit is issued.

8. In that the pasturelands in the lower portion of Elk Creek
are subject to extensive flooding and provide valuable habitat
for wildlife, they should be maintained in their existing use
as agricultural grazing.

Vegetation and debris removal in the Elk Creek wetland shall be
limited-tc, that necessary to maintain the free flow of the
drainage courses and only when excessive impediment creates
flooding hazards on adjacent lands.

The County should encourage and support educational programs
in schools, park programs and community organizations which Oseek
C,
to increase public awareness and uRderstanding of sensitive
habitats and theneed for their protection.
11, The County should investiuate the feasibility and seek
0
tunas to establish a bicycle/hiking trail along the old Hobbs-
0 C,
Wall railroad right-of-way in the lower portions of Elk Creek.

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

LAND RESOURCES COMPONENT

This document was prepared with financial assis-
tance from the Office of Coastal Zone Management,
National Oceanic and A'@mospheric Administration
under the provisions of the Federal Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972,.administered by the Cali-
fornia Coastal Commission.

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
-700 Sth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

LCP LAND RESOURCES COMPONENT

List of Tables .................................. i

List of Figures ................................. i

I. INTRODUCTION .................................... 1

II. AGRICULTURE ..................................... 2

A. General Distribution ........................ 2

B. Agricultural Soils .......................... 2

C. Agricultural Land Uses ...................... 4

D. Agricultural Production Values .............. 4

.E. Adjacent Land Uses .......................... 7

F. Defining Prime Agricultural Land ............ 8

G. Designating Agricultural Land ............... 12

III.. GENERAL POLICIES FOR AGRICULTURAL LANDS ......... 14

A. Coastal Act Policies ........................ 14

B. Present Local Policies ....................... 15

C. LCP Policie s ................................. 15

IV. FORESTRY ......................................... 18

A. General Distribution ......................... 18

B. Timber Preserve Zone ......................... 18

C. Special Treatment Areas .................... ;. 18

D. Adjacent Land Uses ............................ 20

V. GENERAL POLICIES FOR FORESTLANDS ................. 22

A. Coastal Act Policies ......................... 2-1

B. Present Local Policies ....................... 22

C. LCP Policies ................................. 23

APPENDIX I: Soils of Coastal Del Norte County ....... 26

BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................... 29

LIST OF TABLES

1 Acreages for Selected Agricultural Land Uses in
the Coastal Zone .................................. 5

2 Annual Crop and Livestock Production, 1979 ........ 6

3 Forestland Acreages in Coastal Del Norte County ... 19

LIST OF FIGURES

I Agricultural and Forestry Resources ............... 28

LCP -- LAND RESOURCES COMPONENT

I. INTRODUCTION*

Any portion of the land environment that society can utilize to
promote its well-being may be identified as a land resource.
Forestry and agriculture are significant land based resources
in the economy of Del Norte County. The County's economic vita-
lity emphasizes the need for prudent conservation of soil and
other land resources upon which forestry and agriculture ulti-
mately depend.

The California Coastal Act of 1976 identifies the need to'protect
agriculture and forestry from activities and intrusions which tend
to erode the economic viability of these land bases industries.
This component of the LCP will focus on developing methods and
policies to protect agriculture and forest resources in the coastal
zone from conflicting land uses and to assure the maintenance
of their land-term productivities.

*NOTE: This component of the LCP is subject to review and
cross-referencing to other policy components.

II. AGRICULTURE

Agricultural land may be defined as land utilized for the purpose
of producing a commercial agricultural commodity. The Coastal
Act of 1976 expresses a concern over the loss of agricultural
lands in the Coastal Zone from nonagricultural encroachments and
degradation of the resource from incompatible adjacent land uses.

This section will discuss present agricultural land uses in
coastal Del Nortie-County and examine particular ptoblems and
solutions in designating agricultural lands.
A. General Distribution: The principal agricultural lands in
Del Norte County lie on the Smith River floodplain and adjacent
terrace areas. Within this region are located the County's
major dairy operations and ornamental flower farms.

Other existing agricultural districts within the Coastal Zone
include portions of:

1) the coastal terrace north of the Smith River
2) the east side of Lake Earl
3) the coastal strand between Point St. George and the mouth
of the Smith River.
4) south of Washington Blvd. at Pebble Beach Drive
5) adjacent to Elk Valley Road
6) along the course of Jordon Creek west of Elk Valley Road
7) idest and south of the Bertsch-Oceanview tract
8) Klamath River-floodplain at Hunter Creek

These eight agricultural areas generally support cattle grazing
and/or small-scale crop production.

The general distribution of the agricultural lands in coastal
Del Norte County is illustrated in Figure 1.

B. Agricultural Soils: The soils of Coastal Del Norte County
were mapped by tFe 'University of California, Davis in 1966.
Specifically, the area surveyed contains some 32,000 acres along
the coast from the Oregon border to south of Crescent City and
includes also the lower Klamath River Basin. A complete descrip-
tion of eleven soil units and their subtypes were made together
with an agricultural rating of each. A summary of these soil
types with information conicerning: slope and drainage charac-
teristics; Storie Index Rating; and agricultural use and rating
are presented in Appendix I.

2
PP

Five prime soils* are identified in coastal Del Norte County:
Arcata; Carlotta; Ferndale; Rowdy; and Russ. Each will be
examined briefly indicating their general capabilities, limi-
tations and distributions.

1. Arcata Soils: The Arcata series in Del Norte County consists
of w-e-rr-ffr--a1'-n-e-T_alluvial soils situated on old marine terraces.
With a medium textured profile and good internal drainage, this
soil type is considered good to excellent for agriculture. Ferti-
lizer applications and irrigation are necessary for the production
of pasture or bulbs. Arcata soils are found southeast of Crescent
City, east of Lake Earl near Buzzini Road and north of the mouth
of the Smith River.

2. Carlotta Soils: The Carlotta series consists of moderately
well drained,--m-e-TiTum textured soils developed on alluvial material.
Only the Carlotta loam (Ca 2) is considered very good to excel-
lent for agriculture. The major limiting factor with other
Carlotta soils is their generally low nutrient levels. Ferti-
lized and irrigated pastures, however, can be productive.

3. Ferndale Soils: The Ferndale soil type is one of the better
and more extensively distributed agricultural soils of the County.
It is a medium textured soil of recent alluvial origin and little
profile development. The Ferndale silt loam (Fe 2) and Ferndale
fine sandy loam (Fe 3) are rated high for agricultural production.
Irrigation and annual applications of nitrogen and phospate
fertilizers are known to increase yields. Permanent pasture and
some field crops are the major uses. The Ferndale soils are
located primarily in the bottomlands of the lower Smith and Klamath
River basins.

4. Rowdz Soils: The Rowdy soils series are young soils developed
on a7luvial fans. Rowdy loam (Ry 2; Ry 3) and Rowdy gravelly
clay loam (Ry-4) are designated as very good to excellent akrri-
cultural soils. Generally low nutrient levels, in these soils,
however, require annual fertilizer applications to maintain
productivity. The principal uses of Rowdy soils are for perma-
nent pasture and lily bulb production. Rowdy soils are located on
gently sloping lands near Rowdy Creek above the Smith River plain
and in a narrow band a long the coast southeast of Crescent City.

NOTE: Prime soils as identified by the U.C. Davis study are
rated according to the Storie Index Rating System to be
discussed in a later section. In general, prime soils
are "excellent soils well suited to general intensive
agriculture and range in index rating (Storie) from 80
to 100".

5. Russ Soils: Russ soils occur primarily along small streams
and are devel-oped from sedimentary alluvium. The overriding
factor in the utilization of Russ soils is drainage. Russ
silt loam (Ru 2) and Russ fine sandy loam (Ru 3) are, however,
moderately well to well-drained and therefore rated as productive
soils. Pasture and supplementary feed crops are the major uses.
Russ soils are located adjacent to Rowdy and Wilson Creeks.
C. Agricultural Land Uses: The principal agricultural land
uses in Del Norte County are: 1) nursery crops, and 2) pasture
for raising of dairy and beef cattle. According to a 1968
California. Department of Water Resources Survey there exists
about 3718 acres of irrigated pasture and 3566 acres of dry farm
pasture. Table 1 summarizes the acreages for the major agricul-
tural land uses of the coastal zone.

D. Agricultural Production Values: Agriculture is a major in-
dustry in Del Norte County wit a gross annual income for 1979
of about $13.9 million.1 Nursery crops, livestock, dairy products
and field crops are the principal agricultural products rating
in that order of economic importance. Table 2 summaries the
1979 production figures.

1. Nursery Crops: The 6.6 million dollar value of nursery crops
is c3-mprised ot: 1) Easter lily bulbs; 2) ornamentals and bedding
plants; and 3) Christmas trees and ferns.

The production of Easter lily bulbs has been an important industry
in Del Norte County for some thirty years. The coastal climate.
together with the generally excellent Arcata and Rowdy soils pro-
vide a unique environment for their production. Approximately
300 acres are presently utilized for lily bulb productions with a
1979 yield of 2.7 million dollars.
Ornamentals and bedding plant production in the County totaled
3*7 million in 1979. These are principally green house products
finder intensive cultivation.

Christmas trees are severly limited due to market factors and
distribution.

2. Livestock Production: A relatively limited number of beef
cattle and other livii-stock are raised commercially in the County.
Most cattle are shipped as feeders to areas outside of Del Norte.
Nevertheless, the livestock production amounted to 2.2 million
dollars in 19.79. A potential eiists for small flock (not large
scale) sheep production on parcels or varying size.

Del Norte County, Department of Agriculture, (1979), "Annual
Crop and Livestrock Report".

CROP IRRIGATED NON-IRRIGATED TOTAL

Pasture 3718 3566 7284

Nursery 342 342
Crops

Other 345 41 386
Crops

Idle 219 219 8231

TABLE 1: Acreages for Selected Agricultural Land
Uses in the Coastal Zone

DATA: California Department of Water Resources Land
Use Survey (1968).
CROI T 7u

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT MILLION % OF TOTAL

Nursery Crops 6.6 55

Livestock Production 2.2 19

Dairy Products .17

Field Crops 0.9 S

Vegetables & Fruit 0.1 1

TOTAL 11.8 100

TABLE 2: Annual Crop and Livestock Production, 1979

DATA: Del Norte County, Department of Agriculture,
(1979), "Annual Crop and Livestock Report".
1.8

3. Dairy Products: The dairy products industry in Del Norte
Couniy has been a significant producer with a gross income of
$2.0 million in 1979. The dairy products are made up of nearly
equal values of market and manufacturing milk. The market or
Grade A milk is.sold throughout this and neighboring Curry
County in Oregon. Grade B milk is processed into cheese at a
Crescent City Plant.
E. Adjacent Land Uses: Land uses adjace nt to agricultural areas
may Have significant Timpacts on the productivity of these ranches
and farmlands. Conversely, certain agricultural uses may be
adverse to adjacent land uses. For example, a rock quarry with
occassional blasting adjacent to a poultry farm would not be a
compatible use. On a similar notei a stockyard or slaughter
house next to a restaurant would not be desirable. The objec-
tive of this section will be to develop,standards for designating
land uses adjacent to agricultural lands with the overall goals
of: 1) mitigating conflicting uses; and 2) assuring the continued
maintenance of the County's agricultural-productivity.
1. Plannin& Issues: Recreation, residential and industrial
land uses adjoining agricultural areas may all have significant
impacts on the effective management of productivity of farm-
lands. Potentially incompatible uses from each are reviewed
below.

a. Recreation: In general, recreational uses are compatible
with agricul e. However, POSSible impacts from recreation
include: trampling crops; disturbing livestock; and vanda-
lism. Recreational access across farmland is a particular
issue. Farmers are reluctant to permit uncontrolled access
in fear of damage to crops or livestock in addition to
liab'ility problems. Fences to control access often impede
the ability of farmers to move livestock and equipment thereby
creating an unnecessary hinderance to agricultural produc-
tivity.

b. Development: Residential development adja cent to
agricultural land may, in several ways-, adversely impact
the productivity of farming or ranching operations. First
of all, as with the recreation conflicts listed above, tres-
pass on farmland from adjacent neighborhoods may lead to
the disturbance of crops and livestock. Secondly, domestic
animals (especially dogs) from residential areas can pose
threats to livestock on adjacent agriculture lands.

Finally, concerns from residential areas over the utilization
of pesticides and herbicides by agricultural operations is
a problem. Whether realistic or not, these perceived fears
may result in a diminution of the agricul.tural productivity
by, for instance, forcing special controls on chemicals appli-
cations.

c. Industry: Primarily through the impacts of excessive
air, water and/or noise pollution, industrial uses adjacent
to agriculture may have adverse impacts. Careful attention
in the planniIng process should be made to insure that
compatible uses between industry and agriculture are estab-
lished. In general, agriculture dependent industries such
as the processing and packing of agricultural goods are
best situated adjacent to farmland4

d. Priorities: In order to maintain the productivity of
agricultural lands, priority should be given to adjacent
land uses which compliment or at least do not greatly in-
terfere with-farm and ranchland operation.

e. Buffer Zones: Buffer zones, reasonable tren.@ition of
zones, may be utilized to shield agricultural lands from
adjoining incompatible land uses. Likewise, the area of
separation may serve to protect adjacent uses from agricul-
tural impacts. In any event, these protection zones should
be of sufficient width to adequately separate all incompa-
tible uses and minimize potential impacts.

The buffer strip may consist of open space easements or a
more compatible agricultural use (e.g., pastureland separating
sensitive crops from an industry emitting particulate matter
or lot sizes of sufficient width-to provide a reasonable tran-
sition from an adjacent land use to the existing agricultural
activity).

Z. Land Use Criteria: Standards for designating acceptable land
uses adjacent to agricultural lands are presented below-.-

a. Land uses adjacent to lands utilized for the production
of crops or livestock shall.not adversely impact the economic
productivity of these agricultural lands.

b. In locating new development adjacent to agricultural
areas, priority shall be given to uses which will have a
minimal impact upon agricultural productivity and to uses
which are least likely to be affected by agricultural op-
erations..

F. Defining Prime Agricultural Land: A single fixed definition
of 11prime" agricultural land does not exist. In general, the
productivity of a given parcel of land is determined by the in--
terrelationships of numerous environmental factors, cultural
practices and economic conditions. This section will examine
several agricultural rating systems and analyze their suitabiliLty
as criteria for defining prime agricultural land in Del Norte
County.

1. USDA Land Capability Classification System: This classifi-
cation scheme uses soil and climatic a to group soil areas
into one of eight classes. Soils are placed in Classes I through
VIII depending primarily upon their limitations for cultivation.

Soi ls rated as Class I and II are generally well suited for the
cultivation of field crops. Classes III and IV have various
limitations. Classes V,,VI and VII are usually designated for
range, wildlife, forestry or recreation. Finally, Class VIII
lands are the generally barren regions such as rocky outcrops
or sandy beaches. Classes I and II in this classification
scheme are often designated as "prime" agricultural land.

2. Storie Index Rating System: The Storie Index Rating (SIR)
is a quantititive system for classifying the agricultural
po-tential of land. The scheme is based on the evaluation of
four.soils and terrain factors: 1) profile; 2) texture; 3) slope;
and 4) soil and topographic limitations. Each factor for a
given soil is rated on the basis 0-100 percentage points. The
SIR is then obtained by multiplying all factors together. As
an example, a tract of land may be rated as follows:

Factor A (Profile) 95%
Factor B (Texture) 100%
Factor C (Slope) 85%
Factor Xl(Drainage) 90%
Factor X2(Acidity) 90%
The Storie Index Rating is then given by the equation:

SIR = (.95 x 1 x .85 x .90 x..90) x 100 = 65

Thedesignation of prime agricultural land was not an original
intention of the Storie System. As a consequence, various
interpretations have resulted. Generally, excellent or prime
land is considered to rate between 80 and 100 on the IDR, al-
though some soil scientists prefer a minimum rating for prime
land as low as 60.

3. Williamson Act of 1965: The Williamson Act of 1965 defines
prime agricultural land as a combination of soil properties and/or
ecomomic considerations.

The designation of prime agricultural land under the Williamson
Act includes the following parameters:

1. USDA Class I or 11 lands;

2. Storie Index of 80 to 100;

3. Land which returned an annual gross value of not less
than $200 per acre for three of the past five years;

4. Livestock supporting land with a carrying capacity
of at least one animal unit per acre;

S. Land planted with fruit or nut trees, vines, bushes
or crops that have a non-bearing period of less than five
years and that will normally return $200 per acre per
year during the commercial bearing period. . I

Agricultural land meeting any of these five criteria is consi-
dered prime under the Williamson Act.

This broad definition of prime agricultural land is based on
the fact that many speciality crops in California are grown on
other than Class I and II lands.

The Coastal Act of 1976 adopted this same definition for desig-
nating prime agricultural land. Non-prime agricultural land
under the Coastal Act includes all other coastal agricultural
lands now in use for crops or grazing or that are suitable for
agriculture.

4. Del Norte County General Plan: Recognizing prime agri-
cultural soils as a finite and-fr-agile resource, the Del Norte
County General Plan designates prime land according to soil
capabilities and economic land units. The criteria used are:

1. 80 and above on the Storie Index:

2. 20 acres or more of contiguous ownership.

To qualify as prime agricultural land both parameters must be met.

The proposed land use maps of the County's General Plan deline-
ate approximately 4,200 acres as prime agricultural land in the
Coastal Zone. Over 90% of this acreage lies in the lower Smith
River bottomlands and on adjacent terraces and alluvial fans.

5. Del'Norte County Code: To pr.otect the character and econo-
mic stability ot agricultural areas within the County a zoning
plan which includes "Agricultrual" (A) and "Agricultural Exclusive"
CAE) districts was adopted by the County of Del Norte in 1974.

Lands in agricultural production of greater than forty acres
may be classified as "agricultural exclusive" under this county
ordinance. Presently about 16,000 acres of land are in the AE
zoning classification. This includes agricultural land ranging
from bulb acreage on prime soils to cattle grazing on wet sand
areas.

6. Problems in Defining Prime Agricultural Land: The classi-
fication of pr ime agricultural land, whether on -a physical or
economic basis, is rife with problems. The classification
schemes outlined above include, to varying degrees, definitions
of prime agricultural land based on physical or economic par-
ameters. This discussion will examine problems enherent in
each approach.
a Physical Basis: The classification of soils on a
P@Yslcal basi's--To-rms fixed and scientifically testable
results. Defining prime agricultural land solely on the
basis of physical parameters, however, has limitations.
First, the value of an-agricultural parcel may-more appro-
priately be determined by the crop produced. For example,
speciality crops grown on relatiVely poor soils may have a
significant economic yield per acre. Furthermore, the deli-
neation of prime agricultural land on the basis ofsoil and
other physical elements alone fails to consider the amount
of land available for production. The size and extent of
parcel holdings must be considered.

b. Economic Basis: The establishment of economic criteria
would seemini'l-yavoid problems inherent in strict soil
classifications by acknowledging the true value of agricul-
tural lands based on returns. Again however,,problems tend
to crop up.

First of all, the placement of fixed values on agricultural
production to determine prime land fails to recongize the
.possiblity of changing market values. To illustrate, an
area designated as "prime" at today's value for a given
crop may be entirely unrealistic in the future if the market
for the crop fails. Conversely, land categorized as non-
prime at present may be valued as prime under future market
prices. Moreover, a fixed value on agricultural production
omits a consideration of inflation. Under the Williamson
.Act, for example, the fixed $200 per acre gross return values
include more agricultural land today than in 1965 due
principally to the inflated dollar value.

Second, an economic basis for defining prime agricultural land
may fail to distinguish between a few acres of land presently
producing well and a truly viable farming unit. Again
consideration must be given to parcel size.

Third, defining prime agricultural land on an economic basis
requires current, accurate data on a parcel by parcel ba@is.
In the case with Del Norte County, this information is not
aviilable nor easily derived.

Other factors that economic yield may not reflect in classi-
fying agricultural productivity are new technologies and
intensive management. . Present non-prime lands may qualify
as prime at some future date with improved technologies
and/or management techniques.

In summary, because of the complex relationships between
environmental, cultural and economic factors the classi-
fication of "prime" versus "non-prime" agricultural land
is difficult indeed. Nonetheless, the maintenance of
valuable crop and pasture land is important to the County's
economy both in the present and to pyovide future sources of
food and fiber. A goal of Del Norte County is to maintain
the productivity of specific agricultural land units of
proven economic value.
G. Designating Agricultural Land: The Coastal Act requires that
"the-maximum amount of prime agricultrual land shall be maintained
in agricultrual production to assure the protection of the areas'
agricultural economy...". Criteria for designating prime agricul-
tural la nds in Del Norte County will be developed in this section.

1. Coas-tal Act Standards: As discussed previously the Coastal
Act adopted the William-son Act criteria for designating prime
agricultural land. That is:

1. -All land which qualifies for rating as Class I or Class
II in the Soil Conservation Service land use capability
classifications.

2. Land which qualifies for rating 80 through 100 in the
Storie Index Rating.

3. Land which supports livestock used for the production
of food and fiber and which has an annual carrying capacity
equivalent to at least one animal unit per acre as defined
by the U.S.D.A.

4. Land planted with fruit or nut bearing trees, vines,
bushes or crops which have a non-bearing period of les-s
than five years and which will normally return during the
,commercial bearing period on an annual basis from the pro-
duction of unprocessed agricultural plant production not
less than $200 per acre for three of the five previous years.

S. Land which has returned from the production of un-
processed agricultural plant products on an annual gross
value of not less than $200 per acre for three of the five
previous years.

Arguments were set forth in the previous section as to why such
a definition falls short of defining the prime agricultural areas
of Del Norte County. Basically, it fails to consider the size
and extent of contiguous land ownership which would allow long
term economic agricultural productivity.

2. LCP Standards: After a thorough examination of agricultural
lands uses and productivity in Del Norte County it has been de-
termined that prime agricultural lands may best be defined
by agricultural units within the most productive areas of the
County.

a. Productive Lands: The most valuable agricultural lands
in Del Norte County are those utilized for nursery crop,
livestock and dairy production. As a percentage of the
1979 gross annual agricultural production these three uses
amounted to 55%, 19% and 17% respectively.

A large portion of these productive lands lie between
Morehead Road and the Oregon border. Approximately 7000
acres or 37% of all agricultural lands in the County are
located in this region. This area may be used to typify
prime agricultural land in the County.

b. Agricultural Units::. A survey of the principal agri-
cultural lands in the Smith River area indicated that viable
farming units here range from 15 to nearly 1000 acres of
contiguous ownership. The smaller units are capable or
producing bulbs economically if other lands are available
for necessary ration cycles. The larger units are used
primarily as irrigated pasture for dairy production.
C. Prime Agricultural Land is defined as follows:

Prime agricultural land in Del Norte County is defined as
lands as designated upon the final land use plan map and
that meet both of the following criteria:

(a) Land of high agricultural value.

(1) Lands "actively used" for the production of
nursery crops, pasture crops dairy products
and/or livestock, OR
(2) Lands which qualify for rating 80 throught 100
in the Storie Index.

(b) A minimum of 20 acres in contagious ownership.

Lands may be considered " actively used" even though they lie idle
or in another crop for up to ten years.

III. GENERAL POLICIES FOR AGRICULTURAL LANDS

A. Coastal Act Policies: The maintenance of the long-term
productivity of agricu-1-tural land is a major concern of the
Coastal Act. The following policies were adopted within the
Act to prevent undue degradation of this valuable coastal
resource:

.30241. The maximum amount of prime agricultural land shall
be maintained in agricultural production to assure the protection
of the areas, agricultural economy, and conflicts shall be
minimized between agricultural and urban land uses through all
of the following:

(a) By establishing stable boundaries separating urban
and rural areas, including, where necessary, clearly defined
buffer areas to minimize conflicts between agricultural and
urban land uses.

(b) By limiting conversions of agricultural lands around
the periphery of urban areas to the land where the viability
of existing agricultural use is already severely limited by
conflicts with urban uses and where the conversion of the lands
would complete a'logical and viable neighborhood and contribute
to the establishment of a stable limit to urban development.

(d) By assuring that public service and facility expansions
and' non-agricultural development do not impair agricultural
viability, either through increased assessment costs or degraded
air and water quality.

(e) By assuring that all divisions of prime agricultural
lands, except those conversions approved pursuant to subdivision
(b) of this section, and all development adjacent to prime
agricultural lands shall not diminish the productivity of such
prime agricultural lands.

30242. All other lands suitable for agricultural use shall
not be converted to non-agricultural uses unless: (1) continued
or renewed agricultural use is not feasible, or (2) such con-
version would preserve prime agricultural land or concentrate
development consistent with Section 30250. Any such permitted
conversion shall be compatible with continued agricultural use
or surrounding lands.

B. Present Local Policies: The conservation element of the Del
Norte County General Plan established the following as important
goals in the maintenance of agricultural land:
1. Conserve soil resources to provide a continuing base
for agricultural productivity and the County's economy.
2. Reserve in agriculture those soils capable of producing
a wide variety of valuable crops.

3. Minimize disruption of viable agricultural areas.

These objectives are basically consistent with the Coastal Act.
General Plan Policies adopted to attain these goals are:

1. Agriculture and agriculturally-oriented activities
should be protected from development practices that erode
their economic viability.

2. Protective zoning for agricultural land should be enforced
by restricting residential, commercial, industrial or other
uses unless they are directly related to the needs of Ag-
ricultural production.

3. The County should maintain in agriculture those lands
most suited to the production of agricultural crops by
restricting inappropriate development on prime soils and
directing future development to non-prime soils.

4. The County should maintain in agriculture those lands
identified as prime agricultural soils in units of 20 acres-
or more, or contiguous ownership by prohibiting the divisions-
of these lands into acreages of less than 20 acres.

In addition to the General Plan, the agriculture exclusive (AE)
and agricultural (A) zoning ordinance aid in the maintenance of
agricultural productivity in Del Norte County.

C. LCP Policies: Del Norte County fully acknowledges the need
to Conserve its valuable agricultural resources. The following
policies are established in order'to maintain agricultural pro-
ductivity in the Coastal Zone:

2 If a parcel is designated for prime agricultural use, conversion
to non-agricultural use shall not be permitted except where
allowed in Section 30241 of the Coastal Act.

3. An agricultural land use designationshall be given to parcels
that meets both of the following:

a. A minimum of 5 acres of contiguous ownership;

b. Lands in agricultural use not designated prime agricul-
tural land as above.

4. Conversion of land designated for agricultural use shall be
made only when agricultural use is no longer feasible and shall
be subject to Coastal Act priorities for coastal land uses
(e.g., recreation, coastal dependent industries).

5. A review of prime agricultural and agricultural land use
designations should be conducted every five years in order to
reflect future land and agricultural values. A committee on
agricultural land use consisting of representatives of the
dairy industry, lily bulb growers and other local farm inter-
ests should be established to implement this policy.

7. Land uses adjacent to agricultural lands shall not adversely
impact the economic productivity of the agricultural land.
Priority should be given to land uses which are least likely to
conflict with agricultural productivity.

8. The County should support education programs in agricultural
sciences to insure a future of well trained agronomists and in-
formed citizens.

9. "For prime agricultural land and other lands which
qualify, the county shall afford the opportunity for
these lands to participate in Williamson Act contracts.
If an equivalent method of taxation is proposed, this
Coastal Commision to determine its ability to protect
the resource."

10. Agricultural uses such as grazing and pastoral activi-
ties and the raising and harvesting of crops are deemed
to be a principle use within Farmed Wetlands. Mainten-
ance activities auxillary to the above agricultural uses
are therefore allowable uses including drainage related
to crop rotation. Such areas are subject to the other
policies or the county's Certified Land Use Plan."

11. "New or expanded agribultural operations that involve
the removal of major vegetation, excluding agricultural
crops, in the coastal zone are defined as development
and are thus subject to the permit requirements and all
other applicable policies of the land use plan of the
county's LCP."

IV. FORESTRY

Maintaining the long-term productivity of commercial forestlands
within the Coastal Zone is emphasized by the Coastal Act. This
-section will review the status of commercial timberlands in
Coastal Del Norte County and develop policies for their continued
maintenance.

A. General Distribution: Most of the commercial forestlands in
Del rte County lie e@i_st of the Coastal Zone boundary. Signi-
ficant forest areas are, however, distributed throughout the
coastal region. Approximately 2600 acres of Coastal Zone forest-
lands @re mapped in the County's General Plan. This excludes
some 4000 acres of coastal forest in Del Norte Coast Redwoods
.State Park and Redwood National Park.

The forestland acreages according to categories of commercial
and public forest and by the special designations of Timber
Preserve Zone (TPZ) and Special Treatment Area (STA) are pre-
sented in Table 3., (Note that some overlap of TPZ and STA reg-
ulations exist.)

B. Timber Preserve Zone (TPZ): The Timber Preserve Zone, or
TPZ, is a zoning ordinance permitting land to be valued on its
use for growing and harvesting timber. Since fiscal year 1977-
78i forestlands placed under TPZ have been exempt from ad valorem
taxation with a yield tax imposed at the time the timber is
harvested. Conversion of lands designated TPZ to other than
@orestry use is subject to review by the California Department
of Forestry.

At present, approximately 1800 acres of lands within the Coastal
Zone are designated TPZ. Most of these parcels are located in
the Klamath area and are contiguous with larger size forestry
units (see Figure 1).

The Coastal Act was passed prior to the Timber and Timberland
Taxation Act. Therefore the concerns of the Coastal Act, i.e.,
Section 30243, have been duplicated in the Timber Taxation Act,
(TPZ). The Coastal Act set no criteria for "commercial timber-
lands but set the general policy of long-term protection and
conservation of timberlands. However the TPZ act did set
specific criteria for the establishment of Timberland Preserves
and a method of implementation. Therefore consistency between
the two acts shall be strived for, as well as providing a method
of conservation of coastal timberlands.

C. Special Treatment Area@(STA): In order to assure the ad-
equate protection of natural and scenic resources, the Coastal
Act of 1�76 calls for the designation of special treatment of

FORESTLAND TYPE TPZ* STA** TOTAL

Commercial 1800 1063 2600
Forestland

National & 4000
State Parks
6600

Timber Preserve Zone

Special Treatment Area (Coastal Act)

TABLE 3: Forestland Acreages in Coastal Del Norte County
FFORESTL @6600

certain forested areas within the Coastal Zone. The Coastal Com-
mission met this legislative mandate in July 1977 by identifying
special treatment areas (STA) according to the following criteria:

1. Scenic view corridors;

2. Sites of significant scenic values;

.3. Wetlands, lagoons, streams, estuaries, and marine
environments;

4. Significant animal and plant habitat areas;

S. Recreation areas.

In addition to other regulations enforced by the California
Department of Forestry, specific forest practices are required to
protect the natural and scenic qualities of STAs when planning
and conducting timber operations.

The Coastal Commission established five special treatment areas
in Del Norte County: 1) Elk Creek; 2) Sitka Spruce Grove;
3)) False Klamath Cove; and 4) the lower Klamath River. The
designated Special Treatment Areas are shown in Figure 1.

D. Adjacent Land Uses: Certain land uses adjacent to commercial
timberlands may-n-o-T-5-e compatible with forestry operations. This
section will develop criteria for designating land uses adjacent
C@
to commercial forest lands.

1. Planning Issues: The nature of timber operations often
d ict es its separation from other land uses. These potential
conflicts are reviewed below.

a. Recreation and Residential Developme .nt: Though forested
areas are often desirable for recreation and residential
development their logical separation from forestry operations
is usually necessary because of safety, noise and other
factors.

Reside ntial and recreational development may also inter-
fere with forest production. Trespass, trampling and
vandalism from adjacent neighborhoods or recreation areas
are potential threats to the productivity of commercial
forest lands.

b. Industry: Principally through impacts of excessive air
Pollution, industrial uses adjacent to forestiands may have
negative effects. In general, wood products industries may
best be sited adjacent to timber producing lands.

c. Priorities: The productivity of forest lands and related
operations sii-ch as seedling nurseries should be given prime
consideration in land use designations. Priority should be
given to adjacent land uses which are most compatible with
these forest industries.

d. Buffer Zones: Buffer zones may be used to separate
commercial ti rlands from incompatible uses. These
separation zones should be sufficiently wide to minimize
potential impacts.

e. Federal and State Parks: Those forest contained within
the boundaries of sta`t__e_a_n_cT federal ownership of parks and
other non-developed lands, are not readily available for
resource utilization; these areas do provide significant
tracts of land which meet the criteria of Section 30243.
Since the objective of these parks is to "preserve and protect"
they do provide the protection and conservation of coastal
timberlands and the long-term productivity of the area's
soils.

2. Land Use Criteria: Criteria.for establishing appropriate
land uses adjacent to commercial forestlands are listed below:

a. Land use adjacent to commercial forestlands and related
operations shall not adversely impact their economic produc-
tivity.

b. In locating new development adjacent to commercial forest-
lands and related operations, priority shall be given to uses
which are most compatible, (i.e., do not adversely impact
timber operations and are in turn least impacted by such
activities).

V. GENERAL POLICIES FOR FORESTLANDS

A. Coastal Act Policies - The Coastal Act of 1976 recognizes
commercial timberland as a valuable coastal resource. To(,ether
with requesting the establishment of Special Treatment Areas
designed -to protect natur'al and scenic resources, the following
Coastal Act policy was enacted by the Legislature:

30243. The long-term productivity of s-oils and timberla nds
shall be protected, and conversions of coastal commercial timber-
lands in units of commercial size to other uses or their division
into units'of non7commercial size shall be limited to providing
for necessary timber processing related facilities.

B. Present Local Policies: Present policies concerning the
maintenance of forest resources in Del Norte County are clear
cut. The Del Norte County General Plan emphasizes the economic
importance of the forest products industry to the County. The
following policies are adopted to maintain timberland soils
and minimize disruptions to viable timber producing areas:

1. Commercial forest land and timber product activities should
be protected from development practices which erode their economic
viability.

2. Commercial forest land should be protected from incompatible
uses and only those uses related to and compatible with sound
for6stry practices should be allowed.

3. Commercial forest land should be recognized as a resource
in its own right as well as a protector of many other resouces
and be maintained as such.

4.- The County should maintain in a commercial forest land use
those lands possessing climate and soils suitable for growing
commercial conifer timber crops, (including spruce). Thos e upland
soils with timber sites I through III which are in parcels of
20 acres or more should not be allowed to reduce in parcel siZe
below 20 acres. Coastal soils of 20 acres or more of which the
parcels are intended for commercial production should be included.

5. The County should continue to co-operate with the Six Rivers
and Siskiyou National Forests in the management of all National
Forest Lands within the County. The County should strongly
support the concept of multiple use of all forest lands, empha-
sizing commercial timber production, recreational and resource
values.

C. LCP Policies

1. The long-term productivity of soils and timberlands shall lie
protected, and conversions of coastal commercial tim6erlands i1i
units of commercial size to other uses or their division into
units of non-commercial size shall be limited to providing for
neces5ary timber processing related facilities. Coastal commercial
timberlands are those lands which as of the lien-date of in
1976, were assessed for growing and harvesting timber as the
-highest and best use of the land and subsequently zoned TPZ on
list A.

The division of coastal commercial timberlands. (to not
constitute a conversion) shall be a minimum of 20 acres in sizo.
Any division of coastal commercial timberland into parcel con-
taining 20 acres or more in size shall require the following
actions:

a. The owners of the resulting parcels submit or the present
owner makes sufficient provisions for a joint timber management
plan prepared or approved as a"content by a registered-pro-
fessional forester;

b. Such owners enter into a binding contract within the board
of supervisors, representing the county, to manage and harvest
C>
timber on the timberland jointly and are bound by the pro-
visions of the management plan for a minimum period of ten
years; and,

c. Any divisions shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of
the full board of supervisors provided the project has been
reviewed by the planning commission.

3. Other lands zoned Timberland Preserve, not identified in
policy number one and not specifically designated for another
use in the land use component, shall be included as commercial
timberland and subject to the restrictions of policy number tivo.

4. The Timberland Preserve Zone Ordinance shall contain the
compatible and permitted used*for the above identified commerci-a-1
timberland.

5. Soils and timberland may also include lands not presently
zoned Timberland Preserve. These lands include the following:
a. Those forested areas within the boundaries of a CaliFortiia
State Park.

b, Forested areas of Class III or better which comprise a parcel
of 20 acres or larger or portion of a parcel of which the
forested portion is 20 acres or larger and so designated for
another land use on the land use map.

Those parcels or portions of parcels considered for the above
shall be given the opportunity to recieve Timberland Preserve
zoning.

6. The Timberland Preserve Zone Ordinance shall contain the
compatible and permitted used for the undeveloped lands desig-
nated as a result of policy five.

7. Parcels designated as timberland and not zoned TPZ may be con-
siderd for division into parcel of 20 acres or larger in size,
provided other development standards of the County regulating
subdivisions are complied with.

" Parcels less than 20 acres in size may be created when
the one untit/twenty acres density is not exceeded but
where the parcels shall not be smaller than that allowed
utilizing the rural land division criteria as set forth
in the land use categories section. Such a project shall
be subject to the D district combining zone (C.H. 20.45
D.N.C.C.) to ensure that there is no furthur division
than that permitted by the LCP density."

In no case shall the overall density exceed
a ratio of one unit per 20 acres not including one remainder
parcel.

9. Lands presently designated as special Treatment Areas shall
continue to recieve specific consideration under current forest.

I I
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I
I

APPENDIX
I
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I
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I
I.
I
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I
I
I
I

practice regulations of the California Department of Forestry
in order to maintain their natural and scenic qualities.
exact boundary of each STA, however, is subject to special study
which may delineate a more exact boundary.

10. Land uses, adjacent to commercial timberlands shall be
phased so that in general lower intensity uses are adjacent
to their commercial timberlands with higher intensity uses
phased in a logical transition away from these timberlands.

I= 'Mimi= 'Mimi =I MI =I MI =I Mimi =I M

Appendix 1: Soils of Coastal Del Norte County

SOIL ACREAGE I OF TOTAL SOIL TYPE DRAINAGE AGRICULTURAL IJ!jE SLOPE STR G J)E
ARCATA 980 3t Ar 7 111 finnd --Jwb/Pasture 0-3% 80 1
- r 3 Good 0 lb/PlIsture 0-3% so 1
BAYSIDE 172' O.St - Ba 2 Poor Pasture 0-st 36 4
-Ba -3 Poor 4
Ba 4 I)QQL.--- -P-- Ili d
CARLOTTA 7-917 9% C, 2 hInd P ra ri, 22 r uzted_Ejazes t qt:_ n_ it gn I
Ca 3 -.Moderate -PAs wrtLfQ_rratry__ __ 0 - 31 S7 3
? * . . rlnoj PA c tit r. /c, inn
FERNDALE 48SS
Fe 3 * Good P
Fe 4 anuai. wture/CrgRs 0-3% 100 1
Inn ing Pa%ttirejrrogs 0_3% 70
Jeep
tux-eJU-cips.. 7A
Fe 6 flooding Pasturg 0-31
HOUTON 334 it k 2 imperfect -Clover/ Gras @&5__ 0-31 42 3
Hk 3 eroded Clover/Grasses 5-81 28 4
Hk 4 Eroded _E!L�j;utL_r@r 39 4
HUTSINPILLAR 1626 st 2 Poor Pasture 0-3% 27 4
Hp 3 Imperfect- a.5IU,,zcUIoyAt_iQjL_ 0-3% 36 4
LOLETA 1465 4.5t Ln 2 _jXRcXf_tjq I kaAtujeZCi:ops 0-31 68 2
Ln I- - __ PQnr,_.. ___ P as t t4 r e / C rS _1-31 47 3
Lo 4 Poor Pas@ 0-31 52 3
.. _gleLgrops
Ry 2 -Good bulb/Pasture 25
ROWDY 4209 131 Ry 3 Good Buj_bLEta!.@!,ne___. 3_8% 90 1
Ry 4 Good AvJbLPA2=s_ _ - 0-3% 81 --- L_
Rv 5 Good BU.IhLEasture 3-81 77 2
6 Good IBulb/Pastire 0-81 2

Prime Soils
H

SOIL ACREAGE -A OF TOTAL -DRAINAgE SLOPE
RUSS Ru 2 *
6S7 21 Ru 3 *
-- Ru 4 cultivation/Pasnre rLat 71
TALAWA 2917 9% Ta-2 ?able Forestry 0-31 sa
I- --- - - -la-3 Poor --[-WAI I e r- P-1 a n r ,--- .-- n- -11 --
TIMMONS SS05 17t Ti 2 Well lForestry/grass 0-Ist S8 3

Prime Soils
@S8 E@3

Rlw RIE

Poll... Beach RF@E Gqt_
state Park CALIFORNIA

BULBS
Raises,
Perk

GRAZING

z Frio 0
al *lead BULBS

DAIRY six RIV ERS

Polo

101

kle GRAZING DAIRY
f
fD
D
fD

NATIONAL

LAxr

GRAZING 199
fAF1.

GRAZING
j
jx@ REDWOOD

ELK CREEK STA
Cattle -p
Real, SITKA 3PqUC1 FOREST
GR--l -A
Crescent
C
ity

GRAUZI

BULBS

z
NATIONAL

1 0 1 2 Nil..

S.M.
Siolor %
R..k.

V,
-z-

z AGRICULTURAL AREA
FA,,
c s
TIMBER PRESERVE ZONE (TPZ) KIa..Ih 2
R.,k

SPECIAL TREATMENT IREA GTA)
101

NOTE: THE AGRICULTURAL AREAS SHOWN ARE NOT
EXCLUSIVELY AGRICULTURE AND MAY COii-T-AIN
SIGNIFICANT AREAS IN OTHER LAND USES.
L.-K. -.Alm
RIVER STA

PARK

z Whit.
R...

z
AGRICULTURE a FOREST RESOURCES

DEL NORTE COUNTY
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM HUMBOLDT COLIN Y
1979

Iw RIE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

California, State of, Board of Forestry, (May 1978), Forest
Practice Rules, Sacramento, Ca.

California, State of, Coastal Zone Conservation Commission,
(December 1975), California Coastal Plan.

Del Norte, County of, Planning Department, (November 1976),
Del Norte County General Plan.

9 (December 1977), LCP Issue Identification.

O.E.D.P. Committee, (1976), Overall Economic Development
Program: Planning and AE-tion for-Del Norte County.

Reganold, J.P. & M.J. Singer, (October 1978), Defining Prime
Agricultural Land in California, Environmental Quality
Series No. 29, Ins@E-Jtute of Ecology, University of
California, Davis.

Toner, W., (1978), Saving Farms and Farmlands: A Community
Guide, American Society oT-Pl-anning Official-s Report
No. 333, Chicago, Ill.

Westing, Murph, (May 1979), Personal Communications, Farm
Advisor University of California Extension Services.

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

HAZARD AREAS COMPONENT

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
700 Sth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

LCP--HAZARD AREAS COMPONENT

Table of Contents

List of Tables .................................. i

List of Figures ................................. i

INTRODUCTION ..................... :*** 1
A. Overview .................................... 1

B. Purpose and Goal ............................ 1

C. Defining Natural Hazards .................... 2

IDENTIF ICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ......... 5

A. Overview ..................................... S

B. Geologic Hazards ............................ S

C. Tsunami Hazards ............................. 12

D. Coastline Erosion ........................... 13

E. Hydrologic Hazard ........................... 15

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD IMPACTS ..................... 18

A. Potential Environmental Impacts
(Crescent City Area) ........................... 18
B. Potential Environmental Impacts Adjacent to the
Community of Fort Dick ...................... 19

C. Potential Environmental Impacts Adjacent to the
Community of Smith River .................... 20

D. Potential Environmental Impacts within the
Turwer Valley (Klamath and Requa) ........... 20

E. Potential Urban Expansion Areas ............. 21

IV. POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ....................... .23

A. Coastal Act Policies .......................... 23

B. Present Local Policies ........................ 23

C. Acceptable Risk ................................ 24

D. LCP Policies and Implementation ............... 25

BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................... 30

LIST OF TABLES

1 Tsunamis in California ............................ 14

LIST OF FIGURES

1 Coastal Geologic Formations ........................ 29

I. INTRODUCTION* LCP--HAZARD ARIEAS COMPONENT
The County of Del Norte adopted a Seismic Safety and Safety
Element in November of 1976 as part of its county-wid"e General
Plan. This element was prepared by a consultant with a wide
spectrum of special skills and expertise. The document identifies
geologic, seismic, flooding and other natural hazards. Within
the document the consultant prepared recommendations for disaster
planning and development controls. Portions of the following
text are excerpted from the document as it applies to the
Coastal Act. Some statements within the text do not apply with-
in the Coastal Zone specifically, but apply rather to the County
as a whole or only to specific areas adjacent to the Coastal 7-one.
Additional detailed support data is contained within the county-
wide document and is not repeated here for conciseness.

A. Overview: Seismic Safety and Safety Planning is a vital
element in the planning process. Safety Planning relates pri-
mari.ly to the avoidance or reduction in loss of life, in -iury and
property damage resulting from natural hazards. Since hazards
are measured in terms of potential losses, based on human
activity, the degree of hazards can be evaluated and partially
controlled by the extent and itensity of human activity in th@
hazard-prone area.
B. Pur@ose and Goal: The Seismic Safety and Safety Element is
entended to help maTe Del Norte County SAFE: SAFE from natural
hazards; SAFE 'for people. Whereas such a goal is unattainable in
its perfect state, action can be taken to strive for safety,
thereby reducing the risk of a natural hazard affecting the
lives of people in the County. The accomplishment of such a
reduction in risk is a two-step process:

a) Identify the problems (hazards) and
b) Suggest policies and programs to mitigate the problem.
Identifying the problem is a two-step process:

a) Identify where the people are, and
b) Identify the hazards that threaten them.

*NOTE: This component of the LCP is subject to review and
referencing to other policy components.

Suggesting policies and programs is a two-step process:

a) Formulated policies to help make safe both residents of
and visitors to Del Norte County, and

b) Implement those policies.

The purpose of this element, then, is to ensure that the proper
steps are taken to reduce the risk from natural hazards. The
goal is the attainment of such a reduction.

C. Defining Natural.Hazards: Before proceeding with the major
part's.of this Element, it is appropriate to discuss the natural
hazards that can affect Del Norte County. Such a discussion
will serve as a common basis for understanding the natural pro-
cesses involved in seismic safety planning.

1. Seismic Activity: Earthquakes are sudden releases.of strain
energy stored in the earth's crust. Existing geologic theory
holds that the movement of the plates which compose the eart@,s
crust continually causes strains to build at the plate boundaries.
These strains accumulate until the plates can no longer sustain
the strain. Then there is an energy release. This geologic
evolutionary process creates the features of the local landscape,
including mountain, ridges and valleys.

California is located on one of the seismically active areas
of the earth. The explanation for this is that State is located
on the Boundary between the earth's crustal plate underlying the
Pacific Ocean and the one forming the American continent. The
main line contact between the two places is the San Andreas
Fault System. Simply stated, as these plates shove and grind
against one another, movement occurs on the San Andreas Fault,
or a fault parallel to it, and California has earthquakes.

2. Earthquake Effects: Beginning the instant an earthquake
is triggered, a series of events which can have seriOLIS conse-
quences for property and people is set into motion. These
involve. interaction between seismic forces on one hand, and
natural features and man-made structures on the other.

From the location along the earthquake fault where energy is
released (the "focus"), force is radiated outward in the form
of waves which'are only gradually dissipated. Near the "['ocus",
the forces may be strong enough to physically stress landEorins
and buildings, while at greater distances the waves can be de-
tected only with instruments. The earthquake generates several
types of waves. These waves travel at dif f erent speeds and
arrive at places on the earth's surface at different times.
These intervals, recorded by instruments, allow earthquakes to
.be. located.

As previously noted, the shear movement within the earths crust
that always occurs during an earthquake may cause displacement
along an existing fault, or the creation of new fault breaks.
This displacement may rupture the earth's surface, where it
would stress or shear objects or buildings on it. Even if
the displacement is confined to the bedrock and lower ground
layers, however, it could disrupt drainage and damage building
foundations and other objects straddling it.
Faults are seldom single cracks, but typically are braids of
breaks that comprise shatter zones. These link to form networks
composed of major and minor faults. Movement typically occurs
along the major faults, but a new path may be taken through
a network, or a series of adjustments may occur on minor faults.
A fault having recorded movement, or one which has visibly
disturbed the ground over it, is regarded as "active", and is
more likely to generate a future earthquake than a fault which
shows no signs of recent movem ent.

Although rock or ground rupture along a fault is dramatic,
physical displacements tend to be highly localized. Not so
are the effects of ground shaking, which are widespread and
cause most earthquake d *amage. In a strong earthquake, major
damage from ground shaking can occur over 100 miles from the
source of the earthquake.

The force which radiates outward from an earthquake is trans-
mitted thr.ough the hard rock crust in short, rapid vibrations;
these are transformed into long, deep motions when the waves
enter soft ground materials. Sometimes the undulations are
long and deep enough to be visible as they move across the
surface. Buildings can be designed and built to resist the
short-movement shaking that is characteristic of solid ground,
but it is difficult or impossible for a building to withstand
the "lofting" motion of shaking in soft ground.

Ground put into motion by an earthquake can fail if its limits
of cohesion are teached: landslides and ground slippages are
induced in susceptible areas. Areas with steep slopes typically
experience slides and slumps. Damaging slips have occurred in
areas of almost imperceptible slope.

Liquefaction is a form of failure which can happen when water-
saturated sandy ground is put under pressure by earthquakes.
Liquid under pressure forces soil particles apart to create quick-
sand-like conditions that destroy soil strength, and thereby
undermine the support of the structures. Earthquakes can cause
flooding, and for a variety of reasons. Dams and levees may
fail under earthquakes stress. Seiches (large waves that occur
within confined bodies of water) may occur, due to either lake
bottom displacement or landsliding into water, driving flood

water onto adjacent areas. Tsunami ("tidal waves") may be
generated in oceans and large water bodies. Faulting, ground
shaking, ground failure, and flooding are the natural effects
of earthquakes, but these are most meaningful to human beings
in terms of lives lost, persons injured, buildings destroyed,
and property damaged.

The great majority of earthquakes are not dangerous to life or
property either because they occur in sparsely populated areas,
or because they are small earthquakes, which release
relatively small amounts of energy. However, where urban
areas are located in regions of high seismicity, damaging earth
quakes are expectable, and to some extent predictable events.

3. Earthquake Prediction: There are basically.three aspects
of p ential earthquakes-which must be. known to make any pre-
diction significant: 1) location, 2) magnitude, and 3) time.
Earthquakes tend to occur in locations where they have previously
occurred. However, the exact locations of future earthquakes
cannot now be pinpointed.

The magnitude of earthquakes along active faults more than likely
will be the same magnitude as experienced in the past. The
ability to accurately predict the magnitude of future shocks
is not possible at this time. All that can be said is that
large magnitude earthquakes will most likely occur where they
have previously occurred.

The third element of prediction - time - is even harder to
draw conclusions about. California, according to knowledge-
able earth scientists, will continue to periodically experience
severe shocks. The year, month, day and hour of an earthquake,
however, is not within the realm of scientific predictability
at this time.

While the exact location, magnitude and time oF an earthquako
cannot be predicted at the present, there is continuing re-
search into earthquakes by State and Federal agencies as well
as colleges and universities. Only through such research can
a thorough understanding of the earth Is geologic processes be
developed such that earthquake hazards can be significantly
minimized.

4. Flooding: Flooding is another natural hazard which conti-
nuall-y threatens Dortions of the County. The Smith and Klamth
Rivers, as well as numerous creeks in Del Norte County all pose
a yearly major and minor flooding danger to life and property.
Flooding will be dealt with in subsequent portions of this
document.

11. IDENTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAIARDS

A. Overview: The identification of natural hazards that can
affect Del Norte County is the first step in the safety planning
process. It represents, possibly, the greatest challenge in plan-
ning, because the consequences of inaccurate hazard identification
would be the formulation of inadequate safety land use policies.
The result might be unneGessary loss of life, injury, and property
damage.

The natural hazards that have affected Del Norte County in the
past, and those that may affect it in the future, can be identified
with a high degree of accuracy. Flooding, earthquakes, and forest
fires have all touched the County. Throughout its history, no
major significant earthquake damage has been sustained by the County.
However, the tsunamis and river flooding of 1964 resulted in
extensive property damage, and a limited number of deaths.

The future extent of similar natural hazards in Del Norte County
is obviously an unknown factor. We do know, however, that in all
probability the future will include the same kinds of hazards as
have occurred in the past. Damage and loss of life may or may not
be greater. Accurate hazard identification, however, is not simpl,@
an accounting of the past and warning for the future. It is an
accounting of what the past tells us and, based'on that information,
an evaluation of the future. And to properly evaluate the future,
we must recognize and understand the risks involved with the cur-
rent proposed land use practices.

B. Geologic Hazards: Geologic hazards involve numerous pro-
blem;T-associated with the dynamic character of the earth's
surface ranging From soil creep to earthquakes. This section
will describe the geology of Del Norte County and review related
geologic hazards and problems. A geologic map illustrating
major formations within the coastal region of Del Norte County
is depicted in Figure 1.

1. Structural Geology and Geologic History: Del Norte County
can be divideU into two topographic entitl@s: the extensive '
eastern mountainous belt, comprising the Northern Coast Ranges
and the Klamath Mountains (inseperable topographically), and the
restricted coastal lowland, extending from south of C@escent
City northward to the Oregon border. The wide part of this lowland
is called the Smith River Plain, occupying about 75 square iiiLles.
The mountainous portion of the County, which impinges upon the
coastline five miles south of Crescent City, comprises approxi-,
mately 92% of the total County area. The rocks of the western
portion of this mountainous terrain consist predominantly of
sandstone (graywacke variety) and shale of the Franciscan Complex,
an intensely sheared and dismembered assemblage of mainly marine
rocks deposited during a time span of approximately 90,000,000

to 145,000,000 years ago. Other rocks present in lesser quanti-
ties in this assemblage are metamorphosed igneous rocks (green-
stones), cherts, and conglomerates. These rocks were deformed
both during and following their deposition. The presence of
numerous shear zones within the unit, combined with the abundant
shales, often creates serious slope stability problems in the moist
climate of northwestern California.

To the east of the Franciscan rocks lie the older and more
variable rocks of the Klamath Mountains province. While the
geology of the Klamath Mountains and Northern Coast Ranges has
been reconnoitered and partially mapped, many of the details
remain obscure. The Klamath Mountains share 'the complicated
..geology of the adjacent Franciscan belt, but the greater varia-
bility and older age of the rocks introduce even more compli-
cations. Many of the larger geologic. problems of the region will
remain unsolved until more detailed work is done. Rock types in
the Klamath Mountains consist of large masses of igneous and
metamorphic rocks (including many metamorphosed sedimentary rocks),
whose contacts with each other are often along faults and shear
zones.

The abundance of fault and shear zones in the mountainous portions
of the County does not necessarily mean that the area is subiect
to frequent earthquake activity; all of these faults and shear
zones, with our present information, are believed to be inactive,
therefore offering no earthquake threat to the County.

The coastal lowland belt, up to 10 miles wide, is underlain by
the same rocks as found in the adjoining Northern Coast Range
the Franciscan Complex. However, there is an overlying veneer
of much younger rocks and loose sediment 'beneath the Smith River-
Plain. Beneath the southern part of the Plain, the lower portion
of this younger sequence consists of marine siltstones, sandstones,
and pebble conglomerates - the St. George Formation. Seventy
five feet of this type of rock is exposed near Point St. GeorLTe,
but the maximum thickness may approach 400 feet to the northeast.
Fossils from this formation date is a Pliocene, deposited under
a shallow sea approximately three to ten million years ago. The
,overall shape of this body in the Crescent City area may be that
of a shallow northwest-trending syncline (trough),

Isolated remnants of similar rocks are found on mountain r1dgcls
in the adjacent Northern Coast Range province to the cast, at
altitudes of 1,700 to 2,200 feet above sea level. They mav
represent unfaulted remnants of the Point St. George Formation,
and show that shallow seas covered at least the western portions
of Del Norte County as recently as several million years ago, witl
possible later upfaulting along the western edge of the mountains
(the Del Norte Fault, discussed later) to lift them above their
supposed counterparts to the west.

Overlying the St. George Formation, and immediately underlying
the surface in the southern two thirds of the Smit@ River Plain,
is a thin unit of nearly horizontal, weakly consolidated alter-
nating silty clay and fine-to-medium-grained quartz sands up to
66 feet thick. This unit is named the Battery Formation, and
represents an interfingering of nearshore marine and possible
non-marine conditions (such as lenses of stream gravels). Tho
general setting of the Battery Formation represents a "thin
marine terrace capping over the southern portion of Crescent
City platform", and, "much of the surface has been reworked by
wind". "The Battery Formation is believed to date from the most
recent Pleistocene interglacial period (the Sangamon, appro-
ximately 75,000 to 120,000 years ago), when sea level may have
been somewhat higher than it is now". It is more likely, how-
ever, that sea level was not as high as is the present elevation
of the terrace (Smith River Plain, and Battery Formation, so that
some of the present elevation must be due to uplift of the land
in the last � 70,000 years. The surface also appears to be
warped, with a slight north to northeast tilting. The presence
of unconsolidated sand in the surficial � 60 feet beneath the
more highly populated parts of Del Norte County is of importance
in considering the potential for liquefaction during a strong
earthquake.

In summary, then, the geologic history of the Del Norte County
area is as follows. The older rocks throughout the entire County
record prolonged marine conditions of deposition, interspersed
and followed by intrusion, metamorphism, and extreme faulting and
shearing. This record extends up to as recently as perhaps
seventy to one hundred million years ago. The long interval of
time following this, up to a few million years ago, is without
record; probably the area was above sea level and undergoing
erosion during much of this time. Western portions of the
County were beneath shallow coastal waters again several million
years ago, possible upfaulted along the base of the line of hills
east of Crescent City, eroded to the west of this as well, and
then what we now call the Smith River Plain was again covered
briefly by nearshore marine waters approximately 100.000 Years
ago, with more recent slight emergence and north to nortiieazt
tilting. Winds and migrating stream courses have reworked the
coast-al plain materials somewhat, while the mountainous mass to
the east has continued to undergo erosion and possible slow
uplift.

2. Ground Stability: The widely varying topography and rock
types underlying Del Norte County make it difficult to develop
generalizations concerning stability problems. It is obvious,
however, that slope failure problems (landslides and related
phenomena) will occur only where there are substantial slopes
(i.e., the mountain areas or along steep coasts), whereas the

flatter lowland areas may have instability problems related
mainly to the type of underlying materials. Earthquake and
non-earthquake related.ground failure can occur in either tYpe
of area.

3. ffillslopes - Mass Movement: Mass movement is defined as
the k transfer of mas-s-e-s-'67- soil, rock debris, or rock, down-
slope under the direct influence of gravity. Mass movement of
material on hillsides is a major accompaniment of moderate and
strong earthquakes (Richter Scale magnitude of 6.0 or greater),
as well as a direct result of heavy rainfull, snow melt, or wave
attack on steep coastlines. It can be in the form of landslides,
rock avalanches, mud and debris flows, or other types of failure.
An example of man-induced slope failure, in combination with
these other elements, would be the failure of a steep artificial
cut subjected to a moderate or strong earthquake during the
wet season.

Slope stability maps (contained in the Del Norte County Seismic
Safety and Safety Element Atlas) have been developed fo'r the
major populated areas of the County. ne information on these
maps was derived primarily from interpretation of aerial photo-
graphs and topographic maps. Brief field checks were made in
each area and existing soil and geologic maps were referred to.

The stability maps are generalized and meant to indicate those
areas where further slope stability or foundation investigation
should be made if roads, subdivisions, or "critical" structures
are proposed for those areas. Boundaries between adjacent sectors
are approximate and are only meant to delineate the zones in a
general way.

Other areas of the County which are not mapped obviously are
not exempt from stability problems. The scope of this report,
however., is concentrated on the developed portions and areas
of potential development of Coastal Del Norte County. Projects
contemplated for intervening areas should be analyzed by a
registered geologist, engineering geologist, or geological
engineer, provided that a preliminary on-site assessment, plus
a study of existing maps and/or aerial photography suggests
possible stability problems.

4. Foundation Problems: Maps in the Seismic Safety and Safety
Element Atlas also indicate, where possible, a general assessment
of foundation problems that might be related to liquefaction,
lurching, (and associated cracking and fissuring), and dil-f-Te-rential
subsidence or settlement. These terms are defined @T__sfollows:

a. Liquefaction: Liquefaction is the sudden large decrease
of shearin2 resistance of a cohesionless %oil, caused by
collapse o@ the soil structure by shock or strain, and

associated with a sudden but temporary increase of the mate-
rial into a fluid mass. Fine unconsolidated sand or silt,
saturated with water, is particularly subject to lique-
faction. Horizontal to slightly tilted layers or lenses
of this material may underlie river flood plains or lie within
marine terrace deposits. Structures located on such ground
often tilt, partially sink, or are disrupted by "lurching"
which may accompany the lateral transport of the surficial
material.

The only quantitative information bearing on the potential
for liquefaction in the area was obtained from borings made
by Cal-Trans for the overpass construction on Highway 101
northeast of Crescent City (Washington Boulevard and Rail-
road Avenue overcrossings). This information suggests a
potential for liquefaction under the southern portion of the
Smith River Plain, which is discussed under the section
dealing with stability problems in the Crescent City area.
b. Lurchin@: (cracking, fissuring) Under moderate to
intense shaking, unconsolidated alluvium and soils may under-
go various amounts of horizontal displacement toward adjacent
unconfined areas (the bluff along a river or stream is a
good example). This may or may not be associated with
liquefaction. Cracks and fissures, ranging from inches to
many feet in length, and of varying widths, generally
accompany this "lurching". Intervening around seaments
are often tilted. Structures located on such ground can be
.severely tilted and disrupted.

C. Differential Subsidence or Settlement: Differential
subsidence or settlement may occur in unconsolidated (loose
and poorly compacted) materials during shaking, associated
with the induced tendency toward a more compact arrangement
of the grains. As the porosity is decreased, pore water may
be forced to the surface to form sand boils or mud spouts.
Ground settlement often leads to tilting of buildings or
differential settlement of other engineered structures.
There was a lack of definitive information on possible
differential subsidence within Del Norte County such that
mapping of this potential hazard could not be accompLished.
The effects of differential subsidence are most likely to
be felt on improperly compacted man-made Eil.1, or whv're
different soil types are in contact.

Rapid withdrawal of groundwater has, in certain areas of
California, caused differential subsidence of overlying
materials. Information on ground water withdrawal from

the Smith River Plain suggests that differential subsidence
is unlikely to occur because areas of heavy withdrawal are
also areas of rapid replenishment.

5. Local Stability Problems: In order to present a more loca-
lize@Fassessment of possible stability conditions, each of the
developed portions of Coastal Del Norte County are discussed
separately.

a. Crescent City Stability Problems: Most of the Crescent
City area occupies the southern portion of the Smith River
Plain. The area is occupied by generally flat to sloping
ground everywhere except along the fringing hills to the
east, the sea cliff to the west, and very locally along
some shallow northwest-trending drainageways. There are
restricted areas of steep dune faces nor th of the airport.

The narrow coastal strip of Battery Point north to Point
St. George has been designated a high risk area because of
the tendency for sea cliffs to retreat inland with time.
Although there exist local "spots" of stability, supported
by particularly massive and resistant bedrock, the over-
riding aspect of this narrow coastal strip is one of
progressive failure, and no attempt has been made to dis-
tinguish these restricted, less hazardous areas on the map.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in the early stages
of a study to determine coastal changes along the shore
0
adjoining Crescent City on the west. Unfortunately, no
information from this study is available at this time.

Loas of bore holes associated with construction of the new
highway overcrossings northeast of Crescent City suggest
possible thin zones of potentially liquefiable material
t15 to 20 feet below the surface beneath the Washington
Boulevard overcrossing area, and within 1S feet of the
surface beneath the Railroad Avenue overcrossing. Pene-
tration rates in'these depth intervals at several of the
boreholes at both sites were rapid enough that, when
combined with the type of materials described (slightly
compacted fine and medium sand), the regional shallow water
table, and predicted bedrock acceleration for the area
during a "design earthquake", some possibility of lique-
faction is indicated. The potentially liquefiable materials
are in the Battery Formation, which may underlie most of the
Crescent City area. Therefore, even though the characteristics
of this formation likely vary from place to place (detailed
information is not at hand), its potential for possible
liquefaction must be considered in future construction in
the area. Because this formation is generally within 2S to
50 feet of the surface, shallow boreholes iinder proposed
critical or major project sites should be able to assess this
potential rapidly and inexpensively.

b. Fort Dick Stability Problems: The topography in the
Fort-Mck area is mostly flat to very slightly sloping.
Therefore, virtually the entire area (with only one
exception - directly east of Fort Dick) is designated as
a negligible risk area from 'the standpoint of slope
failure related to steepness. The area may, however, be
underlain by localized or continuous layers of water
saturated under-consolidated sands of the Battery Formation
at a shallow depth, thus a possible potential for lique-
faction exists. A more or less continuous layer of saturated
fine sand and gravel less than 40 feet deep is reported to
lie east of Lake Earl, and to extend northward to the Fort
Dick area. -Without additional detailed inforrgation as to
the exact quality of the sand, it is best to designate the
entire area as one in which potential liquefaction might
occur in association with strong seismic shaking. In
addition, during such an event, minor lurching might occur
along the terrace edge 500 feet north of the Redwood Union
School, as well as in the localized steep area just east of
Fort Dick.

C. Smith River Stability Problems: The town of Smith River
rests on a slightly inclined surtace of alluvial fan deposits
near the mouth of Rowdy Creek. No slope stability problems
are anticipated beneath the developed portions of the town,
except for the possibility of undercutting of banks along
the drainageways.

The hills to the north and east, composed of the Franciscan
rocks, contain moderate to steep slopes and are subject to
varying degrees of instability, depending on the combined
factors of steepness, rock composition and structure. Modi-
fication of these hillsides by man should be undertaken only
after a qualified assessment is made of the potential for
upsetting the tenuous natural balance.

A very narrow strip of instability, related to the natural
tendency of the surf to erode and cause inland retreat
of the coastline, is present along the stretch of sea cliffs
and low bluffs which extends from Pyramid Point northward to
the Oregon border. The rates of retreat in this stretch are
not known; however, a realistic approach is to label this as
a high risk strip pending qualified measurements of rates
of coastal erosion there.

The possibility of liquefaction beneath the town oi- Smith
River, or immediate environs, is considered m1nimal. 1111,01-
mation from water wells in the area suggests that the area is'
underlain by fan deposits and terrace materials that are not
conducive to liquefaction. Franciscan bedrock probably ties
at a shallow depth (within, perhaps, SO feet oi- the SUrface)

beneath this. Presumably, this situation exists westward to
the Pyramid Point (Ship Ashore) area, where. Franciscan rocks
outcrop in the sea cliffs. The hills, although liable to land-
sliding from seismic shaking, are not subject to liquefaction.
It is possible that liquefiable materials are present beneath
the flood plain of the Smith River, but this remains con-
jectural.

Minor lurching accompanying a strong earthquake could occur
along the steep banks of streams.

d. Klamath Area Stability Problems: Stability problems
in the KlamaFh area are related mainly to the pre3ence
of the unstable Franciscan rocks beneath the hillside areas.
Alluvial materials underlying the flood plain of the Klamath
River and small tributary valleys are not likely to result
in significant liquefaction because of their course consistency.
As noted earlier., differential compaction could occur if
structures are built straddling two different types of foun-
dation materials, or are built'@'on poorly compacted fill.
Minor lurching is possible close to the margins of steep
banks formed from alluvial materials.

The accompanying stability map of the areas was based on
hill steepness, as taken from topographic maps, and a brief
field check of hillsides north of Klamath. Variability in
stability characteristics of the Franciscan bedrock from
place to place were not taken into account in drawing the
map. (Copies of these maps are available at the County
Planning Department and are hereby incorporated by reference).

C. Tsunami Hazard: Tsunami, more commonly called seismic sea
wave or tidal wave, is an earthquake-induced wave (waves) of
greater than average height, which inundates slow-lying coastal
areas following a severe earthquake at sea (Richter magnitude
greater than 7.0 to 7.5). Rather than one highwave., howexer,
a tsunami is a series of waves and troughs, often with the third
to fifth wave the highest. Up to half an hour may separate each
successive wave crest, with the longer intervals associated with
the stronger earthquakes. The Pacific Ocean is surrounded by a
belt of intense earthquake activity - the Circum-Pacific seismic
belt. The combination of nearshore undersea topography, resonant
characteristics of the surrounding nearshore area, and exposed
position on the coast makes Crescent City particularly susceptible
to tsunamis originating in the Pacific seismic belt.

There are no known historical tsunamis at Crescent City which can
be tied to earthquakes occurring off the northern California or
Oregon coastlines. The historical tsunamis to hit Crescent Citv
can be related to large subsea earthquakes associated with
significant vertical sea floor displacements at such widely

separated localities as off the coastlines of Chile, Japan and
Alaska, (see Table 1). This is not to say that a locally generated
tsunami is an impossibility; only much less common than those
arriving from elsewhere.

A tsunami may arrive as a "bore", a wall of water rushing
violently and destructively into the lowlands, or it may, instead,
come as a rising horizontal water surface, as it reportedlN did
in Crescent City in 1964. This latter type of inundation results
in a shoreward displacement of the normal line of surf, possibly
carrying it into developed areas. Luckily for Crescent City in
1964, the ocean was unusually calm, so that the damage from
normal surf was minimal.

D. 'Coastline Erosion: A vast portion of California's co astal
shoreline is constantly being lost by the natural geologic process
of erosion. The tidal motions of the sea, the openness of the
shore to wave attack and the lack of durability of the rocks on
the coast are all factors in the rate of coastline erosion. Wind
waves, the familiar waves of the ocean, cause most of the erosion
damage.

Del Norte County has a coast shoreline length of 45.5 miles.
From the Oregon border to Point St. George, there are about 14
miles of rocky coast, and 11 miles of sandy beach backed by
sand dunes. Erosion of this reach is occurring slowly and is
non-critical.

The remainder of the County coastline is rocky with pocket
beaches and reaches of sand such as at Crescent City and at the
mou th of the Klamath River. This latter reach includes the Redwood
National Park and the Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park, and
is noted for its rugged headlands and scenic shoreline.

The key stretch of coastline identified by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers as experiencing critic.al erosion extends from Point
St. George to Crescent City. It is within this area that erosion
can endanger homes and roadways along the coastal cliffs. The
critical area is a 2.3 mile stretch just north of Crescent City.
The U.S. Army Crops of Engineers has recommended seawalls for
providing protection from continued erosion hazards.

A second critical erosion hazard area identified by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers is a one mile stretch south of Crescurit
City, within the Redwood National Park. Tlie stretch is loc@it(,,j
one mile south of False Klamath-Cove. Again, the Corps has rocont-
mended a seawall as suitable protection from Further crosiori.
However, coastline erosion does not represent a significant safety
hazard in this location, due to the undeveloped nature of the area.

TABLE 1: TSUNAMIS IN CALIFORNIA

DATE HEIGHT PLACE OF OBSERVATION GENERATING AREA
12/2. 3/1854 meters-7-eet
0.2 0.6 San Francisco Japan
12/24/1854 0.3 1.0 San Francisco Japan
9/24/1859 4.6 15.0 Half Moon Bay California
4/2/1868 0.1 0.3 San Diego Hawaii
8/14/1868 0.3 1.0 San Diego Chili
5/10/1877 0.3 1.0 San Francisco Chili
8/26/1883- 0.6 2.0 San Francisco Krakatoa
6/15/1896 0.2 0.6 San Francisco Japan
8/16/1906 0.1 0.3 San Diego Chili
11/10/1922 0.2 0.6 San Francisco Chili
2/3/1923 0.1 0.3 San Francisco Kamchatka (AK)
4/13/1923 0.2 0.3 San Francisco Kamchatka (AK)
11/4./1927 0.2 0.6 Crescent City Pt. Arguello, CA
3/2/1933 0.2 0.6 San Francisco Japan
12/7/1944 0.9 3.0 Crescent City Japan
4/1/1946 0.9 3.0 Crescent City Aleutian Is.
12/21/1946 0.3 1.0 Crescent City Japan
3/4/1952 0.2 0.6 Crescent City Japan
11/4/1952 1.1 3.6 Crescent City Kamchatka (AK)
3/9/1957 0.7 2.3 Crescent Cilty Aleutian Is.
S/23/1960 3.7 12.2 Crescent City Chili
10/12/1963 0.5 1.6 Crescent City Kuril Is.
3/28/1964 6.3 20.9 Crescent City Alaska
10/17/1966 0.1 0.3 Crescent City Peru

Source: Iida, et. al., 1967; additional data from Keulegan (1969)'

E. Hydrologic Hazard.: A flood is defined as any level of a
natural body of water that exceeds its normal banks. In and of
itself, this is not bad, nor is it a hazard. However, flooding
is also defined as any flow of water that threatens life and
damages human property. It is in this sense of the word that
flooding is addressed.

The severity of a flood is measured in terms of property damage
and loss of life. One of the most severe floods to ever occur
in Del Norte County was in December, 1964. But even a flood
of lesser intensity can create economic disaster; and floods of
lesser intensity are more prevalent. It has been noted that the
floods that occur in many low lying areas are not the torrents
capable of sweeping buildings downstream, but rather the gentle
one foot rise into the living room that cost 25 percent of the value
of a house and 60 percent of its contents.

Despite the numerous rivers and streams in Del Norte County,
significant flooding hazard areas are currently limited to three
streams; the Smith River, the Klamath River and Elk Creek. The
reason these streams represent a hazard is due to the fact that
development has occurred either within, or in close proximity to,
their respective flood plains.

1. Smith River: The Smith River drains a basin 609 square miles
in size. Th ghout its length, the Smith River flows through
the Klamath Mountains, except for the final 1S miles, where it
slices through the Coastal Range and crosses a broad coastal plain
before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Within the plain is Lake
Earl, Lake Talawa, a portion of Highway 101, a portion of Lower
Lake Road, agricultural land and scattered residential uses.

The greatest flood on the Smith River during recent record occurred
in December, 1964. Flood waters overflowed through Talawa Slough
and into Lake Earl. Lake Earl then rose to an elevation of
about eight feet above mean sea level and spilled through Lake
Talawa into the ocean through a natural breach in the sandbar.
App roximately 9,300 acres of pasture and other agricultural land
were flooded in the Smith River delta area, and the area surrounding
the lakes. The damages to the agricultural lands consisted of
scouring and deposits of debris, silt, and gravel. The livestock
loss numbered 360., mostly cattle.

In 1955, floodwaters from the Smith River overflowed into Lake
Earl and Lake Talawa, inundating approximately 3,200 @icres of' laild.
Agricultural damages consisted primarily of SCOUrill1l, Of 1);I.StUrclallds
and deposits of silt, gravel and debris from tiLmber operlatioris.
Cattle loss was held to a minimum as a result of flood wartiiiigs
issues by the U.S. Weather Bureau office at L'ureka.

Other large floods on the Smith River occurred in December, 1861,
January 1890; February, 1927; October 1950; January and.November,
1953; January, 1966; January, 1970; and January, 1972. The
January 1972 flood was the second highest flood stage on record
in the Smith River, exceeded only by the 1964 flood.

2. Klamath River: The Klamath River drains an area of approx-
imately 15,OU-Osquare miles, of which 234 square miles are within
Del Norte County. It is the second largest river in California,
exceeded only by the Sacramento River. It lies south and east
of the Smith River basin. Major tributaries to the Klamath are
the Salmon, Scott, Shasta and Trinity Rivers, none of which are
within the bounds of Del Norte County.

Floodflows in the Klamath basin are of two types., rain and snow-
melt floods. Of the two, the rain floods are the more damaging,
records showing practically all damaging floods have occurred
during the period of November to March, inclusive. Usually, these
floods result from a rain storm of several:,days duration.

Snowmelt floods usually begin in March. They do little damage as
compared to that caused by rain floods, but they sometimes cause
inundation and crop losses.

The portion of the Klamath River that lies within Del Norte County
is referred to by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as Reach I,
that being the stretch from the mouth of the Klamath to the
Humboldt County line. Within Reach I and.Coastal Zone lies the
communities of Requa, Camp Klamath and Klamath. Due to this
development, flooding within Reach I creates a hazard to life and
property.

As in the case of the Smith River and most Northern California
rivers and streams) December, 1964, represents the month of the
greatest recorded flood on the Klamath River. The flood of 1964
was generated by heavy precipitation, which followed light amounts
of rainfall during the prior few days. In the upper Klamath River
immediately below Iron Gate Dam, peak flows were almost twice as
high as previous maximums, despite the regulation provided by the
series of upstream dams and reservoirs. Adding to the flood
conditions was an extremely large landslide that temporarily blocked
the Salmon River in the vicinity of Lewis Creek. The impounded
water was breached, adding considerable flow to the already
swollen river.

Damages to the communities along the Klamath in Del Norte County
was high. The flood swept away the entire town of Klamath. The
nearby towns of Camp Klamath, Requa, and Klamath Glen also sus-
tained heavy damage. The concrete arch bridge at the town of
Klamath, famous of its statues of California bears on either end,
was also a casualty.

The principal agricultural damages occurred at the mouth of the
Klamath, where there was considerable loss of livestock, crops
and pastureland. The lumber industry, the principal industry in
the Klamath basin, was also hit hard.

Other large floods on the Klamath Riv er occurred in December 1861,
February 1890, February 1927, January 19S3, and December 19SS.

Since 1964, and of considerable importance in re-examining flood
hazard areas on the Klamath, a flood control project has been
completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project in-
cluded construction of a levee at Klamath Glen and construction
of a flood-free townsite at Klamath. The project is designed
to prevent further destructive flooding in the towns of Klamath
and Klamath Glen. Flooding on the Klamath since 1964 has been
primarily localized, with no major damage.

3. Elk Creek: Elk Creek originiates in Jedediah Smith Redwood
State Park. Several small tributaries flow from the Park and
combine just west of Elk Valley Road to form the main channel.
The Creek then flows southwest, draining Elk Valley, and empties
into Crescent City Harbor.

Elk Creek is a much smaller stream in comparison to the Smith and
the Klamath; its watershed is approximately,six square miles in
size) with its recognized flood plain.occupying less than one
square mile. However, due to its proximity to Crescent City, it
is of considerable importance in safety planning.

Flooding on Elk Creek is caused by a combination of factors; excess
runoff and tidal action. Excess runoff is caused by heavy rain-
fall, and tidal action is influenced by wind, waves and tsunamis.
Flooding history on Elk Creek indicates that tidal action has been
the principal cause of flooding.

A prime example of the type of flooding Elk Creek is susceptible
to occurred in 1964 when a tsunami hit Crescent City. The Elk
Creek flood plain acted as a natural inlet for the water generated
by the tsunami, and flooding occurred on a considerable amount
of the Elk Creek flood plain, including portions of downtown
Crescent City.

III. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD IMPACTS

A. Potential Environmental Impacts (in Crescent City Area): The
following findings are based on the environmental hazard 1'nformation
identified on Maps H and J contained in the Del Norte County
Seismic Safety and Safety Element Atlas.

1. Existing Land Use:

a. The entire Crescent City area is subject to liquefaction.

b. Residential and commercial areas adjacent to tributaries
of Lake Earl and Elk Creek are subject to lurching.

C. Commercial and residential areas adjacent to Crescent
City Harbor have experienced storm damage from tsunami.

d. The areas fronting on the coast north of Crescent City
to Point St. George are subject to coastline erosion.

e. Boating activity within the Crescent City Harbor is
subject to disruption and damage by tsunami waves.

f. There is sparse development within the Lake Earl flood
plain thus minimizing the potential for flooa.

g. Portions of the Elk Creek lower drainage area are sus-
ceptible to tsunami runup.

2. Structures:

a. All schools and church buildings in and adjacent to
Crescent City, as well as high intensity and/or public use
structures were built since 1944 (the majority built in the
1950's and 19601s) thereby rendering them less susceptible
to earthquake damage.

b. The following high intensity and/or public use structures
are subject to tsunami waves: McNamara and Peepe Mill,
Crescent Fisheries, Eureka Fisheries, West Coast Crab, the
Elks Club, the City sewer facility, and the Seaside Hospital.
In addition, the City Cultural Center and swimming pools are
subject to inundation from Elk Creek flooding.

c. All high intensity and/or public use structures are
subject to liquefaction.

3. Transportation:

a. U.S. 101, in the vicinity of downtown Crescent City,
crosses the Elk Creek flood plain and is within the 1964
tsunami inundation area.

b. Lake Earl Drive at Jordan Creek is in an area susceptible
to flooding.

C. Lake Earl Drive is susceptible to lurching along drainage
channels near Washington Boulevard and Pine Grove School.

d. Portions of U.S. 101 just south of Crescent City are
within a potential landslide area.

e. Pebble Beach Drive is susceptible to sloughing due to
coastline erosion.

f. Portions of Elk Valley Road are within the Jordan Creek
and Elk Creek flood plain.

g. Northern portions of the County Airport are subject to
lurching and the entire facility is within a potential
liquefaction area.

B. Potential Environmental Impacts Adjacent to the Community of
Fort Dick: The following findings are based On the environmental
hazard information identified on Map 11 contained in the Del Norte
County Seismic Safety and Safety Element Atlas.

1. Existing Land Use:

a. The Fort Dick area is subject to liquefaction.

b. The area just north of Fort Dick, adjacent to Tryon Creek,
is subject to lurching. .

C. Fort Dick proper is not subject to flooding from the Smith
River/Lake Earl flood plain.

d. Developed areas west of Fort Dick, adjacent to Lower
Lake Road, are within the Smith River/Lake Earl flood plain.

2. Transportation:

a. Fort Dick's main road, Lake Earl Drive, crosses the Ti-yon
.Creek lurching area just north of,the COMMLITIi t';r.
b. U.S. 101 east of Fort Dick also crosses the Tryon Creek
lurching area. No other physical hazards area to threatell
this main road in the Fort Dick area.

C. Most of Lower Lake Road west of Fort Dick is in the Smith
River/Lake Earl flood plain. Lake Earl Drive north of TrVOII
Creek is in the Smith River flood plain. In addition, mos't of
Mosely Road is in the Smith River flood plain.

C. Potential-Environmental Impacts Adjacent to the Community of
Smith River: The following tindings are based on the environmental
hazard information identified on Map G contained in the Del Norte
County Seismic Safety and Safety Element Atlas.

1. Existing Land Use:

a. Liquefaction potential is within close proximity to the
community of Smith River indicating Smith River's suscepti-
bility to this seismic response.

b. Potential lurching areas exist along the entire stretch
of the Smith River and Rowdy Creek southwest of the community .

2. Structures:

a. The high intensity use structures in the community of
Smith River., as well as the Ship Ashore Recreational kall,
near the mouth of the Smith River, are not subject to land
slides, flooding or lurching.

3. Transportation:

a. Highway 101 is not within a known liquefaction nor within
a potential landslide area, however, it crosses the Smith River
which is subject to flooding and subject to lurching along
its banks.

D. Potential Environmental Impacts Within the Turwer Valley
(Klamath and -Req'ua): The following findings are based on the
environmental hazards information identified on Map M contained in
the Del Norte County Seismic Safety and Safety Element Atlas.

1. Existing Land Use:

a. Requa:

1) A considerable portion on the residential land Lise
in Requa is within land subject to:@landslides.

2) The community of Requa appears to be totally removed
from the Klamath River flood plain.

b. Klamath:

1) The new town side of Klamath is totally removed from
the Klamath River flood plain.

2) The new town site of Klamath is adjacent to but
apparently not threatened by, steep slopes subject to
landslides.

3) Both residential (including two recreational vehicle
parks) and instrustrial land uses south and southeast of
Klamath are within the Klamath River flood plain.

2. Structures:

a. There are no high intensity use structures in Requa.

b. The Courthouse in Klamath is not susceptible to physical.
hazards other than the County wide potential of ground
shaking.

c. The Simpson Timber Company near Klamath employs
approximately 200 people. Its facilities are within the
Hoppaw Creek flood plain and there.fore are subject to
periodic flooding.

3. Transportation:

a. Highway 101 near Klamath is within the Klamath River
flood plain.

b. The access road to Requa crosses the Klamath River flood
plan.

E. Pontential Urban Expansion Areas: Future potential urban
expansion areas in the Coastal Zone of Del Norte County include:
in-filling in and around the Crescent City area; the area along
Northcrest Drive/Lake Earl Drive north of the City; the'Klamath
Townsite; and Pacific Shores Subdivision.

1. Crescent City Area: In-filling within exisiting neighborhoods
and lopment within areas contiguous to the City limits will
be continued now that the sewer collection system is being com-
pleted for this area. New development is essentially subject to
the same physical hazards as is existing development. Expansion
to the south would be susceptible to tsunami inundation, flooding
from Elk Creek, and liquefaction. Expansion to the north would be
subject to liquefaction and localized lurching. In-fill-Would
primarily be subject to liquefaction, tsunami inundation and
coastline erosion.

2. Northcrest Drive/Lake Earl Drive: North of Crescent City
urban expansion is a potential along both sides of Northcrest/
Lake Earl Drive. In-filling will result in an tirban corridoi-
running northeast from Crescent City. The geologic hazards that
affect this area include liquefaction and lurching: lurching
along Lake Earl tributaries and liquefaction throughout the arca.
A portion of the Lake Earl flood plain is within the northern
portion of this expansion area.

3.' Klamath Townsite: The Klamath Townsite was relocated above
the tloodplai-n--a-F-ter the disasterous flood of 1964. No known
geologic hazard underlies the new Klamath Townsite. *There exists,
however, potential slope stability problems on the mountainous
slopes immediately to the east. The Klamath River floodplain 101.
borders on the westerly side of the new townsite, across HighwaN

4. Pacific Shores Subdivision: The Pacific Shores Subdivision.,
.recorded in 1963 with 1S35 lo-ts on 1486 acres, is situated on a
coastal dune system seven miles north of Crescent City. To date
the subdivision has not been developed to any major extent.
Portions of Pacific Shores lies within the Lake Earl/Talawa
floodplain. Additionally flood potential exists in numerous small
pocket areas throughout the subdivision owing to poor drainage and
a high water table. The potential for renewed activity of the
generally stabilized dune system in unknown. Other potential
geologic hazards within the area include: liquefaction through-
out the area; and lurching along Talawa Slough and other steep
faced drainages and dunes.

IV. POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION

A. Coastal Act Policies: New development in the Coastal 7one is
subject to provisions regarding potential geologic, flood, and
fire hazards. The following policies from the 1976 Coastal Act
apply:

30253. New development shall;
(1) Minimize risks to life and property in areas of high
geologic, flood and fire hazard.

(2) Assure stability and structural integrity, and neither
@reate nor contribute significantly to erosion, geologic
instability, or destruction of the site or surroundin,a, area
or in any way require the construction of protective devices
that would substantially alter natural landforms along bluffs
and cliffs.

B. Present Local Policies: The County as a number of regulatory
techniques whicH are presently utilized in reviewing and controlling
proposed developments. The discussion of these techniques will
focus on their relationship to potential environmental hazards.
There are four basic controls that the County uses to deal with
proposed developments: 1) Zoning ordinances; 2) subdivision
ordinances; 3) the Uniform Building Code (UBC); and 4) the
environmental review process.

The County's zoning ordinance contains provisions for restricting
uses which would be developed in flood prone areas. There are
three flood plain zoning districts outlined in the ordinance:
Flood Zone Area Propdrties (FP-1); Flood Overflow Area Properties
(FP-2); and Protected Areas Within Flood Zones (FP-3B).

The subdivision ordinance basically administers the State sub-
division law at the local level. No special or unique controls
have been incorporated in this ordinance to reflect the side
variety of environmental conditions found in the County.

The 1973 edition of the Uniform Building Code is used by the
County as the bases for reviewing and inspecting const 'ruction.
In addition to the structural standards set forth in the UBC, the
County en*forces the grading provisions outlined in Chapter 70.
Also, a portion of the UBC deals with the abatement of hazardous
structures. The County has adopted a seperate ordinance to deal
with such structures, although it is based primarily on the
provisions found in the UBC.

The provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act are
administered by the County. A seven member Environmental Review
Committee makes recommendations to the County Planning Commissioii

as to the necessity of preparing environmental impact reports
for development proposals. The responsiblity for preparing
environmental impact reports rests with the applicant.

Although the County presently,administers all the above develop-
ment regulations there is no concerted effort to take into account
environmental hazard. The information developed in this Element
should be used as a basis for modifying existing ordinances and
procedures as outlined below:

1. County Zoning Ordinance: A review of the zoning ordinance
should be undertaken to ensure that the zoning districts and
permitted uses correlate to the environmental hazards identified
in this Element. Flood plain zoning districts should be expanded
to include all identified flood prone areas. High intensity
and/or public uses should be prohibited in areas of significant
hazard potential.

2. County Subdivision Ordinance: Provisions of the subdivision
ordinance dealing with site specific soils and geologic investi-
gations should be modified and strenghtened. Heal th and sani-
tation of land in low lying area. The premature subdivision of
land which as no urban services and which may be subject to
environmental hazards should be discouraged.

3. County Building Codes: The primary recommendations dealing
with 5uilding codes focuses on the grading provisions. Del Norte
County has a full range of topographic features, including steep
slopes, coastal bluffs and'shoreline, low lying areas and rivers
and creeks. The County should consider developing a detailed
grading ordinance aimed at preserving the uniqueness of these
features. Grading standards and provisions for each of these types
of areas should be considered separately.

4. Environmental Review Process: The environmental@review
process allows the County wide flexibility in developing detaiied
environmental data on proposed developments. The investigation
of potential environmental hazard impacts should be a prime con-
sideration in any environmental impact report prepared in the County.
The data developed in the EIR preparation process should be
utilized to mitigate potential hazard impacts or as the basis for
denying the proposal if the hazards are of overriding significance.
C. Acceetable Risk: The purpose of a Seismic Safety and Safety
Elem@nt is to reduce risk resulting from natural hazards. Dealing
with a risk provides a framework for evaluating the significance
of a given hazard. If it is determined that a hazard represents
a high risk situation, public agencies can adopt measures to
reduce risk to acceptable levels.

The determination of acceptable and unacceptable risk requires
judgement based on weighing several factors, including the nature
of the hazard, the expected frequency of the hazard and the
number of persons exposed to the hazard. Hazards with a high life-
loss potential are less acceptable than hazards which primarily
affect property; and hazards which could affect entire communities
are less acceptable than hazards which may have an impact on a
relatively few persons.

All land use regulations reflect a certain level of risk. In
general, that level of risk is less than would otherwise prevail
simply because land use regulations are written to promote and
.protect the public health and safety, thereby reducing risk.
However, when mitigation costs for safety hazards exceed what the
public is willing to pay, or when existing land use reflects a
consciously accepted high risk situation, acceptable risk may well
be higher than if based solely on safety concerns.

As desireable as it would be to completely eliminate natural ha7ard
risk to both people and property, society simply does not have the
resources nor the technology to accomplish this. For this reason,
the policies of this Element are not intented to remove all risks-
associated with each specific type of hazard, but when implemented
will reduce the risk to life and property resulting from a natural
hazard.

D. LCP Policies and Implementation: The following policies are
recommended to minimize-risks froF-geologic, seismic and flood
hazards within the Coastal Zone of Del Norte County:

1. LCP Policies for Geologic 11azards:

P-1. Any development proposed adjacent to coastline erosion
areas shall be preceded by:

- an assessment of the rates of coastal retreat, in the'
case of bluffs, a detailed examination of underlying
geology by a registered geologist or engineering
geologist, and

- an analysis of the potential for tsunami run-up
P-2. In lieu of the above the County may establish specific
area setbacks of sufficient distance to mitigate potential
coastal erosion hazards.

P-3. The County shaLl petition appropriate federal and state
agencies to aid in a study of coastal bluff erosion and its
impact on the Crescent City Harbor. The studies shall include:

the source of harbor deposition material, specifically
the impact of beach erosion north of Battery Point;

- the effect harbor deposition has on beach sand reple-
nishment south of Crescent City Harbor;

- the impact of harbor dredging practices on the CountV
hospital;

- the impact of harbor dredging on potential tsunami
hazard;

- the direct and indirect costs of harbor dradging to the
County, and

- the economic benefit of harbor dredging to the County.

Additionally, the County shall request of the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers a more detaire=study of the critical coastline
erosion areas in and adjacent to Crescent City, to
ascertain the feasibility and practicality of installing
seawallsY as recommended by the Corps.
P-4. Residential development involving significant alte ration
of natural land forms or surface conditions shall be dis-
couraged on slopes greater than 30 percent.

P-5. A geological investigation shall be made by a registered
geologist,engineering geologist or-R-E for all proposals in
landslide potential areas., including road construction. These
investigations Ch-oufdbassess the stability of the site under
both normal and-s-e-11-s@mic conditions as well as recommend
mitigation measures.

P-6. The County, in conjunction with other governmental
agencies, when feasible, shalJ utilize lands subject to severe
geologic hazards for low intensity park and recreational
activities or open space.

P-7. Any construction contemplated on filled areas shall be
preceded by an analysis of the fill and its capabilities or
limitations.

2. LCP Policies for Seismic Hazards:

P-1. The County shall utilize the most current scismic design
criteria in the co@_Struction of new public buildings. Buildings
meant to accomodate activities and equipment related to public
safety, especially police, fire and communications services,
shall be constructed to ensure continued operations and
availability of services after an earthquake.

P-2. All public and private schools within the Coastal 7one
shall undergo periodic inspections and upgrading,, when
necessary, to ensure conformity to current Field Act
Standards.

P-3. Site-specific investigations shall be required prior
to the construction all high intensiTy- and/or public use
struct a . hin the Coastal Zone. Site-specific investi-
gationls_'I'ir@Z@ouldhassess the potential for liquefaction indUced
ground failures and suggestmeasures tomitigate the hazards
from vertical and/or horizontal displacement. If it is found
that engineering techniques cannot mitigate the hazards to
within acceptable risk levels appropriate with the intende,l
land use, the location of the proposed development shall be
reconsidered.

P-4. To reduce the probability of ruptures utility lines,
new major pipes, both for sewer and water, shall be made of
the strongest, most flexible materials available and still
be economically feasible.

P-5. The County shall encourage State and Federal agencies
to further investigate the phenomena of "resonance" in the
coastal area off Crescent City to see if remedial measures
should be instituted to decrease the effect.

P-6. To the extent practicable, criticalL
.Lizilities (high
es)c,@ul@not be ted
intensity and/or public use structure si
i n areas susceptible to tsunami inundation. Where it is
deemed essential to do so for the public welfare, these
structures 4gi_otffc@ be sited, designed and constructed with due
consideratio-n-f-o-r this hazard.

3. LCP Policies,for Flood Hazards:

P-1. The County shall maintain and continue to implement its
existing flood plain-zoning districts, thereby continuing
its policies to discourage in-appropriate development in flood
pron e areas.

P-2. Fl'ood Plain districts s4all be revised and/or esta-
blished to coincide with flood prone areas designated in
conjunction with the National Flood Insurance Program, after
these detailed surveys are completed by the appropriate
federal agency.

P-3. Critical utility facilities sh-al-I not be located in
flood prone areas, unless appropriate mitigating factors are
implemented.

P-4. The County(:@sh@oul' restrict and control construction oi:
roads in flood prone areas due to their growth inducement
potential.

P-5. The Coastal Program's land use policy shall recognize
that flood plains have unique and significarf-t -public values,
including wildlife habitats or recreational, aesthetic and
scientific value, open space, and groundwater recharge. The
value of the flood plain as an environmental resource and the
public benefits to be derived from it should be considered.

I I I ,
I
I
I
I
I ..
I

. APPENDIX
I
i
i
i
i
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

ROW RIE

-__.@LF@EGQN
CALIFO@Wli
----- --- ------

Kate
Park I Zone Lzl/ .
cry

let.
v

six RIVERS

Palo
Cadvat,
Perk
C!l.t

PKI

NATIONAL

19i

DWOOD

wo.-

Cattle 40
. .. ......... .....
... .......
Race FOREST

Crescent
City

z
1 0

-Z

OumE/SEACH SAND I Zone
cry
ALk.UVIAL DEPOSITS
Fol..
KI..Gth z
TERRACE DEPOSITS Rd.h

C
.1,64,
BATTERY FORMATION I

0 ST. GEORGE FORMATION

IRANC'ISCAN IORMATION

After: Calif. Divisim of Mines and Geology, 19103

z While
COASTAL ZONE RQck
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS Z,

DEL NORTE COUNTY
LO CAL COASTAL PROGRAM RT@- __SQV_NTX_l
1979 1 11
RIW RIE
L

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Atmospheric Research Group, Department of Army Report.
investigation of Marine Processes and Coastal Landforms
Near Crescent City California.

Back, William, (1957), Geology and Ground Water Features of
the Smith River Plain, Del Norte County, California.

California, State of Coastal Zone Conservation Commission,
(December 1975), California Coastal Plan, San Francisco.

California, State of, Department of Water Resources, (1965),
Land and Water Use in the Smith River Hydrographic Unit,
Bulletin Number 94-4.

(1965), Klamath River Hydrographic Unit,
Volumes I and II, bulletin Number 94-6.

California, State of, Division of Mines and Geology, (1964),
Geology of Northern California, San Francisco.

(1973), Geologic Map of California: Weed Sheet,
San Fransisco.

Caltrans, (1968) Log of Test Borings for Washington Boulevard
Overcrossing: (Bridge Number 1-64) and Railroad Avenue
Overcrossing (Bridge Number 1-63)

CH2M- Hill, (1978), Flood Drainage Study for an Area North of
Crescent City, Del Norte County, Volume 1, Redding, Ca.
Conservation Foundation, (December 1977), Physical Management
of Coastal Floodplains: Guidelines for Hazards and Ecosystem
Managment, Washington, D.C.

Creisler, Joseph, (1964), "Tidal Wave Creates Sanitation
Problems," Public Works.

Iida, Kumizi, (1963), On the Heights of Tsunamis Associated
with Distant and Near Earthquakes, Procedures from Tsunami
Meetings Associated with Tenth Pacific Science Congress,

Iida, Kumizi, Cox, D.C., and Pararas-Carayannic, G., (1967),
Preliminary Catalogue of Tsunamis Occurring in the Pacific
Ocean, Hawaii Institute of Geophysics Data Report
Number 5, 262 pp.

Terra Scan, Inc., (February 1976), Seismic Safety & Safety Ele-
ment: An Element of the Del Norte County General Plan,
Eureka, Ca.

United States Army Corps of Engineers, (1971), National
Shoreline Study, California Regional Inventory.

(1971), Flood Plain Information: Lake Earl- Lake
Talawa and Lower Smith River, San Francisco district.

(1965), Crescent City Harbor Tsunami High Water
Marks.

(1964), Lower Klamath River Basin, California,
Flood Plain and High Water Marks.
United States Geological Survey, (1957), Water Supply Paper
1254. Geology and Ground Water Features of the Smith
River Plain, Del Norte County, California.

U.S. Davis, Department of Soils and Plant Nutrition,
(1966), Soils of Coastal Del Norte County, Davis, Ca

Wiegel, R.L., (1965), Protection of Crescent City, California
From Tsunami Waves For the development Agency of
Crescent City.

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

VISUAL-RESOURCES COMPONENT

This document was prepared with financial assis-
tance from the Office of Coastal Zone Management,
National Oceanic 'and Atmospheric Administration
under the provisions of the Federal Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, administered by the Cali-
fornia Coastal Commission.

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
700 thst Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

LCP -- VISUAL RESOURCES COMPONENT

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION ......................................... 1

II. VISUAL RESOURCE EVALUATION ............................ 2

A.. Evaluation Criteria .............................. 2.

B. General Visual Resource Areas .................... 2

III. VISUAL RESOURCE INVENTORY ............................ 4

A . Oregon Border to the Smouth of the Smith River ... 5

B. Smith River Plain ................................ 7

C. Lake Earl Area ................................... 9

D. Point St. George to Crescent City ................ 11

E. Crescent City to Redwood National Park ........... 13

F. False Klamath Cove Area .......................... 15

G. Lower Klamath River Area ......................... 17

IV. PLANNING ISSUES ....................................... 19

A. Alteration of Natural Landforms .................. 19

B. Building Design and Placement .................... 19

C. Sign Design and Placement ......................... 20

D. Litter ........................................... 20

E. Utili ty Lines .................................... 21

F. Special Treatment Areas .......................... 21

V. POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................... 122

A. Coastal Act Policies .............................. 22

B. Present Local Policies ........................... 22

C. LCP Policies ..................................... 23

APPENDIX I: Viewpoint Scenic Features ................... 26

II: Visual Resource Inventory Areas ............. 28

BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................. .79

LCP VISUAL RESOURCES COMPONENT

I. INTRODUCTION

Del Norte County has an abundance of visual resources. The
Pacific Ocean, Redwood forests, agricultural lands, historical
buildings and the Smith and Klamath Rivers are Just a few of
numerous scenic features to be found in the vast array of
xxisual wealth and beauty within the County.

The Coastal Act of 1976 requires the identification, protection
and enhancement of "highly scenic" areas within the Coastal Zone.
The purpose of this component of the LCP will be to present
policies designed to maintain and enhance the visual resources
of coastal Del Norte County.

This component begins by first establishing criteria for defining
and evaluating what constitures a "highly scenic" area. A visual
resource inventory of the Coastal Zone is then presented in
order to establish basic data and descriptions concerning the
characteristics of major viewpoints. Particular planning issues
such as building placement, landform alteration and litter are
discussed in the section following the inventory. Finally,
policies and recomm*endations are presented conerning the main-
tenance and enhancement of Del Norte County's invaluable scenic
resources.

*NOTE: This component of the LCP is subject to review and cross-
referencing to other policy components.

II. VISUAL RESOURCE EVALUATION

An initial step in establishing a management plan for visual
resources is to develop a set of criteria by which landscapes
might be evaluated according to specific aesthtic qualities.
Once such standard are defined, areas of particular aesthetic
concern may be identified for detailed inventoryand analysis.
This section will establish evaluation criteria for defining
those areas of the Coastal Zone with special or unique visual
characteristics.

A. Evaluation Criteria; Implementation of the Coastal Act
requi-res the identification-of "highly scenic (coastal) areas"
in order that these areas might be protected as important public
resources. The establishment of specific guidelines to evaluate
coastal aesthetics and define specific scenic areas is, however,
a complex task. Value judgements, variable and inherently qual-
itative in naute, must be made at'the outset.* Nonetheless,
certain aesthetic paramenters such as visual distinctiveness
and harmony are considered by many to constitute specific
scenic qualities. These of course, include both natural and
man-made or cultural features. In addition to visual features,
other resource values such as sounds, odors, and tactile qual-
ities may be considered aesthetically appealing.

Criteria for designating highly scenic coastal areas in Del
Norte County are proposed as follows:

1. Views of special interest to the general public (eg.,
Pacific Ocean; lighthouses, old.growth forests);

2. Visually distinctive scenes resulting from unique con-
trasts or diversity in landscape patterns (eg., offshore
rocks, forested uplands);

3. Views with special integrity or unimpaired conditions
(eg., open space, nature preserves);

B. General Visual Resource Areas: Utilizing the evaluation
criteria outlines above, specific elements of the coastal land-
scape may be identified as requiring special attention in the
planning process. Views within the coastal region of Del Norte
County with particular visual distinctiveness, integrity, har-
mony and/or of special interest to the general public include the
following:

1. View of water bodies (eg., ocean, estuary, streams);

*NOTE: Due to the subjective aspect of such decisions, the
actual deliniation of these "highly scenic" areas will
require considerable public input and review.\ Only
criteria and guidelines will be proposed here.\

2. Views of sensitive habitats and open space (eg., wetland,
rocky intertidal);

3. View of expressive topographic features (eg., offshore
rocks, sea cliffs);

View of special.cultural features (eg., historical,
maritime settings).

Areas identified as having present one or-more of the above
elements are ionventoried and evaluated by this study for their
value as significant visual resources.

111. VISUAL RES OURCE INVENTORY

An inventory of aesthetic* resources is necessary to serve as
a data base for subsequent planning and management decisions.
By applying the evaluation criteria outlined in the foregoing
section, seven visual resource inventory areas have been defined
for coastal Del Norte County (See Figure 1).

The entire area delineated is not to be interpreted as being
"highly scenic" or even "scenic", but each area does contain
significant points and/or corridors of aesthetic value. It
should also be noted that the size of the individual visual
resource areas vary, but each inventory unit was defined on
the basis of landform, water, vegetation or other commonalities.

The seven inventory areas will be discussed in detail indicating
recognized viewpoints and view corridors together with a general
description of the area's physical environment, land uses and
viewshed characteristics. A map accompanies each visual resource
areadescription.

aesthetics is defined as a branch oC philosophy dealing with
the nature of the beautiful and with judgements concerning
beauty, therefore it should be emphasized that this component
is extremely subjective and totally dependent upon the readers
on personal viewpoint.

_&GON
A Oregon Border to the Mouth CALIFORNIA
of the Smith River: 119LICA" 911AC"
ST,

VIEWPOINTS: (V)

1. Pelican Beach State Park; cl@
2. Kamph Memorial Park;
3. Prince Island Court;
4. Mouth of Smith River

V
VIEW CORRIDORS:*
KAMPIN_ PI-A

1. Ocean View Drive
2. Highway 101 North of In-
dian Road to Oregon border VIEW
Q@ CORpt 100013
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: The area cp
from the mouth of the Smith River ORINCE ISLAND CT
to the Oregon border consists prin-
cipally of a narrow marine terrace
with sea cliffs and low bluffs.
East of Ocean View Drive the gently
sloping terrace rises abruptly to MOUTH Of
a high ridgeline paralleling the [SMITH RIVER
coast at an elevation about 800
feet. This upland area is covered
with a mosaic of mixed deciduous/
coniferous forest and grassland vegetation. South of Kamph Park
a generally stabilized dune systems lies west of Highway 101.

LAND USE: Land use north of Pyramid Point is a mixture of
agriculture and rural residential housing. Agricultural uses
include nursery crops and cattle grazing. Residential proper-
ties are scattered throughout the area with major concentrations:
along Indian and Mouth of the Smith River Roads; immediately north
of both Kamph Park and Pelican Beach State Park; Pelican Beach
Palisades (a small subdivision north of Gilbert Creek); and along
Ocean View Drive. A number of visitor-serving facilities are
located on Highway 101. These include motels, restaurants and
gift shops.

View corridors are not to be equated with "scenic hicrhway"
designations, nor does this designation require the estai)lisii-
ment of restrictive ordinances similarly to those SUggOStOd
by the "scenic highways" legislation.

VIEWSHE D CHARACTERISTICS: The visual resources between Pyramid
Point an3 the Oregon bZTrder are dominated by ocean vistas and
related scenery such as offshore rocks, sea cliffs, coastal vege-
tation and marine life. Views of upland topography and forest-
lands., together with agricultural land uses, are also available
within the regional viewshed.
Both Highway 101 and Ocean View Drive are important scenic cor-
ridors offering open and fairly continuous panoramas of marine
and upland resources.
1. Pelican Beach State Park: The undeveloped Pelican Beach
State Park offers coastal view extending from Chetco Point
in Oregon to Prince Island near the mouth of the Smith River.
Distant views of coastal strand, offshore rocks and upland
forest slopes are present. The immediate scenery includes
dense coastal scrub consisting of Sitka spruce and a variety
of shrubs pruned by maritime winds.

2. Kamph Memorial Park: The view from Kamph Park extends
from the Oregon shorii-1-ine to Prince Island and includes
forested uplands to the east. Housing development imme-
diately to the north partially blocks the panorama.
Immediately to the south of Kamph Park are scenes of ri-
parian vegetation and grazing lands.

3. Prince Island Court: At the end of Prince Island Court
is a little used coa 1 viewing point. This is one of the
closest public vantage points for observing the birdlife of
Prince Island and Hunter Rock.

4. Mouth of the Smith River: The mouth of the Smith River
is a County maintained public access and viewpoint situated
on a terrace overlooking the Smith River's entrance to the
ocean. The view from this area extends from Point St.
George to Pyramid Point and includes scenes of the Smith
River estuary and its wildlife, a large sandspit, coastal
dunes and distant forested uplands.

B Smith River Bottomlands:

VIEWPOINTS: V MITH RIVER

1. Smith River Public VIEW
Fishing Access CON010ORS

VIEW CORRIDORS: Smith

1 Ocean View Drive Palo Rd Ac
7. Highway 101
3. Fred Haight Drive
4. Moseley Road
5. Lower Lake Road
6. Lake Earl Drive

IVE PVB-
LIC F12Wf*NG CCISS
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: The lower
reaches of the Smith River, west -Mo"loy.. Rd
of Highway 101, are commonly
referred to as the Smith River
bottomlands. The bottomlands
consists primarily of flat-lying
intermittently flooded agricul- Morehead Rd
tural lands adjacent to the river.
Upslope from the bottomlands lie
various terrace and alluvial fan
areas. A large portion of this
gently sloping region is also agricultural use. Further inland
forest covered coastal mountains rise to elevations of approxi-
mate.ly 1000 feet. Except for the riparian vegetation along the
river streams, sloughs and the forested uplands, much of the
natur;l vegetaion has been altered to establish agricultural
land uses.

LAND USE: Agriculture is the major land use in the Smith River
area. This includes dairy products, pasture and nu *rsery crops.
A lumber mill facility lies just outside of the Coastal Zone
boundary. Other land uses are rural residential, mobile home/
RV parks and commercial businesses.

VIEWSHED CHARACTERISTICS: Views of agricultural lands and
upland forests dominate the scenery of the Smith River area.
Occasional vistas of the Smith River and ocean area also available.

Several scenic view corridors along both major and minor road-
ways exist in the Smith River area. Ocean View Drive and portions
of Highway 101 offer expansive views of'the bottomlands and
surrounding hilltops. Backroads providing views of agricultural
and rural landscapes are Fred Haight Drive, Moseley Road, Lower
Lake Road and Lake Earl Drive.

The Smith River public fishing access is a significant viewpoint
in the area. A parking facility on a terrace above the Smith
River presents river, riparian vegetation and waterfowl scenes
as well as views of distant upland forest.

KEL PUSL I C
F I SL Owl 21000: Oi cc E 33
C Lake Earl Area: C@ -Kell Rd

VIEW CORRIDOR
VIEWPOINTS: V

I Kellogg Road
.2. -Lake Ave. C) 0
3. Lakeview Drive
4. Buzzini Road

VIEW CORRIDORS:
LAKE OUZZIM
1. Westerly end of Kellogg
I?nad. EARL

0
LAKE
AVENUE
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: The Lake
Earl visual resource area consists
of an expansive coastal dune system,
sloughs, marshland and the waters
of Lake Earl, Lake Talawa and the r LAKEVIEW OR,
Pacific Ocean. The coastal dunes ACCESS
become increasingly vegetated and
stabilized inland from the shoreline
with a SULcession of plant forms
from grasses and succulents near
the shore to Sitka spruce, beach
pine and wax-myrtle inland. The
sloughs are lin@ with dense
riparian vegetation. Lakes Earl
and Talawa are surrounded by marshland vegetation and occasional
areas of mixed conifer forest. Situated along the Pacific Fly-
way, a major bird migratory route on the west coast, Lake Eari
and surrounding environs are recognized as important habitats
for numerous waterfowl and other birds species.

LAND USE: Cattle grazing is the predominat land use in the
Lake Earl area, particularl on the west side and adjacent to
the Lake. Rural residentiar homes, including medium to high
densities, are located east of Lake Earl. A 1500 acre undeve-
loped subdivision, Pacific Shores, lies immediately to the
northwest of Lake Earl. Other land uses in the area include a
lumber mill on Lake Earl Drive and timberlands to the northeast
of Lake Earl.

VIEWSHED CHARACTERISTICS: The scenic resources of the Lake
Earl area are numerous. Views of open coastal strand, vast
dune systems, agricultural land, distant mountains and the watci-s
of Lakes Earl and Talawa are available From several v.,itinge
points. Fhree public viewpoints in particular are reviewed
below.

1. Kellogg R oad: The end of Kellogg Road offers a full
3600 panorama ot ocean, coastal dunes and distant mountainous
terrain. The coastal view extends from Point St. George
to Oregon and includes the Point St. George Lighthouse.

2. Lake Avenue: Lake Avenue is the southerly most street
in the undevii-i-oped Pacific Shores Subdivision. The view
from here is a full coastal panorama like Kellogg Road, but
includes also a view of Lake Talawa, its marshland and
water associated birds.
3. Lakeview Drive: Located on the easterly side of Lake
Earl and soutTT-o-f@Jordan Creek, the end of Lakeview Drive
provides views of Lake Earl and its marshland. Also visible
form this point are grazing lands and distant forested slopes.

4. Buzzini Road Access: This viewpoint offers a limited
view of Lake Earl.

D. Point St. George to Crescent
City:

VIEWPOINTS: v PO MT ST. GEOR69
11
PUSLIC ACCESS_@
1. Point St. George Public
V
Fishing Access
2. Pebble Beach Drive turn outs VIEW CORRIOORS
3. Pebble Beach Public Fishing Washington Blvd
Access

PEBBLE BEACH
TURN-OUTS

.3
VIEW CORRIDORS:

1. Radio Road
C"
2. Pebble Beach Drive -0;<1
3. Westerly end of
C.,
Washington Boulevard
PEBBLE SCA
PUBLIC ACC
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: The physical 0
landscape between Point St. George 0
and Crescent City consists, for the
most part, of a grass-covered
marine terrace overlooking rocky/
sandy beaches and numerous offshore
rocks. The Marhoffer Creek drain-
age, covered with dense riparian
vegetation, bisects the te'rrace
South of Washington Blvd. Forests of Sitka spruce and beach
pine occur inland. Coastal dunes and associated vegetation
extend east and north of Point St. George.

LAND USE: Marhoffer Creek, in general, separates two major land
uses within this area. To the north, the terrace is dominated
by open grazing lands. South of Marhoffer Creek, single-family
residences are situated east of Pebble Beach Drive. The County
airport is located north of Washington Blvd.

VIEWSHED CHARACTERTSTICS: View of the ocean, offshore rocks
and marine life dominate the scenery of the area between Point
St. George and Crescent City. Radio Road, Pebble Beach Drive
and the westerly end of Washington Blvd. provide open scenic
vistas of the ocean and surrounding landscape. Owing to the
open character of the area, numerous viewing points are available.
Three vista points in particular are noteworthy and may be
used to summarize the aesthetic appeal of this visual resource
area.

1. Point St. George: The Point St. George Public Fishing
Acces-s-o-t-T-ers-a full panoramic view of marine and terres-@'
trial features. Seaward are views of offshor-e rocks, sea cliffs,
and the Point St. George Lighthouse. Landscape views include
the vast coastal strand extending northward, distant uplands
and mountains as far east as Preston Peak in Siskiyou County,
and the surrounding agricultural grazing lands. An older
Coast Guard Station dating from 1926 stands on the high terrace
and is presently used as a medical facility. Archaeological
sites have also been recognized within the Point St. Geor@,,e
area.

2. Pebble Beach Drive Pull-Outs: Immediately south of
Washington Blvd. on Pebble B Drive, two vehicle pull-
outs provide ocean vantage points. Situated some 30 feet
above the beach on a marine terrace, these vista points
offer a wide range of scenic views. Castle rock with its
abundant birdlife lies oceanward. Landward are views of
grazing lands, spruce forest and distant uplands.

3. Pebble Beach Public Fishing Access: The parking area
of the Pebble Beac Public Fishing Access sits approxi-
mately SO feet above the ocean giving a wide overview of
offshore rocks, sea cliffs and expansive beaches below.
The oceanic view extends from Point St. George in the north
to the distant southerly headland of Patrick's Point. This
viewpoint is also a recognized historical landmark as the
former site of a Talawa Indian Settlement.

E Crescent City to Redwood
National Park: CIT X

VIEWPOINTS:. V

1. Citizen's Dock
2. Anchor Way V SITKA
3. South Beach SPRUCE
4. Highway 101 Vista Point GROVE
CITIZEN'S SANDINAINE
OCK ROAD
D WETLA 0

VIEW CORRIDORS: AHCMOR
WAY

1. Highway 101 SOUTH BEACH
2. Bluff Road' ACCESS

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: The coastal VIEW COVIRIOORS
area just south of Crescent City
consists of a generally flat-lying
plain. Along the coast a broad
tidal flat extends southward from REDWOOD
the harbor area. Landward the area I -,,,/ I
is dominated by marshlands. A NATIONAL
relatively undisturbed Sitka spruce 101
VISTA POINT Vi
grove, approximately 60 acres in 4X PARK
size, exists immediately north of
the marshlands. At the southerly
end of this visual resource area
the flatland rises rather abruptly
to the upland forested slopes of Redwood National Park and the
Miller Timber Company.

LAND USE: Land uses south of Crescent City to the Redwood National
Park boundary include: agriculture; commercial-recreational; and
industrial. The principal agricultural uses are cattle gra7ing
and bulb production in the vicinity of Sandmine and Bluff Roads.
A number of commercial-recreational and visitor-servina facilities
are located in the area. These include motels and res't@_'aurants,
R.V. campgrounds, tourist attractions and gift shops. Industrial
land uses involving fish processing plants, boat repair shops,
and a gas storage facility are located in the harbor area. A few
rural residential homes are found within the area.

VIEW'SHED CHARACTFRISTICS: The scenic resources between Crescclit
City and the northerly boundary of Redwood National Park are
quite diverse. Both the maritime features of the harbor area ;in(]

the open wetland beach areas to the south are of high scenic
value. The principal view corridors in the area are'Highway 101
south of the harbor and Bluff Road. Both offer generally un-
interrupted views of the ocean, beach and wetland areas. A large
number of viewpoints exist throughout the area, but four in parti-
cular are representative and will be described here.

1. Citizen's Dock: Citizen's Dock Road provides access to
the Crescent City Harbor. Views of the harbor, commercial
fishing boats, maritime activities and birdlife are possible.

2, Anchor Way: Anchor Way also permits Harbor access for
views of Cre ent City's maritime activities and additionally
provides open vistas of the ocean and beach area to the
south. Views of distant forested uplands and the rugged
coastline far to the south are also available from Anchor
Way.

3. South Beach: South Beach 'is an open stretch of sandy
coastal stranT-providing views of the ocean and offshore
rocks as well as the Sitka spruce grove and Sandmine Road
wetland area east of the highway. Forested uplands are
visible in the distance.

4. Vista Point: Redwood National Park maintains a vista
point on Highway 101 approximately 3 miles south of Crescent
City. The viewing point, at an elevation of some 400 feet,
provides an almost aerial view of the ocean, Crescent City
and the Smith River Plain below. Interpretive exhibits and
picnic tables arc available for visitor use. In addition
to the vista point, Redwood National Park also maintains
an overlook with day-use facilities at Endert's Bluff on the
southerly end of Bluff Road.

F. False Klamath Cove Area:

0
'b 0
V 11"11110 NTS:V

1. Cal Trans Vista Point
2. False Klamath Cove Overlook
z
3. Lagoon Creek Fishing Access >

VIEW'CORRIDORS: CALTRANS
VISTA POINT

1. Highway 101
(Redwood Highway) J

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: False Klamath
Cove is a small sheltered inlet C)
where, geologically, the Klamath rr, VIEW
River once entered the sea. it is )hb CORRIDOR
a site with numerous seastacks,
rocky intertidal areas and a broad
and steep sandy beach. The coastal FALSE KLAMATH
slopes are generally covered by COVE OVERLOOK
wind-pruned scrub vegetation and Qb LAGOON
grasses. Forested slopes to CREEK
elevations of 800 to 1000 feet lie
just inward of the coast. A former
mill pond and small stream are at
southeasterly part of False Klamath
Cove while Wilson Creek enters from the northeast. Bird and
marine life are abudant in the area.

LAND USE: Most of this area is within Redwood National Park.
Some residential homes, on limited leases from the U.S. Govern-
ment, exist within the National Park boundary. The interior
regions of False Klamath Cove are devoted primarily to forestry
operations.

VIEWSHED CHARACTERISTICS: The Redwood Highway (U.S. Highway 101)
traverses.the False Klamath Cove area providing a anerally
elevated view of the marine environment, steep coastal bluffs
and forested inland slopes. Three major viewpoints are repre-
sentative of the area's viewshed cliarcteristics.

1. Cal Trans Vista Point: Located about one mile north of
Wilson Creek Road on west side of Highway 101, the Cal
Trans Vista Point overlooks the entire area at False Klamath

Cove from an elevation of 400 feet. A 3600 panorama
includes ocean i*.ews, offshore rocks, coastal scrub and
forested uplands.

2. False Klamath Cove Overlook: The false Klamath Cove
Overlook is situated immediat@Tly west of the highway at
False Klamath Cove. It is maintained by Redwood National
Park and provides a relatively close view of the ocean,
offshore rocks, sandy beach and marine life.

3. Lagoon Creek Public Fishing Access: Lagoon Creek is
maintained b_y__R_e_Uw_ood National Park ii-sa day-use area with
picnic and restroom facilities. The scenic qualities of
this area are numerous. Views of a pond, riparian veoe-
tation, forested uplands and related wildlife are available.
The area also has trails to the ocean for viewing the
marine environment.

G Lower Klamath River Area:

VIEWPOINTS:

1. Requa Hill Overlook
2. Douglas Memorial Bridge EMORIAL
Overlook BRIDGE OVERLO"

Patrick Mur"Y
VIEW CORRIDORS: (Mmmmm) emorial Dr.

1. Patrick Murphy Memorial
Drive (Requa Hill Road)
2. Klamath Beach Road
3. Coastal Drive (Old Highway
101) PARK

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: The lower
Klamath River visual resource 0 -@*a L @L
area consists of mountainous OVIRL001C
terrain bisected by the Klamath
River. The surrounding hillsides
are variously covered with red-- OCEAN
wood, spruce, alders, grassland
or coastal scrub. The0 lower PA C F1 C
Klamath River is a wide estuarine
system extending several miles
upstream.

LAND USE: A varied amount of land use exist in the lower Klamath
River area. Commercial-recreational and visitor serving facilities
dominate the area adjacent to the river and along Highway 101 near
the Klamath Townsite. A U.S. Air Force Radar Base sits on top OC
Requa Hill and Redwood National Park administers the coastal
frontage in this area. Scattered rural residential homes exist
on the north side of the river. Forestry operations* ' including a
mill are located in the interior, Minor agricultural gra7*
activities take place on the floodplain. ing

VIEWSHE D CHARACTERISTICS' The lower reaches of the Klamath River,
with views of the ocean, estuary, riparian vegetation and forested
upland slopes, is quite scenic. Patrick Murphy Drive, Klamath
Beach Road and Coastal Drive of Redwood National Park are notable
as view corridors. The principal viewpoints are the Requa Hill
Overlook and the remains of the Douglas Memerial Bridge on old
Highway 101. Both viewpoints are maintained by Redwood National
Park.

1. Requa Hill Overlook: The Requa Hill Overlook is situated
northwest and some 6 feet above the mouth of the Klamath
River on a grassy coastal slope. A full panoramic view
is available featuring the ocean, offshore rocks, the
estuarine system of the Klamath River, agricultural lands,
forested uplands and distant mountain tops. The National
Park provides picnic and restroom facilities, interpretive
displays and an access to the coastal trail. Views of bird-
life (particularly raptors) and marine mammals are avdilable
on Requa Hill.

2. Douglas Memorial Bridge: The southerly end of Douglas
Memorial Bridge is a remnant and reminder of the disasterous
flood of December 1964 which swept away the bridge and most
of the town of Klamath. It now provides a point from which
to view the Klamath River, upland forests and the old
Klamath Townsite.

TV. PLANNING ISSUES

The appearance of certain structues or activities can have siani-
ficant impacts on visual resources within the Coastal Zone. In
general, there are no established county policies or ordinances
that deal directly with the maintenance of aesthetic resources
as required by the Coastal Act. Several potential impacts in-
cluding: alteration of natural landforms; building design,
signing, and litter are particular issues that will be addressed
in developing a visual resource management plan for the Coastal
Zone.

A. Alteration of Natural Landforms: Natural landforms in the
Coastal Zone are specific surT-aceconfigurations such as seastacks,
sea cliffs, sand dunes and hillside slopes. Certain of these
have been identified as having hiahly scenic qualities under the
visual resource evaluation criteria proposed in Section II.

1. Construction Impacts: Visual impairment or degradation of
natural landF-orms may result from cutting, filling or ' grading
when due regard is not given to potential aesthetic impacts.
For example, an excessively large cut in a hillside for a secondary
road may degrade the visual resources of an area. On the other
hand, a road design considering visual impacts might call for
an alignment that blends with natural contour lines thereby
eliminating excessive cuts.

2. Other-Activities: Some'activities result in temporary
alteration of natural landforms such as timber harvesting and
mineral extraction. After the completion of these operations the
topography of the area should be restored to aesthetically
pleasing configurations.

B. Building Design and Placement: Structure, placement, orien-
tation, color and other aspects of architectural design may have
significant visual impacts on the area. Maintaining and encour-
aging visual harmony between new development and scenic resources
in an important goal. This may best be achieved through local
C>
design criteria and building codes.

1. Review Co mmittee: An architectural review committee, con-
sisting of.16cal citizens, should be established to review and
evaluate vi-sual aspects of development proposals within established
highly scenic @,,reas of the Coastal Zone.

2. General Guidelines: The following are proposed as initial
guidelines to be utilTized in the review and evaluation of visual
aspects of archetectural design for projects located in highly
scenic areas.

a. '3tructural Features: The height and bulk of buildings
shoul be desiqned for coinpatiblity with the surrounding area.

b. Placement: The placement of buildings on a lot should
be considered to best maintain the aesthetic qualities of
nearby viewpoints and view corridors. This includes set-
backs and orientation of the building.

c. Materials and Colors: Consideration of construction
materials and colors SE-Ould be given to best provide for
visual harmony between development and the surrounding
landscape.

d. Landscaping: The maintenance of natural vegetation
screens sTiould be encouraged. New landscaping should inte-
grate well with the surrounding environment and at maturity
should not obstruct significant coastal views.
C>

Sign Design and Placement: Signs and billboards tend to
@in_terfere with coastal vistas or, in general, detract from the
natural beauty of some coastal areas. As with buildings, it
is often the design or placement of signs that is responsible for
their contributions to visual degradation in an area.

1. Review Committee: The same local committee responsible for
,guiding the visual Tesign of new development should also review
and evaluate the design and placement of signs within visually
sensitive areas of the Coastal Zone.

General Guidelines: General guidelines to be used in exa
mining the placement and des-ign of signs are reviewed below.

a. Size: The dimensions of signs should be evaluated in
term's-76-T maintaining significant coastal views. The recom-
mended maximum. size.is 400 square feet.
b. Placement: Evaluations concerning the placement of
signs should include the appropriateness of a given site
considering viewing characteristics and setbacks. No
commercial signs should be placed in highly scenic areas.
D. Litter: Litter is a major problem alon 'a. the beaches and high-
ways or -Del Norte County. A class of 15 persons from tho local
branch campus of college of the Redwoods collected over 400 pounds
of litter from the beaches north and south of Croscont City iii
just two hours.1 The magnitude of this can be realized wheil ap-
proximately 40% by volume of this trash was lightweight styro-
foam and aluminum cans. Another 40% of the litter was glass with
the remainder consisting of plastic, rubber, paper and metal.

1 Del Norte Triplicate, October 1978

In addition to other environmental concerns, litter is particularly
detrimental to visual resources in an area. Both public education
and additional litter receptacles are needed to help minimize
litter problems.

E. Utility Lines: Overhead lines and utility poles inay detract
from scenic.views. Alternatives exist in the placement of new or
relocated lines by either placing them underground or locating
lines away from scenic views. For example power lines may be
located along a road opposite a view rather thani between the view
corridor and the scenic vista.

F. SRecial Treatment Area (STA): In order to assure the con-
t4 nued maintenance of natural-and scenic resources, the Coastal
.L
Act of 1976 calls for the designation and special treatment of
certain forested areas within the Coastal Zone. The Coastal Com-
mission met this legislative mandate in July 1977 by identifying
Special Treatment Areas (STAs) according to the following criteria:

1. Scenic view corridors;
2. Sites of significant scenic values;
3. Wetlands, lagoons, streams, estuaries, and marine
environments;
4. Significant animal and plant habitat areas;
S. Recreation areas.

In addition to other regulations enforced by the California
Department of Forestry, specific forest practicies-are required
to protect the natural and scenic qualities of STAs when planning
and conducting timber operations.

The Coastal Commission established five special treatment areas
in Del Norte County: 1) Elk Creek; 2) Sitka Spruce Grove;
3) False Klamath Cove; 4) the lower Klamath River; and S) a 1200
foot wide buffer .zone on the westerly side of Highwa-'Y 101 from
near the Smith River south to Elk Valley Crossroads.

V. POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Coastal Act Policies: Two policies of the California Coastal
Act of 1976 ess the maintenance of aesthetic resources within
the Coastal Zone:

30251. The scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas shall
be considered and protected as a resource of public importance.
Permitted development shall be sited and designed to protect
views to and along the ocean and scenic coastal areas, to mini-
mize the alteration of natural land forms, to be visually com-
patible with the character of surrounding areas, and where
feasible, to restore and enhance visual quality in-visually
degraded areas. New development in highly scenic areas such as
those designated in the California Coastaline Preservation and
Recreation Plan prepared by the Department of Parks and Recreation
and by local government shall be subordinate to the character of
its setting. I

30253. New development shall: .... (5) Where appropriate, pro-
tect special communities and neighborhoods which, because of their
unique characteristics, are popular visitor destination points
for recreational use.

B. Present Local Policies: Under the "scenic highways" element
of the County's GeneFa-lPlan a recommendation is made for a scenic
corridor study for sections of Highways 101, 197, and 199. Only
Highway 101 is within the Coastal Zone Boundary. Upon completion,
acceptance and adoption of the scenic corridor study the follow-
ing policies are recommended for those segments of the route
designated as scenic highway:

1 Construction standards along these routes should be as
consistent as is feasible, with the topographic and scenic
character of the lands through which they pass.

Residential development adjac6ht to or readily visible from
these routes should be based on the principle of maintaing
and/or enhnacing native growth which is visible from the
route and between the route and the development.

3. Outdoor advertising should be restricted on these routes:

a. The signs should be sufficient in size to describe or
indicate the service available.

b. Off-site signs should be restricted to commercial or
industrially zoned areas.

c. The signs should meet or e.-ceed the requirements oi-
the County sign ordinance.

4. Land use regulations within the scenic areas will be
consistent with the policies of the General Plan.

5,. New or relocated utility lines should be placed under-
ground whenever feasible. Utility lines which are in an
area where underground placement is not feasible, shall be
aligned so that the lines do not interfere with natural
scenic resources of the visual environment.

6. Timber harvesting will not be eliminated from the scenic
area. Selective cutting or thinning should be encouraged,
however, patchwork clear cutting to topography may also
be considered.

A recommendation is also made in the General Plan for a County
Scenic Drive Program. This proposal envisions a scenic drive
meandering along various ocean fronting streets and agricultural
0 1
backroads from Crescent City to the Oregon Border. Interpretive
services in the form of displays and a self-guiding brochure and
map are recommended.

C. LCP Policies: The visual resources of Del Norte are important
to the Count77-stourist economy and are a continying source of
enjoyment to its residents. Policies designed to maintain the
scenic resources in the Coastal Zone of Del Norte County are
state here:

1. The County oncourages the continuation-of existing land uses,
where appropriate., to maintain open views in highly scenic
areas

2. Proposed development within established highly scenic areas
shall be visually compatible with their scenic surroundings, by
being reflective of the character of the existin 'a land uses while
conforming to the land use criteria. As set forth in the land
use.component and subsequent zoning ordinance.

3. An architectural review commit-tee may be established by the
County tc evaluate and make recommendations on the design and
placement of new development within highly scen 'ic areas@!'of the
Coastal 'Lone. Specific standards for architectural design and
placement shall be developed by the review committee utilizing
the guidelines stated ;In Section I of this report and the LCP
Policies concerning visual and other related resources.

*NOTE: A "highly scenic area" is defined by the criteria of
Section II, A and B.

4. The architectural review committee may also be delegated

the responsibility of evaluating the design and placement of
outdoor advertizing signs in the Coastal Zone, consistent with
the permitting ordinances.

5. The alteration of natural landforms is highly scenic area
shall be minimized, where feasible, in construction projects by:

a. Designing roadways, driveways and other corridors to
blend with the natural contours of the landscape by avoiding
excessive cuts and fills.

b. Concentrating development on relatively level areas over
steep hillsides. Provisions to be considered include:
clustering; density exchange and open space dedication.

6. Activities with significantly and permanently alter natural
landforms, such as mining and excavation, shall be required to
restore disburbed areas to, as close as possible, a natural
appearance.

7. Funds should be sought from the Coastal Conservancy or other
sources to establish a Logo Signing system for Highway 101
north and south of Crescent City. After an appropriate ammori-
zation period, existing off-premise signs located within scenic
corridors shall be removed and replaced by a well designed Logo
system similar to that used by the Oregon State Highway Division.

8. The County should discourage the littering of its beaches,
roadways and other public use areas with the following:

a. Seek funds for the placement and maintenance of additional
littler receptacles for recreational areas., highway turnouts
and other public use areas;

C. Encourage public education and community anti-litter
programs.

9. In order to enhance the general public's accessibility to
Del Norte County's numerous scenic areas, funding the "County
Scenic Drive Program" as outlined in the County's General Plan
should be sought and the program implemented.

10. New or relocated utility lines shall be placed underground,
whenever feasible and when warranted in highly scenic costal areas.

Utility lines that cannot feasibly be placed underground in
highly scenic areas shall be aligned so as to best maintain
scenic natural resources.

11. Lands designated as Special Treatment Areas (STAs) shall
continue to receive specific consideration under current
forest practice regulations of the California Department for
Forestry in order to maintain their natural and scenic qualities.

NOTE: Other LCP Policies such as those concerned with the
maintenance of marine and land resources may also result
in the protection of various coastal resources.

I -
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APPENDIX
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I
i

WATER BOD I ES TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES VEGETATION WILDLIFE CULTUR-AL
z CONU4UNITIES FEATURES
> E
cd v Q
a) 44 0 $.
$- 41 u :3 CIS
M VIEWPOINT: 'n
S. 0 0 0 0 x H :3 cc @a m U S. 9 41 tj
cc cd CL Ln .9 14 u rm .,q r- - :3 M -4 -, -0 ca @4 -4
0 Z -- - tr,u cd u as cz v $,@ 4) wx r.7, 0 cd
'1 41 4' Q) s@ 0 (D M v u CIS $@ cd 41 Cd-- u $.
0 -14 r.) = = m 9 3 ct (n la 0 cd ct @4 1. .4 (n -4 :3 4-J
cd 0 ca 4) c 10 M
u, J)

0 CQ
ra
ta 0
r+ V" Pelican Beach State Fark
r-
Clifford Kamph -Memprial Park

Prince Island Court

0 0 0 0 0 a 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mouth Of The Smith River

0 (A

Smith River Fishing Access 9 0 0 0 0 0

Kellogg Road
Lake Aventip 0 0 0

Lakeview Driv4z
V
0

r+
tA Point St. George 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * 0 0

Pebble Beach Drive 0 0 * 0 * 0 0
1z

WATER BODIES 10POGRAPHIC FEATURES VEGETATION WILDLIFE CULTURAL
COMMUNITIES FEATURES

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VISUAL RESOURCE
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Is

DEL NORTE COUNTY
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM _Rj@AaTEI COUNTY
DT
1979

RIW RIE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

California, State of, Coastal Zone Conservation Commission,
(December 1975), California Coastal Plan, San Francisco.

Del Norte, County of Planning Department, (November 1976),
Del Norte County General Plan, Crescent City, Ca.

J. (December 1977), LCP Issue Identification,
Crescent City, Ca

Hendler, B., (1977), Caring for the Land: Environmental
Principles for Site Design and Review, American Soc-lety
-oT Planning Officials, Report No. 328, Chicago.

Mann, R. and Associates, (July 197S), Aesthetic Resources of
the Coastal Zone, Cambridge, Mass.

U.S. Dept of Commerce, NOAA Office of Coastal Zone Management,
(January 1976), Coastal Recreation: A Handbook for Planners
and Managers, Wa ngton D.C.

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

PUBLIC WORKS COMPONENT

Prepared for:

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
700 Sth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

By:

Michael Young, Consultant
611 9th Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-6733

LCP--PUBLIC WORKS COMPONENT

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ............................................ 1

ROAD SYSTEMS ............................................ 2

SOLID 14ASTE MANAGEMENT .................................. 5

AIRPORT .................................................. 7

ON-SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS ......................... 8

CRESCENT CITY ........................................... 10

Water System ....................................... 10
Sewage Treatment Facilities ........................ 16

KLAMATH C01111UNITY SERVICES DISTRICT ..................... 20

Sewage Treatment ................. 0 ................. 20
Road System ........................................ 21
Water System ... .................................... 22

SMITH RIVER COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT ................. 24

PACIFIC SHORES SUBDIVISION ............................. o 26

APPENDIX

PIAP OF EXISTI14G SEWER AND WATER SERVICE AREAS ........... 27

LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM

PUBLIC WORKS COMPONENT

INTRODUCTION

The Public Works Component of the Local Coastal Plan examines existing
and proposed public works systems to determine their capacities and
future expansion projects. Where those present or future public works
facilities can accommodate only a limited amount of new development,
the system's capabilities are more carefully analyzed to provide the
technical data on-which to make sound land use decisions in the
allocation of those capacities.

A difficulty in the analysis of these public works systems is that
many serve properties within and outside the Coastal Zone. The Local
Coastal Program only concerns itself with those properties within the
Coastal Zone, yet allocation decisions made outside of the Coastal
Zone can have a significant effect on the Local Coastal Program.
As a result, the discussion of some facilities must, of necessity,
discuss the system's capacity on a system wide basis, then establish
limits within which allocation decisions can be made.

Also, the discussion of a public works system, in some cases', is more
appropriate on a county-wide or Coastal Zone wide basis rather than
by specific area. Examples of the former include the airport and
solid waste management, while examples of the latter include the Smith
River Community Services District and the Klamath Community Services
District. As a result, this document has been prepared with sub-
groupings dealing first with the more regional issues including:

(1) Road Systems
(2) Solid Waste Management
(3) Airport
(4) On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems.

Then sub-groupings by specific areas are discussed including:

(1) Crescent City
(2) Klamath Community Services District
(3) Smith River Community Services District
(4) Pacific Shores Subdivision.

There will, of necessity, be some overlap in the discussion between
both the general and specific location discussions. However, it has
been attempted to keep each sub-group as a separate and independent
discussion. A map indicating existing sewer and water systems in and
adjacent to the Coastal Zone may be found appended to this document.

ROAD SYSTEMS

While it is obvious that limited capacity in water and sewage treatment
systems will constrain development, it is not as obvious that traffic
carrying capacity of roads can also be a constraint. With water and
sewer systems, you reach a point in which there is no more capacity.
With a road system, there is no such sharp point, instead, the level
of service deteriorates and the motorist experiences longer and longer
delays. This makes the determination of road system capacities more
difficult; Nonetheless, the following discussion is an attempt to
determine if the road system will be a limiting factor on development.
4
In the following table, I have listed a number of roads located within
the Coastal Zone which are now or could become major collectors
serving developments in their respective areas. The table gives also
the present average daily traffic (ADT) and the capacity of that road
assuming the highest level of service which is a condition of free
flow with low volumes at high speeds. Higher capacities can be obtained
with reduced levels of service.

ROAD PRESENT ADT CAPACITY

Ocean View Drive 250 10,000
Fred Haight Drive 1,000 12,000
Lake Earl Drive at
Blackwell Lane 5,400 18,000
Lake Earl Drive at
Elk Valley Cross Road 3,100 18,000
Lake Earl Drive at
Lower Lake Road 1,600 16,000
Morehead Road 700 12,000
Kellogg Road 200 12,000
Lower Lake Road 400 10,000
Old Mill Road 1,900 10,000
Washington Boulevard at
Pebble Beach Drive 600 15,000
Washington Boulevard
at Inyo 1,500 15,000
Washington Boulevard
at Northcrest Drive 1,900 15,000
Pebble Beach Drive 800 10,000
Elk Valley Road 3,700 15,000
It is readily evident that none of these roadways are being used
anywhere near their capacity. All of the roadways have unused
capacity ranging from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per day. Also, in
no case is more than about 30% of the roadwayt capacity being utilized.

-2-

If one considers the fact that a single family residence will generate
6 to 10 vehicle trips per day, it becomes readily evident that any one
of these roads has capacity to handle the traffic generated by 1,000
or more residential units. That capacity can be easily doubled by
reducing the level of service.

Much more sophisticated techniques exist for determining roadway
capacities, however, these very conservative figures point to a
tremendous underutilization of the existing capacity. Therefore,
there is no real need to refine these figures as it will only reveal
a larger-unused capacity.

Due to the substantial underutilization of roadway capacities, it
becomes obvious that the roadway system will not be a constraint on
development within the Coastal Zone. Maintenance of the existing
road system should be the only concern.

The above discussion concerns County owned and maintained roads and
does not include the State highways. The main State highway passing
through the Coastal Zone is U.S. Highway 101. The average daily
traffic flow ranges from 12,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day dependent
upon the location of the traffic count. Likewise, the ability of Highway
101 to accommodate that traffic flow at a reasonable level of service
depends upon the precise location in question.

There are definitely areas in whi'ch the alignment, grade and width of
the roadway are such that the level of service is rather poor. This
then, would call for widening or improvement of those areas if not
the entire highway itself.

The Del Norte County Regional Transportation-Plan has recommended that
Highway 101 be upgraded to four lane expressway or freeway standards
through the County with the exception of a two lane section from Camp
Marigold to Elk Valley Road.

In 1978 and 1979, extensive study was given to that portion of Highway
101 through and near the City of Crescent City. Specifically, the
issue of whether a freeway bypass should be constructed in the future
as opposed to widening the highway through Crescent City on its present
alignment. The result of that study and policy statement adopted by
the governing agencies was that improvement of Highway 101 in the
vacinity of Crescent City should involve a widening of the existing
roadway.a,lignment and not involve a bypass of Crescent City.

The County roadway system will not be a constraint on development
within the Coastal Zone.
L-CP POL4
-- ---------
2) The County shall continue its program of maintenance and minor
improvements to the existing roadway system in order to maintain
its capacity.

-3-

3) Highway 101 should be upgraded to a four lane expressway with
the exception of a two lane expressway from Camp Marigold to
Elk Valley Road.

4) The improvement of Highway 101 through Crescent City should
consist of widening and improving the roadway on its present
alignment. A freeway bypass shall not be constructed.

5) The County will pursue when feasible, to improve the existing
gravel residential roads to an adequate all- weather standard
necessary for fire, police and other vital services.

-4-

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The Del Norte County Sanitary Land Fill was constructed and placed
into operation in 1974. The land fill site is located approximately
three miles north of Crescent City towards the westerly end of Old
Mill Road. This is the only land fill operation in Del Norte County
serving all properties within and outside the Coastal Zone.
The anticipated life of the X1 do(*C couw_@ -LandFill is 15 years. At
present, no replacement site has been selected nor identified to
accommodate solid waste once the 1X.1 N@rk(py'vk@ Land Fill is filled
to capacity.

The Solid Waste Management Plan prepared by Winzler and Kelly stated
the life of the land fill could be extended if a shredder were installed.
No information was given as to how long the life of the land fill
would be extended due to the installation of a shredder.

While it is a number of years yet until full utilization of the Dd
G)j Land Fill, the fact that no alternative sites have been identified
canAt
1 e cause for concern. Even the. installation of a shredder will
only forestall the inevitable which is the need for a permanent solution
to-the solid waste disposal problem.

The burying of refuse is really a short term solution to a long term
problem. Over the long term, resource recovery offers the best
opportunity for a permanent solid waste disposal solution. More
technical and operating experiqnce is necessary in resource recovery
operations. As that experience becomes available, options may become
available which will be feasible to meet Del Norte County needs and
provide a more economical disposal system. In fact, while resource
recovery operations may not be the most cost effective on a short
term analysis, the long term economic analysis may show them to be
the most cost effective. A long term cost that is not now being
considered is the alternative to using the Del OoYfe (PvAii Land Fill
when that site has been fully utilized.

There are alternatives to land filling solid waste although a land fill
will always be necessary as certain wastes can be disposed of in no
other manner. Some possible alternatives are:
(1) Incinerate the waste with a heat recovery system to capture
the heat energy. This would require high temperature
incinerators or other types of incinerators that would
not be an air pollution problem;
(2) Establish a resource recovery program whereby metal, glass,
cardboard and other items are recovered from the solid
waste and recycled;
(3) Use. the biodegradable components of the solid waste for
the purpose of making methane or alcohol for use as an
energy source; or,
(4) A combination of the above.

-5-

As respects, solid waste disposal and the operation of the Crescent
City Land Fill, it is recommended that:

1 ) The County continue to operate the Ce.1 Land Fill at
its present location in conformance with State and Federal law.

2) The County continue planning for the eventual full utilization
of the Pe( Aloy+e Co4l Land Fill. This planning may include
identification o: Iternative sites and investigation of the
long term economic feasibility of alternative disposal methods.
3) The County seek funding to instaff a 'shredder at thf Pa IVOrl-e Cou
Land Fill.

4) The County seek funding to install equipment to accommodate
alternative disposal methods such as incineration, methane
generation and alcohol fermentation.

-6-

AIRPORT

The Crescent City airport at Jack McNamara Field is located approxi-
mately two miles northwesterly from downtown Crescent City on Point
St. George. -The existing faciliti.es consist of two 5,000 fo'ot asphalt
runways capable of supporting 43,000 pounds maximum gross weight.
The field besides handling general aviation needs, is capable of
handling limited commercial air traffic.

On the 590 acre airport site, there is a limited amount of development
all of which serves the airfield and its users. These facilities
include a fueling station, terminal building and hangers for small
aircraft storage.- Adequate land is available to support additional
airfield dependent development.

The nature of aviation activity in Del Norte County is not expected
to change radically during the next twenty years. A steady increase
in both local and itinerent based aircraft operations is expected. A!
a result during the next twenty years., airport development will consist
primarily of maintenance of existing facility, minor improvements,
safety improvements, and cons truction of increased storage facilities.

The present plans for improvement of the Jack McNamara Field include a
proposed runway 13-31 to be approximately 2,000 feet long. This
runway is to serve small aircraft and is being set on an alignment that
most nearly matches the prevailing winds at the airport location. Also,
it is presently proposed to construct additional hangers for the
sl-orAqe.of planes.
- L-01 f0Lt(_4e5 I
In order to se ve the general aviation needs of Del Norte County, it is
recommended that

1) A new runway 13-31 be constructed with a length of approxir..iately
2,000 feet..

2) Additional hangers be constructed for the storage of aircraft
based at Jack McNamara Field.

3) Additional navigational aids be installed at Jack McNamara
Field to improve the reliability and safety of service.

4) Areas be reserved for airfield dependent development.

-7-

ON-SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTE14S

While the Crescent City and Klamath areas have municipal type sewage
collection and disposal systems, the rest of the County within the
Coastal Zone must rely upon on-site disposal of waste water. The
area of primary concern within the Coastal Zone is those properties
generally,northerly of Washington Boulevard to the Oregon border.
Within that area, the only properties that are served by a municipal
type plant are a few just immediately north of Washington Boulevard
which are served by the Crescent City treatment plant and the Ship
Ashore Resort facility which has its own treatment system. All other
properties must rely upon on-site sewage disposal typically through
the septic tank and leach field type system.

This entire area is situated on a low lying terrace comprised of
Quaternary Marine and non-Plarine deposits. The area is bordered on
the north by the alluvial plain of the Smith River and a narrow belt
of the Franciscan formation which also extends along the east and
southerly boundaries. The Franciscan formation is the base of the
coastal range.

The prominent soils in this,area are the Timmons-Tallows Association,
the Carlotta Association, the Ferndale-Russ Association and the Rowdy-
Hutsinpillar Association. As a general statement, all of these soils
are capable of supporting on-site disposal system but this is not to
suggest that there are no limitations to the use of on-site systems.

The following discussion will deal in general terms with the issue of
a minimum lot size necessary to accommodate on-site disposal systems.
This should be viewed from the standpoint of a density to be estab-
lished for land use planning purposes (to the extent that the on-site
system would be a controlling factor). It is still necessary that a
specific site evaluation be made for each and every proposed disposal
system because, while the area may be able to support a given density,
it is not to imply that every parcel within that area is capable of
doing so.

One factor setting a minimum lot size is the area necessary to accom-
modate an on-site disposal system, a replacement area and suitable
area for development. Assuming a percolation rate of 60 minutes to
-the inch (slowest permitted for a standard system), the use of a dual
disposal system, a complete replacement area and 6,000 square feet for
'
development, an 18,000 square foot lot size is necessary. This then
establishes one limit. The limitation is based purely on percolation
and does not address the potential for ground water degradation.

A nitrate concentration/dilution study was made as an additional
approach of determining a minimum lot size. Nitrates are placed into
the soild due to the septic tank/leach field operation which can
pollute the groundwater. The typical septic tank nitrate concentration
is approximately 30 milligrams per litre (mg/1).' The "safe" nitrate
level for drinking water is 10 mg/l. The nitrate concentration is
reduced by dilution with deep percolating rainfall and the ground
water itself.

-8-

Deep percolating rainfall is that portion of the rainfall which does
not run off nor is lost by evapotranspiration. For an average year
in Del Norte County, it has been estimated that the deep percolating
rainfall is approximately 3.6 feet. Also, it is estimated that the
deep percolating rainfall for an exceptionally dry year is slightly
over one (1) foot.

Using these figures and the fact that a rural lot could reasonably
be 30 - 35% covered with impervious surfaces, one finds that the
minimum lot size should be approximately 13,000 square feet when using
average rainfall data. If, however, the dry year figures are used,
the minimum lot size should be approximately 42,000 square feet in
order to provide adequate deep percolating rainfall to dilute nitrates
to a "safe" level.

One final approach to the mininum. lot size issue was to evaluate the
typical one acre lot in light of the set back requirements for leach
fields, wells, buildings, etc. On this basis, one is just able to
locate a well 100 feet from adjacent property leach fields on the
"typical" 1321 x 3301 one acre lot.

Therefore, based on these various approaches, it is recommended that
the maximum density in rural areas not served by a public sewer system
or engineered on-site disposal system, be bne dwelling unit per acre.
This is not to recommend that development on any one.acre site should
be allowed. The recommendation is that the overall density for
unsewered areas should not exceed one unit per acre. Individual sites
still need to be evaluated using Regional Water Quality guidelines
to determine their suitability for an on-site system.

As mentioned briefly, a treatment system exists immediately to the
south of and serving the Ship Ashore facility. There is some concen-
tration of development around Ship Ashore and potentially could be
more so in the future. A possible alternative to the on-site disposal
system in that area would be a public agency's operation of the Ship
Ashore facility and its expansion to accommodate surrounding develop-
.ment. However, the feasibility of developing the Ship Ashore oxidation
pond treatment facility as a community sewage treatment is unknown
and-beyond the scope of this examination.

-9-

CRESCENT CITY

The City of Crescent City is the major supplier of water and sewer
services within Del Norte County. While there are numerous small
districts providing one or the other service, the majority of the
Del Norte County population is served by the Crescent City system as
is the vast majority of Del Norte County's commercial establishments.
A difficulty in attempting to allocate capacity of the Crescent City
water and sewage systems to certain land uses within the Coastal Zone
is the fact that.the majority of the Crescent City systems do not lie
within the Coastal Zone. This means that land use decisions outside
the Coastal Zone could well influence one's ability to use a public
works system to influence land use decisions within the Coastal Zone.
For example, a goal to encourage Coastal dependent uses in a given
area might be meaningless due to lack of water and/or sewer capacity
because of allocation of that capacity to an area outside the Coastal
Zone. As a result, this discussion of the City's water and sewer
systems must, to some extent, deal with the entire system and then
estimate its capabilities and limitations for the Coastal Zone. That
is, general boundary limitations can be established but not precise
allocations as the boundaries can be further limited by economic and
political factors not subject to technical analysis.

Water System

The Crescent City water system was first developed in the 1920's under
a private water company. In 1957, the City of Crescent City purchased
the system which, at that time, was serving the City of Crescent City
and the developed area immediately to the north known as the Filkins
Tract. The source of supply was a tributary-of Elk Creek near the
cemetery and the water quality and quantity was quite poor.

As a part of the purchase of the water system, the City sold general
obligation bonds for the improvement of the system. The first
improvements included the construction of a Ranney collector on the
Smith River and a transmission main into the City. These improvements
also included a million gallon storage and a pumping station which,
when completed in 1963, provided the basic Crescent City water system.
Since that time, some additional improvements have been made.

The production and transmission system, as it exists today, consists
of the original Ranney collector located in the Smith River approxi-
mately @ mile upstream from the Dr. Fine Bridge, and a transmission
main from the collector along Kings Valley Road, Wonder Stump Road and
Railroad Avenue to the Crescent City distribution and storage system.
Along the transmission main is a chlorination building (near Kings
Valley Road and Highway 101) which provides chlorination and floridation
of the water; a 50,000 gallon equalizing storage tank; a booster
pumping station at Wonder Stump Road and Elk Valley Cross Road; and a
booster pumping station on Railroad Avenue just north of Blackwell Lane.
The 50,000 gallon elevated storage tank is primarily for the proper
operation of the production and transmission system and does not really

_10-

serve a true storage function for the distribution system. The two
pumping stations allow for greater quantities of water to be pushed
through the transmission main than would be possible under gravity
flow along.

The capacity of this system is presently 2.3 million gallons per day
(MGD). Improvements planned and under construction will increase the
system's delivery capability to 2.75 MGD.

A 1977 study prepared by Camp, Dresser and McKee (CDM) recommended that
the existing water system be expanded to 4.3 MGD. The system, however ,
can be expanded to 4.5 MGD by making improvements to the basic system.
Any attempt to develop production and transmission capabilities beyond
4.5 MGD will require facilities that constitute effectively, a whole
new production and transmission system. This is technically possible
but goes well beyond the scope of this document.

Besides the production and transmission facilities, a water system
requires storage. For the Crescent City system, the primary storage
facility is a one million gallon reservoir located on Washington
Boulevard just to the east of Northcrest Drive. Also, there is a
300,000 gallon storage tank located within the Bertsch Ocean View
Community Services District which provides storage essentially for
that area. The CDM report referenced above also recommended that an
additional three million gallons of storage be provided on the
Crescent City system. It was recommended that-1.5 million gallons
be provided immediately and the remaining 1.5 million gallons of
storage be provided in the future.

At the present time, most of the water system customers are located
in and around Crescent City,. However, service is also provided all
along the transmission main and to three special districts under
contract with the City. These three special districts include the
Meadowbrook area located near the intersection of Parkway Drive and
Elk Valley Road; the Church Tree Community Services District located
just to the south and east of Meadowbrook; and the Bertsch Ocean
View Community Services District located easterly of Crescent City.
While service is provided to these districts and the system is
maintained by the City of Crescent City, ownership of the facilities
rests with the Districts and not the City.

Presently, the Crescent City water system serves approximately 2,600
customers of which slightly less than half reside within the City of
Crescent City. The present demands on the water system are as follows:

1. Average day of the year - 1.0 MGD
2. Average day of maximum month - 1.44 MGD
3. Maximum day of the year - 2.2 MGD
4. Maximum hour of maximum day - .3.17 MGD

Of these demands, approximately 50% is the result of services within
Crescent City and approximately 50% outside. The reason for the 1.1 igher

per service consumption within the City limits than outside, probably
relates to the number of larger commercial users within the City and
a rate structure favoring the City resident.
In the previously referenced CDM report, projections were made for
future water system demands. Using that information, it is projected
that the system demands for the year 2000 will be as follows:

1. Average day of the year - 1.8 MGD
2. Average day of maximum month - 2.9 MGD
3. Maximum day of the year - 4.3 MGD

Of these demands, it is anticipated that approximately 42% will result
from services within the City of Crescent City and the balance from
the unincorporated area.

These projected water system demands are for the entire Crescent City
water system and not just for that area located within the Coastal Zone.
What the system demands will be within the Coastal Zone will depend
upon land use decisions.
As stated, the present capacity of the water system is 2.3 MGD and,will
soon be 2.75 MGD. Also as noted, the system can be improved so as
to provide 4.5 MGD. It should be readily apparent that the present
demands on the system nearly equal its production capability but the
improvements now under construction will provide for some reserve
capacity. Further, it is readily apparent that with system demands
of 2.2 MGD and a capability of expansion to 4.5 MGD, there remains 2.3
MGD to serve future development for which allocation decisions need
to be made. This 2.3 MGD reserve capacity is approximately equal to
the existing demands which means that with the improvement of the
system to 4.5 MGD, the system would be able to accommodate twice as
many customers. Assuming that future customers have the same ratio of
residential, commercial and industrial as presently exist, the expanded
system could serve an additional 2,000+ single family residential
users, four additional fish plants and commercial development equivalent
to that presently being served. If instead the allocation of capacity
were only for single family residential uses, some 4,500 additional
services could be provided. If, however, all of this capacity were
allocated to fish processi'ng facilities similar in design and operation
to those presently existing, 12 additional fish plants could be served
by this reserve capacity. The most realistic distribution is the first
case with a mixture-of land uses. With future development of a similar
mixture to the existing, the water system when improved to 4.5 MGD
capacity will be able to accommodate an additional 7,500 persons plus
commercial and industrial developments. In comparing the service
population of this additional capacity with the estimated population
growth set forth in the Del Norte County General Plan, it becomes
evident that the 4.5 MGD water system is more than capable of serving
the projected population growth for the general Crescent City area
through the year 2000. Where precisely that growth will occur depends
upon other factors but, if these improvements are made to the water
system, the water system should not be a constraint on development.

-12-

To this point, there has been discussion of an expanded water system
without any specifics. This is because that expansion can occur by
several means, some of which will expand the present service area and
others which would merely deliver more water to the existing service
area. The CDM report referenced previously examined several alternatives
for improvement of the Crescent City water system. There are, however,
a number of improvements common to all the alternatives. The major
difference between the alternatives was the location of a new trans-
mission main. The improvements common to all alternatives are briefly
described below.

(1). Replace the two existing pumps ana add a third pump
to the Ranney collector to bring the total source
delivery capacity to 4.6 14GD.
(2) Construct a new booster station near the present
elevated storage tank.
(3) Add a second pump to the existing booster station at
Wonder Stump Road and Elk Valley Cross Road.
(4) Add a total of three million gallons of additional
storage within or near the existing distribution system.
(5) Make improvements to the pumping station at the present
Washington Boulevard storage tank facility and construct
a new delivery main to the central distribution.grid
to improve fire flow capabilities.

The basic differences in the alternatives was the alignment of the
transmission main to deliver the additional production capability into
the Crescent City grid. The alternative alignments considered were:

1. Use the existing transmission right-of-way from Smith
River to Blackwell Lane and then westerly to Lake Earl
Drive and then southerly to the Crescent City distribution
grid.
2. Use the existing transmission right-of-way from Smith
River to Elk Valley Cross Road, then westerly to Lake
Earl Drive and then southerly to Crescent City.
3. Use the present transmission main right-of-way for its
entire length.
4. Use the present transmission right-of-way from the Smith
River to Elk Valley Cross Road, then easterly to Elk Valley
Road and then southerly to the distribution system.
5. Use the existing transmission right-of-way from the Smith
River to Kings Valley Road, then westerly on to Fort Dick
and then southerly along Lake Earl Drive to the Crescent
City grid.

The first four of these alternatives were studied in detail as to
technical, political and financial feasibility. The fifth alternative,
however, was not considered as it could not be economically justified

-13-

unle.ss there was a substantial amount of development along Lake Earl
Drive from Fort Dick to Elk Valley Cross Road.

Each one of these alignments falls at least partially within the
Coastal Zone. There are, however, three additional alignments that
are technically feasible and at least partially within the Coastal
Zone that need to be given consideration.

6. Use the existing transmission main right-of-way from the
Smith River to Elk Valley Cross Road, then easterly to
Parkway Drive and then southerly to Crescent City (this
is a variation of alignment #4).
7. Use the present transmission right-of-way from Smith River
to Elk Valley Cross Road, then westerly to Lake Earl Drive,
then southerly to Alder Road, then southerly along Alder,
Boulder and Hobbs Wall Roads to Blackwell Lane, then
westerly to Lake Earl Drive and then southerly to Crescent
City (this is a variation of alignments #1 and #2).
8. Construct a transmission main from Highwa y 101 at Kings
Valley Road westerly along Kings Valley Road to Fort Dick and
then continuing westerly along Morehead Road and Kellogg
Road to Pacific Shores Subdivision. (This alignment can
be undertaken independently of any of the others previously
described.)

The referenced CDM report recommended the Lake Earl alignment
(alternative #2). A primary reason for that recommendation was that
the main would pass through an area where there already existed
substantial development thereby providing potential customers. The
developed areas are the Vipond Subdivision area and the Northcrest
Drive area southerly of Blackwell Lane. Also, the Lake Earl align-
ment provided the greatest technical reliability in providing a second
transmission main in the event of interruption of the existing main.

It is estimated that if the Lake Earl Drive alignment were selected,
an additional 2,200 persons would be served with City water by the
year 2000 within the Coastal Zone and along that alignment. This
would result in an average demand of 0.22 MGD.

It should be noted that of these additional 2,200 persons, 1,885 are
estimated to already reside within the Coastal Zone area along the.
alignment. In effect, this means that only 385 additional persons
would reside in that area associated but not dependent upon the wat(,r
main available. It is-estimated that most of these 385 addition 'Il
persons will reside in the Vipond area or the Northcrest area soutlierly
of Blackwell Lane.

With the exception of the alignments towards Fort Dick which will be
discussed later, all the alignments will provide water to serve
growth in and around the Crescent City area, improve the fire flow
delivery capability and be able to accommodate additional commercial
and industrial development. So long as the basic improvements are made

-14-

to the production And transmission systems, the water system should
be ableto accommodate a wide variety of land use decisions, both in
terms of serving development for a number of years and providing a
great deal of flexibility as to the location of the development. In
otherwords, the water system will not be a constraint on Coastal Zorle
development in and around Crescent City so long as the basic improve-
ments are made and one of the transmission alternatives installed.
Failure to make these improvements to the water system, however, will
result in serious constraints on development in and around Crescent
City both in and out of the Coastal Zone.

With respect to Fort Dick and the Pacific Shores Subdivision, it is
technically feasible to provide water service from the Crescent City
water system. The construction of approximately 18,000 feet of 12
inch diameter water main from the Crescent City' system.to the Pacific
Shores Subdivision and the installation of a 200,000 gallon storage
tank would provide the service. This does not, however, include the
construction of distribution grid necessary to serve the individual
lots. The estimated cost of the transmission storage system is
$500,000. It is estimated that it will cost $1,500 per lot (1979
dollars) to install the distribution grid.

Another means of providing water to either Fort Dick or the Pacific
Shores Subdivision would be to develop their own well system and water
treatment plant as a separate facility from the Crescent City system.
It is questionable if this alternative is economically feasible.

At -an approximate cost of $2,000 per lot (1979 dollars) to provide
Crescent City water to Fort Dick and the Pacific Shores Subdivision,
it makes a tie to the City system a viable alternative. Therefore,
again assuming the basic improvements are made, the water system need
not be a constraint to development at Pacific Shores. The water system
is a constraint today as there are no facilities extended to the
Pacific Shores area. However, it is financially feasible to do so.

1) If the basic improvements are made to the Crescent City water
system including a transmission main, the water system will not
be a constraint on development.
J_J_0_U Clflr@
2) The basic improvements to the Crescent City water system should
be made to raise its production and transmission capability to
4.5 million gallons per day.

3) The transmission main alignment should be the Lake Earl Drive
variation using Alder, Boulder and Hobbs Wall Roads and Blackwell
Lane (alternative #7).

44 ;Aa-in r.1;Guld hQ Q;Gt;e;; d City r'[email protected]
Q63' Q=64rgont I
;A;j*;iq adequate sterage-te

-15-

Sewage Treatment Facilities

In the 1920's and 19301s, the beginnings of the Crescent City sewage
collection and treatment facilities began. At that time, collection
mains were constructed within the City limits. Disposal of the sewage
was by direct outfall to the Pacific Ocean at the far westerly ehd
of Second Street. In the late 1940's, some nominal treatment of that
sewage was made'at a small plant located at Second and "B" Streets.

Then, in 1957 in conjunction with@ the City's purchase and improve-
ment of the water system, bonds were sold to construct the first
Crescent City Sewage Treatment Plant located at Battery and "B" Streets
near Battery Point. This is still the location of the present day
plant.

In 1973, construction began on the first phase of enlargement and
improvement of that plant under a Clean Water Grant. In 1978, the
second phase of that plant improvement began construction and is now
nearly complete.

Work undertaken under the Clean Water Grant Program included not only
enlargement of the existing plant and improvement of its treatment
capability, but also included extensive sewer line rehabilitation
work to reduce a severe infiltration/inflow problem that had existed
for a number of years. Also, the improvements included a pre-treatment
facility located near the existing fish processing plants in order
to reduce the load on the plant due to those operations.

The Crescent City Sewage Treatment Plant provides secondary level
treatment of the incoming sewage, utilizing a "bio-disc" treatment
system followed by chlorination, dechlorination and then discharge
into the Pacific Ocean off Battery Point.

Presently, the sewage treatment plant serves the City of Crescent City,
the Harbor District and the Bertsch Ocean View Community Services
Area. Sometiine in 1980, the system will also be serving the Northcrest
Sewer District.

The sewage treatment plant was designed to serve a complete build out
of Crescent City using their General Plan designated land uses and
provide a total of 2,650 single family equivalent connections to
County Community Services Area No. 1 which includes Bertsch-Ocean
View and Northcrest. This design capacity has been found to be
inadequate as there are more requests for sewer connections in the
County Services Area than the number of connections allocated.

As a result of this demand for additional sewer connections, a
re-evaluation of the plant's capacity was made to determine what
were the constraints on the plant and how to make improvements to
provide additional capacity for the future. The results of that
study indicated that the sewage treatment plant had already been over
committed by approximately 350 connections. Also, the study indicated
that by the addition of a third secondary clarifier and by providing

-16-

recirculation through the "bio-disc" that an additional 2,200 single
family equivalent connections could be realized. This would then
provide an additional 1,850 connections available for allocation
after the existing 350 connection deficit was eliminated. Construction
of these additional improvements is now under way and nearly complete.

The demands on the sewage treatment plant in the years past have been
the result of flows from Crescent City, the Harbor Area and the winter-
time infiltration/inflow. Those demands on the system prior to the
sewer rehabilitation work were as follows:

1. Mean dry weather flow - 0.57 MGD
2. Maximum month - 1.41 MGD
3. Maximum week 1.93 M(@D
4. Maximum day 2.72 IIGD
5. Peak wet weather flow - 3.81 MGD

It is anticipated that the sewer rehabilitation work will substantially
reduce those flows and, in fact, if are more effective than anticipated,
could provide for additional treatment capacity. The extent of the
effectiveness of that work will not be known for a year or two when
the winter-time flow records will be available to evaluate the
effectiveness of the infiltration/inflow corrective work. The design,
however, was based on conservative estimates on the level reduction
of infiltration/inflow.

While the sewage'treatment plant will soon have 1,850 connections
available for allocation (and possibly more depending upon the
infiltration/inflow corrective work), the plant site itself is capable
of accommodating further expansions. It is estimated that the treat-
ment capacity of the plant could be increased an additional 50% on
the land remaining at the Battery Point site.

As stated previously, the sewage treatment plant also treats the
process waste from the fish processing plants located in the Harbor
area. At the present time, that process waste is pretreated prior to
introduction into the Crescent City sewage system. Even after
pretreatment, fish processing waste water has suspended solid and
biological oxygen demand loadings nearly five times that of domestic
strength sewage. A means of providing further sewage treatment plant
capacity would be the elimination of the fish processing waste and/or
higher levels of pretreatment.

At the present time, the sewage collection system is capable of serving
Crescent City, the area immediately north of the City to approximately
Washington Boulevard (Northcrest), the Crescent City Harbor and the
Bertsch Ocean View"area. There are potential limitations on the
collection facilities' ability to convey sewage to the Crescent City
Treatment Plant. These major collection lines and their respective
capacity are as follows:

"B" Street (serving Northcrest) 2.74 PIGD

-17-

Second Street (serving Crescent
City and the Harbor) 2.59 MGD
"M11 Street (serving northeasterly
portions of City) 0.86 MGD
Sunset Circle (serving the Harbor) 0.86 MGD
Bertsch Ocean View pump station and
force main (serving Bertsch Ocean
View) 0.72 MGD

The capacities of these conveyance lines can be a major constraint
upon the development in the areas they serve. The constraints are
not absolute as it is possible to build additional lines or pumping
stations but they can be extremely expensive.

The "B" Street line is capable of accommodating approximately 4,100
single family equivalent connections. At the present time, approxi-
mately 1,900 connections have been allocated to that area leaving a
remaining capacity in the "B" Street line of 2,200 connections. if
all 1,850 connections soon to be available at the Crescent City plan
were allocated to the general Northcrest area, the capacity of the "B"
Street line would not be exceeded. This means that the "Area Three"
which was deleted from the Northcrest Sewer Project or a similar area
in the Coastal Zone could be served, if the allocation of connections
was made to that area.

The Second Street trunk sewer main is capable of conveying 2.59 MGD
at peak flow. However, 0.86 MGD must be reserved to handle flows
from the Crescent City Harbor Area and an additional 0.86 MGD needs
to be reserved to accommodate flows in the "M" Street line serving
northeasterly Crescent City. This leaves 0.87 MGD available to serve
Crescent City between "C" Street and "L". Street. This capacity is
adequate to handle the present and anticipated development within that
area.

The "M" Street line with a capacity of 0.86 MGD is capable of
accommodating approximately 1,200 connections. Approximately 800
equivalent connections need to be reserved to accommodate existing
development or future growth within the City that would utilize that
line. All of those area's are not within the Coastal Zone. However,
of the remaining 400 connections that could be served through the "M"
Street line, it is possible that service could be provided to properties
within the Coastal Zone along the easterly side of Highway 101 from
the north City limits to approximately Washington Boulevard. It would
require a sewage pump lift station but the downstream facilities are
capable of handling up to 550 single family equivalent connections.

The Sunset Circle line which serves the Harbor has a capacity of it
approximately 600 gallons per minute. During the fish processing
season, the sewage flow from the Harbor area will reach 350 gallons
per minute. Over 90% of that flow is due to the process waste of the
fish plants.

The Harbor District approximately one year ago made a commitment of
approximately 250 gallons per minute to a new fish processing plant
located in the northeasterly portion of the Harbor. While that plant
has not yet brought its process capability up to that level, a commit-
ment was apparently made. That being the case, there is in effect no
remaining capacity for the Harbor sewer line. The-r-effEie, major
de_ve@_16@meh-t'wi-thi-h the Harbor requiring a s'ignificant amount of sewage
treatment capability will require the construction of a new sewer
collection system from the Harbor area to the Crescent City Sewage
Treatment Plant, a distance of approximately 6,000 feet at a cost of
approximately $250,000.

An alternative to this problem would be to develop another means of
treating and disposing of the fish process waste. The development of
a fish meal plant could be such an alternative, if proven economically
feasible.

The Bertsch Ocean View pump station and force main has a capability of
serving approximately 1,100 single family equivalent connections.
Service to that area includes areas both within and outside the Coastal
Zone. At the present time, approximately 600 single family equivalent
connections have been commited, leaving 500 connections available for
allocation in both Coastal and non-Coastal Zone areas.

1) The existing Crescent City Sewage Treatment Plant has capacity
to serve 1,850 single family equivalent connections after
reservations have been made to serve a complete build out of the
City and meeting contractual commitments to the County Services
Area for Northcrest and Bertsch Ocean View.

-2) The capacity of the trunk sewer line serving the Northcrest area
is capable of meeting its existing commitment and the entire
1,850 connections, if allocated to that area.

3) While a lift station would be necessary, it is possible to
provide service to approximately 400 connections in the area
east of Highway 101 between the north City limits and Washington
Boulevard (it is also possible to commit those connections to
the west side of Highway 101).

4) Commitments have been made utilizing the full capacity of the
sewer collection system serving the Harbor. To provide additional
sewer capacity to the Harbor will cost approximately $250,000 (1979
dollars).
L_LP EOL'ICY
5) It is recommencled that alternate sources of pretreatment and/or
reuse of process waste water be explored in order to provide for
future capacity in the Harbor and to relieve some of the treatment
load upon the Crescent City regional plant.

)
I
t is possible to allocate approximately 500 single family equivalent
0

re
fu
10

It
connections to the Bertsch Ocean View area. This allocation could
occur within or outside the Coastal Zone.
_19-

KLAMATH COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT

The Klamath Community Services District provides water and sewer
services for the new Klamath Townsite which replaced the town of
Klamath destroyed in the 1964 floods. There are approximately 60
parcels in the new Klamath Townsite only a few of which have been
developed. The following will describe the existing public works
systems within the Klamath Community Services District and their
ability to serve the District and surrounding property.

Sewage Treatment

The existing sewage facilities for the Klamath Community Services
District include six and eight inch diameter gravity collection mains
which presently serve the entire Klamath Townsite and a pApkage
sewage treatment plant located at the north end of the new Rl-a@math
Towii-s-i--t-@i7T@'e-'e'-'a--t-t-a-c-'h-'e'-'dI map) . The collection system is capable of
conveying 375 gallons per minute peak flow to the sewage treatment
plant which far exceeds the capacity of the package sewage treatment
plant. Therefore, the limitations on the sewage system is the
treatment plant itself and not the collection lines.

The package sewage treatment plant is an activated sludge process
plant with a flow capacity of 100,000 gallons per day and designed
to treat 180 pounds of biological oxygen demand per day. A plant of
this.capacity is capable of serving a permanent population of 1,050
Rersons provided that the infiltration/inflow does not exceed
approximately 16,000 gallons per day. A review of the Klamath Community
Services District records indicates that the present infiltration is
far below this level.

A final component of the sewage treatment facilities is a percolation
pond located on the southerly side of Highway 101 directly across from
the sewage treatment plant. The Klamath Community Services District
has experienced some problems with this percolation pond, however, it
is not considered as a constraint on the system because the parcel on
which it is located is 25 acres in size and under ownership of Del
Norte County. Construction of additional or larger percolation ponds
to accommodate additional disposal needs is not a significant
technical or financial problem.

Existing flows through the sewage collection and treatment system
range from approximately 20,000 to 30,000 gallons per day (GPD). The
maximum recorded flow to date is just under 32,000 GPD for an average
day during the maximum month. This implies that there is 68,000
gallons per day remaining capacity to serve the Klamath Community
Services District.

If one assumes that all of the remaining capacity will be used by
permanent single family residences, the present treatment system is
capable of accommodating 275 additional units. Inasmuch as the Klamath
area is a popular tourist attraction, it is possible that property

-20-

within or near the new Klamath Townsite might be developed in visitor
serving facilities. The following table will briefly relate sewage
treatment requirements for certain visitor serving facilities to a
permanent single family equivalent sewer connection in order to provide
a basis for making land use decisions.

Use Ratio

Single family home 1.0
Mobilehome within a park 0.7
Motel 0.5
Recreational vehicle park 0.3

Inasmuch as Klamath Community Services District sewage facilities have
adequate reserve capacity, there are no expansion projects presently
being considered. However, two possible extensions of service could
be considered especially in light of the fact it is highly doubtful
that the entire sewage capacity will be utilized by the development
of the properties within the Klamath Townsite.

One such extension would be to service the area of the Old Klamath
Townsite which could potentially develop in uses compatible with the
flood plain of the Klamath River (RV Parks). The other potential
extension would be to serve the area approximately 4,000 feet north of
the Klamath Townsite which is partially developed with recreational
vehicle sites. To serve either of these two areas, a sewage lift
station and force main will be necessary.

As stated previously, the sewage system is capable of accommodating
an additional 275 single family residential equivalent connections.
Assuming that the sewage treatment capacity will be first reserved
for the existing Klamath Townsite, it is recommended that not more
than 100 single family equivalent connections be made available for
development outside the Townsite until the Townsite is nearly built
out. This will leave 175 equivalent connections for the Townsite
itself. If the Townsite were to develop predominately in permanent
single family residential uses, less than 100 connections will be
necessary. However, it seems likely that there will be commercial
development within the Townsite and the number of connections required
to serve that commercial development is difficult to assess until the
precise use is known.

Road System

The road system within the Klamath Community Services District consists
of fully improved streets including curb and gutter with a minimum
width of 40 feet. Klamath Boulevard itself is nearly 75 feet in width
This existing road network is capable of handling development densities
far in excess of anything that could be considered for the area.
Therefore, the road network in the Klamath Community Services District
is not a limiting factor to development.

-21-

Water System
The original Klamath Community Services District water system was
constructed with a Davis Grunsky Loan and a Economic Development
Administration Grant in 1968. The system was designed to meet an
ultimate use of 200 connections.

The source of supply for'the original system consists of two wells
located southwesterly of the townsite within the Klamath River Flood
Plain. Each of these wells is capable of'developing 125 gallons per
minute (GPM). The water from the wells is then conveyed through a
four inch line to a treatment plant located adjacent to Highway 101
just within the Klamath Townsite. The only treatment that the water
receives is chlorination. From that point, the treated water enters
the distribution system consisting of six and eight inch diameter
water mains which are also connected to a 125,000 gallon storage tank
located a@ an elevation of 172 feet.

In 1976 as a result of the drought and reduced flows in the Klamath
River, salt water intrusion occurred at the well sites which required
those wells to be shut down. At that time, the Klamath Community
Services District entered into an agreement with Simpson Lumber Company
to utilize water from a well at their mill site southeasterly from
the townsite. This situation is intended to be temporary and a new
permanent well site is presently being sought. For the purposes of
this discussion, it will be assumed that a new well site will be
found with the same capacity as the existing well site in the general
vicinity of the entrance to the Simpson mill approximately 3,000 feet
southerly of the new Klamath Townsite. If this new well site is not
developed, then there can be no development in the Klamath area
requiring a water hookup as the agreement with Simpson Lumber Company
precludes the addition of new services.

Based on the above assumptions and utilizing State of California Health
Department Waterworks standards, the Klamath Community Services
District water system is capable of serving 350 service connections
with its 250 GPM source of supply and 125,000 gallons of storage.
These standards, however, provide only for domestic water service and
do not provide storage for fire fighting purposes. In order to meet
insurance rating service's minimum requirements of 500 gallons per
minute for two hours, it will be necessary to commit 60,000 'gal.. of storage
for fire fighting purposes. With this commitment, the system then is
capable of serving only approximately 240 connections total.

Inasmuch as the existing system is presently serving the equivalent of
approximately 80 service connections, there remains 160 service
connections available for allocation. It is obvious from this that
the water system is the constraining factor on development in this area.

As stated in the section dealing with sewage treatment, it is prudent
to reserve a minimum of 150 service connections for use within the
existing new Klamath Townsite. This would mean that water service
should not be made available to other areas until improvements are made

-22-

to the Klamath Community Services District water system or the fire
flow storage is improved or that criteria changed.

Assuming the fire flow criteria is eliminated or that 60,000 gallons
of storage is provided, it would then be possible to service an
additional 110 service connections. All of those connections can
be allocated to areas outside of the new Klamath Townsite.

A review of the physical facilities indicates that with water main
extensions to the west into the Old Townsite or to the north where
recreational vehicle parks now exist, it will be possible to deliver
adequate water service and fire flow with no additional facilities
other than the mains to make the extension.

Findings

1) The Public Works facilities constraint on development in the
Klamath Townsite area is the water system.

2) There is adequate water and sewer capacity to serve a built out
of the new Klamath Townsite.

3) Sewer service can be provided to adjacent areas for approximately
100 service connections, if the necessary collection of the
facilities and pump station are installed.

4) Water service can be provided to the outlying areas if the
water mains are extended and an additional 60,000 gallons of
storage is provided on the system.

LCP Policies
The urban/rural boundary on the land use map shall include the
area immediately south of the Klamath Townsite which can be
readily served by the facilities of the townsite.

2) When available, water may be extended from the Klamath Townsite
to serve the commercial area immediately north of the Townsite

Consistent with the expansion of urban services of the
land use plan and all applicable policies of the final
certified land use plan."

-23-

SMITH RIVER COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT

The Smith River Community Services District originally provided
water service for the immediate area of the community of Smith River.
An expansion of the original system then provided water service for
those properties along Ocean View Drive and the area around Ship
Ashore Resort and northerly up to Indian Road. The system presently
has approximately 275 customers which are predominently single family
users. The Simonson Lumber mill and the Ship Ashore facility are the
two major users of water on a quantity basis.

The source of supply consists of three wells located near Fred Haight
Drive and Rowdy Creek. The total production capacity of the three
wells is 860 gallons per minute. To the northeast of Smith River
at an elevation of 215+ feet is a 250,000 gallon storage tank. A
second storage tank is-located to the east of the Ship Ashore Resort
and northerly of Ocean View Drive. This storage tank also has a
capa.city of 250,000 gallons.

The distribution grid in Smith River, the production wells and the
first storage tank are connected to the second storage tank by means
of an eight inch diameter main along Ocean View Drive. That main
extends northerly along Ocean View Drive to Indian Road where it then
travels westerly and southerly towards the Ship Ashore Resort (see
attached map).

Utilizing the State of California Health Department Water Works
Standards, the above described system is capable of accommodating
approximately 1,000 service connections with adequate water service
and normal fire flows. As stated above, the system presently has
approximately 275 customers. Those 275 customers, however, represent
an estimated 450 single family equivalent connections. Therefore,
the existing system has the capacity to serve an additional 550
connections (assuming single family equivalents).

Due to the layout of the existing Smith River Community Services
District water system, it is technically feasible to accommodate
these 550 potential future connections either entirely within or
outside of the Coastal Zone. Also, it is technically feasible for
those future connections to be served directly from the existing
facilities or from additional extensions of those facilities. For
example of extensions, it is possible to (1) accommodate the entire
550 additional connections along Fred Haight Drive from Rowdy Creek
to Highway 101. To accomplish this, an eight inch diameter main
would need to be constructed in Fred Haight Drive. If this project
were undertaken, it would be desirable but not mandatory to have some
storage at an approximate elevation of 210 feet near the end of the
line. (2) It is also possible to accommodate the entire 550 additional
connections at any location along Sarina Road from Highway 101
southerly to the Smith River. To accomplish this, it would be
necessary to construct an eight inch water main in Sarina Road.
(3) Also, it is possible to service any of the properties in the
Coastal Zone from Ship Ashore to the Oregon border. To provide that

-24-

service, it would be necessary to construct an eight inch diameter
main along Ocean View Drive and/or Highway 101. It would be
desirable but not mandatory to provide an eight inch main along
one road alignment and a six or eight inch diameter main along the
other to "loop" the system for reliability. Likewise, it would be
desirable but not mandatory to provide storage at an approximate
elevation of 200 feet near the Oregon border. Also, it would be
desirable to develop a second source of supply near the northerly
end of the system, possibly Gilbert Creek, to provide additional
system reliability.

As can be readily seen, the options for the allocation of these 550
future connections are quite numerous. However, in reviewing the
County's General Plan, it seems that the most likely area for develop-
ment would be to the north of Ship Ashore. That being the case, the
following recommendations are made with regard to the Smith River
Community Services District's water system.

LCP policies

1. a. "As the original water line was extended northward
from the Ship-Ashore area to the Freiwald parcel
(AP# 101-10-02), the water line then syall be routed
westward to State Highway 101 and then northward along
State Highway 101 to the Oregon border. This project
shall also include a proper sined storage tank at the
northern terminus of the water line and a loop commencing
at the junction of the water line at the Freiwald parcel
and State Highway 101 and then extending southward along
State Highway 101 to connect to the existing water line
at Indian Road."

2. b. "No assesment shall be made against any lands within
the coastal zone, in the service area, other than those
to be served by the proposed water line."

-25-

GENERAL PUBLIC WORKS CCP POLICY

1. "There shall be no extensions of urban services (water
and sewer) beyond the urban-rural boundary as designated
in the final cerified land use plan. The only excepsions
to this general policy shall be the extension of water
services beyon the Ship-Ashore area and the Crescent City
water line crossing Jordan Creek at Lake Earl Drive, down
Boulder and Hobbswell Rosa to Blackwell Lane.
... westward to Lake Earl Drive/Northcrest Drive and
south on Northcrest Drive to the urban boundary around
the Crescent City area."

-26-

I
I
I
I
APPENDIX - - I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
. . I
I
I
I
I
I

RlW RIE

Park Coastal Zone
Sou.do,y
z P"m
SMITH RIVER
z

SHIP ASHORE six RIVERS

101

'b Rooney
Collector
C@ D,c
@zl -4
50,000 Sol.
Storage Tank NATIONAL z

Booster
purnping
Stations

T ADOWBROOK
Star ME
S

z CHLIRCCM TREE@ -4

z
X.
C
R...
FOREST
BERTSCH C--

ITY
- - - - - - - - - - - -

1 0 1 miles

Pact.

C11
TIN

Coastal zone
z Bo.ndary

KI.. 'n z
LICENSED SERVING AREA FOR ft,k
CRESCENT CITY WATER SYSTEM

101
AREAS WIN SEWER AW WATER SERVICE

AREAS WITH WATER SERVICE ONLY

KLAMATH C-SOL

%K 0

z wh.t.
R-
EXISTING
z
WATER AND SEWER
SERVICE AREA
DEL NORTE COUNTY
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM OEleAgtTEj COUNTY
HUMBOLDT C7ot!N-?T--
19W 7-7

Rlw RIE

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

INDUSTRIAL COMPONENT

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
700 Sth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

INDUSTRIAL COMPONENT

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION ..................................... 1

II. DESCRIPTION OF INDUSTRIAL-HEAVY COMMERCIAL
SITES PROPOSED IN THE LAND USE MAPS ............. 2

A. Standard Veneer, Inc . ....................... 3

B. County Airport ................. I.. .......... 3

C. Parkway Drive Industrial-Heavy Commercial
Area ........................................ 4

D. McNamara and Peepe Sawmill .................. 4

E. Elk Valley Road Industrial-Commercial Area 4

F. Harbor West'of Highway 101 .................. 5

G. Petroleum Tank Farm ......................... 5

H. Klamath-Simpson Timber Company Area ......... 5

III. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ......................... 7

IV. SUMMARY ......................................... 8

LCP -- INDUSTRIAL COMPONENT

I. INTRODUCTION*

The Industrial Development Component of the Del Norte County Local
Coastal Plan (LCP) had the following tasks identified in the work
program:

A. Inventory and map existing industrial uses and energy
facilities within the coastal area.

B. Examine the types of uses and compare with policies of
the act regarding coastal dependency and coastal related-
ness.

C. Examine impacts of these uses on any coastal resources.

D. Review potential now or expanded energy siting facilities
for the coastal zone.

E. Inventory areas of land in the coastal zone suitable for
coastal-dependent industrial and energy facilities.

F. Identify areas suitable for coastal-related industrial and
energy facilities.

The specific Coastal Act language reads:

"30260. Coastal-dependent industrial facilities shall be
encouraged to locate or expand within existing sites and
shall be permitted reasonable long-term growth where c.onsLstent
with this division. However, where new or expanded coastal-
dependent industrial facilities cannot feasibly be accommo-
dated consistent with other policies of this division, they
may nonetheless be permitted in accordance with this section
and Section 30261 and 30262 if (1) alternative locations are
infeasible or more environmentally damaging; (2) to do other-
wise would adversely affect the public welfare; and (3) adverse
environmental effects are mitigated to the maximum extend
feasible."

The Coastal Zone boundary in Del Norte County because of its
extent into inland regions includes most of the usable and avai-
lable industrial-heavy commercial property in the County. Conse-
quently, the policies and ultimate industrial land use plan cannot
be limited merely to a determination of the coastal-dependent ot-
coastal-related uses. Rather, the entire range of potential
industrial uses must be considered and accommodated.

*NOTE: This component of the LCP is subject to review and cross-
referencing to other policy components.

II. DESCRIPTION OF INDUSTRIAL-HEAVY COMMERCIAL SITES PROPOSED
IN THE LAND USE MAPS

Since the Industrial Component of the LCP is site specific, it
should be reviewed concurrently with the proposed land use maps.
Whereas agricultural, forestland, or new development components
rely heavily upon prior criteria evaluation to determine plan
designations, the industrial areas in Del Norte County already
exist and the task is one of inventory, description, and removal
of areas obviously not suitable or appropriate for continued
industrial retention.

Many areas currently zoned for manufacturing uses have already
been made inconsistent with the current general plan for the County.
The general plan was adopted more recently and reflects current
County policy regarding those inconsistencies. Under state law,
the general plan prevails regardless of the zoning. However,
before describing or inventorying existing industrial-heavy
commercial areas listed for retention in the general plan, a
short description of those areas being deleted is in order:

a. Approximately 75 acres in the Dead Lake-Riverside Street
Crescent Manor area would be almost totally removed from
industrial designation and converted to more appropriate
planned land uses. State acquisition and physical cons-
traints are a key factor in this decision. Also, more
specific recommendations regarding airport dependent-re-
lated uses are necessary in the LCP than under the existing
County General Plan.

b. Approximately 150 acres of industrially designated property
(Bauer-McNamara) on the south side of Washington Boulevard
on the west side of Inyo Street are recommended for a
change from industrial to residential and woodlot clas-
sifications. The principals in interest on the property
also agree that the current designation is not the highest
and best use of this area.

C. A large area of land lying east of the McNamara and Peepe
sawmill in the Elk Creek drainage is zoned for industrial
use. The physical constraints and problems in this area
are identified in the current general plan for the County
and a proposed change to an agricultural designation is
Z.
believed to be more appropriate.
d. The 160 acres in the same ownership at the tank farm
Petroleum storage facility south of Crescent City was
at one time entirely zoned for industrial uses. The
general plan, however also superceded this zoning and it

was subsequently zoned TPZ. The Land Use Plan would
convert all but the southwest corner of this property to
forestland and agricultural classifications. Also, the
adjacent properties in the Walton Docks subdivision
(Crowley and others) is proposed for a reduction in
intensity from manufacturing to a general commercial
designation. Under the current general plan this must
be harbor related and consistent land uses.

With the proposed removal of the above areas from industrial
classification the remaining districts recommended for retention
of industrial and heavy commercial use can be easily described
individually:

A. The Standard Veneer, Inc., property on Lake Earl Drive:
Although the current County General Plan and zoning of s
property is somewhat vague with community development and PC,
Planned Community designations, the intent of the County has
always been for renewed commercial-industrial use of the parcel.
An existing veneer plant with accessory structures could again be
used as a wood processing facility or converted to a different
industrial-commercial use. The recommended industrial boundary
has been reduced considerably from the existing general plan and
zoning boundary on the Standard Veneer acreage. Much of their
property is now recommended for low density residential and
general agricultural uses. The proposed district would allow
future industrial expansion along the paved access road to the
existing mill structures.

It should also be noted that since the Coastal Zone Boundary does
include the mill pond the east side of Lake Earl Drive, the
industrial use by the Northcrest, Inc., mill has been identified
on the land use maps.

Both properties would be subject to the physical constraints map
and protection of the lagoons and associated wetlands in the area.
Neither sites are recommended as coastal related or dependent
sites, but for general industrial-commercial zoning.

B. The County Airport: As mentioned earlier, much of the
industrially general planned and zoned property near the County
owned Jack McNamara airport is proposed for change to agriculture
and low density residential uses. There have been state acqui-
sitions of parcels in the area and more are planned around Dead
Lake.

The airport is an important link in the County transportation
system. Airport related and dependent industrial uses will be
allowed to be established on the extensive acreage subject to

the consiraints of terrain, sensitive habitat areas, and neighbor-
hood compatibility. This 'could,.'be ensured through the use permit
and environmental review 0666ss. An airport zone district in
the implementation phase of the LCP process will address the
specifics.
Ten acres of private ownership within the airport boundary have
been kept in the industrial designation for general industrial
use.

C. Parkway Drive Industrial-Heavy Commercial Area: Parkway Drive
was merly a state highway before the freeway was constructed.
There are several existing commercial and industrial sites along
this county road. The Dixon Concrete and Dell Wrecking.Yard
properties (approximatery-0--ac-re-s@ is recorim-en'ded for retention
as industrial. The Village Camper Inn 1R.V. park would be changed
from Manufacturing zoning to visitor serving commercial.
Other properties fronting the south side of Parkway Drive would
retain their existing General Plan commercial designation.
Extensive manufacturing-zoned properties in the Elk Creek drain-
age would be required to be reclassified in the Implementation
phase of the LCP to be consistent with the General Plan. The
McNamara road commercial-industrial area would be designated
heavy commercial-light industrial with a buffer being changed to
low density residential.

This area is not recommende d for coastal*related or dependent
industrial sites, but for general industrial commercial zoning.

D. McNamara and Peepe Sawmill: The industrial designation and
zoning for tFie -McNamara and Peepe sawmill would be retained.
Although most of the plant is within the City, approximately
eleven acres are in the County. This area is subject to the
constraints map and the recommendations contained in the Elk
Creek study and other components dealing with wetland protection.

E. Elk Valley Road Industrial-Commercial Area: The Del Norte
CounTy Board of Supervisors and Planning -C-ommission have on
@everal occasions stated their feelings that this area is the prime
industrial-heavy commercial location in the County.

On the south side of Elk Valley Road is the Hambro particle-
board plant. On both sides of this mill are vacant lan4_s capable
of supporting industrial uses. Power, sewer,-W!:t-iff-r'anj good
access make the Simpco acreage ideal for an industrial park;
whether private or publicly funded. A buffer of heavy commerciaL-
light industrial use is proposed on the east and west side to
mitigate impacts on. adjoining land uses.

At the present time the area on the north side of Elk Valley
Road is designated commercial with a general commercial zoning.
A portion of this area would be upgraded somewhat to an industrial
designation. There is an existing subdivision with many "paper"
streets and several ownerships. Unfortunately there are some
residential uses in the district. These would become nonconforming
uses. The implementation phase of the LCP should mandate that no
further residential uses be allowed in-this industrially classi-
fied area.

To the west of Maiden Lane is an old mill site which would retain
an,industrial designation. The size of this area would actually
be a reduction of the existing industrially classified property
in the County General Plan.

The Elk Valley Road industrial area does have some terrain and
wetland constraints. These areas are recognized in the land use
mapping. The areas having the least constraints should be deve-
loped first.

As with the other industrial districts discussed to this point,
this particular area should not be limited to coastal dependent or
related uses only. It is needed as a general industrial-commercial
area.

F. The Harbor Area west of Highway 101: This area was addressed
in the Harbor Land Use Plan and is incorporated by reference into
this component. The harbor plan addresses coastal dependent uses.

G. The Petroleum Tank Farm: Presently the southwest corner in
the T-ank farm parcel is zoned manufacturing, including beach front
property west of Highway 101. The current County General Plan
eliminate's the acreage on the westside of the road and restricts
the industrial area to the southwest corner of the property. The
LCP land use maps further reduce this area to the existing tank
storage area with some expansion area and a strip for the pipelines
to the harbor. Future expansion of this facility will require
analysis of any adverse impacts. I_:@_is a coastal dependent use
of regional significance and is the oiily enerjy relate dse
necessary to be discussed in the Industrial Component of the LCP.

H. Klamath-Simpson Timber Company Area: A portion of the
Simp-son forest products processing plant is within the Coastal
Zone. The existing general plan and zoning ordinance identify
this area as idustrial and the proposed LCP land use maps re-
commend retention with only a minor boundary change.

I. Agricultural-Industrial Uses: Many agricultural uses are a
cross between agriculture, inch trial or commercial uses. The
Country Maid Dairy on Sarina Road is an example. The greenhouse
operations, bulb processing facilities, farm equipment repair

and storage facilities, and agricultural transport terminals are
other examples. Sites for these uses if they are existing should
be noted and allowed to expand reasonably.through the use permit
procedure. New sites should be reviewed carefully to minimize
their impact on agricultural lands.

III. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

In addition to the specific locational descriptions of industrial
areas, the following policies relevant to industrial-heavy
commercial are recommended:

A. Two separate manufacturing and light manufacturing-heavy
commercial zone districts shall be created for the Implementation
Phase of the LCP. The separate districts would have different
regulations for Coastal dependent-related uses as opposed to
general industrial or heavy commercial uses.

B. The Public Works Component indicates that 500 additional
single family equivalent hookups are possible on the Bertsch-
Ocean View sewer line. Since the Elk Valley Road area is identi-
fied as the prime industrial area for both the City and County,
(i.e. the City has little industrially classified land) then both
City and County LCP's should require a minimum reserve capacity
of 200 single family equivalent hookups be set aside for future
industrial-heavy commercial use on that line.

C. An industrial park should be encouraged either publicly or
privately funded, in the Elk Valley Road area.

D. Citizens Dock Road should be allowed to be extended on the
east side of Highway 101 to the Simpco properties on the east side
of the Hambro Particle-Board Plant.

"The Citizen's Dock road extension will be subject to
the conditions placed on North Coast Regional Permit
79-P-98, Citizen Dock Road improvements, applicant
City of Crescent City."

E. Existing nonconforming industrial-heavy commercial uses shall
be allowed to continue, at their existing locales and any increase
in production subject to the securement of a conditional use permit.

F. Support facilities and utilities shall be allowed to and
from the Industrial-Heavy Commercial Districts. These include
road improvements, power, water, sewer, drainage, and grading-
filling-clearing of sites.

"These actions are subject to the constraints maps
developed by the county and subject to environmental
impacts review at the time of project submittal."

G. Residential or other incompatible uses which could have an
adverse impact on the continued viability of industrial-heavy
commercial districts shall not be allowed. When possible, non-
conforming uses shall be discouraged and not allowed to expand.

IV. SUMMARY

The industrial component of the LCP and the resultant land use
maps have recommended a considerable reduction in acreage avail-
able for industrial-heavy commercial land uses in the Coastal
Zone. Since almost all of the industrially designated lands in
Del Norte County are within the Coastal Zone, their usage cannot
be limited to coastal dependent or related uses except in the
Harbor area. The recommendations for industrial areas are existing
sites or adjacent to existing industrial uses. The implementation
phase of the LCP will be site specific for the types of land
uses allowed within the industrial areas.

Del Norte County
Local Coastal Program

HOUSING/NEW DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT

County of Del Norte
Planning Department
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-2119

Michael Young, Consultant
(Housing Component)
611 Ninth Street
Crescent City, Ca 95531
(707) 464-6733

LCP HOUSING/NEW DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT

Table of Contents

HOUSING ........................................... 1
A. Introduction ................................. 1

B. Housing Market ............................... 2

C. Housing Needs ................................ 6

D.. Coastal Zone Housing Need Summary ............ 8

E. Housing Assistance ........................... 8

F. Housing Assistance Analysis .................. 9

G. Housing Rehabilitation and Conservation
Needs ....................................... 14

H. Coastal Zone Housing Policies
........... is

NEW DEVELOPMENT ................................. 18

A. Introduction ................................ 18

B. Urban/Rural Boundary ........................ 18

C. Development Within the Urban Boundary ....... 19

D. Division of Rural Lands ..................... 20

E. Resolving Development Conflicts ............. (12

F. Coastal Dependent Development ............... 22

G. Acquisitions by State and Federal Agencies ...23

H. Lot Consolidation and Transfer of Development
Rights ...................................... 25

J. Designation of Coastal Land Uses ............ 26
K. Appeals Officer ............................. 26

LCP -- HOUSING/NEW DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT

I. HOUSING*

A. Introduction: The Housing Element of the General Plan and
the Housing Component of the Local Coastal Program ideally should
be the same document.. However, the Legislative mandate for each
differs enough to change the focus of each of the two documents.
While the Housing Element requires the "provision of housing
opportunities for all economic segments of the community", the
Coastal Act requires the protection of existing housing as well
as the provision of new housing and is concerned with housing
opportunities for low and moderate income persons in the Coacstal
Zone rather than all segments of the community.

These differences in the Coastal Act and the Housing Element
requirements are unfortunate for Del Norte County as there are
active programs addressing housing needs for the low and moderate
income families that operate within two blocks of the coastline
itself, but yet are not specifically within the Coastal Zone.
These programs include the Cronk Subdivision (Farm Home Adminis-
tration), the Crescent City Housing Authority, the Crescent City
Community Development Block Grant Rehabilitation Program, to
name but a few.

As a result of the Coastal Act mandate, this document, while
leaning heavily upon previous housing need studies and the General
Plan Housing Element, must of necessity, address the issues
related to housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate
income within the Coastal Zone.

1. P.lannin& Areas: In discussing housing needs, conditions,
policies and plans, the discussion will at times deal with the
entire Del Norte County Coastal Zone but occasionally must focus
on smaller planning units due to unique characteristics. These
planning units are (1) "Smith River", Oregon border to Smith
River; (2) "Lake Earl", Smith River to approximately Pine Grove
School; (3) "Crescent City", approximately Pine Grove School to
Crescent Beach; and, (4) "Klamath", Crescent Beach to Humboldt
.County line.

2. Objective: The objective of this housing component to the
Del Rorte County Local Coastal Program is to (1) evaluate the
Coastal Zone Housing market; (2) define the Coastal Zone housing
needs both existing and'future; (3) analyze existing and potential

*Note': This component of the LCP is subject to review and cross-
referencing to other policy components.

future housing assistance programs that could address the needs
identified above; and, (4) develop draft policies to protect
existing low and moderate income housing and encourage new
housing within the Coastal Zone.

B. Housing Market: The housing market has two components that
migh-t-Be considered in order to make realistic estimates of the
housing needs. These components are-simply supply and demand.
The supply side is concerned with the,numbeT Of units, their
type, occupant tenure status, cost, condition, occupancy and
activity.

Generally, the housing supply in Del Norte County has-limitations.
Vacancies in existing housing units is estimated at between 1%
and 3%. Pacific Power and Light indicates an inactive meter
rate of less than 4%, a good number of which are believed to be
unsuitable for occupancy. The Crescent City Housing Assistance
Plan (prepared as a part of their Community Development Block
Grant application), concluded after an extensive survey in
Crescent City, that there existed a vacancy rate of 0.9% for owner
occupied units and 3.1% for rental units. It was further estimated
that over 60% of the vacant units were substandard (structural,
plumbing, electrical, etc.) and that over 80% of those units were
sui table for rehabilitation.

Inasmuch as the Crescent City Housing Assistance Plan (11AP)
considered over a thousand units in or near the Coastal Zone,
much of that data and analysis has been used in this document.
If anything, the extrapolation of the Crescent City HAP will tend
to understate housing needs in the areas of condition and afford-
ability.

Based on 1970 census data which was updated using Building
Department records, one will note that multi-family rental units
are predominately located in the "Crescent City" area (availa-
bility of water and sewer). The mobilehome is a significant form
of housing in the other communities with the free standing mobile-
home a very popular alternative. By free standing mobilehome, we
mean the mobilehome located on its own lot and not as a part of
a mobilehome park.

An analysis of the City and County Building Department permits
shows that a major portion of the new housing since 1970 is the
m6bilehome unit.

Mobile- Mobile-
All Sin2le Multi- -Fo-me ho-me Free
HoU-sing Family- Famil I-n-15-a-rk Tf-andl-HP,
E
1970 Census 5311 4218 549 442 102
1970-1978
Activity 1587 541 95 303 648
1978 Total 6898 4759 644 745 750

Of particular interest is the substantial increase in the free
.standing mobilehome unit as a means of providing housing both in
absolute and relative terms. This may also be demand related
and,.will be discussed further later. This trend to utilize the
mobilehome as a form of housing was first pointed out in a special
study on the effect of free standing mobilehomes in Del Norte
County (March, 1978). For more detailed information of this
trend towards the use of mobilehomes, their location and activity,
reference to that document is suggested. This pattern of more
free standing mobilehomes seems to be a County-wide phenomenon
(except Crescent City where presently prohibited), th -erefore,
it has been assumed that this condition exists within the Coastal
Zone. Local knowledge of the permits issued supports this
conclusion.

Structural demolitions will reduce housing units as do the
conversion of existing housing units to other uses. Over the
period 1970 to 1978, a total of 58 permits for demolitions were
issued. A concern could be that these are reducing the housing
stock and/or are displacing low income housing in favor or more
expensive housing. However, the Building Department indicates
that the demolitions have been almost, if not entirely, vacant
substandard*structures. Also, the Building Department indicates
that the only conversions of which they are aware, were to
create additional housing units and not a conversion to commercial
use. A typical example is a conversion of an old large home into
a duplex or a triplex.

Tenure status of units in Del Norte County appears to be 55% owner
and 45% renter. This was determined by comparing the number of
homeowner exemptions claimed against the total housing units. The
ratio is closer to 51% owner, 49% renter in the Crescent City area,
as would be expected due to the concentration of multiple family
units.

According to the 1975 General Plan, the Del Norte County Building
Department has estimated that 14% of the housing is substandard
due to mechanical, electrical or structural deficiencies.
Subjectivel7, this seems high when considering all housing in Del
Norte County but it is unquestionably low for certain neighborhoods.
The Crescent City HAP estimated on the basis of a comprehensive
survey that 6% of the units in Crescent City were substandard.
The truth for housing in the Coastal Zone probably lies somewher 0
in between. A reasonable estimate is 12% based on local knowledge.

The statistics dealing with the condition of housing within the
County relate to the so-called "stick built" house. The 1978
mobilehome survey revealed that 70% of the mobilehome units
occupied, at the time, were built in 1971 or later with almost
20% of the units dating from 1976 or later. Therefore, due to
the very young age structure, the mobilehome is sound housing
with a very small percentage of deteriorating or substandard units.

The cost of housing obviously varies with many factors including
size, age, condition, location, type, etc. The following table
should however, give typical housing costs for the Coastal Zone.
'All figures are based on 1979 dollars.
Item Range Typical

Existing 2 bedroom
home $20,000 to $50,000 $40,000

Existing 3 bed-room
home $25,000 to $75,000 $603.000
New home $30 to $40 per $35 per square
square foot foot
One acre lot' $10,000 to $25,000 $15,0.00
7200 square foot lot $10,000 to $40,000 $20,000

Double-wide Mobile-
home $17,500 to $38,000 $28,000

Single-wide Mobile-
home $123%000 to $19.0000 $14,000

From this, it is obvious that a modest 3 bedroom home will cost
$40,000 to $60,000 which will require monthly payments of $450.00
to $6SO.00 for debt service, taxes and insurance.

Rents are also highly variable due to many of the same factors.
However, some typical rents for Coastal Zone housing in Del Norte
County aye as follows:

.Item Range
1 bedroom apartment $125 to $175 per month
2bedroom apartment $200 to $250 per month
3 bedroom apartment $250 to $300 per month
2 bedroom home $225 to $300 per month
3 bedroom home $275 to $400 per month
4 bedroom home $325 to $450 per month
Mobilehome space $50 to $8S per month

Turning to the demand side of the local housing market, one must
consider location, income distribution, demographic data and
personal preferences. Also, for future demand, one must make
pro-jections as to the general growth rate in migration and future
family size.

How existing and future demands for housing in the Coastal Zone
will relate to the County-wide demands will depend on factors
other than the mechanics of the local housing economy. For
example, land use policies prohibiting residential development
could make Coastal Zone housing demand a moot question as there
might be no land available for housing and the housing demand
would have to be met elsewhere. Not being able to discuss the
housing needs situation on a market area basis (County-wide)
makes it extremely difficult in the allocation of future housing
to the Coastal Zone.

The income distribution is probably the key factor influencing
housing demand as the cost of housing is usually the major family
expense. The housing budget can be and is stretched beyond the
usual 25% gross income guidelines but more often than not, results
in the occupancy of smaller units and/or substandard units in
order to keep housing within the family budget.

The 1979 Del Norte County income distribution for all families
is as follows:

Percentile Annual Income

10 4,752
20 7 622
30 10:210
40 12,485
so
60 16 803
70 19:6SS
80 22,510
90 29,855
95 36,938

Tradition and regulations define the moderate income family as
those with 80% to 120% of the median (50 percentile) income.
For Del Norte County, this means a range of $11,600 to $17,400
annually. Low income families are those with incomes from 50%
to 80% of the median family income ($7,250 to $11,600) and very
low income families are those with an annual family income of
less than 50% of the median income. Based on these figures for
Del Norte County, we find that 19% of the families are in the
very low income group, 17% are above very low income but still
within the low income group and 26% of the families are in the
moderate income group. In other words, 62% of all families in
Del Norte County fall within the low and moderate income status
definition.

A general rule of thumb is that affordable housing is that which
costs no more than 2.5 times the family income for ownership
housing. Affordable rental housing should cost the family no
more than 25% to 30% of its gross income. More sophisticated
tools are available to reflect interest rates, tax structure,

maintenance, etc., but their use will not substantially deviate
from these rules as long as we assume that 25% of gross income
should be the limit on housing cost.
Using these figures, one quickly sees that the low income family
can afford to buy a home in the $18,000 to $29,000 range. The
moderate income family can afford to purchase housing in the
$29,000 to 43,500 range. A glance back to the typical housing
prices should reveal a problem.
Likewise, the low income family can afford rent in the $150 to
$240 a month.range while the moderate income family can afford
$290 to $435 per month. This seems to better match the present
rents until one considers the utility costs which are a part of
the annual housing cost for the renter but are not a part of the
rents stated above.

Based on the purchase price of a single wide mobile home and the
present rental rate of mobilehome spaces, the single wide mobile-
home has become a way of providing housing for the low income
family. Likewise, the double wide mobilehome can provide
adequately siz*ed attractive, comfortable P low cost housing for
the moderate income family.
Personal preferences also play a large roll in housing demand
although it may be guided by economic necessity. The tremendous
growth in the free standing mobilehome as housing is a good case
in point. The design and pricing of the modern double wide home
located on the individual lot is becoming the way to secure
affordable housing for many. Personal preference is also dis-
played by the fact that many desire property other than the
standard 7200 square foot city lot. Excepting the elderly
desiring proximity to services, it seems that most families want
an acre or more. With the cost of the city lot comparable to an
acre, it is easy to see why the acre is preferred if the family
can affbr-d a housing unit for the property.

The Del Norte County General Plan has estimated 2,105 additional
housing units will be needed between 1980 and 199S in order to
meet future population growth. This demand must, in part, be met
within the Coastal Zone and must meet demands of all income groups.
This is a future demand but with the low vacancy rate, there is no
slack to take up this demand in the existing housing stock.

C. Housing Needs: Housing needs can be founded upon one or more
of s ral conditions. These include affordability, soundness,
suitability, growth and replacement. Housing must be affordable.
It must not be a substandard unit and it must be suitable for its
occupants. The same elements must also be considered for housing
to accommodate growth and in the rehabilitation and conservation
of the existing housing stock.

While all are important, the affordability issue seems to be
predominate. Many families is substandard housing units are there
because that is all they can afford. A large family may be over-
crowded in a small home or apartment because it is all that they
can afford. The need may be shown as substandard or unsuitable
but in fact is an "affordability" need.

The Crescent City Housing Assistance Plan made an analysis of
housing cost and rents to the income distribution and found that
at least 11.5% of the families were living in a housing unit not
considered affordable using the 25% gross income rule. Based on
our general knowledge of the community, families now located
within the Coastal Zone probably do not substantially deviate
from this condition. This then would mean an estimated 183
families presently residing in the Coastal Zone are living in
"unaffordable" housing.

The Crescent City HAP, using 1970 Census data, also revealed that
Approximately 5% of the housing units were overcrowded and that
1.5% of the units had some other sort of special need (e.g.
elderly, handicapped, etc.). If these figures are applied to the
Coastal Zone, then an additional estimated 79 units are needed
to eleviate overcrowding and 24 units to satisfy other needs.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) maintains
an estimate of households with inadequate living conditions for
each county. HUD information for Del Norte County modified to
reflect 1979 conditions in the Coastal Zone indicates that
approximately 26S households are subjected to inadequate living
conditions. These inadequate living conditions consist of housing
units that are overcrowded, have special needs and/or are sub-
standard. This 265 unit need as identified by HUD compares
favorably with the 293 unit need identified under this and other
studies.

The need for future housing in the Coastal Zone is difficult to
establish. While stated above that 2,105 additional units will
be needed by 1995, some of those will be met by new housing out-
side the Coastal Zone but some should be provided within the
Coastal Zone. The balance is a policy decision, however, with
23% of the people in Del Norte County living in the Coastal Zone,
it does not seem unreasonable to strive for a 23% (484 units)
allocation of future housing to the Coastal Zone.

Finally, there must be some consideration to housing replacement.
This should not require the allocation of additional land although
redistribution may take place. Housing with care should last 50
to-100 years. This implies a 1 to 2% (16 to 32 units) development
of housing to meet replacement needs. There is already a need to
rehabilitate or replace 190 units in the Coastal Zone.

D. Coastal Zone H ousing Need Summary: The following is to
summarize housing needs identified a'Fove.

1. 183 housing units are now needed in the Coastal Zone or
a program to provide rental assistance to 183 low and
moderate income units;

2. 103 housing units are needed to alleviate existing
overcrowding and other special housing needs;
3. 526 units (35 per year) are needed to satisfy future
growth in the Coastal Zone through 1995;

4. 190 housing units presently need rehabilitation or
replacement; and,

5. 20 units per year will be needed for future replacement.

E. Housing Assistance: As indicated above, there are substantial
needs for housing to accommodate the low and moderate income
presently within the Coastal Zone; to meet future growth; and to
rehabilitate existing substandard housing. It should again be
pointed out that while the needs have been identified as related
to issues of affordability, overcrowding, future growth, reha-
bilitation, etc., they generally tend to be based directly or
indirectly on the affordability issue. As previously stated,
some persons are living in less than desirable housing conditions
that are affordable but are only doing so because they can not
afford suitable housing.

There are presently programs operating within Del Norte County
both inside and outside the Coastal Zone which partially address
these various needs. Some of these programs address the afford-
ability issue, some are providing additional ownership or rental
housing and some related to rehabilitation and housing conservation.
Specifically, these programs are:

1. Crescent City Housing Authority - in 1968, the City of
Crescent City, as a part of its Redevelopment Agency,
activated its Housing Authority to provide housing
assistance through a Section 23 Leased Housing Program.
Original authorization for this program was for 100
units and the area of authority was a five mile radius
around Crescent City. This program was to terminate in
1978 at which time the City began working to convert to
the new Section 8 Existing Housing Program. At this time,
the conversion is still taking place. The number of
authorized units is still 100.

2. The Farm Home Administration has been active in Del Norte
County. Some of these programs include:

a. Section 504 which provides assistance for
prospective homeowners. Basically, the program
allows for a low down-payment and "affordable"
monthly payments which are controlled by the
loan interest rate. This program has been used
for the purchase of both new and used housing.

b. Section 515 Rural Rental Housing. This program
has recently b*een used to construct approximately
90 units within the Crescent City area. All of
those units were within the Coastal Zone just
prior to the relocation of the Coastal Zone line
in 1979.
.3. *Crescent City, as a part of its Community' Development
Block Grant Program, instituted a Housing Rehabilitation
Loan Program in 1977. Under the Program, loans are
made.to low to moderate income occupant homeowners for
rehabilitation purposes at three percent (3%) interest.
These loans, under certain conditions, can be made for
rental housing.

As noted previously, the vacancy rate in Del Norte County is
extremely low. Therefore, the construction of housing units of
any type will tend to increase the supply andqhence, tend to hold
down prices and rents. In the recent p4st, there have been a
number of projects that have fully developed or received all
local and coastal approvals, which were located within the Coastal
Zone which will meet this general need of increasing the housing
supply. They are:

1. Cronk Subdivision with 70 single family homes and
approximately 150 rental units.

2. Crescent Gardens Subdivision with 105 single family
homes proposed;

3. Spruce Haven Mobilehome Park with 82 units;

4. The Redwood Apartments with 48 units; and,

S. Washington Estates Subdivision with 14 units.

F. Housing Assistance Analysis: The Coastal Act mandates that
"housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income,
shall be protected, encouraged, and where feasible, provided...".
As previously stated' this is significantly different than the
requirement of the Housing Element for "...provision of housing
opportunities for all economic segments of the community". Yet,
it would be foolish to administer active housing assistance
programs exclusively for housing within the Coastal Zone. it

obviously would be much more resourceful to expand existing
programs and/or develop new programs which would address housing
assistance needs both inside and outside of the Coastal Zone.
After all, these housing assistance needs are not limited only
to the Coastal Zone even if their discussion and solution must
be. For example, an expansion of the present Crescent City
Housing Authority's jurisdiction to cover the entire Coastal
Zone (maybe even the County) would be a much more responsible
way of providing assistance to low and moderate income persons
within the Coastal.Zone than would be creation of a new agency.
As indicated, our housing n-eeds fell into five general categories.
They are:

1. An existing need for a low cost housing;
2. Housing units to alleviate overcrowding and other special
needs;

3. Housing units to satisfy future growth (for all economic
segments);

4. Housing units that presently need rehabilitation or
replacement; and,

5. Provision for future replacement.

Each of these will be briefly discussed along with possible means
of addressing the specific needs, then finally a proposed group
of policies will be presented which will address each of the needs
inlight of existing housing conditions and existing programs
within the community.

1. Low Cost Housing. There are a number of programs that will
directly address tfte need for affordable housing. Basically,
every one of these programs provides a direct or indirect sub-
sidy to make up the difference between the cost of providing
that housing and the "affordable" rent or price that the occu-
pants will pay. Some of the more common programs that can meet
affordability needs include:

a. The Section 8 Existing Housing Program which is presently
about to be implemented by the Crescent Cily Housing
Authority and could be expanded subject to funding at
the federal level. Under this program, the Housing
Authority acts as a broker between qualified tenants
and eligible housing units. The tenant then pays his
"affordable rent" to the owner and the Housing Authority
channels the subsidy from the Federal Government to the
owner, paying the difference between the paid rent and
the agreed upon "fair market rent" of the rental unit.

b. Section 8 New Rental Housing Program. This program is
not yet presently in operation within Del Norte County
although there has been proposed a SO unit Senior Citizen
complex in Crescent City. The housing units under this
program could be owned by a public or private, profit or
non-profit organization. The funding of this program is
similar to that under the Section 8 Existing Housing
Program except that there is no Housing Authority (unless
they are the owner) and the subsidy payment is made by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
directly to the owner.

It should be noted that Article 34 of the California
State Constitution prohibits the development, construction
or acquisition of low rent housing projects by a public
agency without referendum approval. This referendum
approval would have to be secured before this program
could be used in Del Norte County. In 1968, referendum
approval was placed on the Crescent City ballot for a 100
unit project and was overwhelmingly defeated. What the
present attitude would be is unknown.

C. Farm Home Administration Section 504 Ownership Housing
Program is a program that provides an interest rate
subsidy in order to make the monthly payments on owner-
ship housing "affordable" to qualified purchasers.
Qualified purchasers must be in the low and moderate
income range. This program can be used for the purchase
of an existing housing unit or for purchase of a newly
constructed unit. The program has been used fairly
extensively in Del Norte County. The program does not
require local government agency participation.

d. Farm Home Administration Section 515 Rural Rental
Housing is a program where the owner of the new multi-
family rental unit is given an interest rate subsidy in
exchange for rent limitation and rent subsidies to low
and moderate income tenants. The owner has a rent
schedule which establishes "affordable rents" and maximum
rent that he is allowed to charge for those not low or
moderate income persons. In exchange, his interest rate
is set at such a-level to insure he meets his normal and
reasonable expenses plus a reasonable profit.

e. Construction and/or Development of Low Cost Housing - The
reason that rent subsidy or interest rate subsidies are
necessary is because the cost of housing requires that
rents and/or monthly payments to be so high that they
are "unaffordable" to many segments of the population.
Another way of providing affordable housing would be to
reduce the cost of housing itself, thereby negating the

need for a subsidy payment. On today's market, about the
only place that this has been possible is in the utilization
of mobilehomes as housing. As previously stated, there
has been a substantial growth in the use of the mobilehome
in Del Norte County as housing both within the mobilehome
park and as a free standing structure. The mobilehome
will undoubtedly continue to be viewed as a means of
prbviding low and moderate cost housing that will ade-
quately and safely house families. The use of the
mobilehome can, in that sense, be viewed as a program
in addressing the housing needs of the low and moderate
income families.
There are a number of other programs but these are the'ones that
seem to have the greatest promise for Del Norte County primarily
due to local familiarity. This does not mean that other housing
assistance programs should be rejected but that its probably
better to concentrate on doing well with that which the community
i familiar with as opposed to undertaking a number of large
complex programs.
s

Public agencies can participate in these programs subject to
funding and local political or electorate approval. As briefly
discussed in Article 34, referendum approval for public agency
participation in some projects is required.

Private development is not so restrained in its participation in
low and moderate income housing programs but neither do they
beat a path to HUD's door to participate. Generally, there are
those contractors and developers that gear their operations
around such programs as Section 8 and Farm Home Administration
programs but also there are developers that gear their program
for the higher income levels. Therefore, it becomes obviously
necessary to either encourage the developer of low and moderate
income housing to undertake some of his work within the Coastal
Zone and/or to encourage or require other developers to include
low and moderate income housing within their Coastal Zone develop-
ments. These can be carried out by incentives and/or mandates.
Some possible courses of action that could be used are:

A. Inclusionary zoning;

B. Density bonuses;

C. Utility reserve allocations;

D. Site identification and preliminary processing.
The following will discuss each of these and how they work in
obtaining low and moderate income housing.

2. Inclusionary Zoning: With inclusionary zoning, the provision
of low and m erate income housing is mandated as a part of the
zoning ordinance. Recent interpretive guidelines by the
California Coastal Commission would have low and moderate income
housing inclusionary provisions for projects of 16 or more units.
A project of that scope would be required to commit 2S% of the units
to low and moderate income housing. For projects from 5 to 15
units, the developer could include low and moderate income
housing or pay a fee (6% of project cost) which would then be
used by a public agency to acquire and develop low and moderate
income housing. Finally, for projects of less than 5 units, no
inclusionary provisions would @e provided.

These inclusionar provisions would only apply to new "for sale"
housing units. TKeY would not apply to rental housing as it's
been determined that " ... bona fide rental housing projects make
a significant contribution to affordable housing in the typical
coastal rental market...".
I I
Basically, inclusionary zoning is mandating that a certain number
of units within projects be set aside and reserved specifically
for the low and moderate income segment of the housing market.
If such a tool were to be used within the Del Norte County Coastal
Zone, further decisions need to be made as to whether the inclusion
Of those units must be within the proposed project site; if they
could be on another site, and whether there could be alternative
dedications of land for either housing or other purposes to
satisfy this requirement. These are issues probably best left to
the implementing ordinances phase of the Coastal Planning process.

3. Density Bonuses: The density bonus concept is an incentive
to incorporate low and*moderate income housing within a parti-
cular development rather than a mandate such as the inclusionary
zoning. However, the density bonus can be used as a benefit
to help reduce the sting of mandated inclusionary zoning.
Besically, the density bonus as the name implies, allows the
developer to add additional units to a given project as a "bonus"
for having provided low-and moderate income housing.

4. Utility Reserve Allocation: The development of high density
residential pro)ects'virtually requires that the project be
served by a domestic water and sewage. system. One way of insuring
that low and moderate income housing opportunities will be
possible is to reserve water and sewage capacity specifically
for low and moderate income housing. If the utility allocation
is not committed to specific site but only to a specific purpose,
it can then be used to not only insure capacity to serve low
and moderate income housing projects in the future, but can be
used as an incentive for the devel 0 ment of low and moderate
income housing projects by virtueo?having a guaranteed water
and sewer service.

S. Site Identification and Preliminary Processip4: Another
means of encouraging low and mo rate income housing (or any
housing for that matter) is to identify those sites and project
areas where housing is to be encouraged and begin the prelimi-
nary processing for the development of a project on those sites.
This would include proper designation in the General Plan,
development of specific plans, establishment of the most appro-
priate zoning district, even including the writing of a specific
zoning district for the property; preparation and completion of
any environmental studies to address issues of concern and
beginning of processing of any permits that may be necessary
from other agencies. Many of these things are a part of the
normal Planning Department's function and some goa step beyond.
The problem in many cases is that the understaffed Planning
Department does not have the resources nor the policy direction
to actively promote preferred development. However, if certain
developments are to be encouraged in certain areas, high
priority must be given to this kind of activity in order for
it to work as an effective incentive.

Within the Coastal Zone in Del Norte County, there are a limited
number of sites for potential major (16 or more units) housing
developments for which inclusionary zoning might be appropriate.
These include:

a. In-filling development in the greater Crescent City
area, which as water and sewer lines available. The
total number of potential units are 800;
b. The Klamath Townsiie which has water and sewer available.
The total number of units possible are 60;

c. The Planned Community designated property on Lake Earl
Drive in the general vicinity of Blackwell Lane. The
total number of possible units are ISO to 200; and,

d. Pacific Shores Subdivision. The total number of possible
units are 1,500.
G. Housing Rehabilitatio.n and Conservation Needs: Any respon-
sibl-e-Rousing policy can not only address itself to future housing
needs and the construction of new housing, it must also consider
the conservation and rehabilitation of the existing housing stock.
The cost of housing being what it is today, responsible manage-
ment of our housing resources requires that conservation of the
existing housing stock be given serious consideration. There
are a number of programs under which this can be accomplished
that have potential application in Del Norte County. These are:
1. The Community Development Block Grant Program.
Through this program, a community sets up a broad
community development program to address certain
community development needs. In the case of Crescent
City, it established among other things, a need for a

housing rehabilitation loan program under which the
City, through a local bank, makes low interest loans
to homeowners for the purpose of rehabilitating their
home. The program has been quite successful in Crescent
City and could easily be expanded to a county-wide base
provided Block Grant or similar funding can be secured.

2. Farm Home Administration Section 502. Under this program,
Farm Home Administration provides financing up to a
current amount of $10,100.00 and interest rates as low
as 1% in order to finance the rehabilitation of one to
four unit residential housing units.

3 Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program. This program
provides for the rental subsidy described previously
for units which have been recently rehabilitated. The
program does not provide any construction financing but
only provides a rental program for the unit once
rehabilitated. This program really needs to be coupled
with one of the others to be effective.

4. Section 312 Substantial Rehabilitation Program. There
are two elements of this program; one for the rehabil-
itation of small residential units (4 units or less)
and one for projects in excess of 4 units. The basic
lending criteria are very similar; however, the federal
funding of the programs is separated so funds may be
available under one program but not the other. Fortunately,
however, funds have been generally available under the
small project program. Under this program, the Department
of Housing and Urban Development will currently loan up
to $27,000 per unit for rehabilitation purposes at an
interest rate of 3%. It will loan up to 97% of the entire
project value subject to certain liens and conditions.
This particular program however, does require the local
governmental agencies active participation in the
preparationof the loan package. It is also necessary
for the local government agency to be participating in
the Community Development Block Grant Program and these
loans are limited to "neighborhood rehabilitation areas".

5. Marks-Foran Residential Rehabilitation Act. Under this
program, local government may issue revenue bonds to
make housing rehabilitation loans. The State Mortgage
Corporation, the loan processor, is currently making long
term, low interest (8%t) loans available to eligible
property owners. This program is available for both
owner-occupied and rental property.

H. Coastal Zone Housing Policies: Based on the foregoing
analysis of needs and assistanEe--of housing within Del Norte

County and specifically the Coastal Zone, the following policies
are recommended:
1. The Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution authorizing
and giving jurisdiction to the Crescent City Housing
Authority to provide, implement and administer housing
programs, throughout the entire Coastal Zone within Del
Norte County;
2. That Del Norte County seek, in cooperation with the
City of Crescent City, Article 34 referendum approval
for the development, construction and acquisition of
low rent housing projects for inclusion within the
Coastal Zone.

3. Del Norte County make application to the Department of
Housing and Urban Development for a Community Develop-
ment Block Grant or a similar program to provide housing
assistance information and housing rehabilitation loans
to identified neighborhoods within or adjacent to the
Coastal Zone with a substantial amount of deteriorating
and/or substandard housing;

4. Del Norte County consider contracting the administration
of the Housing Information and Rehabilitation Loan
Program with the City of Crescent City Community Develop-
ment Block Grant Program;

.5. Del Norte County ' in cooperation with the City of Crescent City,
include as part of the grant above (recommendation #3), to main-
tain the availability of '00 single family equivalent water and
sewer connections to be us'@ed exclusively for servicing low and
moderate income housing opportunities within the Coastal Zone;-

6. That the Del Norte County Housing Assistance Program
include staffing with the necessary expertise to package
Farm Home Administration 502 Rehabilitation loans and
HUD Section 312 Rehabilitation loan packages;

7. Del Norte County establish a density bonus ordinance
which provides for increased density where low and
moderate income housing is provided;

8. Del Norte County establish a low and moderate income
housing inclusionary zoning provision along the general
lines of the Coastal Zone interpretive guidelines;

9. That Del Norte County specifically encourage housing
development including the use of inclusionary zoning
to obtain a proportionate share of low and moderate
income housing in the following areas:

a. In-filling in and around the Crescent City area;

b. Klamath Townsite;

c Area identified on Land Use Maps across Lake Earl Drive near
Pine Grove School; and,

d. Pacific Shores Subdivision; and,

10. The Del Norte County Planning Department be given the
resources and policy direction to actively carry out
the above policies.

II. NEW DEVELOPMENT

A. Introduction: Several sections of the Coastal Act address
the subject o-f--cTevelopment. The Act specifies, for example:
that new development shall not adversely impact sensitive coastal
habitats; that development be sited to mitigate geologic and other
natural hazard risks; and that significant visual resources be
protected by proper design and placement of new development.
These development issues and others have been examined in various
components of the County's LCP.. This component examines New
Development in the context of planning for growth.
B. Urban/Rural Boundary: The County's current Coastal 'Lone
contains approximately 20% of the total population of the County.
A review of the land use maps of the Coastal Zone will reveal
substantial areas of agricultural use, larger areas of timber-
lands and a portion of the shoreline relatively undeveloped.
The remaining areas are pockets of "urban type" development,
fringe urban areas adjacent to the City of Crescent City, com-
mercial visitor serving areas and rural-residential development
with homesites from approximately one acre to five acres in size.
Additionally there exists previously created subdivisions
scattered throughout the Coastal Zone but primarily clustered
around Crescent City.

The purpose of an urban/rural boundary is to clearly differen-
tiate between areas within the Coastal Zone appropriate for new
urban land uses (i.e., high density residential, high density
commercial and industrial) from areas where rural uses or other
existing uses should be continued. These latter areas are
principally agriculture, but include also: rural residential;
coastal dependent industry; existing industrial uses; visitor
serving facilities; and existing uses w .hic-h.have no substantial
impact on agriculture, coastal resources or other rural uses.

An urban/rural boundary is not necessarily defined on a juris-
dictional or use basis. Having only one incorporated area,
urban services in Del Norte County extend beyond the city limits
of Crescent City. Although the economies of a typical sewage
collection system with a centralized plzrl require urbanized areas
to justify their cost, package systems or pressure-line leach
field systems are alternatives which do not require urbanized
lot patterns to be cost effective. Likewise water lines can
supply both-rural residential areas and agricultural areas on a
cost effective basis. Therefore the urban/rural boundary should
focus on parcel sizes as well as urbar. services.
The urban/rural boundary shall attempt to guide new urban deve-
lopment within or contiguous to or in close proximity to existing
developed urban areas. The urban/rural boundary may also include

areas previously committed to urban uses where it can be shown
prior to issuance of a permit that the proposed development will
not have a significant adverse effect, either individually or
cumulatively on coastal resources. 1-p--eird-e-v 49 protect ti;@
In order to protect the present rural character of portions of
the Coastal Zone containing limited pocket areas of "higher
density developmenit" (rural nolgliborhoods as shoini-on the land
use ninp), they may not be included within the urban portion oc
the urban/niral boundary but may be allowed to infill (any area
n
meetijig this criterion will be identified in each land. use P1.1
C. Development witnin the Orban Boundary: The urban boundary
only establishes a limit to the extension of urban development
from the urban area. Within this-boundary is located existing
development, pockets of undeveloped or underdeveloped parcels
and larger areas totally undeveloped. The inclusion of undeve-
loped parcels is not a blanket approval for maximum allowable
development, rather the urban limit allows for reasonable
growth and expansion of urban development consistent with Coastal
Act policies and in conformance with County standards for deve-
lopment. The undeveloped and underdeveloped parcels may therefore
be considered for development but not approved unless the deve-
lopment is found consistent with other policies and standards
of the county and its zoning, planning and health and safety
standards.

In general small lots, less than one acre in size, are associated
with urban development in this area. Reciprocally.)centralized
sewage systems and curb and gutter streets are associated with
urban development. It can be successfully argued from both
view points that one (small lots) creates the other (sewage
systems and curbs and gutters) or that sewage systems and
curbs and gutters create the small lots. Suffice it to say the
results are the same.

The following policies shall guide the development within and
the extention of urban areas:

1. Proposed development within the urban boundary shall meet
.land use criteria described in each area plan.

2. Proposed development within the urban boundary may be
approved only after it has been adequately proven that the
location of the proposed development will accomodate the
development. These factors include but are not limited to
sewage disposal, water supply and street system capacity.
3. Extensions of the urban boundary may not be approved without the
amendment process involving CEQA rcview and the public hearing
process. F-<ccptions to this rule are minor adjustments oC the
line of less than or equal to 100', where the existing line
bisects parcels.

@4". Extension of the urban boundary into adjacent rural
lands may not be approved by the County unless the
following findinas are made:
'iecessaz-i se--;c s and capacty - a,;,JI-!:b2.e-11
e aze

b. The extension of services will not jeopardize the
provision of services to areas within the existing
urban boundary.
c. The extension will not adversely lfmpact agricultural
or timberlands adjacent to the extension.

d. The proposed extension as approved does not pose any
adverse effects on any identified resources values
asreflected in the area land use plan.

S. Deletions of areas from the urban limit must involve
a commitment of the area involved to a rural or lesser
density use and does not require an amendment process if
the following findings are made:

a. The land involved is not capable of urban development
at the time of removal and in the fores"eeable future.

b. The required urban services are not available at the
time of removal nor in the foreseeable future.

D. Division of Rural Lands: This section will develop criteria
to apply to the divisi-o-n--`37 all lands outside an established urban
limit line (urban/rural boundary) as shown in each area plan.

1. Coastal Act Policies: Leases for agricultural uses are
speci.fically exempt f the land division criteria by the Coastal
Act'. This, indicates a priority in the Coastal Act to protect
agT-ic4ltural viability of existing agricultural lands.
:,.30250(a) ... land divisions, other than leases for agTiCU1
tural uses, outside existing developed areas shall be permitted
only where 50% of the usable parcels in the area have been
di@veloped and the created parcels would not be smaller than
-.the average size of surrounding parcels.
Another policy of the Coastal Act including the above stated portion,
guides- development other than agricultural uses from agricultural
lands and encourages development consistent with existing deve-
lo' eht in areas able to accomodate such development.
pm
30250(a) New,\ development, exempt as otherwise provided in
.this.division, shall be located within, contiguous with, or

in close proximity to, existing developed areas able to
accomodate it or, where such areas are not able to accomodate
it, in-other areas with adequate public services and where
it will not have significant adverse effects, either indivi-
dually or cumulatively on coastal resources.
2. Rural Land Division Criteria: In rural areas new dcvelop@iciit'
shall be required to pro;@e -the subject arca's ability to accomo-
date such development prior to approval. 1-Ind divisions, both
major and minor subdivisions (not including boundary adjustments
outside the urban/rural boundary), shall be permitted when
50% of the useable parcels in the area have been developed and
the created parcels would not be smaller than the average size
To determine if this criteria is
of the surroundinry parcels.
met, the following shall apply:

1) Useable parcels does not include parcels committed to
agricultural and designated as such in the land use
plan, parcels committed to timberland and designated
as such on the land use plan, nor shall parcels com-
mittCd to open space or portions of parcels cormnittecl
to open space be consi@.'.@,,red as Liscable parcels.

2) To determine if the 50% rule has been met, a survey o..E
the existing parcels in each planning area (delineated
on the land use maps) will need to be conducted. If
50% or more of the existing lots are developed, then the
land division may be processed.

3) The land use plan designates the mi imum lot size for
in
parcels in each planning area. As these minimum lot
sizes are reflective of the average size of lots in
each area, the minimum lot size designated for the land
use classification that the land division is proposed
establishes the average size.

3. Land Division Criteria for Timberland and Agri-cultural Land:
Criteria for divisions of land r timberland and agricultural
land shall be as set forth on the land resources component and
in the land use plan. In that these land uses do not necessarily
require a residence for their primary use, the 50% build out
rule does not apply. However, the specific criteria of the land
resotFrces com-PA@n't and land use designation must be met.
E. Resolving Development Conflicts: The Coastal Act declare
that---tEe basic goals of the state for the Coastal Zone include
assuring the orderly, balanced utilization of Coastal Zone resources
taking into account the social and economic needs of the people
of the State. Another goal of the Act is to maximize public
access to and along the coast and maximize public recreational
opportunities in the Coastal Zone consistent with sound resource
conservation principles and constitutionally protected rights of
private property owners.

Policies of the Act, originated to implement the goals of the Act,
tend to be partially in conflict if viewed from the broad-base
approach. The function of the Local Coastal Program is to examine
these policies on a local basis and formulate a method of appli-
cation. During this program the various components have been
drafted as a whole have inherent conflicts with each other. The
area plans in the land use element deggate the general distri-
bution, location and extent of the various uses allowed with the
Act. These general patterns of land uses outlined on the area
maps are a result of examining the various policies of each
component and applying,them to the land.

The area land use maps are,@ therefore, reflective of each compo-
nent and therefore represent an area application of each
component. The area land use maps provide a reasonable transition
from one land use to another. Land uses designated adjacent to
sensitive areas are designed to provide reasonable assurances that
these adjacent uses will not cumulatively Aor significantly
impair the quality of the sensitive area. The eveloped zoning
ordinance will further clarify development issuei @within each
land us-i-category.

F. Coastal-Dependent Development: A stated goal of the Coastal
Act calls for the assurance of a priority for coastal-dependent
development over other development on the coast. This policy
is reflected in the following section of the Act:

30255. Coastal-dependent'developments shall have priority
over the developments on or near the shoreline.

In the Coastal Zone of Del Norte County coastal-dependent uses
are: 1) industrial or heavy-commercial located within or nearby
the harbor; and 2) visitor-serving facilities located along the
rivers, shoreline and the sea and its extensions. The coastal-
dependent industrial and heavy-commercial uses are described
and identified in the Harbot Port Land Use Plan; further
discussion is included in the Industrial Development Component.

Visitor-serving uses have historically developed in Del Norte
County along visitor accessways adjacent to recreationally
attractive areas. Many examples are found in the Coastal Zone
in Klamath, at the harbor and at the mouth of the Smith River.
The Recreational Component encourages the continued use of these
facilities and addresses their development in the policy section.

Each land use component shall designate any areas of coastal-
dependent development. The zoning ordinance shall regulate the
actual development of any identified site. Areas not designated
but proposed in the future will be subject to a review for
consistency of not only the above policy but of the entire
coastal program document.

G. Acquisition by State and Federal Agencies: Local policies
and @F_ecommendations developed in the Local Program are intended
to provide the framework# for implementation of the Coastal Act
goals of insuring continuing opportunities for access to the
shoreline and related coastal recreation. The policies are
intended to provide guidelines regarding: 1) dedication of appro-
priate access easements in private development; and 2) appro-
priate kinds, locations, and siting of recreational development
by not only private developers but public agencies as well.

The erosion of the general tax base of this county has been
accelerated by the continifing acquisition of private lands by
State and Federal agencies. The date (1980) over 3/4 of the
total County is publicly owned and recent acquisition by the
State of the Bliss Ranch and portions of the Bauer Ranch have
increased public holdings. The impacts of these State acqui-
sitions is to:

1. Convert productive agricultural lands to non-productive
non-agricultural uses in contravention of the policy
stated in Section 30242 of the Coastal Act.

2. Have a substantial economic impact in the County by
reason of the termination of agricultural production.

3. Reduce or eliminate taxes generated by the private
ownership of land.

4. Require substantial expenditure of public funds to
acquire, maintain and develop the land.

The County finds that the objective of maintaining wildlife
habitat though acquisition can not only conflict with local
economic requirements but can also conflict directly with other
State goals and can also be shown in some instances to be un-
necessary. If it is the need of the State to insure that alteration
of an area shall not take place and the vehicle to accomplish
this goal is acquisition then the purchase of acquisition of
the developers right for this development is the only step
necessary. The County prefers development right purchase for the
following reasons:

1. In many cases the continued (if any) use of the
subject area for agricultural purposes can be permitted.
C>

2. In many cases the watershed (if any) use-of the
subj,ect area for timber production purposes can be
permitted.

3. The parcels are continued on the Del Norte County tax
rolls at near existing assessed values.
The following policies @hall nr'pl',0-to all acquisitions by the
State or any Federal ageiR- ._L.Tfi_g in --onj unction with the State:

.1. In implementing any and all proposals contained in this plan
or developed from this plan for expanding opportunities for coastal
access and recreation or wildlife habitat preservation, purchase
in fee simple shall be used only after all other less costly
alternatives have been studied and rejected as inappropriate by
the County. Preferred alternatives to fee simple purchase are:

a. purchase of development rights

b. purchase of easement

C. preserve contracts

d. transfer of development rights.

2. All acquisitions by a State of any-Federal agency acting in
C,
conjunction with the State shall. pay an equivalent in-lieu tax
to the County equal to the tax revenue yielded by the subject
parcel at the time of acquisition and increased each year equal
to the applicable county tax rate.

3. An alternative to the above methods of acquisition is land
exchange. In that the state has recently acquired considerable
productive agricultural land in Del Norte, these lands would

be exchanged for lesser productive agricultural land adjacent to
or part of a wetland habitat. Futhermore when wetlands in private
ownership are considered for acquisition, land exchanges of either
existing state owned lands or lands purchased for consolidation
orresource protection by the Coastal Conservancy or other state
agency,*are of maximum benefit to all parties.

H. Lot Consolidation and Transfer of Development Rights: With
the implementation of this plan the state may not desire develop-
ment of smaller parcels located in and immediately adjacent to
sensitive areas (i.e. wetlands). This may be particularly true
of areas such as Elk Creek and Marhoffer Creek which contain some
Vicity" size lots and some acre or larger parcels of which the
acre or larger may contain a "marginal" building site. Such a
position can be contradictory to the policies of the Coastal Act
insuring protection of private property owners. Therefore
acquisition, lot consolidation and transfer of development rights
may be utilized to guide development from sensitive areas (where
possible) and also insure some assurance of protection of private.
property rights.

1. Lot Consolidation: Acquisition procedures are discussed in
another section of tFis component. Lot consolidation is a pro-
cedure by which substandard and/or unbuildable lots are purchased
and then merged and resold into lots of suitable size. The
revenue from these buildable or useable lots is then used to pur-
chase other substandard lots. This procedure is rather common
in more urban areas and is conducted by both the private and
real estate industry and various public agencies. Key questions
are need and availability of funds. In our area need can only
be ascertained on a case by case basis. Funds will have to be
provided.from sources other than local government. Because of
its cost, lot consolidation should be limited to existing sub-
divided areas.

2. Transfer of Development Rights: Transfer of Development
Rights assigns a ratio of acreage to density and allows the
consideration of taking an assigned density value for one area
and transferring that development right to another location. This
allows for the restriction of development in sensitive areas
where development is inconsistent with policies of the Local
Coa-stal Program, yet provides the property owner with an option
to sell a right to build to owners of land in areas where such
development is either consistent with the Local Coastal Program
or would be a more appropriate location of such development. The
owner does not,have to "sell" this development potential to
another owner but may in fact transfer this density within the
parcel or to another parcel of his/her ownerships.

Because the Local Coastal Program and the Coastal Act of 1976
are comprehensive and involve goals which are sometimes contra-
distory the two above methods of land use development may be
necessary to resolve these conflicts completely or in part.

J. Designation of Coastal Land Uses: The Coastal Zone of Del Norte County
has been divided into sub-areas which contain geographic areas of similar
physical oharacteristics, land uses and planning issues. The Harbor District
Port Land Use Plan is a separate documerrt and addresses the harbor area.
The remaining planning units are described as follows:

North Coastal (Area 1) This area lies from Ship-A-Shore.at the
mouth of the Smith r north of the Oregon border.
Smith River (Area 2) - This area is iocated south of the mouth
of the Smith River north of Morehead Road, west of Highway 101
and east of the ocean.

Lake Earl Drive (Area 3): Generally all of these lands lie
west of the Lake Ear ive and south of Morehead Road. The
southerly limit includes Northcrest Incorporated and the
area also extends eastward of Lake Earl Drive at Jordon
Creek.

Crescent City (Area 4) - Included within this planning area
are the developing areas Ot Northcrest, Pebble Beach, Parkway
Drive, Elk Valley Road and Bertsch Tract.

Klamath (Area 5) - This area consists of the Klamath area from
the Humboldt County line north through the Redwood National
Park and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.

Each of the abovetslib-areaA include a generalized written des-
cription of existing-U-9-e@s, any areas of special interest and any
specific policy recommendations. Each sub-area contains a con-
densed.statement regarding major coastal issues. The land use
map indicates the appropriate land ategories designated
for each planp.@g area. The land s signations set the scale,
pattern a7na_-:S-Ypes-o7 evelopment a propriate for each area. A
land use map which as been formulated from an analysis of all
applicable components is developed for each area.

K. Appeals Officer: The Coastal Act emphasizes the need for
opportunities oT -public input and also includes provisions for
an appeal process should their be an "agrieved person", including
the applicant, regarding the decision of a local government
that is implementing a certified Local Coastal Program. In order
to reduce or prevent unnecessary delays in an approved project
and to prevent the unnecessary delays in proceedings of valid,
significant appleals, the County shall select a local hearing
officer who shall review appeals for content and shall render
a decision upon the validity of the appeal. The hearing ofEicer
may reject the appeal outright, request an appearence before
4s r @op r 3

the decision making body to present any recommendations of
adjustment or may forward the appeal for Coastal Commission
(or agency) review and consideration.

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LAND USE CATEGORIES

The following categories describe the principal type of land use

for each area of the Coastal Zone. The land use categories

indicate the primaryuse while the constraints identify those

limitations which must be considered for development in each land

use category. Acreage for density purposes is to be determined

on a gross acreage basis.

1. Urban Land Use Categories

A. Residential

Low Density Residential .0-2.0 Dwelling Units (du) per acre

Residential .0-6.0 du/acre

Medium Density Residential .0-15.0 du/acre

High Density Residential 12.0-30.0 du/acre

B. Commercial

General Commercial - Uses in the general commercial
category range from convenience activities, central
business, district activities, mobilehome parks,
service commercial to wholesale facilities which
support agricultural activities.

Heavy Commercial - This category includes lumber yards,
warehousing,contractors yards, food processing and
light industrial uses without.nuisance features.

C. Industrial

General Industry - All industrial uses.

Light Industry - Includes industrial uses without nuisance
features and industrial parks.
2. Non-Urban Categories

A. Agricultural Prime - This
f
land category applies to acreages of prime
arm and_@gricultural uses iqhich are comprised of contiguous
ownership of 20 acres or more of lands actively used for the pro-
duction of agriculture north of Morehead Road. only st-ructures-
directly rela"'ted to agricultural production and sincle--'amily
residences (one unit per specified mini:-,,,= parcel) are permitted.
Additional divellings for resident farm labor may be allowed subject
to a use permit securement. 7"he intensive raising of animals for
commercial purposes (feed lots) and animal sbandry services are.
also permitted as conditional uses
. The minirieum Lot size for the
purposes of divisions of land for sale, lease*or finairiting shall
be 40 acres.

B. Agricultural Ceneral - 20 acres: This category includes ncn-primie
tarmlands and agricultural uses on lands used for agricultural
purposes or suitable for agricultural which are in general 20 acres
or larger in size. 7"his category applies to agricultural uses -,,:Iniich
includes, but are not limited to, field crops, dairies, orc-h-ards,-
apiculture, citicultur-es, horticulture, cattle, horse and animal
raising and pasture and forage. Only structures related to these
activities and single family residences (one unit per specific
minii-z,", parcel) are pe=aizted. Second dweliin,@,-s may be allowed
subject to a conditional use permit or parcels 20 acres or larger
in size. Multi-unit greenhouses require a conditional use permit.
The minimi-m lot size for the purposes of division of land for sale,
lease, or financing shall be 20 acres.

Z
C. Aaricultural General - 5 acres: This category includes non-prime
farmlands and aaricultural uses on lands used for agricultur@rl:
purposes or suitable for agricultural which are in general S acres
or larger in size. This category applies to agricultural uses
which include, but are not limited to, field crops, dairies, orchards,
apiculture, viticultures, horticulture, cattle, horse and animal
raising and pasture and forage. Only structures related to these
activities and sinIale family residences (one unit per specific
minimum parcel) are permitted. Second dwellings may be allowed
subject to a conditionaluse permit an parcelsolO acres or larger
in size. Nfulti-unit greenhouses require a conditional use permit.
The minimum lot size for the purposes of division of land for sale,
lease or financing shall be 5 acres.

Forestlands - This category includes land zoned Timberland
Preserve and those lands which are forested and within
the boundaries of public lands within the Coastal Zone.
Other criteria is identified in the forestlands component.

Woodlot - Lands in this category*are not suitable for
continued large scale commercial production but may
be managed on a parcel basis by their owners or sub-_
sequent owners for wood production for on-site domes
tic use or limited commercial sale. This category
allows division of land to the specified minimum size
while allowing physical constraints to be incorporated
into the design. The primary use is single family
homes (one unit per specified minimum parcel) on
cleared sites of 1/2 to 1 acre in size while retaining
wooded areas around the building site (s). Small
accessory buildings are allowed when incidental to
the residential use.

Rural Residential - This category is intended to maintain
the charac. of rural areas and minimize the services
required by smaller lot development. The primary use
of these lands is single-family residential (one unit
per specified minimum parcel). Uses permitted within
residential areas include single-family residences, the
keeping of horses for use by the owner, light agricul-
tural activities, and accessory buildings appropriate
to the residential use.

Rural Neighborhood - These are areas that have developed
Historically with lots smaller than those found in the
surrounding rural lands. The purpose of this cate-
gory is to keep pockets of small lot residential deve-
lopment from expanding into adjacent forest, agricul-
tural or other rural lands. Within the rural neighbor-
hood category, infilling of parcels at densities
specified on the land use maps is permitted subject to
any physical limitations.

Rural Mobilehome Park - The strategic location of rural
mobilehome Va-rFs-can provide an attractive opportunity
for low and moderate income housing, outside of the
urban area. The development of rural mobilehome
parks must consider the availability of on-site water
and sewage disposal as primary development contracts,
therefore the maximum density for rural mobilehome
parks with on site water and sewage disposal shall be
one unit (mobilehome, a double wide is one unit) per
half acre. The lots themselves may be smaller than
1/2 acrePhowever the maximum allowable density shall
be determined by the gross acreage multiplied by two.

Visitor Serving Commercial - The primary use of this
category is to cater to the needs of visitors to the
Coastal Zone. As Highway 101 is the primary access
along this area Is Coastal Zone, uses in this category
will include uses which serve the highway traveler,
in addition to uses normally related to adjacent
recreational resources. Uses shall include but not
be limited to, hotels, motels, restaurants, service
stations, boat ramps, docks, hunting and fishing
resorts. Uses, buildings, and structures customarily
accessory to the above are also permitted. Those
uses requiring a conditional use permit include but
are not limited to recreational vehicle parks, golf
courses and country clubs, single family residence
of owner or operator of the site, mobilehome park and
unique item shops.
Mobile home parks are allowed in conjunction with recreational
vehicle parks; however, the number of recreational vehicle spaces
shall always exceed the number of mobile home spaces by a ratio
of at least two to one. Therefore, the majority use will be re-
creational vehicle spaces. This policy applies to new spaces in
existing mobilehome parks and development of new parks.

Industrial (Light & General) -This category recognizes
exiS@'_'n`g-__1_n_Tu_s7Er_1al uses and locations in the Coastal
Zone which have historically shown to hav-e no effect
on surrounding uses. Also included in this designation
are areas of'industrial potential of limited local use,
subject to performance standards.

* K. Resource Conservation Areas (R.O.A.):

"Resource Conservation Areas are areas mapped on the
accompanying constraint maps as wetlands and farmed
wetlands, riparian, estuaries, and coastal sand dunes.
Development within these areas is subject to the poli-
cies of the certified land use plan. No single family
residences or other structures shall be permitted with-
in an R.C.A.

unless that would result in denial of substantially
all reasonable use of the land. In this event, the land
owner should consider participating in transfer of develop-
ment credits (T.D.C.) system when such a system exists, as
approved by the State Coastal Commission, in order to allow
this development to occur at a more suitable location."

Where parcels totally within the RCA category are contiguous
with a parcel outside (or partly outside) the RCA catergory,
and where all of these parcels have a single owner, these
parcels shall be merged as a condition of approvine develop-
ment on the non-RCa parcel. Development time and intensity on
the non-RCA portion of the resulting parcel shall be that
specified by other LUP policies."

The allowable uses within designated RCA's
shall be limited to:

a. Fish and wildlife management.
b. Nature study.
c. Wetland restoration.
d. Hunting and fishing including development of duck
blinds and similar minor facilities.
e. In estuaries, maintenance and improvement of boat-
ing facilities consistant with other land use plan
policies.

f. "In Farmed Wetlands or agriculturally used parcels, agri-
cultural operations are a principal use but such uses should
maintain long-term habitat values and, where feasible,
minimize short-term degradation."

g. "Those recreational facilities included in a State Park
and Recreation/Department of Fish & Game Master Plan sub-
mitted and appproved as an amendment to the Local Coastal
Program."

3.1

H. In riparian habitat areas the following uses are allowed:

(i) Recreational trails.
(ii) Hunting and fishing.
(iii) Timber harvesting of conifers where heavy equipment is not
used and where at least 50% of the coniferous tree canopy
and where all of the hardwood tree canopy is retained and
removal is otherwise Consistent with forest practices rules
for special treatment areas and stream protection zones."
(iv) Maintenance of existing flood control and drainage
channels.
(v) Wells within rural areas.

(vi) Firewood removal by owner, for use in residence on site.

(vii) Road maintenance and repair of existing roads.
New stream crossings shall be limited when feasible
to right angle crossings of streams and stream
corridors.

l. Public Facilities:

All undesignated areas on the land use plan map
owned by the county, state or federal governments
shall be shown as public facilities" and will be
subject to and consistent with all applicable policies
of the county's final certified land use plan.

3. Other Provisions

Constraint Maps:

"Environmental constraint maps shall have precedent over
actual land use designations. Parcels partly in and partly
out of these constraint areas shall have development located
outside of constraints boundry unless consistent with other
policies of the county's land use plan. No development
parcels shall be created totally within an environmental
constraint area except for agricultural parcels (not in-
cluding residential development) subject to the minimum
parcel sixe and all applicable policies of the certified
land use plan."

Urban/Rural Boundary

This is a boundry line shown on the various land use maps which
seperates those areas designated for urban land use and subsequent

3.2

future urban development from those areas designated for Rural
land uses. Included within the urban area are lands which are
at the present time underdeveloped which may either develop to
a maximum density in one development project or which may reach
their maximum density allowed in stages. Rural designations
set maximum densities when in fact these densities may only be
achieved over a substantial period of time.

Implied Land Use

Land use categories not specifically identified on the land use
maps but may be permitted to exist are:

Neighborhood Commercial - This classification recognizes those
types of light commercial uses which are compatible with
residential land uses and where those commercial uses are
found to be small, non-intensive, quiet, non-nuisance uses.
This classification will not be reflected on the land use
maps but will be incorporated in the zoning ordinance.

Non-Conforming Uses

Constraints

These designations indicate locations where the presence of hazards
or special resources places constraints on development. These
designations are derived from the policies contained in each of
the 'constraint, oriented components. Special policies may be
contained in each land use description.

1. Resource Habitat

A. Wetlands refer to marine resources component, page 36.

B. Estuary refer to marine resources component, page 34.

C. Riparian Corridors - refer to marine resources component,
page 40.

D. Sand Dunes - refer to marine resources component, page 43.

E. Offshore Rocks, - refer to marine resources component,
page 30.

F. Sandy Beach Areas - these areas includes the broader, more
easily traversed beaches.

2. Site Design

A. Special Treatment Areas - areas of additional forest
regulation of the Department of Forestry. See
Land Resources Component, page 28.

B. Flood Hazard - areas of variable inundation including
estimated 100 year flood occurrence and areas of
flood diversion (those areas which hold water during
high runoff).

C. Tsunami Runups - areas impacted by the estimated 100
year tsunami occurrence.

D. Ocean Bluff - areas to be examined for stability or
erosion prior to development.

E. Slope Hazard - areas of slopes in excess of 30% on a
generalized basis. This category only indicates
generalized slope and may contain areas with sites
less than 30% slope.

3. Constraint Mapping

Due to the scale of the constraint maps, questions
may arise as to the specific boundary limits of an iden-
tified environmentally sensitiv habitat area.
Where there is a dispute over the boundary or location
of an environmentally sensitive habitats area, the following may be
requested of th applicant:

a. A base map delineating topographic lines, adjacent
roads, location of dikes, levees, flood control
channels and tide gates.
b. Vegetation map.
c. Soils map.

Review of this information shall be in cooperation with
the Department of Fish & Game and the county's determina-
tion shall be based upon specific findings as to whether
as area is or is not an environmentally sensitive habitat
area based on land use plan criteria, definition, and criteria
included in commission guidelines for wetlands and other wet
environmentally sensitive habitat areas as acented February 4,
1981. The Department of Fish & Game shall have up to 15 days
upon receipt of county notice to provide review and cooperation.

OCEAN VIEW DRIVE

This area extends from the Oregon state line southward to and
including the resort area commonly referred to as the Ship-Ashore
area. Highway 101 bisects this subarea, and provides the primary
through traffic route. Existing public access is provided by
Pelican State Beach, Kamph Park (County) and Mouth of Smith River
Park (County). These parks are located strategically along this
coastline providing access to the entire coastline beach. Inter-
ruption of lateral access is generated by two rocky outcroppings,
otherwise the beaches are free of physical or man-made barriers.
Significant streams are Gilbert Creek to the north and Lopez
Creek, located about midpoint of this sub-area.

Residential development is rural in characteristics and concen-
trated in the southern portion, eastern midpoint, at Gilbert Creek
and at the state line. Intensive agriculture is concentrated
between Highway 101 and Ocean View Drive in the northern area with
limited small parcel hobby farming on larger rural residential
lots. Forest values are limited as the hillsides in this area
are low Class IV and Class V sites.

Sewage systems are individual with the exception of the Ship-Ashore
complex. Water supply is individual wells with some areas provided
water by the Smith River Community Services District.

Specific Area Recommendations

1. An appropriate access shall be sought on new development
proposed where this access can be incorporated into the overall
design. This access shall be limited to parcels with 400'
or more beach frontage located between the Oregon state line
and the Mouth of Smith River. In addition any such requested
public access route shall be subject to the provisions of
section 66478.12, section 66478.13 and'section 66478.14 of
the Subdivision Map Act.

3. The west facing slopes above Ocean View Drive shall restrict
development to those areas less then 30% in slope.

4. Extensions of the Smith River Community Services District water
line shall be prioritized as follows:

a. Along Ocean View Drive to the north line of AP #101-100-02
(presently known as the Friewald parcel); then

b. West along that property line to Highway 101 and north
to Pelican Beach Palisades subdivision (existing); then

c. North along Highway 101 to the state line; then
d. Southerly along Highway 101 to North Indian Road at
Highway 101; then

e. A closure of the loop may be considered from the inter-
section of Ocean View Drive and Highway 101 back to the
line at AP #101-100-02 (Friewald).
5. Ship-Ashore shall continue to incorporate access to the River
in its development.

6. The emphasis for the two commercial areas within this subarea
shall be on visitor serving uses; however mobilehome parks
for low and moderate housing shall be allowed in conjunction
or as part of the overall development as well as other forms
of housing if the Planning Commission determines that the
residential development is part of an overall committed
visitor serving development or that the residential develop-
ment does not conflict with the existing, or proposed visitor
serving use of the area.

7. The State shall improve Pelican State Beach to include
proper signing along the highway, parking and improved
beach access.

8. The presently undeveloped parcel (currently AP #101-20-47)
shall be required to locate any proposed development in a
clustering design so as to balance development constraints
and aesthetics with the overall density proposed by the
developer.

9. Parcelsof 20 acres or larger committed to agricultural use
shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in Williamson
Act contracts or an equivalent method of taxation.

10. Ocean View Estates

There shall be a planned community (PC)restrictive overlay on the Ocean
View Estates site (Exhibit I) which will be superior to any land use
authorizations. If there is any conflict the PC overlay would be dominant'.
The conditions for any PC implementation ordinance include:

(i) A maximum of 16 units on the site;

(ii) A minimum of 62 acres of open space shall be provided;

(iii) Water diversion from Gilbert Creek or use on the site shall be
limited to 22 gallons per minute, however at all times the site owner
shall bypass 150 gallons per minute or natural flow, whichever is Lower?
to protect fish resources;
(iv) Proof of adequate alternative water sources shall be demonstrated;
(v)
(v) All units shall- be clustered and subordinate to the natural
environment and viewshed, and all units shall be located on the hillside
rather than the flat portion of the site; and
(vi) An adequate agricultural buffer strip, not to be counted in the open
space acreage, shall be required.

SMITH RIVER AREA

The Coastal Zone in this subarea extends some 3@ miles inland
from the shoreline. The predominate land use is agriculture,
both extensive and intensive. Agricultural uses_range from
pastureland to bulb productions to ornamental plant production in
large greenhouses (agricultural industrial area). The delineated
residential areas are existing, developed residential'pockets of
land usually surrounded by larger lots. Commercial uses are
existing with the exception of a portion of land within the Coastal
Zone near the town of Smith River. The parcel was historically
an old mill site and is Lnsuitable for agricult'ure. A mobilehome
park designation has been placed on this parcel. Another commer-
cial area is at the north side of Dr. Fine Bridge at Highway 101
and Fred Haight Drive. The existing County General Plan proposes
a commercial recreational use of this parcel and this designation
has been carried over to provide an upland visitor-serving area.

Hobby farming is limited to Morehead Road. This area is already
developed to a large extent with 3-5 acres parcels. As this type
of agriculture is a viable use and provides enjoyment, food and
fiber and some income to the property, this- use is compatible with
the Coastal Act. As an existing County maintained road (Morehead
Road) serves this area, hobby farming shall be focused4long this
corridor.

Specific Area Recommendations

2. The existing access to the River through Ship-Ashore shall be
encouraged to continue- New development with River frontage
shall include provisions for access where appropriate.

3. An expan sion or major redevelopment of the Trails End
Facility shall include river access. The owner/developer
shall be encouraged to provide boat launching facilities
if physically feasible.

4. The agricultural-industrial complex on Sarina Road shall be
encouraged to maximize the effeciency of its existing area
facilities. This may include but not be limited to energy
facilities utilizing recycling systems and appropriate
greenhouse technology.

5. The fishing equipment and sports store (Saxtons) is surrounded
by.County ownership. Its location at the boat ramp and
parking facility shall be maximized. Any expansion beyond
its 6000 sq. ft. area shall be only after securement of a
conditional use permit.

6. The 32 acre parcel at the north end of Dr. Fine Bridge, on
Highway 101, shall, in its development plans, make provisions
for visitor access to the river. As the main river channel
is on the opposite side of the river, at this location, the
above access may be limited to a point vertical access (walking
as an example) with a lateral access (along the river bar)
for the parcel's length.

7. As hobby farming areas generate traffic beyond the amount
associated with larger scale agricultural. production, hobby
farming parcels shall be focused into areas presently having
this existing use and on improved County maintained roads.

8. Hobby farming (other agriculture) shall be located on both
sides of Morehead Road. However the potential higher producing,
deeper Carlotta soils (Ca 2) shall, where feasible, be main-
tained in larger parcel sizes.

9. The State shall provide an improved access to Pala Park via
Pala Road.

10. The State shall provide improved recreational access to the
Smith River via Pala Road. This access shall be on the south
side of the river and along the sand spit. The State shall
also provide limited access points for recreational use-of
Yontocket Slough. Should the state lease these lands for
.agricultural purposes the above access points may be reduced
in scale depending upon the agricultural use.

11. The State shall provide improved day use recreational faci-
lities in the general area at the ocean end of Kellogg Road.

12. The State shall provide an access northward from Kellogg
Road paralleling the beach, but set back from the beach.
This access may follow the existing "jeep trail" northward
to the spit but may be limited as to the amount of traffic
carried. Agricultural leasing of the area north of Kellogg
Road may relocate or interrupt these access routes, on a
seasonal basis.

a. the minimum lot for the farmhouse shall be one acre; and

b-. the subject residence must have existed prior to the
County's zoning of the lands to AE; and

c. the subject lands are designated'agricultural prim e in
the Coastal Land Use Plan, or are larger than 20 'acres
in a 2 0 acre - m1fi--im u--m area.

14. Parcels of 20 acres or larger committed to agricultural use
shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in Williamson
Act contracts or an equivalent method of taxation.

LAKE EARL AREA

The predominate land uses of this area are the shallow Lakes
Earl and Talawa and the agricultural lands surrounding them.
Grazing predominates as the primary agricultural use, in part
because of the Lake Earl. A reciprocal action has evolved that
has benefited the wildlife habitat values of the Lakes and their
shoreline and the summer pasture utilized by the farmers and
ranchers of the area. One has become dependent upon the other;
the grazing cattle keep the grasses down and the pastures them-
selves provided feed for wildt:'life and the shoreline provides summer
pasture at little or no improvement or capital costs to the
rancher. This reciprocal situation has..been the.historical
reason for the continued wildlife value of the lake and the
continued low intensity agricultural uses of the surrounding
lands.

An exception to the above is Pacific Shores subdivision lying
north and west of Lake Earl. The road system of the subdivision
provides access to the lot owners but is extensively used by
non-lotowners for access to Lakes Earl and Talawa, their connecting
channel and the beach and shoreline.

The rural residential areas are essentially developed into or
approximate the lot sizes proposed'on the land use maps. Two
rural mobilehome parks are proposed to provide low cost housing
in a rural setting.

Hobby farming exists on the south side of Morehead Road and
adjacent to Mud Hen Road. Other limited hobby farming lies on
or adjacent to Lakeview Road and Malone Road.

The industrial designation defines an existing industrial area;
a sawmill. Portions of this area are not presently used but
still have the facilities for industrial expansion of existing
uses or accomodating new limited industrial activities. Also
within the urban-rural boundary is approximately 120 acres of'
very marginal undeveloped land designated for a low density
residential use. This site was targeted for inclusionary zoning
of the Housing Component. This parcel constitutes the best
opportunity for such use due to its location, it is one parcel,
and has marginal value for resource use.

The acquisitions by the state of approximately 7 miles of ocean
shoreline increase the public's opportunity for access to the
beach and also provides increased access potential to Lakes
Earl and Talawa.

Specific Area Recommendations

1. As hobby farming areas generate traffic beyond the amount
associated with larger scale agricultural production, hobby
farming parcels shall be focused into areas presently haVing
this existing use and on improved County maintained roads.

2. Hobby farming (other agriculture) shall be located on both
sides of Morehead Road. However the potential higher producing,
deeper Carlotta soils (Ca 2) shall, where feasible, be main-
tained in larger parcel sizes.

3. The division of agricultural lands in order to separate the
existing farmhouses from the ranch or farm lands for the
purposes of sale, lease, financing or inclusion in the
Williamson Act of the lands or the farmhouse may be approved
by the Planning Commission for parcels less than the mini-
mum parcel size. This action is subject to the following:

a. the minimum lot for the farmhouse shall be one acre; and

b. the subject residence must have exist ed prior to the
County's zoning of the lands to AE; and

c. the subject lands are designated agricultural prime in
the Coastal Land Use Plan, or are larger than 20 acres
in the 20 acre min imum area.

4. The continued use of the overflow lands for pasture shall be
allowed to continue. Should the State acquire any of these
lands the adjoining property owner (in many cases the previous
owner) shall be offered a lease of the lands for grazing and
pastoral uses.

S. Parcels of 20 acres or larger committed to agricultural use
shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in Williamson
Act contracts or an equivalent method of taxation.

6. The five rentals at the end of Buzzini Road shall continue
as rentals, however no additional units over the existing
number shall be constructed. Enlargement of the existing
units is allowed subject to Planning Commission review and
setback requirements.

7. The proposed rural mobilehome park on Lake Earl Drive south
of Elk Valley Cross Road shall conform to the project approved
by the County and previously approved by the Coastal Commission.

8. The proposed rural mobilehome park on Lake Earl Drive north of
Lower- Lake Road shall be limited to a first phase of 60 units
to be monitored for a one year period from the first occupancy
of at least one half of the above units. If the one year

monitoring show no unsafe level of nitrate or other indication
of sewage limitations a second phase of up to 60 units may be
considered due to on site sewage and water.

9. The Hunter Ranch, south of Buzzini Road, is recommended as
prime agricultural land due to its potentially higher pro-
ductive soils and larger parcel size.

10. The State shall provide at least two visitor serving sites
(shown on map) off the extension of Old Mill Road and provide
public access from the extension of Old Mill Road to the
west side of Lake Earl (at least two locations) and to the
east side of Lake Talawa (at least two locations).

11. On assessors parcels 105-030-32, 67 and 37 the State shall
provide an improved recreational access to Lake Earl from
Lower Lake Road and construct a walking pathway and bicycle
path from this location south paralleling the lake to the
existing county access points of Buzzini Road and Lakeview
Road. No motorized vehicles shall be permitted.

12. The state shall provide a minimum of two improved accessways
from Old Mill Road westerly to the ocean shoreline.

13. The State shall specifically provide for agricultural leases
of lands it has-acquired and any lands acquired in the future.
Agricultural lease need not be granted where it can be
shown to the Planning Commission that direct conflicts bet-
ween the agricultural use and the visitors utilizing an
improved access would occur.

14. The operation of the County landfill shall retain a physical
buffer between the landfill site and existing residential
areas which adjoin the parcel to the north and east.

15. New parcels created within the urban/rural boundary shall
.b,e a minimum of 1 acre in size if no public sewer and/or
water is provided. If public water or sewer is provided the
parcels may be 1/2 acre minimum in size. Should both public
water and sewer be provided the land use designation shall
determine the maximum density for each area.

P-ecd
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14,

CRESCENT CITY SURROUNDING AREA,

This area constitutes the primary urban area of Del Norte County.
Three former highway routes, Northcrest Drive, Parkway Drive
and Elk Valley Road have historically provided the corridors on
which development has centered. Existing land uses and therefore
the proposed land use reflect these development patterns. Acting
a historical seperators to these three developed and developing
areas have been the wetlands of Mayhoffer Creek, Elk Creek and
the Sandmine wetland area. These three areas not only serve as
physical separators but have also provided low intensive agricul-
tu'ral production. Public services are concentrated in the North-
crest Drive area and Elk Valley Road area. Limited services can
be extended out Parkway which in part explains the lower density
for this area as compared to the other two.

The urban/rural boundary encompasses the areas served or planned
to be served with public sewer and water. Additional areas are
contained which are anticipated expansion areas of either under-
developed or developing urban uses. For those areas contained
with the urban/rural boundary but not served by public sewer or
water a phased density is proposed.

Two areas of land which meet the criteria for forest land desig-
nation are not so designated due to seveTal factors. The primary
reasons are due to low site class and proximity to and within
developed areas.

The use of transfer of development rights, and density control
by clustering or varying lot sizes shall be a primary implementation
tool in maintaining the resource value of the adjoining large
lot lands. The State shall financiallyi.assist the County in any
lot consolidation procedures. And,,cooperative ventures between
the State and County may be used when a common goal can be
achieved through financial and physical planning.

Specific Area Recommendations

1. The County Airport (McNamara Field) shall continue to provide
aircraft facilities (commercial and private), at this location
a
its primary use. Auxiliary uses may include storage of
s 1
aircraft, light industrial and commercial activities directly
related to aircraft activities. Other light industrial uses
may be allowed subject to the issuance of a conditional use
permit. A looped water system shall be extended to the airport
via Pebble Beach Drive and Washington Boulevard. This water
line shall have a primary use of fire protection,. Extension
into areas along the route designated for appropriate land
use may be allowed if the primary use is protected.

2. Agricultural leases may be offered for lands on the airport
property.

3. Public or group recreational events may be allowed where
appropriate on airport property subject to the securement of
a conditional use permit.

4. The McNamara parcel (AP #120-020-23) has the easterly area
in TPZ due to non-response of the property owners. This
parcel is low site IV and therefore has poor timber quality.
Due to this low site class and its proximity to the urban
area this parcel shall be designated for rural land use which
shall consist of rural woodlot densities or a clustering of
the equivalent number of units. Considerations shall be
given to maintaining the wooded quality of the site and its
proximity to the airport glide path.

S. The development of the Bauer parcel on Inyo (AP.#120-020-06)
shall be a combination of single family homes and multiple
family dwellings. The clustering of units shall have priority
and the drainage of Marhoffer Creek shall be maintained.

6. The existing four residences on the west side of Pebble Beach
Drive shall be allowed to continue to exist. The State shall
provide funding to the County to acquire the following parcels
west of Pebble Beach Drive: 120-290-01, 120-040-32, and the
westerly portion of AP 120-040-20. The County reserves the
.,use of these parcels for road maintenance and slope protection
of Pebble Beach Drive. Until funding is providdd these
parcels shall be considered single-family residential subject
to the physical abilities of each parcel.
7. Should the $-t-ate acquire lands in Crescent Manor, th'e County
and State Ohall. cooperate in a land exchange granting the
County 20 aefe-'s of land immediately south of the present County
land fill. The County will then grant the State the Countys'

interest in 10 acres of subdivided land and the Countys
interest in the right-of-ways for those lands acquired by
the State. The purpose of the exchange is to consolidate
ownership and activities of each agency.

8. The Mavris medical facility shall be allowed to continue in
its existing capacity as a medical facility. Limited
residential use may be continued and expanded if a conditional
use permit is secured for the expansion.

9. The State, the Bureau of Land Management and the County shall
cooperate on establishing a limited walkway access westerly
from the existing parking lot at Point St. George. The agri-
cultural use of the lands may be continued on a lease basis.
Should this agricultural use be discontinued, limited day
use facilities may be considered.

11. Assessors parcel 120-020-03, a small parcel located west
of Pebble Beach Drive,shall be a high priority for the provision
of State funding of the purchase of development rights or other
methods of fee acquisition and agricultural leasing. However
until such funds are submitted to the County and a purchase
is obtained the development rights of the subject parcel are
retained by the parcel.

12. As hobby farming areas generate traffic beyond the amount
associated with larger scale agricultural production, hobby
.farming parcels shall be focused into areas presently having
this existing use and on improved County maintained roads.

13. The division of agricultural lands in order to separate the
existing farmhouse from the ranch or farm lands for the
purposes of sale, lease, financing or inclusion in the
Williamson Act of the lands or the farmhouse may be approved
by the Planning Commission for parcels less than the mini-
mum parcel size. This action is subject to the following:
a. the minimum lot for the farmhouse shall be one acres; and
b. the subject residence must have existed prior to the
County's zoning of the lands to AE; and

c. the subject lands are designated agricultural prime in
the Coastal Land Use Plan, or are larger than 20 acres
in a 20 acre minimum area.

14. Parcels of 20 acres or larger committed to agricultural use
shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in Williamson
Act contracts or an equivalent method of taxation.

15. The continued use of the overflow lands for pasture shall be
allowed to continue. Should the State acquire any of these
.lands the adjoining property owner (in many cases the previous
owner) shall be offered a lease of the lands for grazing and
pastoral uses.

16. The State shall specifically provide for agricultural leases
of lands it has acquired and any lands acquired in the future.
Agricultural leases need not be granted where it can be
shown to the Planning Commission that direct conflicts bet-
ween the agricultural use and the visitors utilizing an
improved access would occur.

17. New parcels created within the urban/rural boundary shall
be a minimum of 1 acre in size if no public--.sewer and/or
water is provided. If public water or sewer is provided the
parcels may be 1/2 acre minimum in size. Should both public
water and sewer be provided the land use designation shall
determine the maximum density for each area.
18. Due to a preference to-follow lot lines or quarter section
lines, areas designated as forestlands in the Elk Creek
drainage contain large, sizeable areas of unforested lands
used for low intensive agricultural production (primarily
grazing). This is due to the conflicts between the timber
rield taxation legislation and the Coastal Act. Those lands
designated as forestlands but used agriculturally are deemed
not to be in conflict, Similar lands designated agriculturally
but presently zoned TPZ are deemed not to be in conflict.
This policy applies throughout the Coastal Zone.

.19. The small family operation (assessors parcel 110-300-09), on
Elk Valley Road has existed as a historical commercial/light
industrial use with no physical impacts on the surrounding
lands. The continued use of the light industrial facility
.shall be permitted. However, the residential use of the
parcel may be separated from the plant site on a parcel of
not less than one acre in size.

20. Approximately 35 acres of assessors parcel 117-020-07 may
qualify for forestland designation but is designated on the
land use map as commercial due to its proximity to Parkway

Drive, Washington Boulevard and Highway 101. In addition,
the'physical characteristics of this portion of the parcel
are conducive to such development and sewer and water are
potentially available to the site.

21. The Coastal Conservancy shall provide funding, other assistance,
or direct action to consolidate lots to provide the continued
maintenance of wetland values while,retaining private owner-
ships. Areas of priotity shall be:

a. Northerly portion of Crescent Tract #3 (Elk Creek)

b. Southerly portions of Ddndas Tract (Elk Creek and
adjoining pocket wetlands)

c. Northerly portion of Crescent Tract #2 (Elk Creek)

d. Westerly portion of Crowley Subdiv,ision (Elk Creek)

e The northe ast quarter of Harbor View #.3 (Elk Creek)

f Overflow areas of Crescent City Manor #2 (Dead Lake)

h. Southerly-portion of Harbor View Tract #2

i.--Southerly portion of SEh, NEh of Sec 27 T16N, RlW.

j. The northerly low areas of the area commonly referred to
as the Filkins Tract.

22. The State shall provide an improved visitor serving facility
at the Nor-Cal site adjacent to Dead Lake. Improved access
shall be provided for the public to the dunes and to the
shoreline.

23., The State shall provide a day use facility west of Highway
101 across from Sandmine Road. The State shall also provide
@two pathway accesses from Humbbldt Road to the beach as
agreed in the Bauer Subdivision of land for the state acqui-
sition.

24. The State shall provide a bicycle trail/path from Point St.
George to Lake Earl with a tie-in to Old Mill Road. Along the
trail the State shall include day use facilities for the
'bikers and hikers using the trail. The County will provide
an easement across the airport property for the bike trail/
..path.

25. The parcel known as assessors parcel no. 120-020-03, which
lies west of Pebble Beach Drive, 300 feet south of the
intersection of Pebble Beach Drive and Washington Boulevard,
shall be allowed as a potential building site subject to the
physical standards of development. Due to the location of
this parcel and its pre-existance this, parcel is identified
as funding priority for the Coastal Conservancy for acqui-
sition of developed rights or outright purchase. Until such
time as an acquisition method is agreed upon the parcel
shall continue to be considered a potential buildable site.
26. The parcel lying east of Highway 101 and Humboldt Road,
known as assessors parcel no. 1IS-020-28 shall be identified
for an agricultural use as an interim use. Should the parcel
be developed for a public or quasi-public use, such as a
community education center this area may be used for low
intensive uses related to the public or quasi-public use
in conformance with the local coastal program.

J. Point St. George

Given potentially severe septic con-
straints at the Point St. George site, development in area D shall be
conditional upon the appiicant's demonstration of adequate water supply
and wastewater disosal capabilitu, consistent with LUP policies and
Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements (Policy on'the Control
of Water Quality with respect to Individual Waste Treatment Disposal
Practices, North Coast Region) as implemented by the County. Any land
divisions in area D shall be contingent on the permanent protection of
area C by use of an open space or conservation easement.

As an alternative to development in area D, in recognition of special circum-
stances constraining development there, the landowner may utilize a density
bonus allowing an increase in potential density at another site near Lopez
Creek. The landowner would be allowed one bonus credit per per 20 acres of
Point St. George site; a maximum density bonus of 16 credits would be al-
lowed. This density bonus can only be used at a site immediately north of Lopez
Creek (see Exhibit III) designated for agricuture-general (5 acr minimum parcel
size). The designation for this site-shall indicate the density bonus option
("B" suffix). At the time the density bonus is first utilized, the entire
Point St. George site shall be permanently protected by an open space or con
servation easement. To avoid water quality impacts from septic wastes, no
parcels less than I acre in size shall be created at the Lopez Creek site.
Development on this site is subject to other Lup policies and should minimize
visual impact. This densitybonus option shall apply only to these two sites,
due to the special development constraints cited in the conditional certifica-
tion findings.

The above two alternatives are discrete options for the Point St, George site,
and may not be combined. Once a developent application pursuant to one option
is approved, the other option will no lon
ger be available.

KLANMTH AREA

The coastline of the Klamath area is all within the boundaries
of the Redwood National Park. Private ownership along the coast
is inland with some private ownership along the Klamath River.
Existing predominate uses are visitor-serving facilities along
the river, commercially owned & Timberland Prezerve Zones and
scattered rural homesites. Urban development is limited to the
new Klamath Townsite. A limited amount of industrial land
remains in the Coastal Zone at the existing Simpson Timber Company
site, this is a significant reduction from the 50's and early
60's of,the Klamath area.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs owns in trust several parcels on
Requa Hill which totals approximately 60 acres. Other BIA
trust lands within the Coastal Zone is the Resighini Rancheria
at the Klamath River Bridge and a smaller parcel of the north
side of the river. These federal lands are identified on the
land use maps.

Future urban development in the Coastal Zone in this area is
anticipated to focus on the new Klamath Townsite. This area is
elevated above the 100 year flood line and was constructed after
the 1964 flood, above that years high water mark. Current zoning
allows commercial, residential and multiple family development.

The proposed urban-rural boundary is to include the new Klamath
Townsite and adjacent flood protected area. This small addition
is located at the intersections of Highway 101 and State Route
169. Existing development is commercial and industrial with little
area for expansion.

Specific Area Recommendations
1. The grazing area on each side of Wilson Creek may be used
for low-intensive recreational activities including but not
limited to day-use and organized recreational functions.

2. The division of agricultural lands in order to separate the
existing farmhouse from the ranch or farm lands for the
purposes of sale, lease, financing or inclusion in the
Williamson Act of the lands or the farmhouse may approved
by the Planning Commission for parcels less than the mini-
mum parcel size. This action is subject to the following:

a. the minimum lot for the farmhouse shall be one acre; and

b. the subject residence must have existed prior to the
County's zoning of the lands to AE; and

c. the subject lands are designated agricultural prime in
the Coastal Land Use Plan, or are larger than 20 acres
in a 20 acre minimum area.

3. Parcels of 20 acres or larger committed to agricultural use
shall be afforded the opportunityAo participate in-Williamson
Act contracts or an equivalent method of taxation.

4. Agricultural uses in the floodplain of the Klamath River and
its adjacent streams, shall be allowed to continue.

5. New parcels created within the urban/rural boundary shall
be a minimum of 1 acre in size if no public sewer and/or
water is provided. If public water or sewer.is provided the
parcels may be 1/2 acre,minimum in size. Should both public
water and sewer be provided the land use designation shall
determine the maximum density for each area.

6. The area north of the Klamath Townsite and cast of Highway 101
shall be designated for future visitor serving facilities.

7. The State Coastal Conservancy shall provide funding assistance
for construction of a boat launching facility to be located
at the area designated as Public Reserve, providing a
launching access to the lower Klamath River.

8. Wing dams or channel navigation modifications on the Klamath
at the Highway 101 bridge shall be allowed if the following
is determined:

a. The modifications are not permanent and will be removed
before or.during the following highwater period.

b. the modifications are necessary to provide a free movement
of recreational and/or commercial boating of the-River.

9. Water service from the Klamath townsite may be extended
northward along @iighway 101 to serve the commercial area
immediately north of the Klamath townsite.

10. Assessors parcels number 140-060-01 and 04 shall be designated
as Public, Reserve Area. The purpose of which is to reserve
this area for its intended use as a part of the sewage treat-
ment facility of the Klamath townsite and to allow the deve-
lopment of day-use faciliti'es in conjunction with access to
the lower river. Day-use development shall not be allowed to
interfere with the sewage treatment facility.

LUP Mapping Revisions, per conditions of certification

1. Point St. George
The land use designation for the Point St. George area west of the County
airport (see Exhibit II) shall be changed from agriculture-general (5 acre
minimum parcel size)/to resource conservation area/B (RCA/B) in area C and
to agriculture general (20 acre minimum parcel size)/B in area D near Radio
Road.

2. DeVol Rural Mobile Home Park, Planning Unit #3:

The county shall show this 33% acres parcel as "timber-
land", 20 acre minimum. the remaining 13% acres shall
be designated as "rural residential (RR-1)", one dwelling
unit per acre.

3. McNamara Parcel Planning Unit #3: The County shall show
this parce, excluding the Vipond rural neighborhood
extension, at a density of one unit per five acres for
the area shown or, the County's land use map as one unit
per one acre, and the remainder at one unit per 20 arces.

4. Final Mapping:

The county re-map all costraint areas to exclude
existing development from such areas. The re-mapping
can be done prior to final certification of the county's
land use plan. The final mapping shall show all addi-
tional wetlands identified by the county and the California
Department of Fish and Game.

5. The county's land use constraint maps shall be revised
to eliminate "Seasonal Wetland. All wetlands shall be designated
wetlands or farmed wetlands.

13.1

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