In the Photo above, CHP Officer Pierman and a Mendocino County Sheriff confer with the demonstrators about their well being and discuss their plans around the lock down.

Work at the Caltrans Willits Bypass project was once again delayed when it was discovered that two protesters, Jamie Chevalier and Travis Jochimsen, had used metal lockboxes to lock themselves to a wick drain augur, a tool used in the process of draining the wetland area along the bypass construction site. The two were locked to the augur for around five hours before they were arrested -see photos below. Photos on this page are by Ree Slocum Photography.

Use the player to hear more on this story in a piece aired on Mon, May 20, 2013, by KMUD News Correspondent Christina Aanestad. The audio clip begins with an interview with Sarah Grusky of Save Our Little Lake Valley.

Additional Resources:
Protest of Willits Bypass Project planned-update; Willits Bypass slowing down-new audio included
Senator Evans says Caltrans needs to consider alternatives to Willits Bypass-Caltrans Response
Willits Bypass tree-sitters extracted by CHP
Arrests at Willits Bypass site
Farm group challenges environmental review of Willits Bypass Project
Caltrans Willits Bypass Web Page
Save Little Lake Valley

Around 6 am this morning, Jamie Chevalier (Photo Left) and Travis Jochimsen (photo right) locked down in a black bear device on the wick drain boom brought in by Caltrans.

The subject of impact on wildlife species due to rodenticide use in marijuana grows is in the news again as Second District Supervisor, Estelle Fennell, sponsored a resolution to discourage their use. Although not strictly a ban the resolution, which was approved unanimously, is hoped to influence business owners to take rodenticides off their shelves and to discourage consumers from using them.

A letter from Reckitt Benckiser, the company that the manufactures d-CON rodenticide products, dated the same day the board approved the resolution, urged the Board of Supervisors to, "...conduct a review of the scientific evidence surrounding the use of rodenticides, and to consider the serious unintended consequences of encouraging local businesses to restrict the sale of these products."  Click here for a pdf copy of this letter.

Using the player below you can hear more on this story in a piece submitted by Daniel Mintz and aired on KMUD Local News on Tues., May 14, 2013.

Previous related KMUD News Posts:
"Southern Humboldt businesses take rat poison off shelves"
"New lawsuit targets rat poison regulation"
"See Biologist Mourad Gabriel- Pot and Endangered Wildlife-Sept. 27 Arcata"
"Groups call for ban on rat poisons"

In January, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency required new limitations on some of the most dangerous rat poisons to protect families but left loopholes that will still leave wildlife at risk.

The Center for Biological Diversity previously reported that recent research concludes that rat poisons have been implicated in deaths involving at least 25 different species of animals in California. And last February, the CBD submitted a formal notice of intent to sue the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to, "...protect the endangered San Joaquin kit fox, golden eagle, Pacific fisher and other wildlife from unintended poisonings from “super-toxic” rat poisons."

According to KMUD News,"Rat Poison disappeared off of some Southern Humboldt shelves this month...other stores continue to sell the second generation anti-coagulant."

More can be heard on this story using the player below. This report was submitted by KMUD News Correspondent, Travis Turner, and was aired by KMUD News Coordinator, Terri Klemetson on Mon., April 15, 2013.

Additional Resources:
Raptors Are The Solution
See exactly who’s being poisoned with rat poison
Got Rats? Let Raptors Do Their Job

Previous related KMUD News Posts:
"New lawsuit targets rat poison regulation"
"See Biologist Mourad Gabriel- Pot and Endangered Wildlife-Sept. 27 Arcata"

According to a the 2011 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Humboldt Creamery in Fortuna made up 30% of the total toxic release in Humboldt County. The releases were in the form of nitrates as a by product of its milk manufacturing process.

According to Wikipedia, The Humboldt Creamery was established in 1929 as a local association of 152 dairy farms and, until 2009, creamery production was based on 50 small family dairies located in both Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Wikipedia futher states that, "It was one of only two dairy operations in the United States to have 'free-farmed' certification, a designation related to the extraordinary quality of life attributed to cows who live in pastures."

After experiencing financial problems and a scandal following the resignation of CEO Rich Ghilarducci, bankruptcy was filed and the assets of the Humboldt Creamery were sold at auction on August 27, 2009 to Foster Farms Dairy. Click here to see the Northcoast Journal article on this story.  

Use the player below to hear a report on the toxic release, submitted by KMUD News Correspondent Dan Young. This piece was aired by KMUD News Coordinator, Terri Klemetson, on Friday, April 12, 2013.

Water is necessary for the existence of our species, as well as other life forms on our planet. An article in the Huffington Post, titled, "Water Wars? Here in the US?", uses the term "peak water" to describe the coming water crisis, while a post in Aljazeera.com, states that, "...almost half of humanity will face water scarcity by 2030."

Focusing on water issues in our local area, the third Annual Water Day was held at the Mateel Community Center in Redway on March 30, 2013. This all-day event was sponsored by the Eel River Recovery Project (ERRP) and co-sponsored by a dozen other environmental non-profits.

Kmud News recorded the event and is bringing highlights from the day's offerings of presentations and panels.

Use the player below to hear a report from Water Day, submitted by KMUD News Correspondent, Eric Black, and aired on the KMUD Local News on Mon., April 8, 2013. The piece includes information from a presentation by Tasha McKee (Sanctuary Forest) and ideas offered by Sungnome Madrone of the Mattole Salmon Group.

The player below hosts an audio report submitted by KMUD News Correspondent, Eileen Russell and includes highlights from a presentation on Algae Blooms in the Eel River by Keith Bouma-Gregson from the UC Berkeley, Mary Power Lab; Survey work done by the Eel River Recovery Project, presented by Pat Higgins ERRP Volunteer Coordinator; and  toxic algae monitoring discussed by Paul Domanchuk (ERRP Toxic Algae Team). The report was aired by KMUD News Director, Terri Klemetson, on Wed., April 3, 2013.

Photos below show (top to bottom) Tasha McKee doing her presentation; morning panel - (left to right) Sara Schremmer (HSU/SRF), Tasha Mckee (Sancutary Forest), Sungnome Madrone (Mattole Salmon Group), Larry Desmond (Mendocino Water Works), Andrew Orahoske (EPIC); Morning WDIII Audience.