It won't be as physically explosive as LNG, but it may remind you of that controversy. The stars are aligning for a contentious meeting this Thursday at the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District (HBHRCD).

A letter by Dave Elsebusch in the Arcata Eye alerted us to the fact that the district’s budget will be reopened as an agenda item, and a quick check of the agenda confirmed it. At the last meeting, the budget discussion was cut short before public comment could be heard. “Uncle” Pat Higgins, 5^th Division commissioner was launching into his concerns about deficit spending in the budget, including the idea of selling revenue bonds that would put the District into substantial debt that would be difficult to get out of if the proposed Redwood Marine Terminal project fails to generate enough revenue. Suddenly, the question was called, discussion was ended and the commissioners voted in the all-too-common 3-2 split to approve the budget before public comment could be heard. Failure to hear public comment was a violation of the Brown Act, so it has to be reheard on Thursday.

In addition, public comment will be heard on the business plan for the Redwood Marine Terminal. After an article in the Times-Standard pointed out the reliance on revenues from a projected 20 to 40-fold increase in Cruise Ship visits to our bay, the comments board lit up with skepticism.

And while I haven’t gotten my hands on one yet, from a moving bus I noticed port cranes on the cover of the North Coast Journal, known for its in depth reporting on port and rail issues.

Green Wheels has been concerned that any plans for a rail-dependent facility would be unrealistic given the challenges faced in restoring and maintaining a rail line through the Eel River Canyon. Unfortunately, these unrealistic plans give railroad boosters a tenuous hold on their lock-up of the railroad right-of-way, so that it remains unused as it has for the last decade.

The Bay District Commission meets Thursday at 7pm in the Woodley Island Marina Meeting Room. You may want to get there early to get a seat to see the show (or take part?).