Government: Transportation in Humboldt County (1984, 2013, 2020)

Government: Transportation in Humboldt County (1984, 2013, 2020)

Support of a balanced transportation system which includes rail, water, air, road and alternative ideas of transportation, and provides for improvement and funding adequate to maintain a coordinated system.
Position In Brief: 

1. Encourage improvements to state and county highways within Humboldt County, taking into consideration environmental impacts.

2. Public funds should be used if necessary to subsidize roads, public transportation, airports, railroads, trails and harbor facilities

3. Shortfalls in funding for state and county roads should be mitigated by increasing fuel and electric vehicle taxes. Roads largely serving private benefits should be funded by the specific property owners; for example, through organizations similar to homeowners associations. The least desirable alternative is for government to abandon roads.

4. The League should help the public understand the need for transportation system maintenance by disseminating information through all possible means including media, publications and public forum.
5. In planning for road use and maintenance, tourism should receive high consideration. Heavy industry, such as lumber, should be encouraged to use available accessible, affordable and alternative modes of transportation, such as water or rail, which will increase cost effectiveness and lessen wear and tear on the roads.
6. Public transportation should be accessible and affordable. Public transportation should be encouraged by improving bus services and providing rail transportation on the existing right of way. Facilitation should be provided using various means such as coordinating schedules, providing parking facilities, developing promotions and public education, adding bus routes when warranted, and meeting tourist, pedestrian, and cyclist needs. Para-transit is an important service to be coordinated and maintained at an adequate level. Para-transit is defined as an alternate mode of transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules including mini buses, shared taxis and jitneys, and includes special transportation services for people with disabilities.
7. Para-transit is defined as an alternate mode of transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules including mini buses, shared taxis and ride services and includes special transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities.

8. Decisions about alternative modes of transportation should include attention to climate change i.e., sea level rise, environmental impact, sustainability, accessibility, and affordability.

9. Water transportation should be coordinated with other current and future modes of transportation. Passenger service into Humboldt Bay is desirable as a tourist attraction.

10. Local governments should provide incentives to encourage air carriers and routes. However, environ-mental concerns and new, reduced carbon emission technologies must be considered when evaluating increased airport usage.

Issues: 
League to which this content belongs: 
Humboldt County