"Hooked on Humboldt"

[Ned Flanders]

5. Too late, the end has begun (Walmart strikes again!)

Humboldt County is said to be "behind the redwood curtain," due to its geographical and economic isolation. It is a unique area, which could be self sufficient, what with fisheries, timber, even gas fields. As recently as 10 years ago you could purchase a 1/4 acre lot on the bluffs above the ocean in McKinleyville for $80k. Arcata, the main town in northern humboldt, boasts only one traffic light and city codes which prohibit chain fast food joints and nuclear weapons. The community turns out en masse to celebrate holidays, despite their political differences. When I lived there we had only 3 tv stations, and Kmart was the biggest retailer in town. Quality of life is good. When they finally built a mall in the County, the local kids were stoked, but most of us didn't care.

But Walmart wants in to that market, so kiss the local merchants goodbye. Problem is, the access roads are twisting, narrow affairs, prone to washouts and deadly accidents. Supersized 53' trucks can't make it because of 15mph curves and inconveniently-placed redwoods. So Walmart has lobbied heavily, with appropriate payments to various local politicians as well as state-level Cal Trans, to widen the roads. Highway 299, once my favorite road, is being ripped through the coast range, widened and curves straightened, on a capital improvements scale I've never personally witnessed. They're moving mountains. The other main route, Hwy 101, is hampered by redwoods. Richardson Grove state park is an amazing park, which will now be harvested, in the name of growth.

http://www.saverichardsongrove.org/ Check out the pictures; that's the main access route into Humboldt County.