At its regular meeting this Thursday, June 3, The Humboldt County Planning Commission will hear testimony to determine whether the event may continue under the current Conditional Use Permit (CUP). RedwoodTimes


The staff report, prepared by senior planner Michael Richardson, offers the commission three options: to approve the event and set attendance levels, to continue the hearing until July, or to “direct staff to prepare materials to cancel the event for the year.”

As of press time on May 28, the application documents were incomplete. Planning staff had not yet received the annual report from Dimmick Ranch, LLC, owners of the event. This report, detailing how various issues outlined in the CUP were met for the 2009 event, is required before the commission can approve the 2010 event.

Additionally, planning staff is waiting for sign-offs from several public agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire, the County Department of Environmental Health, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Southern Humboldt Community Hospital, the state Department of Fish and Game, Garberville Community Services District, and the Piercy Fire Protection District.

Planning staff did receive a preliminary report from Tom Dimmick, representing Dimmick Ranch LLC, dated December 30, 2009.

In his letter, Dimmick stated that the new wastewater treatment system at the Dimmick Ranch site was monitored both by Reggae Rising staff and RWQCB, and “performed flawlessly.”

”On the whole, the event was safe, well attended, clean, and environmentally sound,” Dimmick's letter continues.

Regarding financing, Dimmick reported that 20 non-profits grossed $600,000. The event had 400 temporary employees and “directly infused $2 million to the local economy.

”On its own, Reggae Rising was a financial success,” Dimmick wrote, adding that loss of 30% of bank financing prior to the event “left a cash flow vacuum that has been slowly but surely filling... [Dimmick Ranch LLC is] aggressively putting together financing packages ... to ensure that every debt is satisfied in as timely a manner as possible.”

Planning staff commented: “It is acknowledged that funding for the event was a challenge, and numerous individuals and organizations are owed money for their expenses at last year's event. According to emails from the Sheriff, State Parks, and others, there continue to be payments due to individuals and organizations, including the County Sheriff's office.

”Additional information from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is needed to verify consistency of the project with the applicable water quality control requirements. Additionally, water quality testing results from the event must be submitted.”

The Humboldt County Sheriff's office and the state Department of Parks and Recreation have withheld their approval for the event.