Business Agenda Item 5b
STAFF REPORT
Business Agenda Item
DATE: May 18, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Katey Schmidt, Senior Planner
THROUGH: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution 2026-17 Adopting the Humboldt County Regional Climate Action Plan as the City of Arcata’s Climate Action Plan and Making California Environmental Quality Act Findings as a Responsible Agency.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt Resolution 2026-17 Adopting the Humboldt County Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP) as the City of Fortuna’s Climate Action Plan and Making California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) findings as a Responsible Agency.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
California law requires reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pursuant to Assembly Bill 32 (Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006), Senate Bill 32, Executive Order B-55-18, and Assembly Bill 1279, which collectively mandate deep reductions in GHG emissions, and progress toward statewide carbon neutrality by 2045. The RCAP is designed to reduce countywide GHG emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. Local governments play a critical role in meeting these targets through land use planning, transportation policies, infrastructure investments, and municipal operations.
In response, Humboldt County and the incorporated cities of Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, and Trinidad collaboratively developed the Humboldt County Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP). The RCAP establishes a coordinated, technically supported, and CEQA-compliant framework for reducing GHG emissions countywide while recognizing each jurisdiction’s independent land use authority and implementation capacity.
On December 16, 2025, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors certified the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and adopted the RCAP. The City of Fortuna is Business Agenda Item 5b
now considering adoption of the RCAP as its regional climate action framework and acting as a Responsible Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
BACKGROUND:
Regional Climate Action Planning Effort
The RCAP effort originated in 2019 when Humboldt County and the seven incorporated cities entered into a coordinated planning process to address climate change on a regional scale. A regional approach was pursued to maximize limited staffing and funding resources, ensure consistency across jurisdictional boundaries, and create a defensible GHG reduction framework capable of supporting CEQA streamlining for future development.
An initial draft RCAP released in 2022 was not advanced due to concerns regarding implementation feasibility, technical rigor, and CEQA adequacy. Humboldt County subsequently retained Rincon Consultants, Inc. to prepare a revised RCAP and serve as CEQA Lead Agency for environmental review.
The revised RCAP was developed through a multi-year process that included:
• Preparation of a comprehensive 2022 countywide GHG emissions inventory • Emissions forecasting and target setting consistent with State mandates • Development of strategy- and sector-based measures and actions • Extensive inter-jurisdictional coordination
• Public outreach and stakeholder engagement
• Preparation and certification of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Report The Final RCAP was adopted by Humboldt County on December 16, 2025.
Public discussion at the Board of Supervisors hearing focused heavily on those thresholds; however, the City’s action tonight is limited to adopting the RCAP for City planning and implementation purposes and relying on the County-certified EIR. The City Council is not being asked to consider or adopt CEQA thresholds as part of this agenda item.
REGIONAL GHG INVENTORY AND EMISSIONS PROFILE:
The technical foundation of the RCAP is a countywide 2022 GHG emissions inventory covering both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Humboldt County. Total community-wide emissions were estimated at approximately 1.53 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO₂e).
Key findings of the inventory include:
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• Transportation is the dominant source of GHG emissions, accounting for approximately 73 percent of total emissions.
• Building energy use, particularly natural gas consumption, represents approximately 13 percent of emissions.
• Off-road equipment, solid waste, wastewater, and heating fuels comprise the remaining emissions sources.
The RCAP includes emissions forecasts through 2045 that account for demographic change, economic activity, and implementation of existing State regulations. These forecasts establish a baseline “adjusted” emissions trajectory and identify the emissions reduction gap that RCAP measures are designed to address.
RCAP GOALS, STRATEGIES, AND MEASURES:
Emissions Reduction Targets
The RCAP establishes regionwide emissions reduction targets aligned with State climate mandates:
• Reduce GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (SB 32) • Make substantial progress toward carbon neutrality by 2045 (AB 1279) Strategy Framework
The RCAP organizes its emissions reduction approach into eleven overarching strategies, including:
Strategy Area Focus
Establishment of a Regional
Climate Coalition
Coordinate regional implementation, monitoring, and
governance of climate actions
Expansion of Carbon-Free
Electricity
Increase renewable energy generation and access to clean electricity
Decarbonization of Existing
Buildings
Reduce emissions from existing buildings through
electrification and energy efficiency
Decarbonization of New
Construction
Promote all-electric, energy-efficient design for new
development
Active Transportation and Mode
Shift Increase walking, biking, and non-vehicle travel options Expanded Transit and Shared
Mobility
Improve access to public transit and shared transportation services
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Land Use Strategies to Reduce
VMT
Encourage compact, infill development to reduce vehicle miles traveled
Accelerated Zero-Emission
Vehicle Adoption Support transition to electric and zero-emission vehicles Reduction of Organic Waste
Disposal
Decrease landfill emissions through waste diversion and composting
Improved Water and Wastewater
Efficiency
Reduce energy and emissions from water and wastewater
systems
Increased Carbon Sequestration Enhance carbon storage through natural and working lands Each strategy is supported by a suite of measures and actions, some of which are quantitatively modeled for emissions reductions and others that provide critical policy, governance, or capacity-building support.
Urban and Rural Context
For purposes of the Humboldt Regional Climate Action Plan, the City of Fortuna is classified as an urban jurisdiction based on population and development characteristics and is therefore associated with RCAP strategies that emphasize multimodal transportation, infill development, and building energy efficiency typical of urban communities, while implementation of any such measures remains subject to local discretion, feasibility, and future City Council action.
TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE STRATEGIES:
Transportation accounts for the largest share of emissions in Humboldt County, and RCAP transportation strategies provide the greatest reductions. These strategies emphasize:
• Reducing vehicle miles traveled through land use planning • Expanding pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure • Increasing zero-emission vehicle adoption
• Coordinating land use and transportation planning
These strategies are closely aligned with the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) Regional Transportation Plan (VROOM 2022–2042) and support Fortuna’s General Plan goals related to mobility, infill development, and community connectivity.
BUILDING ENERGY AND ELECTRIFICATION STRATEGIES:
Building energy strategies focus on reducing emissions associated with electricity and natural gas use through:
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• Grid decarbonization
• Electrification of space and water heating
• Energy efficiency upgrades
• All-electric new construction
These measures are consistent with evolving State building standards and regional initiatives led by the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA), including the RePower Humboldt program.
Additionally, industry standards are organically moving towards electrification due to improvements in electric water and space heating technology.
The RCAP also includes “lead by example” measures encouraging decarbonization of municipal facilities and operations. Many of these measures have the potential to increase the fiscal efficiency of City facilities and may be implemented using outside funding sources, such as grants and incentive programs.
IMPLEMENTATION
The RCAP is designed with the understanding that meaningful climate action will take sustained effort, long‑term coordination, and adequate resources. Given the region’s limited staffing and funding capacity, many higher‑cost or complex strategies will rely on extended collaboration and, in many cases, outside funding and partnerships. Several actions involve major infrastructure investments or market‑based transitions that are beyond the direct authority of any single jurisdiction. For instance, large‑scale clean energy projects, including utility system upgrades and offshore wind development, depend heavily on utility planning as well as state and federal policies and funding. Other strategies are implemented by partner agencies, with the City serving in a supporting role, or depend on changes in community behavior, such as reducing vehicle trips and increasing walking, bicycling, and transit use. While the City can support and encourage these shifts, actual results depend on participation by residents, businesses, and visitors.
To ensure implementation remains achievable, the RCAP promotes a phased approach that focuses first on actions that are ready to move forward and encourages jurisdictions to incorporate climate strategies into existing activities, such as policy updates, capital improvement projects, and development review processes. The plan also emphasizes the importance of pursuing grant funding, developing new revenue sources, and forming strategic partnerships to expand staffing and project capacity over time. If actions are delayed, or if biennial monitoring shows that implemented measures are not delivering the expected greenhouse gas emission reductions, the RCAP may be updated to identify additional or adjusted actions necessary to remain on track to meet the 2030 milestone goal.
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Time
Period Focus Description
2022 Baseline Year Establishes greenhouse gas emissions baseline for tracking progress
Adoption –
2030
Near-Term
Implementation
Focus on “ready-to-go” actions that can be integrated into existing plans, development review, capital projects, and grant opportunities. Biennial monitoring of implementation with potential revision of measures.
2030 Interim Target Achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels, consistent with State requirements
2030 –
2040
Mid-Term
Implementation
Expansion of measures as funding, staffing capacity, and technology allow; continued regional coordination
2040 –
2045
Long-Term
Implementation
Focus on remaining emissions reductions and large-scale transitions needed to achieve carbon neutrality
2045 Long-Term Goal Achieve carbon neutrality
REGIONAL GOVERNANCE:
A key benefit of the RCAP is the opportunity for ongoing collaboration among Humboldt County jurisdictions. Adoption by the City of Fortuna, along with Eureka, Arcata, Rio Dell, and other participating cities, supports a coordinated regional approach to climate planning that reduces duplication of effort, improves consistency, and enhances opportunities for shared funding and implementation.
The RCAP proposes establishment of a Regional Climate Committee composed of representatives from participating jurisdictions and regional agencies, including HCAOG, RCEA, the Humboldt Transit Authority, and the Humboldt Waste Management Authority. The Committee would be responsible for coordinating implementation of RCAP measures, pursuing grant funding and shared staffing opportunities, developing template ordinances and policies, and tracking progress through regular reporting.
The RCAP also envisions a shared Climate Program Manager to support regional coordination and implementation. Specific governance, staffing location, funding commitments, and cost‑sharing arrangements for this position would require separate future approvals and are not established by adoption of the RCAP.
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GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY FINDING:
Adoption of the RCAP is consistent with the City of Fortuna General Plan 2030, implementing adopted goals related to regional coordination, GHG reduction, air quality, energy conservation, multimodal transportation, infill development, and sustainable economic development. The RCAP complements existing policies without amending land use designations or authorizing development, and future General Plan updates may further integrate RCAP strategies as appropriate.
CEQA COMPLIANCE AND RESPONSIBLE AGENCY FINDINGS:
Humboldt County acted as the CEQA Lead Agency and certified a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2024081319) evaluating the environmental impacts of RCAP implementation at a programmatic level.
The EIR identified certain impacts as significant and unavoidable, including impacts related to:
• Aesthetics
• Air quality
• Biological resources
• Cultural and tribal cultural resources
• Noise
• Utilities and service systems
The County Board of Supervisors adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations, finding that the economic, environmental, legal, and social benefits of the RCAP outweigh the identified impacts.
City of Fortuna Responsible Agency Role
The City of Fortuna is acting as a CEQA Responsible Agency pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15096. Adoption of the RCAP does not approve or authorize any specific development project or physical improvement.
As a Responsible Agency, the City may rely on the County-certified Final EIR and is not required to prepare a separate environmental document, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, or Statement of Overriding Considerations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the RCAP does not result in an immediate fiscal impact to the City of Fortuna.
Implementation of RCAP measures may require future staff time, grant pursuit, participation in Business Agenda Item 5b
regional coordination, or potential cost sharing for regional staffing. Any future financial commitments would require separate City Council review and approval.
CONCLUSION:
Adoption of the Humboldt Regional Climate Action Plan establishes a consistent, technically supported framework for addressing greenhouse gas emissions while preserving the City of Fortuna’s local authority and discretion over implementation. As demonstrated by RCAP adoption by peer jurisdictions including Eureka, Arcata, and Rio Dell, RCAP adoption does not create regulatory mandates or immediate fiscal commitments. Instead, it provides a flexible planning tool that may be used over time to inform policy decisions, support grant applications, align with CEQA requirements, and coordinate with regional partners.
Implementation of RCAP measures would occur incrementally and only upon future City Council direction, based on available resources and alignment with community priorities. The RCAP is designed to complement and support evolving State requirements, including future updates to the California Building Code, Title 24 energy standards, and other State climate‑related regulations, providing a framework that can assist the City in adapting to and planning for these changes.
Participation in the regional RCAP effort positions the City of Fortuna to collaborate effectively with neighboring jurisdictions, leverage shared technical capacity, and contribute to countywide progress toward State greenhouse gas reduction and carbon neutrality goals.
The RCAP is structured as a voluntary and flexible framework that preserves local discretion over implementation. While the plan includes monitoring and reporting to track progress, it does not impose penalties, enforcement mechanisms, or mandatory implementation requirements for participating jurisdictions (RCAP Final Report, pp. 5–6, 33–39).
Failure to adopt the Regional Climate Action Plan would not result in immediate regulatory or fiscal consequences for the City of Fortuna; however, it would reduce opportunities for regional coordination, limit competitiveness for State and federal grant funding, and increase reliance on local resources for climate planning and technical analysis. Non‑adoption could also result in increased CEQA review burdens for future projects and a more reactive approach to evolving State climate requirements, whereas adoption positions the City to plan proactively, leverage shared regional capacity, and participate in coordinated policy development across Humboldt County.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Open the public hearing and receive the staff presentation and public testimony;
2. Close the public hearing;
3. Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-17 and read by title only. Roll Call vote.
Business Agenda Item 5b
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution 2026-17, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fortuna Adopting the Humboldt Regional Climate Action Plan as the City of Fortuna’s Regional Climate Action Framework and Making Findings as a Responsible Agency Under the California Environmental Quality Act
B. Final Regional Climate Action Plan