Water District to appeal approval of Mercer Fraser cannabis extraction plant on Mad River

EUREKA – The Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District will appeal the planning commission’s decision to allow cannabis extraction along the Mad River.
The board directed staff to challenge the approval of Mercer Fraser’s plan to produce cannabis edibles at its facility on the Mad River, a site formerly zoned for agricultural use.
In addition, water district staff are also working on placing additional constraints on the project should it go forward.
The proposed project location is near three of the district’s four water collectors.
General Manager John Friedenbach said the board is concerned the drinking water of two-thirds of Humboldt County’s population would be at risk of contamination.
The appeal must be filed by Friday. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider in February.