The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously earlier this month to grant Humboldt County a coastal development permit for the reconstruction of a 900-foot stretch of Centerville Road in Eureka, contingent upon a permanent ban on vehicles from Centerville Beach to protect the western snowy plover, a federally threatened shorebird. The low-lying coastal route often floods during high surf, which poses a risk to eight nearby homes.
The county's proposed solution includes raising the roadbed and adding a designated parking lot. However, the commission's condition for a vehicle ban has sparked controversy among local officials and residents who argue that it penalizes recreational beachgoers.
First District Supervisor Rex Bohn expressed his frustration on social media following the commission's meeting, stating that the county could propose a plan to address concerns and that the commission would reconsider the ban.
Humboldt County Planning Commissioner Iver Skavdal criticized the commission for using the road project as leverage to enforce the vehicle closure without local input, describing it as a backroom deal that holds the project and community hostage.
Centerville Beach has been a popular destination for driving on the sand and coastal recreation. Environmental advocates argue that vehicles harm plover nesting habitats, while local opponents claim the ban limits access for anglers and those with mobility challenges. Longtime fisherman Dave Sirkovic described the condition as extortion and emphasized the rights of the public to access fishing resources, referencing the California Constitution and Coastal Act.