Editor:

The huge cannabis operation in Elk River installed industrial size electrical service indicative of a large carbon footprint, which is likely the norm for Humboldt County regulated operations. Unfortunately, the planning process failed to establish carbon emission standards to weigh the emission levels in comparison with sun grown cannabis by small family operations, and the supervisors have yet on provide guidance. Thus, Humboldt County has encouraged and subsidized increased carbon and heat emissions which are driving global warming and forest fire intensity rather than minimizing the impacts.

What can the county do to level the economics playing field while minimizing the carbon footprint?

I request an accounting of carbon impacts from small family sun grown operation emissions with those of large grid tied operations as a predicate step to a county carbon tax and rebate to fund hand tool forest fuel reduction using pyrolysis of slash and sequestration of the char on site in the soils of the forest — sufficient to offset cannabis operation emissions.

We can not afford or survive the impacts or costs of climate change; thus tax and rebate is appropriate.

Jesse Noell, Elk River