To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Steve Madrone
Agenda Section: Initiated by Board Member
SUBJECT:
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Consider Supporting a Proposal to Apply the New Name of O’Haniel Creek to an Officially Unnamed Stream that Flows into Redwood Creek (Supervisor Steve Madrone)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Supports a proposal to apply the new name of O’Haniel Creek to an officially unnamed stream that flows into Redwood Creek and authorize the County Administrative Officer and/or the Chair of the Board to advocate for the new name; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a fully executed U.S. Board of Geographic Names Geographic Name Proposal Recommendation to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names, if approved.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100)
DISCUSSION:
The U.S. Board of Geographic Names (BGN) is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names for use by the Federal Government. The BGN accepts proposals to name and rename geographic features and makes decisions on proposals based on local opinion and recommendations.
A resident of Arcata submitted a proposal to the BGN to apply the new name O’Haniel Creek to an officially unnamed stream that flows into Redwood Creek. Proponents of the naming wish to honor O’Haniel Bailey, a member of the Whikut Tribe, a sheepherder who lived and worked in the area.
The BGN is asking for local feedback before voting to either approve or not approve the name for official Federal use.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Expenditures related to submitting letters or other forms of advocacy for the proposed action are minimal. Funding for staff to work on advocacy efforts for the Board of Supervisors (1100-101) and the County Administrative Office (1100-103) is available from the General Fund, and the related allocations have been included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget. No additional General Fund allocation is required for this action.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, building interjurisdictional and regional cooperation, and providing community-appropriate levels of services. In addition, while not specifically enumerated in the Board’s Strategic Framework, the Board has adopted a stance to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts and this action supports and acknowledges the importance of indigenous peoples in Humboldt County and their cultural backgrounds and contributions to the community.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
U.S. Board of Geographic Names (BGN)
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
A. O’Haniel Creek Proposal
B. U.S. Board of Geographic Names Geographic Name Proposal Recommendation Form
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A