Water Safety Coalition
![[Photograph]: The coalition motto Saving lives through education with a photograph of two kayakers on the river as the background. The Water Safety Coalition logo is located in the lower left-hand corner.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114125028im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/local-common/images/water-safety/banner01.jpg)
Purpose of the Water Safety Coalition
To work cooperatively to educate recreationists about water safety hazards and issues in the northwestern California area to reduce injuries and deaths. The core geographic areas of focus are Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity and Siskiyou Counties; coastal beaches of Humboldt and Del Norte counties; Smith, Klamath, Trinity, California Salmon, Mad, Eel and Van Duzen Rivers.
Water Safety
Boating and fishing on the Northcoast rivers and coastal beaches can be fun and exciting. Make your visit to the water more fun by being safe. Take the time to review our Water Safety Principles and a calendar of when the waters on the Northcoast are most dangerous. more »
Coalition History
Summer 2001 saw a high number of drownings on rivers and lakes in the Six Rivers National Forest due to higher than normal water levels and flows, cold water conditions, drug and alcohol consumption, and visitors from outside the northwest California area who were unfamiliar with local conditions. A Six Rivers National Forest news release reminding people of the river hazards prompted a call from the County of Humboldt Department of Health and Human Services offering assistance to make people aware of these hazards. A meeting was held in July 2001 between the Forest Service and the Health Department. Among the discussions held at the meeting was the need for an ongoing coordinated, yearlong awareness and education campaign regarding water safety and hazards. Agencies and groups were identified as potential interested parties. more »
Participating Agencies and Organizations
Subsequent meetings have resulted in additional agencies and organizations with a stake in water safety joining the coalition. The primary participating groups are the National Weather Service, California Department of Water Resources, Forest Service, National Park Service, California State Parks, Wing Inflatables, County of Humboldt Department of Health and Human Services, Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, California Department of Boating and Waterways, and Humboldt State University Center Activities. New members from the core geographic area are welcome to join at any time.
| Agency/Organization | Contact Person | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Humboldt State University Center Activities | Dave Nakamura | 707-826-3357 |
| California Department of Water Resources | Sherry Constancio | 707-445-6576 |
| California Department of Boating and Waterways | Phaedra Bota | 916-263-8188 |
| Humboldt County Public Health Branch, Department of Health & Human Services | Jan Alcock | 707-268-5565 |
| Humboldt County Sheriff's Office | Roy Reynolds | 707-268-3637 |
| National Weather Service | Troy Nicolini | 707-443-7641 x228 |
| US Forest Service, Six Rivers National Forest | Bob Hemus | 530-627-3291 |
| USDI Bureau of Land Management | Julie Clark | 707-825-2349 |
| USDI National Park Service, Redwood National and State Parks | Jeff Denny | 707-464-6101 x5260 |
| Wing Inflatables | Bill Wing | 707-826-2887 |
![[Link]: The U.S. government's official
web portal.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090114125028im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/local-common/images/template/usagov_logo.jpg){kind=logo}
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