“surplus” lands?

Recycling abandoned and scarred land provides opportunities to restore and repair past industrial uses, while providing much needed recreation, wildlife and other amenities in the heart of many of our urban areas.
As a society, we have proven adept at vigorously using resources and then discarding them. Typically, we refer to cans, bottles, cardboard when we think of recycling. But what about land? There are literally hundreds of thousands of properties across the U.S. and hundreds in Humboldt County that were used intensively during industrial development phases and now sit vacant. These lands are potentially scarred with legacy industrial waste, filled with non-native plants, or exhibit poor water quality; they are ripe for abuse from trespassing, dumping and vandalism. These lands are often the center of social and behavioral issues that stem from drinking, drug abuse and illegal camping near or within our urban centers. One local example of this is Parcel 4, located behind the Bayshore Mall in Eureka.

EUREKA-It's been about a week since those living in the Palco Marsh moved out, and officials continue to patrol the city for illegal camping.
EPD has issued 18 citations and arrested one for illegal camping in Eureka. Citations issued were near Washington and Koster, the foot of Del Norte Street, Bayshore Way, the 2400 block of 2nd street and along Broadway. Since May 2, 248 transient calls have been made to police.