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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Three years after the Board of Supervisors voted to create a separate Water Resources Department it has decided to reconsolidate the department with Public Works, a decision that county leaders said is meant to improve oversight and leadership.
The board’s decision on Tuesday followed a recommendation from an ad hoc committee – formed at the direction of Board Chair Tina Scott – that included Supervisor Rob Brown, Supervisor EJ Crandell, interim Water Resources Director Scott De Leon and County Administrative Office staff.
County Administrative Office Carol Huchingson told the board on Tuesday that the group reviewed past research conducted by the Public Works Department, surveyed the functions aligned under public works agencies in neighboring and comparable California counties.
She said more than half of the neighboring counties reviewed aligned water resources and/or Flood Control functions under their public works department.
The ad hoc committee’s report said the board acted on July 19, 2016, to separate the Public Works and Water Resources departments. The board also approved revisions to the Water Resources director classification description, “emphasizing the technical demands of the role, in recognition of the unique nature of Clear Lake as a large, species-dense and biologically diverse body of water.”
Huchingson said that move was encouraged by a former board member who had a vision of there being more scientific research. However, she said the former Water Resource director said there is less science and more compliance involved.
The ad hoc committee’s report said that, since 2016, “it has become clear that a stronger administrative and personnel and project management focus is needed to support the diverse demands of the Water Resources function in Lake County.”
In June, the board approved classification changes for the department, and the committee credited De Leon with offering “insight that many of the scientific functions are conducted by partner entities, such as the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake, local Tribal Nations, State agencies, and contractors.”
The report continued, “With Clear Lake as our defining feature, it is essential Lake County appropriately attends to scientific and other discipline-specific responsibilities when managing our Water Resources. Because this work is actually performed by numerous entities, administrative functions must be efficiently completed to ensure this important work can be appropriately prioritized and undertaken. Consolidation of Public Works and Water Resources historically brought efficiencies and opportunities for cross-training. Given the import of the functions of both departments, continuity and the capacity to respond to normal events, such as staff vacancies, is essential.”
As a result, the group recommended reconsolidating Water Resources and Public Works, but leaving the position structure as it is now, with Huchingson adding that Public Works will work on the candidate pool for a new deputy director to oversee Water Resources.
Crandell credited De Leon with guiding the two Water Resources directors that have served since 2016 – Phil Moy and David Cowan – and mentoring them.
“I really think you have the skills to take this on and the abilities to take this on,” Supervisor Bruno Sabatier told De Leon.
However, Sabatier questioned if De Leon had a succession plan in which deputy directors would be cross-trained to handle the department’s different functions.
De Leon said succession planning is on the forefront of his mind. His assistant Public Works director position has been vacant for a few years and it’s been difficult to recruit people.
“I’m hoping that as we move forward with class and compensation studies that our positions will be more attractive and we’ll be able to recruit some qualified folks,” De Leon said.
He said he wants to see the assistant Public Works director position filled as part of the succession planning.
That position also will oversee Water Resources, which de Leon said will continue to be its own department, not a division, as he said there is a lot of pride in the department’s staff and organization. “I don’t intend to change that.”
De Leon said bringing Water Resources into the Public Works Department is meant to help with fiscal and administrative functions, and to provide additional oversight and leadership.
Crandell moved to approve the consolidation of the Water Resources Department and Public Works, with Supervisor Moke Simon seconding and the board approving the motion 5-0.
De Leon told Lake County News on Wednesday that the process to proceed with the reconsolidation isn’t too involved, since he’s been the interim Water Resources director for a month.
“We’ll continue with the recruitment for a director for Water Resources using the candidates we have from the recent advertisement and hopefully we can find a good person to handle the day to day operations of the staff and programs,” he said.
The process, he said, is “basically immediate, and since we’ve already functioned with this structure, it doesn’t require any major changes in Public Works.”
Prior to taking on Water Resources, De Leon said his annual salary was $120,600. The board has since given him a 25-percent increase. “As far as I know, the increase will continue,” he said.
De Leon’s updated salary makes him one of the county’s highest-paid department heads.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The board’s decision on Tuesday followed a recommendation from an ad hoc committee – formed at the direction of Board Chair Tina Scott – that included Supervisor Rob Brown, Supervisor EJ Crandell, interim Water Resources Director Scott De Leon and County Administrative Office staff.
County Administrative Office Carol Huchingson told the board on Tuesday that the group reviewed past research conducted by the Public Works Department, surveyed the functions aligned under public works agencies in neighboring and comparable California counties.
She said more than half of the neighboring counties reviewed aligned water resources and/or Flood Control functions under their public works department.
The ad hoc committee’s report said the board acted on July 19, 2016, to separate the Public Works and Water Resources departments. The board also approved revisions to the Water Resources director classification description, “emphasizing the technical demands of the role, in recognition of the unique nature of Clear Lake as a large, species-dense and biologically diverse body of water.”
Huchingson said that move was encouraged by a former board member who had a vision of there being more scientific research. However, she said the former Water Resource director said there is less science and more compliance involved.
The ad hoc committee’s report said that, since 2016, “it has become clear that a stronger administrative and personnel and project management focus is needed to support the diverse demands of the Water Resources function in Lake County.”
In June, the board approved classification changes for the department, and the committee credited De Leon with offering “insight that many of the scientific functions are conducted by partner entities, such as the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake, local Tribal Nations, State agencies, and contractors.”
The report continued, “With Clear Lake as our defining feature, it is essential Lake County appropriately attends to scientific and other discipline-specific responsibilities when managing our Water Resources. Because this work is actually performed by numerous entities, administrative functions must be efficiently completed to ensure this important work can be appropriately prioritized and undertaken. Consolidation of Public Works and Water Resources historically brought efficiencies and opportunities for cross-training. Given the import of the functions of both departments, continuity and the capacity to respond to normal events, such as staff vacancies, is essential.”
As a result, the group recommended reconsolidating Water Resources and Public Works, but leaving the position structure as it is now, with Huchingson adding that Public Works will work on the candidate pool for a new deputy director to oversee Water Resources.
Crandell credited De Leon with guiding the two Water Resources directors that have served since 2016 – Phil Moy and David Cowan – and mentoring them.
“I really think you have the skills to take this on and the abilities to take this on,” Supervisor Bruno Sabatier told De Leon.
However, Sabatier questioned if De Leon had a succession plan in which deputy directors would be cross-trained to handle the department’s different functions.
De Leon said succession planning is on the forefront of his mind. His assistant Public Works director position has been vacant for a few years and it’s been difficult to recruit people.
“I’m hoping that as we move forward with class and compensation studies that our positions will be more attractive and we’ll be able to recruit some qualified folks,” De Leon said.
He said he wants to see the assistant Public Works director position filled as part of the succession planning.
That position also will oversee Water Resources, which de Leon said will continue to be its own department, not a division, as he said there is a lot of pride in the department’s staff and organization. “I don’t intend to change that.”
De Leon said bringing Water Resources into the Public Works Department is meant to help with fiscal and administrative functions, and to provide additional oversight and leadership.
Crandell moved to approve the consolidation of the Water Resources Department and Public Works, with Supervisor Moke Simon seconding and the board approving the motion 5-0.
De Leon told Lake County News on Wednesday that the process to proceed with the reconsolidation isn’t too involved, since he’s been the interim Water Resources director for a month.
“We’ll continue with the recruitment for a director for Water Resources using the candidates we have from the recent advertisement and hopefully we can find a good person to handle the day to day operations of the staff and programs,” he said.
The process, he said, is “basically immediate, and since we’ve already functioned with this structure, it doesn’t require any major changes in Public Works.”
Prior to taking on Water Resources, De Leon said his annual salary was $120,600. The board has since given him a 25-percent increase. “As far as I know, the increase will continue,” he said.
De Leon’s updated salary makes him one of the county’s highest-paid department heads.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A woman arrested earlier this month for chaining her dog outside in the heat with no shelter or water is facing trial.
Champagne Delsie Leubner, 24, was held to answer to a charge of felony animal abuse at her Aug. 19 preliminary hearing, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
On Tuesday, Leubner appeared in Lake County Superior Court for arraignment. Hinchcliff said she will return to court on Sept. 16, at which time it’s expected that her trial date will be set.
The Clearlake Police Department took Leubner into custody on Aug. 2, as Lake County News has reported.
On July 23, Clearlake Animal Control Officer John Moretz responded to a call regarding a dog that was tied outside in direct sun with no water.
He arrived at the scene to find the dog chained to a stationary object in a backyard, entangled in cable, with no water to drink and unable to get into shade, authorities said.
Moretz took the dog, which was suffering from heatstroke, to a veterinarian. The dog was unresponsive and its body temperature was so high that it was unreadable by a thermometer. It was subsequently euthanized, authorities said.
Police obtained a warrant for Leubner’s arrest and she was taken into custody at the Mobil gas station on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Leubner initially had been booked into the Lake County Jail with bail set at $35,000. She later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Champagne Delsie Leubner, 24, was held to answer to a charge of felony animal abuse at her Aug. 19 preliminary hearing, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
On Tuesday, Leubner appeared in Lake County Superior Court for arraignment. Hinchcliff said she will return to court on Sept. 16, at which time it’s expected that her trial date will be set.
The Clearlake Police Department took Leubner into custody on Aug. 2, as Lake County News has reported.
On July 23, Clearlake Animal Control Officer John Moretz responded to a call regarding a dog that was tied outside in direct sun with no water.
He arrived at the scene to find the dog chained to a stationary object in a backyard, entangled in cable, with no water to drink and unable to get into shade, authorities said.
Moretz took the dog, which was suffering from heatstroke, to a veterinarian. The dog was unresponsive and its body temperature was so high that it was unreadable by a thermometer. It was subsequently euthanized, authorities said.
Police obtained a warrant for Leubner’s arrest and she was taken into custody at the Mobil gas station on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Leubner initially had been booked into the Lake County Jail with bail set at $35,000. She later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County health officials are offering guidelines for keeping pets and people safe while enjoying water recreation as the investigation into the cause of death of a dog playing in a county creek continues.
Accumulations of blue-green algae are a common and familiar sight in freshwater lakes, ponds and streams throughout the country, including Clear Lake.
Most frequently visible as green, soup-like water, oily-appearing surface scum or foamy mats, cyanobacteria tend to flourish or collect in sunny areas where water is shallow and undisturbed, or in locations where wind and currents cause surface blooms to collect.
Some blue-green algae produce toxins that can pose a range of health risks to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large enough quantities.
Water monitoring for cyanotoxins is regularly done by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony. This valuable service helps facilitate safe lake use.
The most recent water testing results of Clearlake of 22 sites throughout the lake on Aug. 20 were all below the caution level, county officials reported.
Pets, such as dogs, are particularly at risk because they are not deterred by the disagreeable odors of decaying algal mats, they are prone to swallowing water while swimming, and they can ingest cyanobacteria while self-cleaning their coat following contact with the lake.
While a pet illness from cyanotoxins has not been confirmed, the recent death of a dog earlier this week has prompted local officials to remind residents and visitors to take precautions for the safe enjoyment of Clear Lake and other nearby water bodies.
The dog died earlier this week following a brief severe illness that began immediately after swimming in the Putah Creek area.
Although the cause of the illness is still being evaluated, Lake County Water Resources has obtained samples for testing of the water in the area where the dog and its owners were recreating.
Lake County Public Health has arranged for specialized testing at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in Davis in order to determine if the illness was caused by cyanotoxins.
Symptoms in the pet are consistent with possible cyanotoxin exposure, including difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness, and tongue and gums turning a bluish color. Humans recreating nearby have not reported illness.
There was a laboratory documented case of a cyanotoxin-related death of a dog in Lake County in 2013, and this case is an indication that caution might be needed even when algal accumulations do not appear as severe as in previous years.
County officials urge the community to use appropriate precautions while this scientific testing is completed to determine if any potential health risks associated with cyanobacteria exist.
Regardless of any eventual findings in this case, Scott De Leon, interim director of Lake County Water Resources, and Erin Gustafson, MD, MPH, Lake County public health officer, urge the public to observe important safeguards to avoid harmful effects of cyanobacteria.
These safeguards include:
• Avoid contact with water in areas with surface foam, scum, or a pea soup appearance. This is particularly important for small children and pets.
• Avoid generating aerosols (water skiing, jet skiing, etc.) in areas of the lake where there are signs of blue-green algae.
• After swimming, towel off properly. Even better, shower with fresh water. After pets swim, rinse with fresh water and towel them dry to prevent them from ingesting the blue-green algae while self-cleaning.
• Never drink untreated lake or other surface water. Boiling water does not guarantee that it is safe to drink.
• If unexplained illness develops following direct exposure to water in a lake, pond, or stream, see a doctor (or bring your pet to a veterinarian) promptly and be sure to mention the exposure that occurred.
For more information and resources, visit the following county cyanobacteria pages.
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanobacteria/
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanohealth/
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/f2d74c_444a13a73abe47b5ae90256d4f8085bb.pdf : Action levels for acute exposure for dogs for cyanotoxins.
For current cyanotoxin lab results, please visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians cyanotoxin monitoring website: https://www.bvrancheria.com/clearlakecyanotoxins .
Accumulations of blue-green algae are a common and familiar sight in freshwater lakes, ponds and streams throughout the country, including Clear Lake.
Most frequently visible as green, soup-like water, oily-appearing surface scum or foamy mats, cyanobacteria tend to flourish or collect in sunny areas where water is shallow and undisturbed, or in locations where wind and currents cause surface blooms to collect.
Some blue-green algae produce toxins that can pose a range of health risks to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large enough quantities.
Water monitoring for cyanotoxins is regularly done by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony. This valuable service helps facilitate safe lake use.
The most recent water testing results of Clearlake of 22 sites throughout the lake on Aug. 20 were all below the caution level, county officials reported.
Pets, such as dogs, are particularly at risk because they are not deterred by the disagreeable odors of decaying algal mats, they are prone to swallowing water while swimming, and they can ingest cyanobacteria while self-cleaning their coat following contact with the lake.
While a pet illness from cyanotoxins has not been confirmed, the recent death of a dog earlier this week has prompted local officials to remind residents and visitors to take precautions for the safe enjoyment of Clear Lake and other nearby water bodies.
The dog died earlier this week following a brief severe illness that began immediately after swimming in the Putah Creek area.
Although the cause of the illness is still being evaluated, Lake County Water Resources has obtained samples for testing of the water in the area where the dog and its owners were recreating.
Lake County Public Health has arranged for specialized testing at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in Davis in order to determine if the illness was caused by cyanotoxins.
Symptoms in the pet are consistent with possible cyanotoxin exposure, including difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness, and tongue and gums turning a bluish color. Humans recreating nearby have not reported illness.
There was a laboratory documented case of a cyanotoxin-related death of a dog in Lake County in 2013, and this case is an indication that caution might be needed even when algal accumulations do not appear as severe as in previous years.
County officials urge the community to use appropriate precautions while this scientific testing is completed to determine if any potential health risks associated with cyanobacteria exist.
Regardless of any eventual findings in this case, Scott De Leon, interim director of Lake County Water Resources, and Erin Gustafson, MD, MPH, Lake County public health officer, urge the public to observe important safeguards to avoid harmful effects of cyanobacteria.
These safeguards include:
• Avoid contact with water in areas with surface foam, scum, or a pea soup appearance. This is particularly important for small children and pets.
• Avoid generating aerosols (water skiing, jet skiing, etc.) in areas of the lake where there are signs of blue-green algae.
• After swimming, towel off properly. Even better, shower with fresh water. After pets swim, rinse with fresh water and towel them dry to prevent them from ingesting the blue-green algae while self-cleaning.
• Never drink untreated lake or other surface water. Boiling water does not guarantee that it is safe to drink.
• If unexplained illness develops following direct exposure to water in a lake, pond, or stream, see a doctor (or bring your pet to a veterinarian) promptly and be sure to mention the exposure that occurred.
For more information and resources, visit the following county cyanobacteria pages.
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanobacteria/
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanohealth/
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/f2d74c_444a13a73abe47b5ae90256d4f8085bb.pdf : Action levels for acute exposure for dogs for cyanotoxins.
For current cyanotoxin lab results, please visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians cyanotoxin monitoring website: https://www.bvrancheria.com/clearlakecyanotoxins .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The suspect in the murder of an Illinois man whose body was found near Upper Lake this week has been booked into the Lake County Jail.
Mavrick William Fisher, 21, who has connections to Elko, Nevada, and Riverside, was booked into the jail shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday, about an hour after he was taken into custody by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, according to booking records.
Fisher is charged with the murder of 25-year-old Grant David Whitaker during an altercation that investigators believe occurred in Humboldt County, as Lake County News has reported.
The sheriff’s office said Fisher was found in Mexico this week and that authorities there assisted with arresting him.
Whitaker was reported missing in Illinois. On Saturday the sheriff’s office found a vehicle related to Whitaker at the Clearlake Oaks Dollar General store, and followed up on leads as they tried to locate Whitaker.
Authorities said Whitaker’s family had received information that he had been in an altercation at a Humboldt County campground with Fisher, with whom he had been traveling.
Over the weekend, authorities said they received information that Fisher had admitted to killing Whitaker, and also received leads as to where Whitaker’s body was located.
That led to the Monday service of a search warrant and the discovery of human remains in a remote area near the 7500 block of Scott’s Valley Road.
The remains, at that time, were believed to be those of Whitaker. On Wednesday, Sgt. John Gregore said an autopsy was performed on the remains and confirmed the body was indeed Whitaker’s.
The cause of Whitaker’s death has been determined to be blunt force trauma to the head, Gregore said.
Gregore said the investigation into the circumstances related to Whitaker’s death is continuing.
Fisher is being held without bail on a probable cause warrant, and is set to appear for arraignment in Lake County Superior Court on Friday, according to booking records.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Det. Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233 or
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to move forward with forming the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency, a move county leadership said is necessary to keep local control of the watershed.
The unanimous vote to adopt a resolution to form the new agency – in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which went into effect as part of California Water Code in January 2015 – followed a brief public hearing Tuesday morning.
Public Works Director Scott De Leon – who has been serving as interim Water Resources Department director and was appointed by the board to permanently oversee the department later in the meeting – took the agency formation to the supervisors, who were sitting jointly as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors.
The state has listed the Big Valley Watershed as a medium priority basin. As such, the 2014 Groundwater Sustainability Act requires the county to develop a groundwater sustainability plan or an alternative groundwater sustainability plan “in an effort to ensure that groundwater basins reach sustainability within 20 years of implementing a groundwater basin sustainability plan,” according to De Leon’s written report to the board.
De Leon’s report said the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act “provides local agencies a framework for managing groundwater basins in a sustainable manner and recognizes groundwater is most effectively managed at the local level.”
The Lake County Watershed Protection District submitted an alternative groundwater sustainability plan for the Big Valley groundwater basin to the state in December 2016, De Leon said. Because the county submitted the alternative plan, it also is required to submit annual reports, which it has done for 2017 and 2018.
In July, the California Department of Water Resources notified the Lake County Watershed Protection District that the Big Valley Groundwater Basin Alternative Sustainability Plan had not been accepted, as Lake County News has reported.
In the state’s notification letter to De Leon, it said the alternative plan wasn’t recommended for acceptance because it lacked sufficient information and data to assess if it would result in sustainable groundwater management as defined in state water code.
“In order to maintain local and sustainable management of the Big Valley groundwater basin, it is in the best interest for the County that the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District approve the resolution authorizing the District to form the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). The formation of a GSA complies with State regulations and is necessary to obtain funding for the development of a Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan,” De Leon wrote in his report.
In his report, De Leon suggested that the advisory group for the new agency include representation from the county, tribal governments, municipal water supplies, the Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch, domestic well owners and agricultural users.
At its Aug. 13 meeting, the board first considered forming the agency. Afterward, De Leon said the board reached consensus to move forward and over the past two weeks county staff did the required public noticing.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier asked De Leon for clarification on the condition of the watershed, noting that at the meeting earlier this month there had been a lot of discussion about the basin having a plentiful supply at this time.
De Leon said the county has been monitoring the basin for 50 years at least. “The basin shows that it recovers.”
As the agricultural practices have changed in the basin from pears to other products, they are seeing a definite change in the availability and use of groundwater. “The basin is healthy,” De Leon said.
He added, “This really is an effort to maintain local control over the basin, as opposed to having the state come in and take it over, which I think we all agree is a good thing.”
De Leon said the county is working with constituents and stakeholders to submit more information to the state to reduce the basin from medium to low priority status. That, he added, is a parallel process to the required groundwater sustainability agency formation.
During the meeting De Leon also noted that the state mandates areas to have groundwater sustainability agencies in place in order to be eligible for different funding options.
During the brief public comment, Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director Brenna Sullivan said the organization supported the resolution, and that it has submitted comments to the California Department of Water Resources to update agriculture-specific information that was wrong in the state’s files about the watershed.
She said the Farm Bureau similarly had given the state updated information about groundwater in Upper Lake that reduced that watershed to low priority.
Sullivan said they also wanted a strong agricultural voice on whatever advisory board is formed.
The final resolution the board approved unanimously included a seven-member advisory panel with two seats set aside for agriculture.
De Leon said that upon acceptance of the resolution, the county Water Resources Department will move forward in applying to the state to form the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The unanimous vote to adopt a resolution to form the new agency – in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which went into effect as part of California Water Code in January 2015 – followed a brief public hearing Tuesday morning.
Public Works Director Scott De Leon – who has been serving as interim Water Resources Department director and was appointed by the board to permanently oversee the department later in the meeting – took the agency formation to the supervisors, who were sitting jointly as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors.
The state has listed the Big Valley Watershed as a medium priority basin. As such, the 2014 Groundwater Sustainability Act requires the county to develop a groundwater sustainability plan or an alternative groundwater sustainability plan “in an effort to ensure that groundwater basins reach sustainability within 20 years of implementing a groundwater basin sustainability plan,” according to De Leon’s written report to the board.
De Leon’s report said the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act “provides local agencies a framework for managing groundwater basins in a sustainable manner and recognizes groundwater is most effectively managed at the local level.”
The Lake County Watershed Protection District submitted an alternative groundwater sustainability plan for the Big Valley groundwater basin to the state in December 2016, De Leon said. Because the county submitted the alternative plan, it also is required to submit annual reports, which it has done for 2017 and 2018.
In July, the California Department of Water Resources notified the Lake County Watershed Protection District that the Big Valley Groundwater Basin Alternative Sustainability Plan had not been accepted, as Lake County News has reported.
In the state’s notification letter to De Leon, it said the alternative plan wasn’t recommended for acceptance because it lacked sufficient information and data to assess if it would result in sustainable groundwater management as defined in state water code.
“In order to maintain local and sustainable management of the Big Valley groundwater basin, it is in the best interest for the County that the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District approve the resolution authorizing the District to form the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). The formation of a GSA complies with State regulations and is necessary to obtain funding for the development of a Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan,” De Leon wrote in his report.
In his report, De Leon suggested that the advisory group for the new agency include representation from the county, tribal governments, municipal water supplies, the Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch, domestic well owners and agricultural users.
At its Aug. 13 meeting, the board first considered forming the agency. Afterward, De Leon said the board reached consensus to move forward and over the past two weeks county staff did the required public noticing.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier asked De Leon for clarification on the condition of the watershed, noting that at the meeting earlier this month there had been a lot of discussion about the basin having a plentiful supply at this time.
De Leon said the county has been monitoring the basin for 50 years at least. “The basin shows that it recovers.”
As the agricultural practices have changed in the basin from pears to other products, they are seeing a definite change in the availability and use of groundwater. “The basin is healthy,” De Leon said.
He added, “This really is an effort to maintain local control over the basin, as opposed to having the state come in and take it over, which I think we all agree is a good thing.”
De Leon said the county is working with constituents and stakeholders to submit more information to the state to reduce the basin from medium to low priority status. That, he added, is a parallel process to the required groundwater sustainability agency formation.
During the meeting De Leon also noted that the state mandates areas to have groundwater sustainability agencies in place in order to be eligible for different funding options.
During the brief public comment, Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director Brenna Sullivan said the organization supported the resolution, and that it has submitted comments to the California Department of Water Resources to update agriculture-specific information that was wrong in the state’s files about the watershed.
She said the Farm Bureau similarly had given the state updated information about groundwater in Upper Lake that reduced that watershed to low priority.
Sullivan said they also wanted a strong agricultural voice on whatever advisory board is formed.
The final resolution the board approved unanimously included a seven-member advisory panel with two seats set aside for agriculture.
De Leon said that upon acceptance of the resolution, the county Water Resources Department will move forward in applying to the state to form the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The midweek weather forecast calls for the possibility of thunderstorms, with temperatures in the 90s expected for the rest of the week and over the Labor Day weekend.
The National Weather Service forecast for Lake County predicted isolated thunderstorms overnight and before 11 a.m. Wednesday, combined with temperatures in the mid 90s and winds into the low double digits.
Little or no precipitation is expected on Wednesday, based on the forecast.
Daytime temperatures throughout most of the county are expected to hover in the low 90s from Thursday and into the new week, including Labor Day. Nighttime temperatures are forecast to be in the mid 50s.
The Cobb area is expected to have cooler temperatures, with daytime highs in the low 80s and nighttime temperatures in the low 60s.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The National Weather Service forecast for Lake County predicted isolated thunderstorms overnight and before 11 a.m. Wednesday, combined with temperatures in the mid 90s and winds into the low double digits.
Little or no precipitation is expected on Wednesday, based on the forecast.
Daytime temperatures throughout most of the county are expected to hover in the low 90s from Thursday and into the new week, including Labor Day. Nighttime temperatures are forecast to be in the mid 50s.
The Cobb area is expected to have cooler temperatures, with daytime highs in the low 80s and nighttime temperatures in the low 60s.
Email Elizabeth Larson at