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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed SB 200 by Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel), which establishes the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund to help local water systems provide safe drinking water.
In his first week in office, Gov. Newsom proposed creating a permanent fund source for safe and clean drinking water projects. More than one million Californians lack access to clean drinking water at home, work or school, which negatively impacts their everyday life.
“The fact that more than a million Californians can’t rely on clean water to drink or bathe in is a moral disgrace,” said Gov. Newsom. “Parents shouldn’t have to worry about their kids drinking from the water fountain at school, and families shouldn’t have to dump water over their heads to shower every day. This funding is critically important to addressing California’s long-standing safe drinking water issues, and I would like to thank the Legislature for working collaboratively to pass this solution.”
In June, Gov. Newsom signed the 2019-20 state budget, which provides $130 million to begin implementation of a Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Program.
SB 200 makes that money available for safe drinking water projects. SB 200 also requires the State Water Resources Control Board to develop a fund expenditure plan to identify failing water systems, as well as solutions to provide safe and affordable drinking water.
Gov. Newsom on Wednesday visited a small community neighborhood near Sanger, which struggles with safe drinking water issues.
He spoke with families and members of the community that currently lack access to safe drinking water.
Many of these families receive five 8-gallon jugs of water every two weeks through a grant program, which they use for drinking and cooking. When they run out, they risk using the water from their sink.
Additionally, SB 200 advances California’s climate resiliency goals by helping to secure water resources statewide.
Climate change adversely affects water availability and can affect drinking water quality. Rising temperatures can affect precipitation amounts and result in less reliable water supplies, which increase the need to use water supplies that contain contaminants and require treatment to meet drinking water standards. Disadvantaged communities are most impacted by climate change.
In February, Gov. Newsom took several actions to bring safe drinking water to all Californians, including appropriating $10 million for emergency drinking water projects and $10 million to help bring local water districts into compliance with drinking water standards.
He also directed drinking water funding for schools from the fiscal year 2018-19 budget to be given as grants to public agencies, public water systems or non-profit organizations to help with water management; and re-appropriated the balance of 2016 drinking water funds for schools.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department said it has arrested three suspects in connection to a reported armed robbery.
Police said officers arrested Clearlake residents Erik Blue Campbell, 21, Joshua Rolland Goin, 34, and Shanea Rae Neal, 26, on Tuesday evening following a search warrant service that is part of the investigation.
Shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday Officer Cali Batz was investigating a robbery in which a male victim said he was robbed at gunpoint by three subjects while at a residence located in the 13180 block of San Joaquin, police said.
The victim told Batz that during the armed robbery he was pistol whipped and threatened with a handgun, and that the subjects took his money and cell phone, Police said.
The department said its Investigations Bureau joined the investigation and a detective authored a search warrant for the residence.
At approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers along with Sgt. Elvis Cook with his K-9 partner Zeus, went to the residence to serve the search warrant, according to the police report.
As officers approached the residence, one of the male subjects saw Sgt. Cook and K-9 Zeus and ran back inside the residence. Police said Cook observed the man throw a gun as he ran away.
Police said that Campbell, Goin and Neal subsequently were taken into custody without incident.
As a result of the service of the search warrant, numerous items of evidence were seized. Some of the items seized included two firearms, ammunition, suspected heroin, methamphetamine and items indicative of narcotic sales, according to the police report.
Campbell, Goin and Neal were booked into the Lake County Jail on felony charges. Police said Goin also was found to have an outstanding felony warrant for weapons-related crimes.
All three remained in custody on Wednesday, with bail for each set at $150,000, according to jail records.
They are tentatively scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court for arraignment on Thursday, according to their booking sheets.
NICE, Calif. – The Lake County Department of Public Works reported on Wednesday that the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff has reopened.
The roadway was reported to be reopened as of 3 p.m. Wednesday.
It had been closed on Tuesday morning after a sinkhole was discovered under the roadway, which was the result of this winter’s flooding, as Lake County News has reported.
Repairs began on Tuesday and were wrapped up on Wednesday, officials reported.
The agency thanked the public for its patience.
The roadway was reported to be reopened as of 3 p.m. Wednesday.
It had been closed on Tuesday morning after a sinkhole was discovered under the roadway, which was the result of this winter’s flooding, as Lake County News has reported.
Repairs began on Tuesday and were wrapped up on Wednesday, officials reported.
The agency thanked the public for its patience.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – After taking action earlier this month to order an expedited bid process to purchase generators for county facilities, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday accepted a bid and approved the purchase.
The county is attempting to be ready to continue to operate key facilities should Pacific Gas and Electric Co. move forward this summer or fall with public safety power shutoffs due to fire danger.
On July 9, faced with buying generators without a bidding process, the board had asked Public Services to seek bids for two weeks, as Lake County News has reported.
Public Services Director Lars Ewing said on Tuesday that the county sent out the request for bids for generators and transfer switches separate from the electrical installation services. They also broke up the electrical installation bids into two projects, one for three buildings, one for the remaining two.
He said they opened the electrical contractor bids on Monday and were continuing to evaluate them, with the full costs of installation yet to be determined.
Before the meeting on Tuesday, Ewing said staff opened the bids for the generators and transfer switches. Two bids were submitted, the lowest being $197,106.50.
Ewing asked for the board to authorize him to issue a purchase order for the generators and to authorize budget transfers for five departments to pay for the equipment: Animal Care and Control, $75,000; Behavioral Health, $85,000; Child Support Services, $85,000; Social Services Administration, $175,000; and Victim-Witness, $35,000.
Those are the same estimated amounts for each department that were given two weeks ago, and Supervisor Bruno Sabatier questioned if they were seeing any savings.
“We’re doing everything we can to minimize the cost,” said Supervisor Rob Brown, who had advocated for the expedited, two-week bidding process in order to show accountability and get the best price.
Ewing explained that during the bid opening for electrical installation, some bids were higher, with the buildings all different and requiring different work to outfit them with the generators. He said an initial quote Social Services solicited for generator installation at its facility was higher than what was received on Monday.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said Animal Care and Control lacked the funds in its budget to cover the generator and needed a budget transfer that would come from a special projects budget in the general fund. The rest of the generator purchases came from department-specific funds.
The board unanimously approved the low bid for the generators and the necessary budget transfers for each of the departments.
Ewing said that he may need to return to the board for further budget transfers depending on what issues arise in the installation process.
He also reported that Lake County Social Services is sharing costs with the owner of the building it leases at 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway in Lower Lake.
Ewing said the owner, the Margaret E. Lyons Survivors Trust, will reimburse the county for the transfer switch, and the county will purchase the generator and retain it should the agency ever move. Social Services is working with the property owner on an agreement to that effect, he said.
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 county is attempting to be ready to continue to operate key facilities should Pacific Gas and Electric Co. move forward this summer or fall with public safety power shutoffs due to fire danger.
On July 9, faced with buying generators without a bidding process, the board had asked Public Services to seek bids for two weeks, as Lake County News has reported.
Public Services Director Lars Ewing said on Tuesday that the county sent out the request for bids for generators and transfer switches separate from the electrical installation services. They also broke up the electrical installation bids into two projects, one for three buildings, one for the remaining two.
He said they opened the electrical contractor bids on Monday and were continuing to evaluate them, with the full costs of installation yet to be determined.
Before the meeting on Tuesday, Ewing said staff opened the bids for the generators and transfer switches. Two bids were submitted, the lowest being $197,106.50.
Ewing asked for the board to authorize him to issue a purchase order for the generators and to authorize budget transfers for five departments to pay for the equipment: Animal Care and Control, $75,000; Behavioral Health, $85,000; Child Support Services, $85,000; Social Services Administration, $175,000; and Victim-Witness, $35,000.
Those are the same estimated amounts for each department that were given two weeks ago, and Supervisor Bruno Sabatier questioned if they were seeing any savings.
“We’re doing everything we can to minimize the cost,” said Supervisor Rob Brown, who had advocated for the expedited, two-week bidding process in order to show accountability and get the best price.
Ewing explained that during the bid opening for electrical installation, some bids were higher, with the buildings all different and requiring different work to outfit them with the generators. He said an initial quote Social Services solicited for generator installation at its facility was higher than what was received on Monday.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said Animal Care and Control lacked the funds in its budget to cover the generator and needed a budget transfer that would come from a special projects budget in the general fund. The rest of the generator purchases came from department-specific funds.
The board unanimously approved the low bid for the generators and the necessary budget transfers for each of the departments.
Ewing said that he may need to return to the board for further budget transfers depending on what issues arise in the installation process.
He also reported that Lake County Social Services is sharing costs with the owner of the building it leases at 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway in Lower Lake.
Ewing said the owner, the Margaret E. Lyons Survivors Trust, will reimburse the county for the transfer switch, and the county will purchase the generator and retain it should the agency ever move. Social Services is working with the property owner on an agreement to that effect, he said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is due to speak to the Clearlake City Council this week about its program to shut off power in times of extreme fire danger.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 25, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At the start of the meeting, Clearlake Animal Control will present the adoptable dogs for July and the council will hear about the National Night Out event.
Under council business, the council will hear a presentation by PG&E on its Public Safety Power Shutoff Program.
PG&E began implementing the program last year at times of heightened fire danger, in particular, when red flag warnings with high winds and temperatures, and low humidity are reported.
The program and its impact on communities across the state is now the subject of significant concern and discussion.
In other business, the council will consider approving a two-year agreement between the county of Lake, city of Lakeport and city of Clearlake for support of Lake County Public, Education and Government, or PEG, television station, and adopt a resolution approving the report of delinquent public nuisance abatement costs and collection of such charges on the tax roll.
The council also is being asked to adopt an ordinance amending the Clearlake Municipal Code regarding reserve police officers.
“The city does not currently have an ordinance regarding a reserve police officer program or
designation of Level 1 reserve officers. The proposed ordinance codifies the establishment of a
reserve police officer program, including designated Level 1 reserve police officers,” Police Chief Andrew White wrote in his memo to the council.
There also will be discussion and direction on the development of a local tobacco retail licensing policy and reasonable distance from entrances ordinances.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers and minutes of the June 12 Lake County Vector Control District Board.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss labor negotiations and an existing lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
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 council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 25, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At the start of the meeting, Clearlake Animal Control will present the adoptable dogs for July and the council will hear about the National Night Out event.
Under council business, the council will hear a presentation by PG&E on its Public Safety Power Shutoff Program.
PG&E began implementing the program last year at times of heightened fire danger, in particular, when red flag warnings with high winds and temperatures, and low humidity are reported.
The program and its impact on communities across the state is now the subject of significant concern and discussion.
In other business, the council will consider approving a two-year agreement between the county of Lake, city of Lakeport and city of Clearlake for support of Lake County Public, Education and Government, or PEG, television station, and adopt a resolution approving the report of delinquent public nuisance abatement costs and collection of such charges on the tax roll.
The council also is being asked to adopt an ordinance amending the Clearlake Municipal Code regarding reserve police officers.
“The city does not currently have an ordinance regarding a reserve police officer program or
designation of Level 1 reserve officers. The proposed ordinance codifies the establishment of a
reserve police officer program, including designated Level 1 reserve police officers,” Police Chief Andrew White wrote in his memo to the council.
There also will be discussion and direction on the development of a local tobacco retail licensing policy and reasonable distance from entrances ordinances.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers and minutes of the June 12 Lake County Vector Control District Board.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss labor negotiations and an existing lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
072519 Clearlake City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Landfill Permitting group will hold an open house next week on draft waste discharge requirements for a former geothermal landfill site.
The open house will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 29, at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.
The meeting is to discuss the former Geothermal Inc. landfill, located at 19020 Butts Canyon Road in Middletown. The site is part of a 460-acre property now owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
The site consists of a 15-acre unlined closed landfill surrounded by eucalyptus tree plantations on three sides. The larger property consists of open space and includes the small man-made lake called Freeman Lake.
The water board reported that from 1976 to 1986, a variety of companies and agencies used the site to dispose of nonhazardous drilling wastes generated from exploratory drilling, geothermal well development, and plant operations at the nearby Geysers geothermal steamfield. Elevated
concentrations of boron, chloride, sulfate, and total dissolved solids were found in this waste. These constituents are non-hazardous and occur naturally in local groundwater.
From 2003 to 2006, PG&E conducted closure activities to prevent human contact with the waste and ensure the long-term protection of surface and groundwater, including solar evaporation of 21 million gallons of pond water; closure of 30 acres of former waste evaporation ponds; and excavation, solidification and consolidation of 178,000 cubic yards of waste into a 15-acre landfill.
Closure activities address elevated concentrations of boron, chloride, sulfate and total dissolved solids found in shallow groundwater in the immediate vicinity of the landfill and provide long-term protection of human health and the environment.
The draft waste discharge requirements approve landfill closure activities; request further investigations/evaluations to study and further manage site drainage and runoff; and require post-closure maintenance activities, including ongoing monitoring of surface water and groundwater.
Community members are encouraged to offer input on the plan during the public comment period, which began on July 15 and continues until 5 p.m. Aug. 13.
Comments can be sent to Brad Shelton, P.G., Central Valley Water Board, 11020 Sun Center Drive #200, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, or via email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board will hold a public hearing on the updated waste discharge requirements beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 10 and 11 at Redding City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave.
For more information on the site and the recent updates, see the documents published below.
The open house will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 29, at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.
The meeting is to discuss the former Geothermal Inc. landfill, located at 19020 Butts Canyon Road in Middletown. The site is part of a 460-acre property now owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
The site consists of a 15-acre unlined closed landfill surrounded by eucalyptus tree plantations on three sides. The larger property consists of open space and includes the small man-made lake called Freeman Lake.
The water board reported that from 1976 to 1986, a variety of companies and agencies used the site to dispose of nonhazardous drilling wastes generated from exploratory drilling, geothermal well development, and plant operations at the nearby Geysers geothermal steamfield. Elevated
concentrations of boron, chloride, sulfate, and total dissolved solids were found in this waste. These constituents are non-hazardous and occur naturally in local groundwater.
From 2003 to 2006, PG&E conducted closure activities to prevent human contact with the waste and ensure the long-term protection of surface and groundwater, including solar evaporation of 21 million gallons of pond water; closure of 30 acres of former waste evaporation ponds; and excavation, solidification and consolidation of 178,000 cubic yards of waste into a 15-acre landfill.
Closure activities address elevated concentrations of boron, chloride, sulfate and total dissolved solids found in shallow groundwater in the immediate vicinity of the landfill and provide long-term protection of human health and the environment.
The draft waste discharge requirements approve landfill closure activities; request further investigations/evaluations to study and further manage site drainage and runoff; and require post-closure maintenance activities, including ongoing monitoring of surface water and groundwater.
Community members are encouraged to offer input on the plan during the public comment period, which began on July 15 and continues until 5 p.m. Aug. 13.
Comments can be sent to Brad Shelton, P.G., Central Valley Water Board, 11020 Sun Center Drive #200, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, or via email at
The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board will hold a public hearing on the updated waste discharge requirements beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 10 and 11 at Redding City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave.
For more information on the site and the recent updates, see the documents published below.
July 2019 - Geothermal Inc. Landfill Facility Fact Sheet by LakeCoNews on Scribd
July 2019 - Geothermal Inc. landfill facility project update by LakeCoNews on Scribd