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The California Department of Water Resources has announced draft basin prioritization for 57 groundwater basins recently affected by basin boundary changes under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA.
For more than 75 percent of these basins, the results are a confirmation of prioritizations established in 2015.
“SGMA is a pillar of the department’s integrated, holistic approach to water management and supply,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “These results allow local water agencies to determine their path forward to meet the law's sustainability goals and secure the long-term resiliency of our state's groundwater resources."
Basin prioritization is based on factors including population, irrigated acreage, and the number of wells in the basin.
Changes in prioritization generally reflect changed conditions, new information about existing conditions, changes to basin boundaries, and considerations required under SGMA.
Considerations include adverse impacts to habitat and streamflow, adjudicated areas, critically overdrafted basins and groundwater-related transfers.
SGMA requires local agencies throughout the state to sustainably manage groundwater basins. Basins prioritized as high or medium are required to develop groundwater sustainability plans, or GSPs, while basins prioritized as low or very low are not required to create plans but are encouraged to do so.
The current round of basin prioritization was released in two phases. Phase 1, released in January 2019, finalized priorities for 458 basins and identified 56 basins that are required to develop GSPs.
In that first phase, the Big Valley basin in Lake County was listed in the medium-priority category, the highest of any county water basin. Others were listed as low priority.
The draft Phase 2 decisions released Tuesday prioritized the remaining 57 basins using the new basin boundaries defined by the 2018 Basin Boundary Modifications. Phase 2 identified 38 basins that are required to develop GSPs.
In the Phase 2 draft release, two basins have been elevated in priority from the initial 2015 prioritization and will be required to create GSPs. Twelve basins have been lowered in priority and will not be required to develop GSPs.
Of those 12, eight are affected by adjudicated areas, which are not required to develop GSPs and are instead required to submit annual reports to DWR on their groundwater management and monitoring.
The results for Phase 1 and draft Phase 2 require local agencies for 94 basins to develop GSPs.
A 30-day comment period will now be held to invite further input from the public and local agencies.
DWR will accept comments on the draft basin prioritization at a public meeting at 1 p.m., Monday, May 13, at Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, 11020 Sun Center Drive, Suite 200, in Rancho Cordova. The meeting will also be webcast live.
Comments can be submitted online at any time during the public comment period, which ends May 30.
All public comments received throughout the process will be reviewed and evaluated before final basin prioritization results are announced.
For more than 75 percent of these basins, the results are a confirmation of prioritizations established in 2015.
“SGMA is a pillar of the department’s integrated, holistic approach to water management and supply,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “These results allow local water agencies to determine their path forward to meet the law's sustainability goals and secure the long-term resiliency of our state's groundwater resources."
Basin prioritization is based on factors including population, irrigated acreage, and the number of wells in the basin.
Changes in prioritization generally reflect changed conditions, new information about existing conditions, changes to basin boundaries, and considerations required under SGMA.
Considerations include adverse impacts to habitat and streamflow, adjudicated areas, critically overdrafted basins and groundwater-related transfers.
SGMA requires local agencies throughout the state to sustainably manage groundwater basins. Basins prioritized as high or medium are required to develop groundwater sustainability plans, or GSPs, while basins prioritized as low or very low are not required to create plans but are encouraged to do so.
The current round of basin prioritization was released in two phases. Phase 1, released in January 2019, finalized priorities for 458 basins and identified 56 basins that are required to develop GSPs.
In that first phase, the Big Valley basin in Lake County was listed in the medium-priority category, the highest of any county water basin. Others were listed as low priority.
The draft Phase 2 decisions released Tuesday prioritized the remaining 57 basins using the new basin boundaries defined by the 2018 Basin Boundary Modifications. Phase 2 identified 38 basins that are required to develop GSPs.
In the Phase 2 draft release, two basins have been elevated in priority from the initial 2015 prioritization and will be required to create GSPs. Twelve basins have been lowered in priority and will not be required to develop GSPs.
Of those 12, eight are affected by adjudicated areas, which are not required to develop GSPs and are instead required to submit annual reports to DWR on their groundwater management and monitoring.
The results for Phase 1 and draft Phase 2 require local agencies for 94 basins to develop GSPs.
A 30-day comment period will now be held to invite further input from the public and local agencies.
DWR will accept comments on the draft basin prioritization at a public meeting at 1 p.m., Monday, May 13, at Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, 11020 Sun Center Drive, Suite 200, in Rancho Cordova. The meeting will also be webcast live.
Comments can be submitted online at any time during the public comment period, which ends May 30.
All public comments received throughout the process will be reviewed and evaluated before final basin prioritization results are announced.
043019 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Basin Priority Process Document by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Shakespeare on the Lake” will return to Lakeport’s Library Park in July and August, and auditions and rehearsals are set to begin in May.
The fourth annual production will present “The Taming of the Shrew.”
The play is a story about a power struggle, a battle of the sexes in which an ambitious man tames his female bride to be. But, what if it were told the other way around? What if women wield the power and the men are expected to conform?
This production of “The Taming of the Shrew” will feature what producers are calling “gender switched casting.” Female actors will be auditioning for roles traditionally cast as male. Male actors will be auditioning for roles traditionally cast as female.
Auditions will be held at the Mendocino College Lake Center, 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport, on Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m.
Audition materials can be found at www.LCTC.us under the “Shows and Events” tab.
Exact rehearsal times are role dependent. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, May 28, and will occur at the Lake Center, the Work Right Building at Lampson Field or at Library Park, all in Lakeport, Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and four Saturdays, to be announced.
Performances are Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m. in Lakeport and Friday, Aug. 2, Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in Clearlake.
Please come prepared to read and with a list of any conflicts you may have.
This is a joint production between Mendocino College Lake Center and Lake County Theatre Co., in cooperation with the city of Lakeport, the city of Clearlake, the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College.
For more information, please contact Charise Reynolds at 707-278-9628.
The fourth annual production will present “The Taming of the Shrew.”
The play is a story about a power struggle, a battle of the sexes in which an ambitious man tames his female bride to be. But, what if it were told the other way around? What if women wield the power and the men are expected to conform?
This production of “The Taming of the Shrew” will feature what producers are calling “gender switched casting.” Female actors will be auditioning for roles traditionally cast as male. Male actors will be auditioning for roles traditionally cast as female.
Auditions will be held at the Mendocino College Lake Center, 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport, on Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m.
Audition materials can be found at www.LCTC.us under the “Shows and Events” tab.
Exact rehearsal times are role dependent. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, May 28, and will occur at the Lake Center, the Work Right Building at Lampson Field or at Library Park, all in Lakeport, Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and four Saturdays, to be announced.
Performances are Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m. in Lakeport and Friday, Aug. 2, Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in Clearlake.
Please come prepared to read and with a list of any conflicts you may have.
This is a joint production between Mendocino College Lake Center and Lake County Theatre Co., in cooperation with the city of Lakeport, the city of Clearlake, the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College.
For more information, please contact Charise Reynolds at 707-278-9628.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The annual burn ban in Lake County starts on Wednesday, May 1.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District said the burn ban is meant to address concerns over both fire hazard and air quality.
The burn restriction applies to all areas in Lake County. All burn permits expire on April 30.
The burn ban includes all open waste burning, though exemptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire hazard reduction projects, public safety burns and others.
The annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.
The district said a managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon for many years.
The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 on, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit.
This successful program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality, the district said.
To obtain an exemption permit to burn after May 1, first contact Air Quality at 707-263-7000 to determine need, then contact your local fire agency so that your burn site can be inspected for fire safety.
After the fire agency notifies the air district that the proposed burn site is fire safe then an exemption permit may be obtained from the air district.
Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without an exemption permit may be subject to citation, fines, and fire agency response costs to extinguish the fire. Burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season.
The district asks that community members help reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect the county’s clean air.
“Public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for us all,” Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District said the burn ban is meant to address concerns over both fire hazard and air quality.
The burn restriction applies to all areas in Lake County. All burn permits expire on April 30.
The burn ban includes all open waste burning, though exemptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire hazard reduction projects, public safety burns and others.
The annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.
The district said a managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon for many years.
The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 on, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit.
This successful program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality, the district said.
To obtain an exemption permit to burn after May 1, first contact Air Quality at 707-263-7000 to determine need, then contact your local fire agency so that your burn site can be inspected for fire safety.
After the fire agency notifies the air district that the proposed burn site is fire safe then an exemption permit may be obtained from the air district.
Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without an exemption permit may be subject to citation, fines, and fire agency response costs to extinguish the fire. Burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season.
The district asks that community members help reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect the county’s clean air.
“Public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for us all,” Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake said it will begin this week enforcing city rules on overgrown vegetation and other fire hazards on properties this week.
Over the past several years, wildfires have impacted the city as well as neighboring towns and
communities.
The 2019 fire season has arrived and with it comes the responsibility of each property owner within our city to ensure their property is free of all overgrown vegetation and fire hazards, city officials reported.
Beginning May 1, the Clearlake Police Department Code Enforcement Bureau will begin strict enforcement of overgrown vegetation and fire hazards.
Property owners whom have failed to have their property cleared of these violations will be issued an Administrative Citation resulting in a monetary fine, as well as still being required
to abate the violations.
Each and every day the violation remains to exist can result in additional fines and
penalties.
All overgrown vegetation shall be cut to 4 inches height or less. Overhanging tree canopies shall have a minimum clearance of 4 feet or greater from the ground.
Cut brush, tree trimmings etc. must be removed from the property.
Firewood and all other ignition sources and combustible materials must be stored properly, 5 feet from each property line and dwelling structures. Fuels and fuel cans shall be stored out of the sun.
The Clearlake Police Department Code Enforcement Bureau asks for the cooperation of all property owners in taking the time to ensure their property is not a contributing factor to the ever increasing risk of fires in our community.
For additional information or to file a request for investigation, please contact Code Enforcement Technician Jan Brejska at 707-995-8251, Extension 309, or by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Over the past several years, wildfires have impacted the city as well as neighboring towns and
communities.
The 2019 fire season has arrived and with it comes the responsibility of each property owner within our city to ensure their property is free of all overgrown vegetation and fire hazards, city officials reported.
Beginning May 1, the Clearlake Police Department Code Enforcement Bureau will begin strict enforcement of overgrown vegetation and fire hazards.
Property owners whom have failed to have their property cleared of these violations will be issued an Administrative Citation resulting in a monetary fine, as well as still being required
to abate the violations.
Each and every day the violation remains to exist can result in additional fines and
penalties.
All overgrown vegetation shall be cut to 4 inches height or less. Overhanging tree canopies shall have a minimum clearance of 4 feet or greater from the ground.
Cut brush, tree trimmings etc. must be removed from the property.
Firewood and all other ignition sources and combustible materials must be stored properly, 5 feet from each property line and dwelling structures. Fuels and fuel cans shall be stored out of the sun.
The Clearlake Police Department Code Enforcement Bureau asks for the cooperation of all property owners in taking the time to ensure their property is not a contributing factor to the ever increasing risk of fires in our community.
For additional information or to file a request for investigation, please contact Code Enforcement Technician Jan Brejska at 707-995-8251, Extension 309, or by email at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County authorities over the weekend arrested a Lakeport man after he threatened to kill his girlfriend.
Brian Richard Gard, 33, was arrested following an incident that occurred early Sunday, according to a report from Sgt. Mike Dygert of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
Shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday, a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a possible domestic violence incident in the 100 block of West Lake Mendocino Drive in Ukiah, Dygert said.
Upon arriving at the scene, the deputy learned that Gard and a 42-year-old Lakeport woman were traveling in a vehicle northbound on Highway 101 near Ukiah when they became involved in an argument, Dygert said.
Dygert said the woman asked that Gard stop the vehicle and let her exit so she could have a relative pick her up.
Gard drove the vehicle to a gas station at the 100 block of West Lake Mendocino Drive and parked the car, according to Dygert.
Dygert said Gard then threatened to kill the woman if she exited the vehicle, causing her to called 911 to report the incident.
Deputies learned Gard and the adult female were in a cohabitant dating relationship and subsequently arrested Gard for criminal threats, Dygert said.
Gard was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to Dygert’s report.
As climate change continues to threaten California’s water infrastructure and reliability, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order directing his administration to think differently and act boldly by developing a comprehensive strategy to build a climate-resilient water system.
The order seeks to broaden California’s approach on water as the state faces a range of existing challenges, including unsafe drinking water, major flood risks that threaten public safety, severely depleted groundwater aquifers, agricultural communities coping with uncertain water supplies and native fish populations threatened with extinction.
“California’s water challenges are daunting, from severely depleted groundwater basins to vulnerable infrastructure to unsafe drinking water in far too many communities. Climate change magnifies the risks,” said Gov. Newsom. “To meet these challenges, we need to harness the best in science, engineering and innovation to prepare for what’s ahead and ensure long-term water resilience and ecosystem health. We’ll need an all-of-above approach to get there.”
The order directs the secretaries of the California Natural Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to identify and assess a suite of complementary actions to ensure safe and resilient water supplies, flood protection and healthy waterways for the state’s communities, economy and environment.
The order directs the state to think bigger and more strategically on water by directing the agencies to inventory and assess current water supplies and the health of waterways, future demands and challenges.
The agencies will seek input over the coming weeks and months through listening sessions, information workshops and other public meetings to help inform the water resilience portfolio that will be recommended to the governor.
A copy of the order issued by Governor Newsom on Monday can be seen below.
The order seeks to broaden California’s approach on water as the state faces a range of existing challenges, including unsafe drinking water, major flood risks that threaten public safety, severely depleted groundwater aquifers, agricultural communities coping with uncertain water supplies and native fish populations threatened with extinction.
“California’s water challenges are daunting, from severely depleted groundwater basins to vulnerable infrastructure to unsafe drinking water in far too many communities. Climate change magnifies the risks,” said Gov. Newsom. “To meet these challenges, we need to harness the best in science, engineering and innovation to prepare for what’s ahead and ensure long-term water resilience and ecosystem health. We’ll need an all-of-above approach to get there.”
The order directs the secretaries of the California Natural Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to identify and assess a suite of complementary actions to ensure safe and resilient water supplies, flood protection and healthy waterways for the state’s communities, economy and environment.
The order directs the state to think bigger and more strategically on water by directing the agencies to inventory and assess current water supplies and the health of waterways, future demands and challenges.
The agencies will seek input over the coming weeks and months through listening sessions, information workshops and other public meetings to help inform the water resilience portfolio that will be recommended to the governor.
A copy of the order issued by Governor Newsom on Monday can be seen below.
042919 California governor's executive order on water infrastructure and climate change by LakeCoNews on Scribd