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California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and the California Coastal Commission on Monday filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of the Interior's final environmental assessment, which clears the way for hydraulic fracturing (fracking), acidizing, and other advanced well treatments on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California.
In addition to extending the reliance on fossil fuels, research links these types of well stimulation treatments with increased water and air pollution, as well as the potential to harm marine life.
“We must take every possible step to protect our precious coastline and ocean,” said Attorney General Harris. “The U.S. Department of Interior's inadequate environmental assessment would open the door to practices like fracking that may pose a threat to the health and well-being of California communities. We must balance our energy needs with our longstanding commitment to protecting our natural resources and public health.”
In 2013, it came to light that advanced well treatments were being used off California’s coastline, prompting two environmental organizations to file lawsuits challenging the use of fracking and acidizing off-shore without adequate environmental review.
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s environmental assessment, issued in May 2016, found that fracking poses “no significant impact.” This assessment runs contrary to substantial evidence in the record identifying significant environmental effects from fracking, as well as numerous other unique risks posed by offshore fracking.
The Department of Interior’s failure to adequately consider these, and other, concerns associated with fracking off California’s coastline prompted the Attorney General to file this lawsuit alleging violations of federal environmental protection laws.
Among those who formally expressed grave concerns about the coastal fracking proposal are the California Coastal Commission and three members of Congress from California, Lois Capps (CA-24), Sam Farr (CA-20) and Jared Huffman (CA-2).
In addition, 11 state legislators urged the continuation of the moratorium on offshore advanced well treatments "until a more comprehensive evaluation focused on impacts to marine life, ecosystems, and coastal communities is completed.”
The attorney general’s complaint, filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that in issuing this environmental assessment and finding no significant impact the Department of the Interior violated the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act.
The California attorney general has long been involved in efforts to protect the state's resources from negative environmental and public health impacts of oil and gas production.
Last month, Attorney General Harris announced a $14 million settlement with BP West Coast Products LLC, BP Products North America Inc., and Atlantic Richfield Co. over allegations that the companies violated state laws regarding operating and maintaining motor vehicle fuel underground storage tanks. The Attorney General’s Office and several district attorneys across the state allege that BP failed to properly inspect and maintain underground tanks used to store gasoline for retail sale at approximately 780 gas stations in California over a period of 10 years and violated other hazardous material and hazardous waste laws.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Harris, eight other states, and the city of Chicago filed a motion to intervene in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) New Source Performance Standards to limit greenhouse gas emissions, specifically methane, from oil and natural gas operations.
The new EPA standards mark the first time the EPA has directly limited greenhouse gases from the oil and natural gas sector and tightens existing limits on emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from oil and natural gas operations.
In November 2015, Attorney General Harris and 17 other state attorneys general filed a motion to intervene in support of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, the EPA’s first-ever national standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
Attorney General Harris has vigorously defended AB 32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which has received global recognition as a leading example of legislation that promotes reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Attorney General’s Office has also defended challenges to California’s cap and trade auctions and its precedent-setting Low Carbon Fuels Standard.
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Children impacted by the Clayton fire got a helping of Christmas cheer on Sunday thanks to the efforts of a group of friends who began a toy drive this summer.
On Sunday at the Brick Hall in Lower Lake, the Clayton Fire Toy Drive distributed presents to 31 families and more than 50 children impacted by the August fire, according to Christian Villalobos, one of the toy drive's organizers.
Villalobos said each child received a stocking full of goodies and specific toys they had wished for, which had been collected thanks to the generosity of the community over the last two months.
The toy drive crew is comprised of a group of friends involved with the Lake's List Facebook group. The crew included Christian Villalobos, Joleen Nichols, Denise Villalobos, Annabeth Villalobos, Cameron Nicholas, James Ortega, Tom Azevedo and Samantha Ambrecht.
Nichols said they began by challenging Lake's List's 26,000 members to donate to the Rotary Club of Clear Lake at the Safeway register. They each donated $25 and tagged five friends and challenged members to do the same.
They began brainstorming about other ways to help, and one night in late August, Nichols said she had mentioned that it would be cool if they could hold a toy drive for the Clayton fire children. “And Christian basically said, 'Let's do it!'”
All the other members also were on board, and so the work began, starting with the first planning meeting on Sept. 4. Nichols said they began making fliers and registration forms, compiling a list of needs and getting the word out.
They collected toys, clothes and other items the children requested from Oct. 17 to Dec. 12, with six dropoff points around the county. Nichols said packages also were mailed from Hawaii, Sacramento, Stockton and Southern California.
The result was a mountain of gifts. While Nichols said they didn't count every item they received, the estimated value of toy donations came to about $8,000, with an additional $1,200 in gift cards. They also received cash donations from groups like the Rotary Club of Clear Lake.
“We were so blown away,” she said.
On Sunday, it was time for handing out the gifts. Nichols said the first family arrived at around 9:45 a.m., and the distribution continued until about 12:30 p.m., with the group also delivering the gifts to a few families.
Villalobos said families picked up their specific toys, stockings, new blankets donated from the community of Napa, toys from the Future Farmers of America of Petaluma and distributed by FFA of Lower Lake, and enjoyed refreshments and Christmas music.
“Sunday was a day full of community love and magic,” and families left the Brick Hall “with teary eyes, smiles, and gratitude,” he said.
It was a “touching day,” said Nichols, and an example of the incredible generosity of Lake County's residents. She said one man told the group on Sunday that if they lived in a big city he couldn't imagine such an effort happening, “but our little community is our family and takes care of its own.”
Villalobos said the Lake's List team offered its thanks to the organizations and businesses that contributed to the toy drive in many different ways, including Stone Fire Pizza Co., Carlé Continuation High School, Konocti Education Center, Mendo Mill of Lakeport, Spruce Grove Storage in Lower Lake, Lake County Fire Protection District, Clearlake Paper Supply, Lakeview Market in Lucerne, Kingdom Games in Lakeport, Funtopia Toys in Middletown, Riviera Foods, CSS of Clearlake, Ritcher Construction, Rotary Club of Clear Lake, Legacy High School of Napa, Ca., Napa teacher Michelle McMaster, the community of Napa, Lower Lake Fire Station, Konocti Unified School District youth services coordinator, Dave Hubbard with Toys for Tots, FFA of Lower Lake and Petaluma.
He said it was a community effort and a huge success.
Nichols added that she couldn't believe their very first endeavor was so successful, calling it a “terrifying and amazing experience.”
As for any future projects, Nichols said they are looking at other ways of helping families in need at the holidays.
“We were honored to do this and to be able to give back to this community,” and to make the holidays brighter for the families who lost so much, she said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A group of new young cats has been added to the roster of adoptable felines at Lake County Animal Care and Control.
The available cats include tuxedos, tabbies, a black cat and a calico.
Four of the cats are being offered for $10 each – including spay/neuter, vaccination and microchip – thanks to a sponsorship begun last week that so far has resulted in five other cats getting new homes. The cats offered for $10 are noted below.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.
For those looking for a barn cat to keep the rodents at bay, be sure to ask about the barn cat adoption program. Feral barn cats are adopted out for $1 each, which includes altering, ear notching and vaccines.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Shelter_Animal_Search.htm .
The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
Domestic short hair
This young female tuxedo cat has a short cat and gold eyes.
She's in cat room kennel No. 7, ID No. 6666.
Male lynx point
This male lynx point has a short coat and blue eyes.
He is offered for adoption for $10.
He's in cat room kennel No. 19, ID No. 6564.
Domestic short hair
This young female domestic short hair has a black and white coat and gold eyes.
She's in cat room kennel No. 75a, ID No. 6658.
Domestic short hair
This young male domestic short hair cat has an orange and white coat and gold eyes.
He's in cat room kennel No. 75b, ID No. 6663.
Domestic short hair
This young male domestic short hair has an orange tabby coat with white markings and gold eyes.
He's in cat room kennel No. 109a, ID No. 6659.
Domestic short hair
This young male domestic short hair has an all-black coat and gold eyes.
He's in cat room kennel No. 109b, ID No. 6661.
Domestic short hair
This young female domestic short hair cat has a gray tabby coat and gold eyes.
She is offered for adoption for $10.
She's in cat room kennel No. 112, ID No. 6555.
Domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair has a gray tabby coat and gold eyes.
She is offered for adoption for $10.
She's in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. 6416.
Domestic medium hair cat
This male domestic medium hair cat was severely injured during the Clayton fire, and continues to recover.
He has a gray and white coat, gold eyes and has been neutered.
He's in the animal shelter clinic, ID No. 5856.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
UKIAH, Calif. – Ukiah Valley Medical Center anesthesiologist, Ron Guth, MD, was recognized with the 2016 Physician of the Year Mission Award by Adventist Health.
Dr. Guth was one of 19 physicians to be honored from Adventist Health locations throughout California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
He received the award at the Adventist Health Physician Leadership Symposium held recently in San Diego.
Dr. Guth was nominated by Ukiah Valley Medical Center to receive the award because of his passion, attention to detail and commitment to delivering high quality patient-centered care.
Dr. Guth inspires everyone around him. His passion is felt by everyone, and his attention to detail and focus on delivering quality care is commendable. His compassionate demeanor is felt by his patients in ways that provide healing far beyond the physical.
He is known by the nurses and staff as someone committed to providing the best possible physical care, while also addressing the spiritual and mental health of his patients.
“He brings a special, calming presence with his patients and staff. His unique manner eases patients’ minds, especially at a time when they feel most vulnerable, says Heather Van Houson, vice president of Patient Care.
One satisfied patient said, “I was terrified, and then in walked Dr. Guth. His calm, caring and confident manner quickly eased my worries. He instructed me to call him personally if needed. And when I did, he was at my bedside within 15 minutes in the middle of the night, and he wasn’t even on call.”
Dr. Guth has a profound talent for teaching. This, combined with his seemingly infinite capacity to listen and learn from others, has earned him deep admiration from everyone around him.
“He has an uncanny ability to inspire others to do their best. Everyone has deep respect and admiration for him,” shares Gwen Matthews, president and chief executive officer of Ukiah Valley Medical Center. “He is a teacher, mentor and friend to many of us at Ukiah Valley Medical Center.”
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Long time Clearlake residence Jacinthia Davis remembers a time when the county was totally rural and you could see the bottom of the lake.
She was born in Berkeley and from the time she was around 5 years old her parents used to come up to Lake County every year for vacation.
Prejudice and a variety of life circumstances kept the family from moving into the county on a permanent basis so Davis spent most of her life in the Bay Area.
From 1975 to 1978, Davis served in the Army at Fort Eustis, Va., as a transport specialist.
After her honorable discharge, she attended college and received her master’s degree in education and psychology, which led to a long career in and around Oakland as a school counselor.
Retirement led her east to Mississippi where she began research into Civil War battlefields and the burial sites for African-American soldiers.
But ill health brought her home to California and she retired to Lake County in order to enjoy the beauty as well as babysit her son’s boats in between bass fishing seasons.
When upkeep on her home proved to be greater than her ability to perform them, Davis called upon Habitat for Humanity’s Veteran Repair Program for assistance.
Habitat provided a variety of repairs to her home, including upgrades to her bathrooms with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant toilets with grab bars, the replacement of a broken stove, sink and garbage disposal in her kitchen, and most importantly, the installation of a heating/cooling system to ensure her home remained comfortable in both summer and winter.
“I just love those guys; they were very efficient and knowledgeable and cleaned up after themselves when they were done,” said Davis. “That’s so important for someone like me, and I’m so happy with the work they did. I appreciate the opportunity to stay in my home and have it be so nice again. What Habitat does for this community is unbelievable. I am so blessed.”
For more information about the Veterans Repair Services, call Habitat for Humanity Lake County at 707-994-1100.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Lupoyoma Parlor No. 329 of the Native Daughters of the Golden West meet on Thursday, Jan. 12, for a membership social and organizational meeting.
Social time starts at 5:30 p.m. with the business meeting at 6 p.m. at Round Table Pizza, 821 11th St. in Lakeport.
If you were born in California and are over 16 you are a native Californian eligible for membership in the Native Daughters of the Golden West Organization.
The Native Daughters is a fraternal and patriotic organization founded in 1886 on the principles of :
– Love of home;
– Devotion to the flag;
– Veneration of the pioneers;
– Faith in the existence of God.
All Native Daughters are welcome to attend.
For more information contact Parlor Worthy President Carla Dore, 831-524-5588, or V.P. Dee Cuney, 707-235-2902, or visit the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Lupoyoma Parlor No. 329 Facebook page.
For information about Lake County Konocti No. 159 Chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West contact Tony Braito at 707-245-7663.