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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Congressman John Garamendi, whose district includes 200 miles of the Sacramento River and Clear Lake, and is adjacent to several major ports, voted this past week in favor of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, which was unanimously passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  

The act, or WRRDA, would strengthen decaying water transportation infrastructure to promote America’s competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth.

The bill accelerates crucial flood protection projects in California’s Central Valley and across the nation.

“This bipartisan legislation is critical to the life and safety of residents in my district and beyond – to every community subject to flooding,” said Congressman Garamendi (D-Fairfield), who serves on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and is Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. “By cutting red tape, shortening the approval time for water infrastructure projects, and authorizing needed investments in America’s ports, this bill is a job creation machine.”

WRRDA affects every American, as everyday items such as clothing, food, and household appliances pass through our ports and waterways and into our homes.

The nation's ports handle $1.4 trillion of goods every year, about 99 percent of our overall trade. California handles approximately half of the nation’s total container cargo volume, supporting 348,965 jobs in our state.

Garamendi, a cosponsor of the legislation added, “Working with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, I will do everything I can to ensure that this bill becomes law.”

The Water Resources Reform and Development Act:

• Authorizes levee improvements that would protect vulnerable areas of the 3rd district and provide an economic boost. Every $1 invested into flood protection produces $7 in benefits.
• Allows the Army Corps of Engineers to consider local needs when making decisions about levee vegetation. This is especially important for the 3,000 miles of rivers and streams in California, including more than 100 miles in the Bay Area, much of which was threatened by a plan requiring brush clearing and deforestation.
• Expands the Aquatic Plant Control Program of the Army Corps of Engineers to include research on invasive animal species. This program could help combat zebra and quagga mussels, which are a threat to Clear Lake.
• In an era of no earmarks for individual projects, the bill authorizes a number of Corps projects that have completed chief’s reports. This includes the Natomas project – a big win for the region. Moving forward, the bill sets up a new process for authorizing projects, and the Committee is dedicated to ensuring much needed projects are authorized in the years to come.
• There are a handful of projects that will be ready for authorization in the coming months. Congressman Garamendi spoke in support of an amendment offered and withdrawn by Representatives Corrine Brown (FL-05) and Lois Frankel (FL-22), which would provide authorization for these projects that will have chief’s reports within one year of the bill’s enactment. This contingency authorization would benefit a project in the Sutter Basin and Garamendi will continue to advocate for this change.
• Makes changes to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, so that more money in the fund actually goes to ports. Almost half of the fund is taken out each year to pay for other things within the budget rather than going to maintain our ports. California suffers even more because it pays much more into the fund than it ever gets back because California ports have less dredging needs than other parts of the country. Garamendi supported amendments by Representative Janice Hahn (CA-44) that would have given California more of a fair shake and will continue to support her efforts as the process moves forward.

In 1986, an Army Corps of Engineers overhaul envisioned passage of a new Water Resources Development Act (as it is traditionally titled) every two years, but it has already been more than six years since the last WRDA legislation passed in 2007.

Due to this lapse, the Army Corps of Engineers lacks the funding and the direction to accomplish the important tasks they were mandated.

In an increasingly competitive global trade environment, lack of investment in this vital infrastructure means losing a competitive advantage to countries like Brazil.

WRRDA videos, letters of support, bill text, and information booklet are available at http://transportation.house.gov/WRRDA .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – With the fall semester now under way, students at Mendocino College's Lake Center had a chance to visit with college officials and staff at a special Thursday barbecue.

The Lake County Friends of Mendocino College and the college's Associated Students worked with new Dean of Students Cary Templeton to host the first welcome back barbecue Thursday afternoon.

Students and community members had the chance to discuss educational opportunities at the college.

Mendocino College District Superintendent/President Arturo Reyes also visited with the students and encouraged input from the community to help expand and improve the college's local offerings.

Close to 80 percent of Mendocino College's sophomores transfer on to four-year colleges to continue their education, according to Athletic Director Mike Mari.

In the video above, college officials discuss a vision for the center, its programs and future plans.

Video by John Jensen of Lake County News.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Beginning Monday, Sept. 23, Lake Transit bus riders in Lower Lake and Clearlake will experience new bus routes that promise faster, more direct service.

Along with new early morning and late evening hours, the changes are expected to make life easier for riders commuting to work and school.

Lake Transit General Manager Mark Wall said the new routes and hours amount to “the greatest change in bus service in the Clearlake-Lower Lake area since we implemented our second route in 1999.”

Wall said the new routes are designed to have a familiar feel to make the changes easy to understand.

“We began by looking at the residential neighborhoods and thinking about where people go, and then how we could make the routes more direct,” Wall said. “While there are a few exceptions, most travel times are much faster. Bus schedules will be more reliable, too, because the routes are shorter.”

The new Clearlake/Lower Lake Rider's Guide features four bus routes, instead of two, and operating hours that extend from 5:19 a.m. until 11:07 p.m.

Routes 10, 11, and 12 are all new.

Route 10 runs from Clearlake Park to Lower Lake.

Route 11 provides two-way service from Ray's Food Place, Walmart and Yuba College through “the Avenues,” along 18th, Boyles, Phillips and Davis east of Highway 53, and then connects these areas with central Clearlake businesses and the Highlands Senior Center.

Route 12 operates mostly along Old Highway 53, but offers commercial loops at either end to access business areas in Clearlake and Lower Lake.

In addition to the three new routes, Lake Transit continues to operate Route 5 as an evening bus service that covers most areas of Clearlake.

Clearlake Dial-A-Ride also will operate the new extended schedule. With advance reservations, passengers who may have difficulty using regular bus routes due to disability, can now arrange trips with pickups as early as 5:19 a.m. and drop offs as late as 11 p.m.

To help bus riders find their way as the new routes begin, Lake Transit has an information booth at the Ray's Food Place transfer location in Clearlake.

Rider's guides also are available on Lake Transit buses, at the Lake Transit Lower Lake office, and at many public places and business throughout the community. Schedules are online at www.laketransit.org .

On Friday, Sept. 27, the community is invited to ride any Lake Transit bus route for free. Wall said it's a great opportunity to try the new routes.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Authorities in Humboldt County are investigating the Friday burglary of a museum that resulted in the theft of $750,000 worth of objects.

The Tonkin Wildlife Museum in Willow Creek was hit early Friday morning, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

The agency reported that at 5 a.m. Friday it received a call regarding an audible alarm at the museum, located at 91 Mayfair Lane.

When deputies responded they saw a back door to the museum had been pried open, the sheriff's office reported.

After meeting with the museum representative the deputies learned two ivory elephant tusks – each approximately 3 feet in length – along with a mounted elk head, a bear skin rug and a kangaroo rug had been stolen from the museum, officials said.

The sheriff's office said the estimated loss is $750,000.

Officials said there are no suspects at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at 707-445-7251 or the sheriff's office crime tip line at 707-268-2539.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of several search warrants by the Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in six arrests and the seizure of assault weapons, marijuana and methamphetamine.

Lt. Steve Brooks said that on Thursday, Sept. 12, narcotics detectives secured several search warrants for properties and residences in the Rocky Creek area of Lower Lake. These search warrants targeted large scale marijuana cultivation and distribution operations.

On the following day – Friday, Sept. 13 – narcotics detectives served the first warrant, which was for the person, home and property of 40-year-old Jeffrey William Dumas of Lower Lake, Brooks said. The property is located in the 9800 block of Rocky Creek Road in Lower Lake.

Brooks said Dumas refused to comply with orders to exit his residence and attempted to fight with the detectives as they took him into custody.

During the search, detectives located 4 grams of methamphetamine inside Dumas’ residence and 950 marijuana plants, which were growing outside, Brooks said.

They also located and detained 27-year-old Frederico Reyes of Merced, 27-year-old Juan Carlos Lua of Indio and Javier Yanez Lua, 45, of Oxnard, according to Brooks.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Reyes, Juan Lua and Javier Lua were being paid to assist Dumas with the cultivation of his marijuana, Brooks said.

Brooks said Dumas was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sales, possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Reyes was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Both Juan and Javier Lua also were arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. They were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

Also on Sept. 13, narcotics detectives served the second search warrant, which was for parcels of property located on Rocky Creek Road, Brooks said.

The parcels are owned by both 56-year-old Pedro Anguiano Favela of Clearlake and 42-year-old Arnoldo Anguiano Favela of Spring Valley. Brooks said that during the search, detectives located and eradicated 132 mature marijuana plants. Neither of the men were located on the property.

That same day additional search warrants were served in the same general area of Rocky Creek Road in Lower Lake. Approximately 500 marijuana plants were located and eradicated from vacant land parcels, Brooks said.

This past Tuesday, Sept. 17, narcotics detectives completed the service of a search warrant regarding both Pedro and Arnoldo Favela at two different locations. Pedro Favela was located at a residence in Clearlake.

During the search detectives located 52 marijuana plants he was cultivating, which were seized. Arnoldo Favela was located at a Middletown address where he was cultivating an additional 30 marijuana plants, which were seized. He was also in possession of four pounds of processed marijuana, which was also seized, Brooks said.

Brooks said that during the search of properties owned and or controlled by Pedro and Arnoldo Favela, 26 firearms were located and seized.

Included in the seized firearms were three AK-47 assault weapons, three AR-15 assault rifles, one AR-15 assault pistol, one Uzi assault weapon, two Mini-14 assault rifles, one Thompson assault rifle, two .30 carbines, one Russian 308 assault rifle and four handguns. Brooks said the balance of firearms consisted of assorted shotguns and rifles.

Brooks said Arnoldo Favela was arrested for possession of an assault weapon, armed while committing a drug offense, the cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales. Pedro Favela was arrested for being armed in the commission of a felony, possession for sales of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who fell to his death near Bartlett Springs on Thursday.

Cha Vang, 45, of Sacramento was found near mile post marker 17 on Bartlett Springs Road Thursday evening, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

Brooks said Vang and his family had been hunting for squirrels, which is both legal and a popular activity in that area, when he fell into a ravine and died.

Cal Fire and Northshore Fire Protection District personnel had been called to the area on Thursday evening to look for Vang, as Lake County News has reported.

Cal Fire's Copter 104 and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office's “Henry 1” helicopter aided in the search, according to Northshore Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Pat Brown.

Brown said a Cal Fire engine and its crew from Leesville found Vang's body shortly before 7:30 p.m.

Vang had fallen about 60 feet down an embankment three miles east of Bartlett Springs, not far from the location of the old resort, Brown said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.