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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – In a bid to protect the Capay Valley, a unique agricultural resource in Yolo County, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has proposed creating a plan to help relocate cannabis production to more appropriate locations in the county.
Representing just 8 percent of Yolo County’s land area, the Capay Valley has become overloaded with half of all cannabis production sites in the county, the tribe reported.
Meanwhile, tribal officials said the valley’s unique topography and hard-to-reach location make it ill-suited for cannabis-related activities.
On Tuesday, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to table the county’s new cannabis land use ordinance until it could thoroughly vet the Yocha Dehe Wintun tribe’s offer to establish a fund to assist with relocation efforts.
The tribe owns and operates major businesses in the valley such as Cache Creek Casino Resort and Yocha Dehe Golf Club. It also owns diverse agricultural operations, including the Séka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room, and farms 3,000 acres, of which 250 acres are certified organic, with more than 1,200 acres in permanent conservation easements.
The Capay Valley’s location at the far northern end of Yolo County puts a strain on county resources needed to reach cannabis producers, whether for regulatory or law enforcement activities or for fire protection services.
Additionally, the Capay Valley is narrow, surrounded by a range of steep hills. Because the valley floor is uniquely compact, the 24/7 activities associated with cannabis production are a mismatch, particularly for neighboring residential homes and agricultural operations.
The Capay Valley is not only the homeland for the Yocha Dehe people, but for many farming families dedicated to sustainable growing practices.
For decades, farmers in the Capay Valley, including the tribe, have worked to create brand identity for their wholesome, organic, farm-to-fork produce. From almonds and walnuts, to lavender, olives and organic foods, the bounty of the Capay Valley is highly regarded – and in high demand.
The region also has become a special destination for both agritourism and ecotourism. Bordered by blue mountains on one side, and rolling hills on the other, the valley features a creek accessed for white-water rafting, and narrow topography that creates eye-popping vistas for all drawn there.
For these reasons, the tribe said it has proposed the Capay Valley be provided special land use protection as the county has done for other areas, including Clarksburg.
At the same time, the tribe would help the county provide a “soft landing” to permitted cannabis producers by enabling them to move elsewhere in the County. The Tribe would fund the relocation program, compensating the producers for their land purchases and providing a premium to offset moving costs.
“The current situation in the Capay Valley is unworkable,” said Anthony Roberts, chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. “So, a cannabis ordinance that perpetuates the current situation is unworkable. This would be obvious to all if there was an environmental impact report that showed how the Valley has changed with cannabis. But so far, Yolo County has produced no such report.”
The Capay Valley is located within the ancestral homeland of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the effort to protect it is a key priority for the tribe.
The tribe is also concerned Native American cultural assets that still exist in the Capay Valley are being negatively impacted by the over-concentration of cannabis production and believes special protection for the area aligns with the tribal core value of thoughtful stewardship of the land.
Representing just 8 percent of Yolo County’s land area, the Capay Valley has become overloaded with half of all cannabis production sites in the county, the tribe reported.
Meanwhile, tribal officials said the valley’s unique topography and hard-to-reach location make it ill-suited for cannabis-related activities.
On Tuesday, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to table the county’s new cannabis land use ordinance until it could thoroughly vet the Yocha Dehe Wintun tribe’s offer to establish a fund to assist with relocation efforts.
The tribe owns and operates major businesses in the valley such as Cache Creek Casino Resort and Yocha Dehe Golf Club. It also owns diverse agricultural operations, including the Séka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room, and farms 3,000 acres, of which 250 acres are certified organic, with more than 1,200 acres in permanent conservation easements.
The Capay Valley’s location at the far northern end of Yolo County puts a strain on county resources needed to reach cannabis producers, whether for regulatory or law enforcement activities or for fire protection services.
Additionally, the Capay Valley is narrow, surrounded by a range of steep hills. Because the valley floor is uniquely compact, the 24/7 activities associated with cannabis production are a mismatch, particularly for neighboring residential homes and agricultural operations.
The Capay Valley is not only the homeland for the Yocha Dehe people, but for many farming families dedicated to sustainable growing practices.
For decades, farmers in the Capay Valley, including the tribe, have worked to create brand identity for their wholesome, organic, farm-to-fork produce. From almonds and walnuts, to lavender, olives and organic foods, the bounty of the Capay Valley is highly regarded – and in high demand.
The region also has become a special destination for both agritourism and ecotourism. Bordered by blue mountains on one side, and rolling hills on the other, the valley features a creek accessed for white-water rafting, and narrow topography that creates eye-popping vistas for all drawn there.
For these reasons, the tribe said it has proposed the Capay Valley be provided special land use protection as the county has done for other areas, including Clarksburg.
At the same time, the tribe would help the county provide a “soft landing” to permitted cannabis producers by enabling them to move elsewhere in the County. The Tribe would fund the relocation program, compensating the producers for their land purchases and providing a premium to offset moving costs.
“The current situation in the Capay Valley is unworkable,” said Anthony Roberts, chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. “So, a cannabis ordinance that perpetuates the current situation is unworkable. This would be obvious to all if there was an environmental impact report that showed how the Valley has changed with cannabis. But so far, Yolo County has produced no such report.”
The Capay Valley is located within the ancestral homeland of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the effort to protect it is a key priority for the tribe.
The tribe is also concerned Native American cultural assets that still exist in the Capay Valley are being negatively impacted by the over-concentration of cannabis production and believes special protection for the area aligns with the tribal core value of thoughtful stewardship of the land.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – State and local officials are continuing their response to a 90-foot vessel that grounded north of Dillon Beach in Marin County last week.
The Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary are working as a unified command in the incident involving the American Challenger.
Officials said the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received initial reports at 8:45 a.m. Friday, March 5, that the American Challenger was being towed southward by the Tug Hunter from Puget Sound, Washington, when the Tug Hunter lost propulsion due to a rope entangling the propeller.
The 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Hawksbill crew arrived on scene but due to weather conditions, the proximity to shore and the unknown structural integrity of the unmanned vessel, the crew could not safely board the American Challenger to connect a tow line.
At 1 a.m. Saturday, March 6, the vessel grounded on a rocky shoreline near Dillon Beach where it remains.
The initial response included an investigation to determine the amount of fuel in the vessels, with crews using drones.
On Tuesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said marine surveyors boarded the American Challenger to continue their inspection of the vessel’s fuel tanks by using sound tapes and paste to get an accurate reading of the amount of fuel aboard.
Due to the vessel’s instability, the process will take time to ensure the safety of the surveyors, officials said.
An environmental shoreline assessment team continued to conduct surveys in the area. There are reports of minor sheening in the immediate vicinity of the vessel and along the shoreline adjacent to the vessel. Teams are conducting cleanup efforts in that area. No additional sheening was reported during an overflight.
Four thousand feet of boom was deployed to protect sensitive habitats, including oyster beds, in Tomales Bay, as a precautionary measure. Teams have been on site to monitor the boom and the Coast Guard is broadcasting a safety marine information bulletin to inform the public of booming operations in Tomales Bay.
There have been reports of brown foam washing up along the beach, which have been assessed as normal biological material and not oil product.
All beaches remain open. Miller Boat Launch remains temporarily closed to support response operations.
There have been no confirmed reports of oiled wildlife. If oiled wildlife is seen, the public is asked not to approach and contact the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-823-6926.
There are no impacts to commercial traffic or scheduled marine events at this time.
The response is currently being funded by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. Federal assumption does not relieve the owner of their financial responsibilities and they may be liable for the cost of any response actions undertaken by the United States Government, officials said.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Portions of the North Coast – including northern Lake County – remain under a winter weather advisory due to rain and, in some higher elevations, snow forecast through Wednesday.
The National Weather Service’s advisory remains in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday above 2,000 feet.
The agency said a cold upper level storm system will gradually move south along the West Coast through midweek, bringing an extended period of showery weather and snow accumulations of between 4 and 12 inches across the mountains.
On Monday, modest rainfall was recorded around the county. The National Weather Service’s observation stations reported the following 24-hour rainfall totals in inches through 12 a.m. Tuesday:
– Bartlett Springs: 0.10.
– Cache Creek near Lower Lake: 0.07.
– County line (at Colusa side): 0.09.
– Hidden Valley Lake: 0.17.
– Kelseyville: 0.05
– Knoxville Creek: 0.07.
– Lyons Valley (northwest of Lakeport): 0.13.
– Soda Creek: 0.29.
– Upper Lake: 0.24.
– Whispering Pines: 0.20.
Snow also was reported by the California Highway Patrol in the area of Harrington Flat Road in Cobb.
The National Weather Service said showers are forecast to bring up to half an inch of rain in the lower elevations on Tuesday, with between 3 and 7 inches of snow expected in higher elevations in northern Lake County.
On Wednesday, another quarter of an inch is forecast while up to 2 inches of snow is expected to fall in the mountains, forecasters said.
Forecasters expect heavy showers and thunderstorms in Lake County throughout the day on Wednesday, with the forecast noting the possibility for small hail.
Light winds are forecast on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Foggy conditions are in the forecast during the day Thursday to be followed by frost on Thursday night, Friday morning and later on Friday night as well.
The National Weather Service said conditions will clear on Saturday, with a slight chance of showers on Sunday to be followed by mostly sunny conditions on Monday.
Despite the rain, Clear Lake’s level continues to be well below its seasonal average.
On Monday, Lake County Water Resources said Clear Lake was at 1.03 feet Rumsey, the special measure for Clear Lake, compared to nearly 3.60 feet Rumsey a year ago.
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’s advisory remains in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday above 2,000 feet.
The agency said a cold upper level storm system will gradually move south along the West Coast through midweek, bringing an extended period of showery weather and snow accumulations of between 4 and 12 inches across the mountains.
On Monday, modest rainfall was recorded around the county. The National Weather Service’s observation stations reported the following 24-hour rainfall totals in inches through 12 a.m. Tuesday:
– Bartlett Springs: 0.10.
– Cache Creek near Lower Lake: 0.07.
– County line (at Colusa side): 0.09.
– Hidden Valley Lake: 0.17.
– Kelseyville: 0.05
– Knoxville Creek: 0.07.
– Lyons Valley (northwest of Lakeport): 0.13.
– Soda Creek: 0.29.
– Upper Lake: 0.24.
– Whispering Pines: 0.20.
Snow also was reported by the California Highway Patrol in the area of Harrington Flat Road in Cobb.
The National Weather Service said showers are forecast to bring up to half an inch of rain in the lower elevations on Tuesday, with between 3 and 7 inches of snow expected in higher elevations in northern Lake County.
On Wednesday, another quarter of an inch is forecast while up to 2 inches of snow is expected to fall in the mountains, forecasters said.
Forecasters expect heavy showers and thunderstorms in Lake County throughout the day on Wednesday, with the forecast noting the possibility for small hail.
Light winds are forecast on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Foggy conditions are in the forecast during the day Thursday to be followed by frost on Thursday night, Friday morning and later on Friday night as well.
The National Weather Service said conditions will clear on Saturday, with a slight chance of showers on Sunday to be followed by mostly sunny conditions on Monday.
Despite the rain, Clear Lake’s level continues to be well below its seasonal average.
On Monday, Lake County Water Resources said Clear Lake was at 1.03 feet Rumsey, the special measure for Clear Lake, compared to nearly 3.60 feet Rumsey a year ago.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Rohnert Park man was injured on Saturday night when the pickup he was driving went off the road and came to rest against a house near Clearlake Oaks.
Everette Reep, 51, was the driver in the solo-vehicle wreck, the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported.
The CHP said that at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Reep was driving a 2020 Ford F350 pickup eastbound on Highway 20, west of Garden Court, at an unknown speed.
Due to reasons that the CHP said are still under investigation, Reep allowed the pickup to travel off the roadway, which overturned and partially ejected Reep from the vehicle.
The F350 came to rest on its driver's side against a residence on Garden Court, pinning Reep under the pickup until he could be extricated by members of Northshore Fire Department, the report said.
The CHP said Reep suffered suspected major injuries as a result of the collision and was flown from a landing zone at Cal Fire’s Station 40 in Clearlake Oaks to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by CalStar 4 air ambulance.
An inspection of the pickup at the scene indicated Reep was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision, the CHP said.
The CHP said neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected to have been factors in the crash.
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.
Everette Reep, 51, was the driver in the solo-vehicle wreck, the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported.
The CHP said that at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Reep was driving a 2020 Ford F350 pickup eastbound on Highway 20, west of Garden Court, at an unknown speed.
Due to reasons that the CHP said are still under investigation, Reep allowed the pickup to travel off the roadway, which overturned and partially ejected Reep from the vehicle.
The F350 came to rest on its driver's side against a residence on Garden Court, pinning Reep under the pickup until he could be extricated by members of Northshore Fire Department, the report said.
The CHP said Reep suffered suspected major injuries as a result of the collision and was flown from a landing zone at Cal Fire’s Station 40 in Clearlake Oaks to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by CalStar 4 air ambulance.
An inspection of the pickup at the scene indicated Reep was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision, the CHP said.
The CHP said neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected to have been factors in the crash.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) will hold another of his virtual towns this week.
The virtual town hall will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, March 11.
This will be the third virtual town hall of the 117th Congress and the 19th in a series of virtual town halls since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Thompson will discuss the American Rescue Plan, comprehensive COVID relief legislation that is being considered on the House floor this week.
All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people. Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.
The event also will be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
The virtual town hall will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, March 11.
This will be the third virtual town hall of the 117th Congress and the 19th in a series of virtual town halls since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Thompson will discuss the American Rescue Plan, comprehensive COVID relief legislation that is being considered on the House floor this week.
All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office at
The event also will be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission is scheduled to consider a proposed lot line adjustment and an update to the safety element for the city’s general plan.
The commission will meet via webinar beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10.
The agenda is available here.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here; the meeting ID is 986 6166 5155. To join by phone, dial 1-669-900-9128.
Comments can be submitted by email toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To give the City Clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments prior to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10.
Please indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three-minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.
On the agenda is a lot line adjustment proposed by Kjell Akerstrom to reconfigure lands
between four existing lots of record located at 1901 S. Main St., and 301, 401 and 292
Industrial Ave.
The staff report said the lot line adjustment’s purpose is to adjust property lines around existing buildings along Industrial Avenue and reflect the zoning boundaries between major retail and industrial zoning along South Main Street.
Also on Wednesday, the commission will discuss and make a recommendation regarding the update to the City of Lakeport’s General Plan Safety Element to include the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
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 commission will meet via webinar beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10.
The agenda is available here.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here; the meeting ID is 986 6166 5155. To join by phone, dial 1-669-900-9128.
Comments can be submitted by email to
Please indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three-minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.
On the agenda is a lot line adjustment proposed by Kjell Akerstrom to reconfigure lands
between four existing lots of record located at 1901 S. Main St., and 301, 401 and 292
Industrial Ave.
The staff report said the lot line adjustment’s purpose is to adjust property lines around existing buildings along Industrial Avenue and reflect the zoning boundaries between major retail and industrial zoning along South Main Street.
Also on Wednesday, the commission will discuss and make a recommendation regarding the update to the City of Lakeport’s General Plan Safety Element to include the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Email Elizabeth Larson at