I would like to explain why the Sierra Club has endorsed Measure H, which would raise funds for road repair in the city of Clearlake, as well as for code enforcement.

It has long been evident that erosion from deteriorating streets in the city of Clearlake results in the introduction of soil and road surface pollutants into Clear Lake, and that excessive nutrients from hard surface runoff of this kind contribute to noxious algae blooms.

Very suggestively, the county's recent analysis of satellite images of Clear Lake has shown a “hot spot” in the lake adjacent to the city of Clearlake area consistent with a high level of pollution from this source.

By providing the funding needed to repair the city streets, Measure H will reduce erosion and discharge of polluted waters into the lake.

Effective code enforcement will also reduce pollution by removing sources of toxic materials in the city, including those originating from excessive marijuana grows in violation of the city's cultivation ordinance.

These are the primary reasons that the Sierra Club supports this ballot initiative. Therefore, we ask the voters in Clearlake to support and vote for Measure H.

Ed Robey is chair of the Sierra Club Lake Group. He lives in Lower Lake, Calif.