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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Weed Management Area has announced its annual “Invasive Weeds Tour for 2025.”
This year they are offering two tours on consecutive days; one showcasing aquatic and wetland plants that grow in and around Clear Lake (and efforts to remove invasive species from around the Clear Lake shoreline), and the second highlighting weeds of grasslands and oak woodlands and restoration of native wildflowers at the McLaughlin Reserve.
As always, this event is freeopen to the public.
The tours are as follows.
Thursday May 8, 9 a.m. to noon: Aquatic Weed Tour at Clear Lake State Park.
Join staff from Lake County’s Land Trust and Resource Conservation District as they dive into the world of aquatic plants and wetland weeds of Clear Lake and the broader county.
Aquatic and wetland plant specimens and examples will be presented to facilitate hands-on learning and education.
With partnership from Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance and Big Valley Rancheria, attendees will learn about recent invasive plant management efforts around the lake, including at the State Park.
Outreach materials and display tables will provide an opportunity to dig deeper. Parking is free (by the Marina Pavilion, across from the Visitor Center); just inform the front entrance kiosk staff that you are attending the 2025 Weed Tour.
Friday May 9, 9 a.m. to noon. Weeds and Wildflowers at the McLaughlin Natural Reserve
Join staff from the University of California’s McLaughlin Natural Reserve to learn how invasive plants, especially annual grasses, have reduced native wildflower displays in Lake County.
On this tour, they will view areas of the reserve where wildflowers have been restored by removing invasive species. Prescribed fire, cattle grazing, herbicides, mowing and hand pulling are all tools to control weeds and restore wildflowers.
They are expecting robust wildflower displays in May this year, so bring your camera. Guests are invited to meet at the McLaughlin Reserve Headquarters (26775 Morgan Valley Road) to carpool for our field tour, which will involve walking about a quarter mile on gentle terrain.
For both tours, please bring hats, sunscreen, lunch or a snack, drinking water, and your questions about plants and the lake. Please wear sturdy shoes that are free of seeds and mud and bring gloves if you want some hands-on weed removal experience.
The annual invasive weed tours are sponsored by the Lake County Department of Agriculture and the Lake County Resource Conservation District.
No reservations are required. Please contact the Office of the County Agricultural Commissioner at 707-263-0217 if you have any questions.
What is a Weed Management Area?
County agricultural commissioners frequently bring together parties with mutual interest in working on Invasive Weed Management projects, and these collectives are referred to as, “Weed Management Areas,” or WMAs.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The draft Active Transportation Plan, or ATP, outlines a vision for safer streets, better sidewalks, expanded bike access, and improved public transit, ensuring people of all ages and abilities can move around Lakeport safely and comfortably.
Whether you walk, bike, roll or drive, city officials said they want Lakeport to be safer and easier to get around. Community feedback will help make that happen.
The public comment period is open through May 5.
The draft plan can be reviewed here.
Ways to provide input:
• Email your feedback to
• Drop off written comments at City Hall, 225 Park St., during business hours.
• Attend the public meeting on Monday, May 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at City Hall, either in-person or attend remotely via Zoom.
• Visit the city's booth at the Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Saturday, May 4, at Xabatin Park.
The draft ATP is the result of extensive community engagement and expert analysis. It identifies key infrastructure improvements and priority projects to make active transportation safer, more accessible and better connected throughout Lakeport.
For more information, visit the plan link above or contact the Lakeport Public Works Department at
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
In response to the recent detection of golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the state of California has developed a comprehensive plan to address this urgent invasive species threat.
The discovery in October 2024 marked the first known occurrence of golden mussel in North America.
To combat this threat, the framework provides coordinated strategies by multiple California departments to prevent further introduction and spread of golden mussels, as well as to contain and suppress infestations to minimize their impact on the environment, water conveyance, recreation and agriculture.
In addition, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, is offering $1 million in grant funding to boating facility operators to enhance efforts against invasive mussels, particularly the threat of golden mussels. This funding supports projects that help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive mussels in lakes, reservoirs and waterways, ensuring the long-term health of state waters. The grant solicitation can be found on CDFW’s website.
Native to East and Southeast Asia, golden mussels pose a significant threat to California’s natural ecosystems, water infrastructure, agriculture, and economy. The invasive species has already caused major disruptions in other parts of the world, including heavy biofouling of water intake systems, and negative impacts to habitat and wildlife.
“The discovery of golden mussels in California is a serious challenge that requires coordinated action and a long-term commitment,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This response framework recommends critical steps that must be taken across state, regional and local levels to limit the spread and mitigate the impacts of this invasive species.”
“Taking coordinated action to address this invasive species will help safeguard critical water infrastructure like the State Water Project from the negative impacts golden mussels can pose to water delivery systems,” said John Yarbrough, DWR deputy director for the State Water Project. “Using this new framework and close collaboration with partner agencies, DWR will implement strategies to address this invasive species and minimize impacts by monitoring for the mussels in SWP waters and developing a mitigation plan.”
Reservoir managers across the state are adjusting their recreational plans for the upcoming boating season to address concerns for the golden mussel. “Recreational boating is a significant contributor to California’s economy, and California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways is working diligently with allied industry and agency partners to provide outreach and educational information to boaters and waterbody managers on the importance of the Clean, Drain and Dry message to help protect the state’s waterways from invasive species,” said Division of Boating and Waterways, or DBW, Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. “DBW recommends boaters contact the waterbody manager to learn of any updated requirements before they head out.”
DBW maintains a list of contacts at https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/inspections.
The response framework developed by the Golden Mussel Task Force is composed of key state and federal agencies, including CDFW, DWR, California State Parks, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and several other federal and local partners.
It outlines a comprehensive strategy to respond to the invasive species, focusing on preventing further introduction, containing mussels within currently infested waters and reducing population within the invaded range where feasible.
Key recommendations in the response framework include:
Containment and prevention measures
• Development of a map of Delta launch sites to prioritize management at high-use sites.
• Investigation of pathways of spread, such as watercraft and overland movement, aquaculture trade, etc.
• Increased inspection and decontamination capacity for watercraft, with expanded training for inspectors.
Education and outreach
• Launch of education campaigns to inform the public about the golden mussel threat and how they can help prevent its spread.
• Posting of signage at waterbodies where golden mussels are present promoting the “Clean, Drain, Dry” practice following and ending every outing.
• Collaboration with businesses that provide watercraft cleaning services to promote industry standards.
Incentives and partnerships
• Promotion of watercraft cleaning services within and around the Delta to assist in controlling the spread of the mussels.
The Golden Mussel Task Force will continue to collaborate to mitigate the impacts of this invasive species and protect the state’s water resources.
Officials said the Golden Mussel Framework is “a dynamic document, evolving with new information and adaptive management strategies.”
For more information or to learn how you can help prevent the spread of golden mussel and report sightings visit: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Golden-Mussel.
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- Written by: LINGZI CHEN
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 865 3354 4962, pass code 726865. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.
At 9:15 a.m., the board will hear an annual presentation by the Lake County PEG TV on their operation and budget update.
At 9:30 a.m., the board will consider the appointment to fill a vacancy on the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
Based on the documents attached to the meeting agenda, applicants to be considered include: Terry Cherney and Joseph Szupellow, who are longtime volunteer firefighters; Gary Deas, a business owner who was also a firefighter from 2006 to 2008 in Solano County; and Jennifer Williams-Richardson, who’s a current board member for Lakeport
Unified School District.
At 10 a.m., the board will consider the presentation by the nonprofit North Coast Opportunities on its home hardening program.
Program manager Deanna Fernweh will present on partnerships, funding, environmental clearances, contractor vetting, current program status and a community overview of home hardening.
“Home hardening is the process of making a residence more resistant to wildfires and ember intrusion. It involves strengthening the structure with fire resistant retrofits and creating defensible space that could ignite during a wildfire,” the staff report explained. “Home hardening is important because it increases a home's chances of surviving and reduces the flame spread to neighboring homes.”
In the untimed items, the board will consider the appointment of current Health Services SafeRx Program Coordinator Mary Gross to the Mental Health Advisory Board.
The board will also consider an advisory board appointment for the Glenbrook Cemetery District.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt a proclamation designating April 2025 as Alcohol Awareness Month in Lake County.
5.2: Adopt proclamation designating April 2025 as California Friday Night Live Month.
5.3: Approve Amendment One to the agreement with Staten Solar Corporation for design, installation, and commissioning of energy conservation facilities serving the Lake County Courthouse Campus, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.4: (a) Approve the purchase of a diesel 6kw LED light tower for use by the Lake Operational Area; and (b) authorize internal budget transfer.
5.5: (a) Adopt the resolution adopting the Emergency Operations Plan for the County of Lake and the Lake County Operational Area and (b) authorize the board chair and sheriff to sign the promulgation letter.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the week.
6.3, 9:04 a.m.: National Poetry Month poem of the week.
6.4, 9:05 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of April 2025 as Alcohol Awareness Month in Lake County.
6.5, 9:08 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of April 2025 be recognized as California Friday Night Live Month.
6.6, 9:15 a.m.: Annual Lake County PEG presentation.
6.7, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of appointment to Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
6.8, 10:00 a.m.: Consideration of presentation by North Coast Opportunities home hardening program.
NONTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of the following advisory board appointment: Mental Health Advisory Board.
7.3: Consideration of the following advisory board appointment: Glenbrook Cemetery District.
7.4: Consideration of contract amendment for Avero Advisors, to continue the ERP/HCM system implementation.
7.5: Consideration of approval to update and revise the County of Lake internship program.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1, 1:30 p.m.: Public employee evaluation: Chief Public Defender Raymond Buenaventura.
8.2: Public employee evaluation: County Counsel Lloyd Guintivano.
8.3: Public employee evaluation: Public Services Director Lars Ewing.
8.4: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) Chief negotiator: C. Torrez; county negotiators: S. Parker, S. Carter, C. Moreno, P. Samac and D. Rico; (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) – In Re Wellpath Holdings, Inc., et al.
8.6: Addendum – Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(1) – One potential case.
Email staff reporter Lingzi Chen at