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- Written by: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
As Californians gear up for another beautiful summer full of outdoor recreation, boaters are being asked to remember the importance of cleaning, draining and drying their watercraft to combat the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels.
Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive freshwater mussels native to Europe and Asia. They multiply quickly, alter water quality and the aquatic food web, and ultimately impact native and sport fish communities. These mussels spread from one waterbody to another by attaching to watercraft, equipment and nearly anything that has been in an infested waterbody.
Invisible to the naked eye, microscopic juveniles are spread from infested waterbodies by water that is entrapped in boat engines, ballasts, bilges, live-wells and buckets.
Quagga mussels have infested 34 waters in Southern California and zebra mussels have infested two waters in San Benito County, 13 of which are boatable by the public.
To prevent the spread of these mussels and other aquatic invasive species, people launching vessels at any waterbody are subject to watercraft inspections and should clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft and any equipment that contacts the water, before and after use.
“The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) operates border protection stations that inspect trailered watercraft entering the state,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife Invasive Species Program Manager Martha Volkoff. “Early this year, the stations marked their two-millionth watercraft inspected, a milestone that represents a monumental contribution in preventing further introductions of mussels into the state. In addition to the border protection stations, water managers throughout the state continue to implement inspections at their waterbodies. Memorial Day is a great opportunity to spread the word to boaters about the simple actions they should take in preparation for their next outing.”
“Boaters need to conduct the ‘Clean, Drain and Dry’ practice each time they enjoy recreating on waterbodies,” said California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Acting Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. “This responsible boating practice will help keep our water bodies free from invasive species, such as freshwater quagga and zebra mussels.”
Quagga and zebra mussels can attach to and damage virtually any submerged surface. They can:
• Ruin a boat engine by blocking the cooling system and causing it to overheat;
• Jam a boat’s steering equipment, putting occupants and others at risk;
• Require frequent scraping and repainting of boat hulls;
• Colonize all underwater substrates such as boat ramps, docks, lines and other underwater surfaces, causing them to require constant cleaning;
• Impose large expenses to owners.
CDFW advises boaters to take the following steps before leaving a waterbody to prevent spreading invasive mussels, improve the efficiency of their inspection experience and safeguard California waterways:
• CLEAN — inspect exposed surfaces and remove all plants and organisms,
• DRAIN — all water, including water contained in lower outboard units, live-wells and bait buckets, and
• DRY — allow the watercraft to thoroughly dry between launches. Watercraft should be kept dry for at least five days in warm weather and up to 30 days in cool weather.
Please visit websites for CDFW and California State Parks for extensive information on invasive species, the harm they can produce, and how California boaters can provide crucial assistance in the fight against invasive mussels.
Travelers are also advised to be prepared for inspections at CDFA border protection stations. Inspections, which can also be conducted by CDFW and California State Parks, include a check of boats and personal watercraft, as well as trailers and all onboard items.
Contaminated vessels and equipment are subject to decontamination, rejection, quarantine or impoundment.
CDFW, CDFA, State Parks and the California Department of Water Resources thank boaters for their continued and valuable cooperation in joining the fight against invasive quagga and zebra mussels.
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- Written by: GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Expanding California’s global climate leadership, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday established a new international climate partnership with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
California and New Zealand signed a memorandum of cooperation, or MOC, to tackle the climate crisis, reduce pollution, and bolster the clean economy, while emphasizing community resilience and partnership with indigenous leaders.
In the New Zealand Garden at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park, California and New Zealand outlined common objectives to achieve carbon-neutrality by mid-century, as well as their shared world-leading policies for zero-emission transportation, climate innovation, clean power generation, nature-based solutions, and zero waste initiatives.
The MOC furthers these common objectives through sharing information and best practices. A copy of the MOC signed today can be read below.
“Later is too late to address climate change, and California is taking aggressive steps to bolster the clean economy while reducing pollution in our communities – but we can’t do it alone,” said Gov. Newsom. “This partnership with New Zealand, another global climate leader, will strengthen ties between our two governments to deploy critical solutions that are essential to addressing this existential crisis.”
“No country is immune from the impacts of climate changes, so it’s just common sense to collaborate with like-minded partners to meet our mutual goals,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. “We both aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century. This agreement means we’ll work together to share expertise and experience and collaborate on projects that help meet each other’s targets.”
California’s world-leading climate policies have led the state to exceed its 2020 climate target four years ahead of schedule, and created partnerships across the U.S. and around the world.
Gov. Newsom has committed $47.1 billion to tackle pollution, build climate-resilient water supplies, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, ensure grid reliability and accelerate clean energy solutions, and protect communities from extreme heat.
California’s ZEV market is leading the nation in every category and the state is ending the sale of new gas cars by 2035, reducing demand for oil and spurring partnerships across the nation and around the world.
Responding to the governor’s nature-based solutions executive order, which identified California’s lands as a critical yet underutilized sector in the fight against climate change, California last month released the Pathways to 30x30: Accelerating Conservation of California’s Nature strategy and Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.
Earlier this year, California signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan to advance cooperation on climate and clean energy priorities, and strengthen trade relations.
Gov. Newsom also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China to accelerate ongoing initiatives to protect the environment, reduce carbon and air pollution, and promote clean technology development.
Last year, Gov. Newsom and 24 governors from the bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance committed to collectively achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050.
Gov. Newsom and other Under2 Coalition partners announced the transition to become a net zero coalition, raising ambition for member states and regions.
California also joined the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, which brings together national and subnational governments committed to advancing a just transition away from oil and gas production.
5.27.22 Memorandum of Cooperation by LakeCoNews on Scribd
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- Written by: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Video from the navigation camera aboard NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter shows its record-breaking 25th flight on April 8, 2022. Covering 2,310 feet (704 meters) at a maximum speed of 12 mph (5.5 meters per second), it was the rotorcraft’s longest and fastest flight to date. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
Imagery has come down from Mars capturing a recent flight in which the rotorcraft flew farther and faster than ever before.
The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter’s black-and-white navigation camera has provided dramatic video of its record-breaking 25th flight, which took place on April 8.
Covering a distance of 2,310 feet at a speed of 12 miles per hour, it was the Red Planet rotorcraft’s longest and fastest flight to date. (Ingenuity is currently preparing for its 29th flight.)
“For our record-breaking flight, Ingenuity’s downward-looking navigation camera provided us with a breathtaking sense of what it would feel like gliding 33 feet above the surface of Mars at 12 miles per hour,” said Ingenuity team lead Teddy Tzanetos of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
The first frame of the video clip begins about one second into the flight. After reaching an altitude of 33 feet, the helicopter heads southwest, accelerating to its maximum speed in less than three seconds.
The rotorcraft first flies over a group of sand ripples then, about halfway through the video, several rock fields. Finally, relatively flat and featureless terrain appears below, providing a good landing spot. The video of the 161.3-second flight was speeded up approximately five times, reducing it to less than 35 seconds.
The navigation camera has been programmed to deactivate whenever the rotorcraft is within 3 feet of the surface. This helps ensure any dust kicked up during takeoff and landing won’t interfere with the navigation system as it tracks features on the ground.
Ingenuity’s flights are autonomous. “Pilots” at JPL plan them and send commands to the Perseverance Mars rover, which then relays those commands to the helicopter.
During a flight, onboard sensors — the navigation camera, an inertial measurement unit, and a laser range finder — provide real-time data to Ingenuity’s navigation processor and main flight computer, which guide the helicopter in flight. This enables Ingenuity to react to the landscape while carrying out its commands.
Mission controllers recently lost communication with Ingenuity after the helicopter entered a low-power state. Now that the rotorcraft is back in contact and getting adequate energy from its solar array to charge its six lithium-ion batteries, the team is looking forward to its next flight on Mars.
The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was built by JPL, which also manages the project for NASA Headquarters. It is supported by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley and NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, provided significant flight performance analysis and technical assistance during Ingenuity’s development. AeroVironment Inc., Qualcomm, and SolAero also provided design assistance and major vehicle components. Lockheed Space designed and manufactured the Mars Helicopter Delivery System.
At NASA Headquarters, Dave Lavery is the program executive for the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — A Memorial Day ceremony will take place at the Middletown Cemetery on Monday.
The event will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. at the cemetery, located at 16357 Butts Canyon Road. Parking will be provided and refreshments will be served.
The floral design class from the Middletown High School will present colorful flowered wreaths in honor of the veterans who have given so much for our country.
Sergeant of the Guard Bob Perez from the Lake County Military Honors Team will begin the ceremonies.
Veteran Chaplin Charles Schrieber will do the Invocation along with Taps.
The Lake County Military Honors Team will perform the three-volley salute. They will be ushered in by Rick Rice of the Patriot Guard Riders.
Students with 4-H are in charge of the flag ceremony. Girl Scout Troop #10403, led by Rebecca Crawford, will help with wreath placement and programs and will place a flag on each of the 224 veterans’ graves with the assistance of Daisy Troop #10917.
District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, tribal chair of the Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, will be the guest speaker and he will read the names of the veterans buried at Middletown Rancheria.
Jim Comstock, former District 1 supervisor, will read the names of the veterans buried in the Middletown Cemetery.
Linda Diehl-Darms, chairwoman of the Middletown Cemetery District, will act as mistress of ceremonies.
The benediction will be given by Voris Brumfield, Pastor of the Middletown Methodist Church.
David Neft will provide the sound and keyboard accompaniment for vocalist Paula Negrete.
The Middletown Lions Club faithfully provides the chairs and helps with many set up items on this special day.
Organizers invite the community to join them for this important event to honor our veterans.