Poor air quality due to forest fire expected to continue Thursday

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Lake County’s air basin continuing to see an influx of smoke from the Mill Fire in the Mendocino National Forest, county air quality officials issued another air quality alert for Thursday.

Lake County Air Quality Management District reported that because of the current weather patterns and the fact that the Mill Fire in Colusa County is still burning, Lake County is experiencing unhealthy air quality.

Air quality values have exceeded state health based particulate standards for small respirable
particulate and Ozone (photochemical smog).

The prediction for Thursday – given expected wind conditions and levels of particulate and ozone presently trapped in the air basin – is air quality levels that will be “moderate” to “unhealthy for
sensitive individuals” in Lake County, the agency reported.

Greatest concern exists from midmorning through late afternoon, with conditions expected to improve starting midafternoon as the ridge of high pressure begins to break down allowing the west winds to
start clearing out the smoke, according to the report.

Conditions are forecast to improve through the weekend resulting in a forecast for healthier air quality and cooler temperatures.

The moderate to unhealthy for sensitive individuals alert results from smoke transported by winds and ozone generated with the smoke, high temperatures, significant sunlight and humidity, the district said.

The smoke and sunlight cause chemical reactions in the air that further reduces visibility by forming secondary particles in addition to those already in the smoke. These particles draw the moisture out of the air, growing in number and size, making the haze even worse.

Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous for sensitive individual including young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. The heat can make the stress worse, especially if exercising hard.

Residual haze and particulate from the many ongoing wildfires can be expected to continue throughout Lake County until the fires are out, the district reported.

Boxer introduces bill to permanently protect Berryessa Snow Mountain Region

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Support for a National Conservation Area (NCA) within the Berryessa Snow Mountain region is continuing to gain momentum.

On Wednesday Sen. Barbara Boxer introduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act.

The bill, along with H.R. 5545 – which was introduced on May 8 by Reps. Mike Thompson, John Garamendi and Lynn Woolsey – will secure permanent protection of much of the federal public lands within this region.

“The Berryessa Snow Mountain region is one of California’s treasures, and this bill will help ensure that it is protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Boxer. “The designation of a new National Conservation Area will not only help preserve the region’s natural resources, it will also promote tourism and create jobs in local communities.”

“We’re thrilled that Sen. Boxer has chosen to introduce legislation to protect this beautiful region which is so rich in ecological diversity and cultural importance,” said Sara Husby, executive director for Tuleyome. “Sen. Boxer is a true champion for our public lands and wild places. It’s exciting to see so many of our local communities, businesses, elected officials, and recreation groups behind the proposal and support continues to grow.”

Whether it’s hiking to the 80 foot high Zim Zim waterfall, fly-fishing in Putah Creek, boating on Lake Berryessa, or viewing wildflowers and wildlife, the Berryessa Snow Mountain region offers something for everyone.

Tuleyome said protecting the area is a win-win for all. According to the group, an NCA will secure continued recreation opportunities and provide well-managed recreation and user education for future and current generations.

“This legislation will not only preserve a very special ecosystem of California, but also preserves opportunities for high quality recreation for mountain bicycling, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, rafting and motorized use,” said Tom Ward, California policy director for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). “We are strongly supportive of efforts to protect sensitive habitats and to provide opportunities for the public to reconnect with the outdoors.”

Protecting special places not only increases recreational opportunities, but it also increases tourism, and creates a desirable place for people to live and work.

A recent study done by Headwaters Economics ( www.headwaterseconomics.org ) found that the counties around Giant Sequoia National Monument saw jobs grow by 11 percent and real personal income rise by 24 percent after the area was protected. It’s estimated that there is the same potential for the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.

“We are very pleased that Senator Boxer has introduced a companion bill in the Senate to protect the federal public lands of Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area,” said Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon. “The NCA designation will help to ensure that this region remains wild for our children and their children. It is not only good for the land but also for our local economies, which will benefit from the income and revenue generated by those who come to enjoy the outdoors in such a special area. We look forward to passage of this legislation.”

Visit www.berryessasnowmountain.org for more information.

Governor signs California Homeowner Bill of Rights

On Thursday Gov. Jerry Brown signed the California Homeowner Bill of Rights to halt the “abusive tactics” of loan servicers and protect struggling homeowners who are trying, in good faith, to renegotiate their mortgages.

“Californians should not have to suffer the abusive tactics of those who would push foreclosure behind the back of an unsuspecting homeowner,” said Gov. Brown. “These new rules make the foreclosure process more transparent so that loan servicers cannot promise one thing while doing the exact opposite.”

“The California Homeowner Bill of Rights will give struggling homeowners a fighting shot to keep their home,” said Attorney General Kamala Harris. “This legislation will make the mortgage and foreclosure process more fair and transparent, which will benefit homeowners, their community, and the housing market as a whole.”

The California Homeowner Bill of Rights, AB 278 and SB 900, was sponsored by Attorney General Harris. AB 278 was authored by Assembly Members Eng, Feuer, Mitchell and John A. Pérez. SB 900 was authored by Senators Leno, Evans, Corbett, DeSaulnier, Pavley and Steinberg.

These new laws make California the first state in the nation to take provisions in the National Mortgage Settlement, which covered the nation’s five largest mortgage loan servicers, and apply those rules to all mortgage servicers.

The laws offer hope for homeowners in communities like Lake County, where between 2008 and 2011 there were 3,000 foreclosures – meaning one out of every 12 homes was lost to the process – according to a recent oped authored by Harris.

The Homeowner Bill of Rights prohibits a series of inherently unfair bank practices that have needlessly forced thousands of Californians into foreclosure.

The law restricts dual-track foreclosures, where a lender forecloses on a borrower despite being in discussions over a loan modification to save the home.

It also guarantees struggling homeowners a single point of contact at their lender with knowledge of their loan and direct access to decision makers, and imposes civil penalties on fraudulently signed mortgage documents.

In addition, homeowners may require loan servicers to document their right to foreclose.

The laws will go into effect on January 1, 2013, and borrowers can access courts to enforce their rights under this legislation.

The Homeowner Bill of Rights builds upon and extends reforms first negotiated in the recent national mortgage settlement between 49 states and leading lenders.

Attorney General Harris secured up to $18 billion for California homeowners in that agreement, and has also built a Mortgage Fraud Strike Force to investigate crime and fraud associated with mortgages and foreclosures.

The California Homeowner Bill of Rights also contains a variety of bills outside of the conference committee process.

These will enhance law enforcement responses to mortgage and foreclosure-related crime, in part by empowering the attorney general to call a grand jury in response to financial crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions.

Additional elements will help communities fight blight related to foreclosure, and provide enhanced protections for tenants in foreclosed homes.

To learn more about how the bills impact California homeowners, visit www.oag.ca.gov .