Join in protecting California’s biodiversity during Invasive Species Action Week

California Invasive Species Action Week, or CISAW, happening June 7 to 15, calls for all Californians to get involved to help prevent the harmful impacts of non-native plants and animals that threaten the Golden State’s natural resources, ecology and economy.

CDFW Invasive Species Program environmental scientists urge all Californians to get involved as invasive species reduce the biodiversity that is so important to our landscape.

During Invasive Species Action week, volunteers across the state will have the opportunity to help remove invasive plants, participate in interactive activities and have lunch with University of California experts as they share how to help stop a variety of invasive species.

Virtual and in-person opportunities to participate in CISAW include tuning in to the UC Cooperative Extension’s Lunchtime Talks webinar series, where each weekday experts will take on invasive species topics such as the proper way to use snap traps for the ongoing and increasing threats posed by rats and the latest information on California’s newest and potentially most economically and environmentally significant invader — the golden mussel.

Further details and a full list of CISAW events can be found online, some which require participants to register in advance.

Be a part of the effort to remove invasive species and restore wildlife habitat throughout the year by volunteering through the California State Parks Foundation and other local organizations, or by using CDFW’s Invasive Species App (through EDDMaps) to record invasive species on Apple or Android smart phones as a citizen scientist.

Californians can also help stop the spread of invasive species by taking small, everyday actions, such as landscaping with native plants, not releasing unwanted pets into the wild and cleaning and draining and drying gear when recreating in bodies of water. The CISAW web page lists simple actions Californians can take all year long while visiting natural areas, boating, fishing and even at home.

The mission of CDFW’s Invasive Species Program is to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the wildlands and waterways of California. The program is involved in efforts to prevent the introduction of these species into the state, detect and respond to introductions when they occur and prevent the spread of those species that have established.

For questions or more information about CISAW contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

BLM issues seasonal fire restrictions for Lake, eight other counties in western Central California

North Folk of Cache Creek in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, jointly managed by the BLM and U.S. Forest Service, encompasses nearly 331,000 acres of public land in the heart of northern California’s Inner Coast Range. Rising from near sea level in the south to over 7,000 feet in the mountainous north, and stretching across nearly 100 miles and dozens of ecosystems, the area possesses a richness of species that is among the highest in California and has established the area as a biodiversity hotspot. A part of the BLM’s National Conservation Lands, the Monument offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, off-highway vehicle use, horseback riding, mountain biking and rafting. Photo by Jesse Pluim, BLM.

 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management is issuing seasonal fire restrictions effective Friday, June 6, due to dry conditions and wildland fire danger.

These seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round, statewide fire prevention order. The seasonal fire order will remain in effect until further notice.

The BLM-managed public lands affected by these fire restrictions are in the Ukiah Field Office for Colusa, Glen, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties.

On average, human-caused wildfires make up 95 percent of all wildfires in California. Many of these wildfires occur close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety.

Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk, while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire occurs can help keep property, the public and firefighters safe.

The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:

• No setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire or open flame of any kind including within established campgrounds.
• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed campground with a three-foot diameter area clear of brush and all flammable materials.
• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• No motorized vehicles or tools powered by internal combustion engines off designated roads or trails.
• No target shooting, hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Hunting in the pursuit of game and non-game species is allowed with a state of California hunting license and in accordance with California hunting regulations. The use of any steel-jacked, steel core or incendiary ammunition of any caliber is prohibited. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.

As always, possessing, discharging or using fireworks or pyrotechnic devices are prohibited across Bureau of Land Management lands.

Additionally, a valid California Campfire Permit is required to operate a stove or fire, where allowed, on these public lands.

Help prevent fires

Residents and visitors are reminded to help prevent human-caused fires:

• Make sure all campfires are dead out! Drown it and stir around the fire area with a shovel to wet any remaining embers and ash. If it’s not cool, it is not out.
  • Be sure to maintain proper tire pressure for all vehicles, ensure adequate tire tread, and check brakes for overheating. Do not drive or park on brush or grass. Do not drag chains while towing.
  • Motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and chainsaws require an approved spark arrestor.
  • Remember the use of steel-core ammunition, although legal while hunting, can greatly increase the chance of a wildfire if ricocheted off objects such as rocks.
  
  Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or face imprisonment for not more than 12 months.

Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

The public can visit Cal Fire’s website to learn how to prevent wildland fires. A map of current restrictions and active fire prevention orders are also available online. Fire weather forecasts are available through the National Weather Service.

For specific questions, please contact the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000 or you may email the office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Supervisors to weigh housing fund, new fire map and $8 million in service contracts

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors this week will consider a housing fund reallocation, new fire hazard severity zone map, a home hardening program and nearly $8 million in support services contracts.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 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 9:30 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing on the use of a $867,981 balance from the state’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation, awarded to the county for 2019 through 2023, initially dedicated to the Collier Avenue housing project.

In December 2024, the county partnered with Lakeport and Clearlake to establish a Regional Housing Trust Fund. Now, the county seeks the state’s Housing and Community Development department’s approval to amend its allocation plan and redirect the unused funds to this new initiative.

At 10:15 a.m., the board will hear a report of the county’s pooled investment by Treasurer Patrick Sullivan.

The staff report noted a $5 million total earnings for the second quarter of the county’s 2024-2025 fiscal year.

At 11:15 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing on the state’s new fire hazard severity zone map in the unincorporated lands that fall under the Local Responsibility Areas, or the LRA.

The new map, released in February, marks the first update to the LRA designations since 2011 and adds 14,000 acres in Lake County to the “very high” zone — an 878% expansion in acreage classified as the most hazardous.

Unincorporated areas under county jurisdiction see a dramatic jump in the “very high” category from just 5 acres to 10,881 acres.

Local jurisdictions are required by state law to adopt the map by ordinance as is or with a higher hazard zone rating; they are not allowed to lower it.

The city of Clearlake was the first to hold a public hearing on the matter on May 15 and moved forward with it with unanimous vote, despite reluctance throughout the discussion.

At 1 p.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.

In the untimed items, the board will consider several county agreements totaling nearly $8 million for support services, including foster care, adult residential support and speciality mental health.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt proclamation designating June 2025 as LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Month in Lake County, and approve the LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Flag to be displayed at the County Courthouse for the month of June.

5.2: Approve continuation of proclamation declaring a Clear Lake Hitch emergency.

5.3: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to pervasive tree mortality.

5.4: Approve continuation of emergency proclamation declaring a shelter crisis in the County of Lake.

5.5: Adopt a proclamation recognizing Kelseyville High School K-Corps graduating class of 2025.

5.6: Adopt the resolution approving unanticipated revenue in BU 2601 Agricultural Commissioner in the amount of $153,160.00, and amend the capital asset list of the 2024–2025 budget to include in-truck prover ($45,000) and a water meter test bench ($14,500).

5.7: Approve Amendment No. 1 between County of Lake and Avero Advisors for implementation services; an increase of $140,289, total compensation not to exceed $300,000, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.8: Approve closure of the Auditor-Controller/Clerk Office from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025 for an all-staff training.

5.9: Approve the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) and the California Department of State Hospitals for county use of state hospital beds and authorize the Behavioral Health Director to sign the MOU.

5.10: Approve budget transfer in Budget Unit 4014 – Behavioral Health of $514,650 from inventory account 740.38-00 to capital asset account 740.63-13; and amend the list of capital assets of the 2024–2025 budget to increase the South Shore Clinic to $681,250 and authorize the chair of the board to sign.

5.11: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between County of Lake and New Life Health Authority dba New Life LLC. for Substance Use Disorder outpatient drug free services, intensive outpatient treatment services, and Narcotic Treatment Program services for fiscal year 2024–25 with no change to the contract maximum and authorize the chair to sign.

5.12: Approve closure of all Lake County Behavioral Health Services locations for an all-staff training on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

5.13: Approve closure of Community Development, Public Works, and Water Resources Department counters on June 11, 2025, from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for multi-all-department staff training.

5.14: Approve purchase of two vehicles from Downtown Ford through the state contract, in the amount of $89,407.32, and authorize the Probation Chief to issue purchase order.

5.15: Approve waiving the 900 hour extra help limit for staff in the Sheriff’s Department.

5.16: Waive the formal bidding process pursuant to County Ordinance 3109 Section 2-38, subsection 38.1, extension of annual agreements; and approve Ninth Amendment to the lease between County of Lake and Ewing and Associates for the Child Welfare Services parking lot located on South Forbes Street in Lakeport, for the amount of $4,800 from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.17: Adopt a proclamation designating June 2025 as Older American and Dependent Adult Awareness Month.

5.18: Approve budget transfer of $2,000,000 in appropriations from Budget Unit 5011, Social Services Admin to Budget Unit 5121 Public Assistance, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.19: Approve closure of the Special Districts Administrative Office on June 11, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for staff training.

5.20: Waive the competitive bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.1, as an extension of an annual agreement; approve agreement between the County of Lake and Megabyte Systems Inc. for FY 2025–26 MPTS property tax system maintenance, online business property filing license/support and the transient occupancy tax licensing/support in the amount of $237,558.08 and authorize the chair to sign; approve web services addendum to the agreement between the County of Lake and Megabyte Systems Inc. for FY 2025–26 online tax bills and e-payment processing services, in the amount of $6,876.52 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.21: Approve request to waive 900 hour limit for extra-help Water Resources ramp monitors Anthony DeBolt, John MacDonald, Robert Dragness, Frank Levings Jr., Wayne Moore, Kenneth Wikstrom, Justin Braider, Mark Duncan, Albert Acrey and the two ramp coordinators Donald Purdy and Robert Valdez.

TIMED ITEMS

6.1, 9:02 a.m.: Public input.

6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the Week.

6.3, 9:05 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation recognizing Kelseyville High School K-Corps graduating class of 2025.

6.4, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating June 2025 as LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Month in Lake County, and present the LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Flag to be displayed at the County Courthouse for the month of June.

6.5, 9:15 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating June 2025 as Older American and Dependent Adult Awareness Month.

6.6, 9:20 a.m.: (Sitting as the Lake County Housing Commission) Consideration of resolution of the Lake County Housing Commission (LCHC) Board of Commissioners authorizing the voluntary transfer of LCHC’s entire Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV), and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) assistance programs and associated annual contributions contract to the Regional Housing Authority (RHA).

6.7, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing - (a) Consideration and discussion of Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) grant five-year plan amendment; and (b) Consideration of resolution authorizing the application and amending the PLHA plan for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program.

6.8, 10:15 a.m.: Consideration of the March 31, 2025 report of Lake County pooled investments.

6.9, 10:30 a.m.: Consideration of presentation on becoming a resource family for foster youth.

6.10, 11:15 a.m.: Public hearing - Consideration of proposed ordinance designating fire hazard severity zones in the local responsibility areas in the unincorporated lands of Lake County.

6.11, 1:00 p.m.: Consideration of presentation by North Coast Opportunities Home Hardening Program.

6.12, 1:30 p.m.: A) Presentation of Food Policy Council activities and strategic plan B) Consideration of Food Policy Council by-laws C) Consideration of Food Policy Council MOU with Lake County Community Foundations D) Reopen application process to fill Food Policy Council members.

NON-TIMED ITEMS

7.1: Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.

7.2: Consideration of Amendment No. 4 to the agreement between County of Lake and Redwood Community Services, Inc. for the Lake County WRAP Program, Foster Care Program and Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC) Program for specialty mental health services for fiscal years 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25 in the amount of $6,200,000.

7.3: Consideration of Amendment No. 2 to the agreement between County of Lake and Manzanita House for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for fiscal years 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25 in the amount of $828,000.

7.4: Consideration of the appointment of members to the following: Lake County Resource Conservation District; Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH) Advisory Board.

7.5: Consideration of the agreement between county of Lake and Community Behavioral Health for Substance Use Disorder Outpatient Drug Free Services and Intensive Outpatient Treatment Services for Fiscal Years 2024-25 and 2025-26 for a contract maximum of $180,000 and authorize the Chair to sign.

ASSESSMENT APPEAL HEARINGS: 10 A.M.

8.1: Reconsideration of request by the appellant to continue the following assessment appeal application: No. 02-2024 through 09-2024 Donica, LLC.

CLOSED SESSION

9.1, 3 p.m.: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code section 54957(b)(1): Interviews for Public Health Officer; appointment of Public Health Officer.

9.2: Public employee evaluation – Title: Public Works Director.

9.3: Conference with labor negotiator – (a) Chief negotiator: C. Torrez; county negotiators: S. Parker, S. Carter, C. Moreno, P. Samac and D. Rico; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.

9.4: Employee grievance complaint pursuant to Gov. Code section 54957.

9.5: Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County IHSS Public Authority: Conference with (a) Chief negotiator M. Long, county negotiator R. Dillman Parsons, A. Schimansky, K. Page; and (b) employee organization: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 2015.

9.6: 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..