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Lakeport Police logs: Saturday, Jan. 10
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
00:00 EXTRA PATROL 2601100001
Occurred at Lake County Law Library on 3D....
REGIONAL: Firefighters declare dead trees public nuisance, file initiative
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Firefighters in Mendocino County filed a citizen initiative today to address the danger posed by millions of trees killed and left standing in the forest.
Albion Little River Chief Ted Williams explains: “This initiative safeguards firefighters from unnecessary manufactured hazards and residents from loss of critical infrastructure, including escape routes and telecommunications lifelines. It effectively places people before private industry profit, shifting damage losses from the citizens to the corporations who stand to profit from radical forest management practices. It's about industry accountability.”
The timber industry in Mendocino County kills over one million “undesirable” hardwood trees each year and leaves them standing dead in the forest because they see it as the cheapest and easiest way to restore the more profitable conifers.
Retired CAL FIRE Air Attack Captain Kirk Van Patten observes: “In ten years of aerial wildland firefighting in Mendocino County, one of the most profound and troubling observations I made was the timber management practice of hack & squirt. This clearly has created a serious wildland fire threat for the firefighters and citizens of Mendocino County.”
Dead standing trees ignite easier and burn hotter and faster, endangering everyone who lives near the dead zones. They also pose increased danger to firefighters who are called upon to respond to such fires. A dead tree burning is one of the most dangerous situations a firefighter can face, and that hazard increases exponentially as the number of dead trees rises.
Mike Coltan, volunteer firefighter, states: “Mendocino County's rural residents are at greater risk of catastrophic wildfire due to standing dead timber intentionally left after hack & squirt, which greatly increases wildfire flame height, rate of spread, and fire line intensity. I am very concerned about community safety as well as the safety of my fellow volunteer firefighters.”
More than 200 residents and firefighters came before the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on April 21, 2015, requesting action on this industrial practice. In spite of overwhelming public support, the resolution failed by one vote.
James Sibbet, another volunteer firefighter, says: “The practice of killing millions of trees over thousands of acres, compounded with leaving the dead trees as a fuel load for fire, after years of drought, is a clear case of human arrogance.”
These four firefighters, along with Comptche resident Katy Tahja, are the proponents of this initiative. Once enough signatures have been gathered, this measure, which declares intentionally-killed-and-left-standing trees a public nuisance, will be on the June 2016 primary ballot.
Ms Tahja concludes: “It would be much nicer to not have to worry about having a standing dead forest in our backyards.”
Supporters of this initiative hope to finally achieve what the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors unanimously called for in a resolution twenty years ago: “Call an immediate halt to any practice which leaves large acreages of killed hardwoods standing but not downed.”
When signature gathering starts, organizers expect it will take place throughout the county, especially the western half where the industrial timberlands are located.
The ballot title and summary, the ordinance and notice of intention to circulate the petition are published below.
-BALLOT TITLE AND SUMMARY-
Shall the People of Mendocino County Declare Intentionally Killed and Left Standing Trees a Public Nuisance?
It is being proposed that an initiative be placed on the ballot that asks the voters to declare trees that have been intentionally killed and left standing, that are more than five meters tall and within 1,000 meters of specified “critical infrastructure”, be declared a public nuisance.
The proposed initiative would make the “party responsible” liable for any resulting damage caused by the tree. Finally, the proposed initiative does not give “[t]he County the right to enter onto residential property to verify compliance.”
The initiative must be adopted by a majority of the voters.
Dated: July 27, 2015
s/DOUGLAS L. LOSAK
Interim County Counsel
County of Mendocino
-THE ORDINANCE-
DECLARE INTENTIONALLY KILLED AND LEFT STANDING TREES A PUBLIC NUISANCE
Title 8 of the Mendocino County Code entitled PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE grants Mendocino County the authority to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the county's residents. The citizens of Mendocino County find as follows:
A. The county has over 1 million acres of forest lands with much of it in private industrial ownership; and
B. Some industrial owners manage their forest lands by intentionally killing but not downing unwanted trees; and
C. Intentionally killed and left standing trees present an extreme fire hazard; and
D. Intentionally killed and left standing trees can impede rapid suppression of fires; and E. Intentionally killed and left standing trees pose a life safety risk to firefighters; and F. Intentionally killed and left standing trees endanger the public health and safety of rural residents.
The citizens of Mendocino County, by their authority to adopt ordinances by initiative add a new chapter to Title 8 of the Mendocino County Code to read as follows:
Trees greater in height than 5 meters, intentionally killed and left standing for more than 90 days (except those created for the benefit of wildlife habitat) are a public nuisance and the party responsible shall be liable for any resulting damage when the tree is:
(1) within 1,000 meters of one or more critical infrastructures: (a) roads including public roads, private roads and driveways, fire lanes (b) telecommunication infrastructure including poles, wire, fiber, terminals, towers
(c) electrical infrastructure including poles, wire, substations, transformers
(d) significant water sources, including rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes
(2) within 1,000 meters of a structure
(3) within CAL FIRE State Responsibility Area
The County shall not enter residential property to verify compliance.
Severability
If any section, subsection, sentence, phrase or clause of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Ordinance. The citizens of Mendocino County here declare that they would have adopted the Ordinance and each section despite the fact that one or more section, subsection, phrases or clauses be declared invalid.
Date of Effect
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force immediately upon adoption by the voters of Mendocino County.
-NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CIRCULATE PETITION-
Notice is hereby given by the persons whose names appear hereon of their intention to circulate a petition within the County of Mendocino, California, for the purpose of qualifying a citizens' initiative for the June 7, 2016 primary election, to be voted on by the voters of Mendocino County, California. The initiative states: Shall the people of Mendocino County declare intentionally killed and left standing trees a public nuisance?
A statement of the reasons for the proposed action as contemplated in the petition is as follows:
Many citizens, including firefighters, believe that the practice of intentionally killed and left standing trees presents an extreme fire hazard, impedes early rapid suppression of fires, and poses a life safety risk to firefighters and endangers the public health and safety of rural residents.
Proponents:
Ted Williams
Fire Chief, Albion Little River Fire Protection District
James Sibbet
Firefighter, Comptche Volunteer Fire Dept.
Katy M. Tahja
Librarian, ret.
Kirk Van Patten
CAL FIRE Air Attack Captain, ret.
Mike Coltan
Firefighter, Comptche Volunteer Fire Dept.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Reimers announces Board of Supervisors bid
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Cobb resident has announced his plans to run for the District 5 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors next year.
Philip Reimers said this week he's joining the 2016 race for the seat currently held by Rob Brown.
Brown earlier this year announced his plans not to seek reelection, as Lake County News has reported.
In addition to Reimers, the field so far includes another Cobb resident, businessman and agricultural leader Beau Moore, who announced his run in January.
Reimers' early platform includes an emphasis on rebuilding the economy and tourism.
He's calling for a Lake County renaissance “that would result in accelerated job growth, investment and opportunity” in order to address community needs such as education and law enforcement, and upkeep of roads and parks.
That entire effort, said Reimers, starts with fixing Clear Lake – without taxpayer dollars. Instead, he plans to go after money given away by corporations and foundations.
“With the support of voters we will fix the lake quickly, without tax payer dollars. Together we will make Lake County once again relevant as a place people visit, spend their money, and then go home,” he said.
A full statement written by Reimers is available here: bit.ly/1MO0csY .
Visit Reimers' Web site at www.itsaboutthelake.com or call him at 707-295-0330 for more information.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
McGuire to host Lake County town hall Aug. 6
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – State Sen. Mike McGuire will host his annual town hall in Lake County on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 6.
The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Clear Lake High School's MAC building, 350 Lange St. in Lakeport.
The interactive town hall will be an opportunity to discuss and receive updates on the top issues facing Lake County and all Northern California residents.
“We’ve had an incredibly busy and productive first six months in the Senate – and we promised to be active and engaged in Lake County. We’re following through on that commitment, working hard for Lake every day, and I’m looking forward to the conversation at our August 6 Town Hall,” McGuire said.
Officials on hand along with McGuire to speak to the community will include Lakeport Mayor Martin Scheel, Board of Supervisors Chair Anthony Farrington, Sheriff Brian Martin, California Highway Patrol Clear Lake Area Office Commander Lt. Hector Paredes, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg and Caltrans District 1 Director Charlie Fielder.
Refreshments will be available for all attendees.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Planning commission approves Vector Control project; votes down Middletown subdivision map
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Planning Commission on Thursday gave the go-ahead to Lake County Vector Control's plans for a new building.
The commission approved Vector Control's use permit application and a mitigated negative declaration based on an initial study to build a 6,615-square-foot metal building for vehicle and equipment storage, and a shop facility on its 2.5-acre property at 610 Todd Road in Lakeport.
The district's office and lab work is to continue at its administrative headquarters in Lakeport on Esplanade Street.
While the property is zoned Suburban Reserve-Scenic, Vector Control's continuous use of the site since 1962 allows for the project as a legal conforming use under a general plan provision, according to Community Development Director Rick Coel.
About a year and a half ago Vector Control received a grading permit for the entire site, at which point it redeveloped ponds on the property, Coel said. In the process, the pad for the proposed building was developed.
Coel said the proposed use permit included a provision for drainage plans to be submitted before the building permit is issued.
During public comment, Phil Murphy, a Finley resident and former Vector Control Board member, suggested reorienting the building so as not to preclude or complicate future site development, as Murphy has lobbied to have all of the district's operations moved to that site.
Murphy also claimed that the district doesn't have coherent future development plans, and said he intends to put a measure on next year's ballot to privatize Vector Control and farm out all spraying operations to private contractors. “That would radically alter the needs for this facility.”
Mark Bennett, who lives at 630 Todd Road, on the west side of the Vector Control facility, raised concerns about drainage at his home, which was built in 1990. Bennett said the project will complicate his drainage issues.
Lakeport area Commissioner Don Deuchar, referring to Bennett's letter to the commission seeking a site review, said, “The drainage is an issue. The initial study didn't adequately address it.”
“What would you like us to add?” Coel asked. Deuchar said he wanted to hear from Vector Control.
Bill Vanderwall, the civil engineer working with Vector Control on the project, told the commission of the drainage issue, “There is a problem. It's an existing problem.”
He said water comes from Todd Road – not the Vector Control property – and floods the area.
Vanderwall suggested that a small v-ditch could be placed along the back of Vector Control's property line, “but it won't solve the problem.”
He said the drainage from the building pad will go into a storm drain system already in the ground on the property and be moved to a holding pond at the back of the facility.
Coel told the commission that the only thing the county could do was to ensure the project mitigates its own impacts, and not require Vector Control to fix existing off-site problems.
Bennett said he wanted a pipe dug from his property and connected directly into Vector Control's stormwater system. Vanderwall said the gravity wouldn't work for that, and Commission Chair Joe Sullivan was concerned that such a plan would overwhelm the system.
When Murphy raised the issue of flipping the orientation of the plan, Coel said there are compounding issues, including aesthetics, with planners wanting it oriented a specific way so as to shield it from the nearby residential area and minimize visual impacts.
During the discussion, Deuchar asked Bennett if his property always has flooded. Bennett said yes, when normal rains occur it floods, and if it keeps raining, it stays flooded.
The commission ultimately approved the project unanimously with the addition of Vanderwall's v-ditch proposal, to be placed along the western property line.
Commission has concerns with subdivision plan
Also on Thursday, the commission voted to approve a mitigated negative declaration but voted down the tentative subdivision map on a parcel split that Damon Fanucchi applied for at 15385 Stonefield Court in Middletown.
Fanucchi was seeking approval to divide his 0.82-acre parcel into two parcels as part of his Cobb Vista Subdivision.
In 2007, the commission had voted to require Fanucchi to install curb, gutter and sidewalk as a condition of his development. Fanucchi appealed to the Board of Supervisors, which in a 3-2 vote upheld his appeal.
Instead of being required to do the curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements, the board allowed Fanucchi to instead create a 12-foot unpaved shoulder along the roadway.
However, the commission on Thursday was concerned about lack of consistency with county plans and safety for pedestrians, with Sullivan raising the issue of the commission's attempts to enforce county planning conditions being undermined.
Fanucchi said there isn't a lot of foot traffic, and he was attempting to keep the area's rural appeal.
Sullivan said Fanucchi should be required to follow county rules. “You've been able to piecemeal it,” he said, with the lots getting smaller and problems being compounded. The result was the commission's ability to regular such projects being taken away.
Fanucchi asked Sullivan for his suggestion, and Sullivan suggested withdrawing the application and returning with another solution.
When Fanucchi said these concerns should have been dealt with earlier, Sullivan said the commission had attempted to do just that – but Fanucchi had appealed to the board. The fact that Fanucchi was seeking a subdivision map was bringing the whole matter up again, Sullivan said.
Fanucchi asked if he was supposed to do curb, gutter and sidewalk for all of the properties that ran along that area. Sullivan replied that if Fanucchi had come to the commission with a seven-lot subdivision up front, he would have had to make those improvements.
When Fanucchi suggested the treatment of his project wasn't consistent, Sullivan said a line had to be drawn, once again reminding him that he had appealed the requirements previously.
Fanucchi said he could have developed the area more, and if these rules were to be enforced, it should have been done previously. Sullivan reiterated that the attempted enforcement was appealed.
Coel said that with the parcel sizes now getting down under one acre, the subdivision ordinance would require some improvements for pedestrians. He suggested measures like striping.
Fanucchi said requiring curb, gutter and sidewalk now would look like a patchwork, and he added that he and others don't like the looks of such improvements.
Sullivan was concerned that striping wouldn't help with roadway safety. “We're stretching it now. We're getting to seven lots,” he said, noting there has to be a solution at some point.
Fanucchi said it was too late to redo his plan. “It's never too late to do the right thing,” replied Sullivan.
Commissioner Gil Schoux said if people want curb, gutter and sidewalk, they can move to Napa. But if they want to live in a rural area, they can be in Middletown, with Schoux adding that he wouldn't buy on a street with curb, gutter and sidewalk.
If that's the case, said Sullivan, the county's subdivision ordinance needs to change so that the commission has something it can enforce.
Deuchar agreed, noting that the difference between bigger and smaller lots; smaller lots without improvements have the potential to start looking “like a junkyard.”
Commissioner Bob Malley said he could understand the arguments on both sides of the issue, pointing out that in 2007 the Board of Supervisors allowed Fanucchi to do the project without sidewalks.
Malley suggested Fanucchi should be allowed to continue, but if the parcels fall below a quarter of an acre, something would need to be done.
Malley moved to approve the mitigated negative declaration, which was approved 3-2, with Sullivan and Commissioner Gladys Rosehill voting no.
When Malley moved to approve the tentative subdivision map, however, it was voted down, with only Malley and Schoux voting yes.
Coel said the decision can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson