The community is invited to take part in a public hearing on the proposed acquisition of about 1,500 acres on Mt. Konocti on March 18. Photo courtesy of County of Lake.

LAKEPORT – The county's plan to purchase 1,500 acres on Mt. Konocti is scheduled for a public hearing later this month.

County Public Services Director Kim Clymire, who is leading the effort to purchase the land on behalf of the county, reported Tuesday that he will take the matter to the Board of Supervisors for a public hearing at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18.

Late last year, the Fowler family offered the County of Lake the first chance to purchase the land on the mountain's west side, which includes Buckingham Peak, the location of telecommunications towers, as Lake County News has reported.

Clymire said that, during final budget years last year, the Board of Supervisors unanimously supported his request to pursue acquiring the property. At that time, no definite plans were made or money budgeted because the property was not for sale.

Since then, the family offered the county the first right of refusal on the property, “knowing that the county has always shared their vision to preserve and conserve the property and open it up to the public for nonmotorized trail recreational opportunities,” Clymire noted.

Clymire said the hearing will explore acquiring the property for a public park with nonmotorized trails.

At the meeting Clymire will give an updated report on the project and discuss potential funding options.

A recently completed appraisal looked at the land in two parcels, valuing all of the property at $3.5 million, or $2.6 million minus the parcel containing the communications towers.

Clymire reported that, with the board's approval, he has already submitted funding applications Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, and Congressman Mike Thompson.

The county hosted a preliminary meeting last month to discuss the acquisition and it included interested representatives and individuals from the county, the sellers, Bureau of Land Management, Sierra Club Lake Group, Lake County Land Trust, The Ridgeline Trail, State Parks and the Trust for Public Lands, Clymire said.

Some of those groups may also help fund the effort to purchase the acreage on Mt. Konocti, Clymire reported.

Anyone wanting to show their support for the land acquisition is urged to attend the March 18 board meeting. Clymire also invites the community to submit comments in writing to him, to be entered into the record, by mailing them to 333 Second St. Lakeport, CA 95453; or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information about the property purchase, contact Clymire's office at 262-1618.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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