LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors reopened Clear Lake to motorized vessels but boaters who want to return to the lake must follow a set of specific guidelines while the lake remains above the monitor stage.

The board on Tuesday voted to once again amend the current urgency ordinance regarding motorized vessels on Clear Lake, which it had last updated with the lake closure on Feb. 14, as Lake County News has reported.

Tuesday’s new amendment now allows for motorized vessels to be operated on Clear Lake with certain restrictions.

Those restrictions include speeds that are limited to 5 miles per hour within a quarter mile of the shoreline.

This speed limit will remain in effect until the current declaration of emergency no longer exists, or until the lake level drops below 8 feet on the Rumsey gauge – which is “monitor stage” for the lake – for a period of 24 hours.

On Tuesday, the lake was hovering around the 10-foot level on the Rumsey gauge, according to the United States Geological Survey. Flood stage is at 9 feet Rumsey.

Existing law prohibits operation of vessels in excess of 5 miles per hour in certain designated areas that are marked by buoys, and within 200 feet of the shoreline. 

At all times, boaters are responsible for operating their vessels safely, and with due regard for existing conditions.

Boaters are reminded that due to flooding and debris run off, there are many hazards in the waters. These include partially and fully submerged debris such as branches, trees, stumps, docks, furniture and other items. 

In addition to being mindful and cautious of the hazards, boaters are reminded to equip their vessels with all required safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, personal flotation devices, and navigation lights for operation between sunset and sunrise.

Boaters also are encouraged to carry cell phones, two-way radios, and a sound or sight signaling device, such as an air horn, flare or whistle. Boaters should notify friends or relatives of their boating plans, including their expected time of return.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Department of Water Resources, and the county of Lake encourage visitors and residents to practice safe and responsible boating techniques.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday ticked another item off its to do list, with members unanimously approving the new 2040 Clearlake General Plan.

General plans typically are updated every 20 years. However, in Clearlake’s case, the city hasn’t had a new general plan since 1983, only three years after it first incorporated.

Since the meeting City Manager Greg Folsom has since called the finalization of the plan a “milestone” for the city.

The general plan is the city’s blueprint for future community development, providing an overall assessment of the demographic, socio-economic, ecological and physical conditions of the past and present that characterize Clearlake and future growth areas.

Officials said these aspects of the plan serve as a foundation for decision making by identifying opportunities and constraints for growth and development.

The work on the plan actually began in late 2012, under the leadership of then-City Manager Joan Phillipe, as Lake County News has reported.

At Phillipe’s suggestion, the council approved a proposal to work with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s City and Regional Planning Department to prepare a general plan circulation document and a general plan, which about $40,000, rather than the estimated $200,000 it could have cost the city.

In the last few years, contract planner Gary Price has worked on finalizing the process, and he was on hand Thursday to make the final presentation to the council.

“I’m very pleased to be introducing this item to you tonight. This was on the to do list when I was hired,” said Folsom.

At its Jan. 31 meeting, the city’s planning commission also reviewed the plan and recommended the council approve it.

In his presentation, Price noted that a number of city staffers, consultants, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, Cal Fire, Caltrans, the Lake County/City Area Planning Council, an archaeologist and Cal Poly had contributed to the plan’s creation.

“The general plan consists of a long-term policy program for the community’s future development and is the city’s vision for the future,” said Price.

He said it establishes policy direction through 2040 for future development and redevelopment, providing decision-making guidance to members of the planning commission, city council, city staff and the community at large.

The document also leads to the formation of new land use regulations, helps guide budgeting and capital programming decisions, states the city’s intention regarding the development of the city and its infrastructure, which he said creates an improved level of certainty for landowners and developers, Price said.

Price said the plan also touches on transportation, future economic and physical development of the community, amends the zoning code to achieve consistency with the general plan, identifies new parks in the open space element, approves development plans and agreements, and updates the city’s sphere of influence.

The general plan includes a number of elements, including land use, circulation, conservation, open space, noise and vibration, safety, economic development, public facilities, community design, health and housing. Only the housing element is required by state law to be updated every five years. The city currently has a housing element for the 2014-19 time period, according to Price.

Explaining the original general plan update work in 2012 through 2014, Price said there were inconsistencies found in the land use date and circulation element, and lack of economic analysis. The city then decided to bring in Price and his team to bring everything up to standards and create an internally consistent analysis.

He said the final document includes a reduction in the sphere of influence, which is defined as an area that may ultimately be included in the city’s physical boundaries and service area, recommended by the Lake County Local Area Formation Commission.

Price said the draft general plan was circulated in 2014, at which point it underwent revisions, before it was recirculated in 2016, when additional traffic analysis was done at the suggestion of the Clearlake Planning Commission.

The city received formal comments on the plan from a number of agencies including Caltrans, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Lake County Special Districts , and a local business, Foods, Etc.

David Zehnder, managing principal of Economic & Planning Systems, which also worked on the plan from the standpoints of economics and population, told the council that it’s important to reinforce a healthy mix of business in order to grow and diversify. He emphasized not getting locked in on any sector, and also the need to pay attention to what the city already has.

Regarding estimated growth by the year 2040, “We’re expecting to see a population growth rate of about 1.4 percent annually,” Zehnder said.

During that time, there also is expected to be an annual job growth rate of 1.1 percent, which equates to 1,049 new jobs created during the life of the plan. At the same time, Zehnder said commercial space is forecast to grow by 682,000 square feet, of which 364,000 expected to be retail.

“It’s going to continue to be a really great retirement community as we move forward,” said Zehnder, with the potential for a growth in personal and other services to serve that sector as well as others.

During the plan’s lifetime, Zehnder said it’s also expected that 2,314 housing units will be created.

“Overall, I think you have a great future ahead of  you,” he said, adding that if the city follows the economic development policies in the update, it can be quite sustainable going forward.

Councilman Bruno Sabatier said of the plan, “It’s taught me a different way of doing my job up here.”

He said he concluded that he needs to look at things on the agenda in light of the document. Sabatier said he hoped that new council member orientations in the future will include consideration of the plan, which he said he found it very helpful to read through.

Councilman Phil Harris said he appreciated the effort everyone put into the plan, which addresses so many different issues in the city.

“We’re headed in a great direction,” Harris said.

Price told the council that city staff and the planning commission have a good understanding of the community’s needs, and called the now-completed process a “refreshing approach to a general plan.”

Mayor Russ Perdock recognized past councils and the past city manager for their work. He said he remembered being on the Clearlake Planning Commission in the late 1990s and waiting for the general plan to come before the commission, but it never did.

“The city just didn’t have the funding to move forward with it,” he said.

“We were a rudderless ship,” he said, adding, “This gives us direction.”

Sabatier also acknowledged the community members who participated in the process, including taking part in community workshops.

Councilwoman Joyce Overton asked often the plan is updated.

Price said they can do up to four updates a year, suggesting it be part of the council’s annual budgeting process, referred to when reviewing capital improvements and reviewed every six months.

He said every community has its own approach to updating a general plan.

Folsom, who used to work for the city of Stockton, said that city had a 1990 general plan which was updated in 2008, and it cost them $5 million. They’re already updating the plan again, with Folsom noting that already in 2017 things are very different than in 2008.
 
Overton asked if they could do regular updates and suggested starting the process now to put aside money for a future update. Price said he and Folsom plan to bring back just such a proposal that would involve special fees.

Sabatier moved to approve the general plan, with the council voting 5-0.

To learn more about the plan and see the associated documents, visit http://www.clearlake.ca.us/314/General-Plan-Update-ProjectDocuments .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will consider updates to the urgency ordinance that closed Clear Lake to motorized vessels, and take the final steps in adding the C. Gibson Museum and Cultural Center in Middletown to the county's museum system.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 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 and online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

In an untimed item, the board with consider modifying the urgency ordinance approved on Feb. 14 that temporarily prohibits operation of motorized vessels on Clear Lake.

Water Resources Phil Moy and Sheriff Brian Martin are asking for a modification of the ordinance that would allow salvage and repair vessels to operate on the lake.

“The high water levels are creating emergency situations that require the use of salvage and repair
vessels,” the memo from Moy and Martin said. “As currently worded, the ordinance prohibits such vessels from operating on the lake. The proposed verbiage will allow salvage vessels and other operations to occur under permit from the Water Resources Department. The work permits will be issued at no cost for emergency salvage operations and other emergency operations on a case by case basis during the period of the emergency.”

They expect only minor costs to the county – totaling less than $1,000 – associated with the permit process, which is intended “to track who is doing what when and where in terms of salvage operations,” with those records not expected to be retained once the urgency ordinance is lifted.

In other business, at 9:20 a.m., the board will consider a resolution adopting the Gibson Museum into the county of Lake Museum family and a memorandum of understanding between the Friends of Gibson and the county of Lake.

Public Service Director Lars Ewing's report for the meeting explained that on Sept. 27 the Board of Supervisors approved the plan for the county to operate the Gibson Museum and Cultural Center in Middletown and directed staff to proceed with the next steps of the process.

Ewing said it's estimated to cost the county $16,000 annually to operate the museum.

Also on Tuesday, in an untimed item, the board will consider a resolution establishing the Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council.

A memo from Supervisor Jim Steele and Supervisor Tina Scott requests adoption of the new group “for the purpose of bringing forward issues, discussions, and solutions to District 3 and 4 known as The Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council and will serve the unincorporated Scotts Valley area.”

The memo explained, “The need for this approach is to broach community issues such as public health, safety, welfare, public works, and planning through discussions by community leaders from the Scotts Valley area.”

Applications to represent the five council seats will come to future boards for approval, the memo said.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: Adopt proclamation designating the month of March 2017 as March for Meals Month in Lake County.

7.2: Approve the first amendment to the agreement between the county of Lake and Center Point DAAC for substance use disorder residential treatment and detoxification services for fiscal year 2016-2017 which will increase the contract by $30,000 for a new contract maximum of $60,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

7.3: Approve renewal of Westlaw Legal research subscriber agreement for a two year period in the amount of $26,208; and authorize county counsel to sign.

7.4: Approve request to pay travel claims for elections officers from the Nov. 8, 2016, Presidential General Election in the total amount of $186.42; and authorize the auditor to process payment.

7.5: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Martin Franusich for information technology support of IBM AS/400 Software, amount not to exceed $60,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

7.6: Approve long distance travel from March 29, 2017, through March 30, 2017, to Reno, Nev., for Kris Byrd, landfill manager, Public Services Solid Waste Division to attend a SWANA Landfill Gas and Biogas Symposium.

7.7: Adopt resolution temporarily prohibiting parking and authorizing removal of vehicles and ordering the Department of Public Works to Post Signs on Hartmann Road on April 15, 2017 for the Community Easter Egg Hunt.

7.8: Approve resolution delegating to the county Public Works director the ministerial authority to obtain temporary construction easement required for the replacement of Harbin Creek Bridge on Harbin Springs Road.   

7.9: Authorize destruction of documents in the sheriff's office, pursuant to Government Code Section 26202 and 26205.

7.10: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the purchase one (1) Utility Police Interceptor from Downtown Ford in the amount of $28,793 from the Sheriff/Civil budget 2207/62.72.

7.11: Approve request to pay travel claim of Carl Jasper, information system technician, due to lost paperwork in the amount of $118; and authorize the auditor to process payment.

7.12: Approve mainline extension contract with William Stone and Alvaro Valencia to provide sewer service to APN 024-231-12/9535 State Highway 53, Lower Lake, and authorize the chair to sign.     

7.13: Approve long distance travel to the Western Aquatic Plant Management Society from March 13, 2017, through March 17, 2017 to Coeur D' Alene, Idaho for Carolyn Ruttan, Invasive Species Program coordinator.

TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of March 2017 as March for Meals Month in Lake County.

8.3, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of resolution confirming the existence of a local emergency.

8.4, 9:20 a.m.: Consideration of a) resolution adopting the C. Gibson Museum and Cultural Center into the county of Lake Museum family; and b) approving the MOU between the Friends of Gibson and the county of Lake; and authorize the chair to sign.

8.5, 9:30 a.m.: Hearing, continued from Jan. 24, consideration of notice of nuisance and order to abate for property located at 7180 Bartlett Springs Rd (APN 027-135-03 -Walter Niesen and/or Wendy Fetzer, by Ken Stiritz).

8.6, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of appeal of planning commission's approval of use permit (UP 16-01), for a billboard located at 131 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport (APN 008-019-69); applicant is La Monica Signs.

8.7, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of appeal of planning commission's approval of use permit (UP 16-06), for a billboard located at 255 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport (APN 008-019-64); applicant is La Monica Signs.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.1: Consideration of resolution establishing the Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council.

9.2: Progress report from treasurer-tax collector on tax sale process for delinquent properties including plans and timelines for tax sale to be conducted during 2016-17.

9.3: Consideration of (a) waiving the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approval of the agreement between the county of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. for SUD perinatal program services for FY16-17 for a contract maximum of $299,655; and authorize the chair to sign.

9.4: Erratum, consideration of the following appointments: Middletown Cemetery District Emergency Medical Care Committee, Library Advisory Board, Lake County Resource Conservation District and Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Board.

9.5: Consideration of notice of settlement between various state attorneys general and Barclays Bank, PLC and Barclays Capital Inc.   

9.6: Consideration of approval of new extra help classification and salary for extra help clerical support.

9.7: Consideration of approval of classification and compensation committee findings and recommendations.

9.8: Consideration and discussion of Hoberg’s historical association gate fee charge account at Eastlake Landfill.

9.9: Consideration of modification of the urgency ordinance temporarily prohibiting specified operations on Clear Lake of Feb. 14.

9.10: Consideration of (a) agreement between the county of Lake and Quincy Engineering Inc. for engineering services for replacement of Clover Creek Bridge at First Street; (b) agreement between the county of Lake and Quincy Engineering Inc. for engineering services for replacement of Clover Creek Bridge at Bridge Arbor North Road; (c) agreement between the county of Lake and Quincy Engineering Inc. for engineering services for replacement of Clayton Creek Bridge at Clayton Creek Road; and (d) agreement between the county of Lake and Quincy Engineering Inc. for engineering services for replacement of Cooper Creek Bridge at Witter Springs Road.     

9.11: Consideration of letters of support for Assembly Bill AB1 (Frazier) and Senate Bill SB1 (Beall) for transportation funding and reform.

CLOSED SESSION

10.2: Public employee evaluations title: County administrative officer, interim Behavioral Health director, registrar of voters.

10.3: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b) (1): Interviews and appointment of Social Services director.

10.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Hittle v. County of Lake, et al.

10.5: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Loberg v. County of Lake, et al.

10.6: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Lakeside Heights HOA, et al. v. County of Lake, et al.   

10.7: Conference with real property negotiator pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.8 Property: 9930 Lake Street, Lower Lake, CA. APN 024-242-02 Negotiating Parties: County of Lake – Lars Ewing and/or Stephen Carter Owner – Richard H. Ward. Under negotiation: Purchase price and terms of payment.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Water Resources Department hosted a Sunday afternoon meeting in Lakeport to discuss the situation with Clear Lake's closure and take input as the county sets about creating a permanent ordinance to address future lake-related emergencies.

Water Resources Director Phil Moy and Sheriff Brian Martin were on hand to hear comments and answer questions from community members during the 80-minute meeting, held in the Board of Supervisors' chambers at the Lake County Courthouse.

Last month, the Board of Supervisors approved an urgency ordinance for boats on Clear Lake that limited speeds to 5 miles per hour as long as the lake's elevation remained above 7.9 feet Rumsey. Weeks later, that was modified to a “no wake zone” 2,500 feet from the shoreline.

That was followed on Feb. 14 by the board's decision to close Clear Lake to all motorized vessels due to the damaging impacts of wakes – even from slow-moving boats – on shoreline properties.

Moy gave an introduction on the urgency ordinance, saying he wanted input on crafting an ordinance that would automatically kick in once the lake reaches a certain level.

He said the Cache Creek Dam has been open and discharging at its maximum rate since the second week of January, with only a brief closure this past Friday to clean out debris.

Despite those releases, the lake’s level continued to climb into flood stage because of the rain, he said.

With each inch of rainfall, Clear Lake’s elevation is raised two to three tenths of a foot. Moy said that January had 15.5 inches of rain and, so far in February, the county has had 13.1 inches of rain, which raised the lake’s elevation by 2.84 feet.

With no other ran coming into the lake a day, Clear Lake’s elevation can drop a tenth of a foot a day. At that rate, Moy said it will take 28 days to get rid of February’s rain so far.

At the time of the meeting, the lake level was just under 10.3 feet Rumsey.

He also touched on the Grigsby Riffle, a rock ledge that crosses Cache Creek and how it impacts the lake level, and the various legal decrees that impact how much water can be released from the lake.

Moy estimated that Clear Lake is likely to remain in flood stage until at least mid-March.

In calculating damages and impacts, he said there are 4,200 properties impacted at the 10 foot Rumsey mark at a total value of $900 million. That’s what the board had in mind when it took the actions to restrict boats, he said.

Moy also acknowledged the importance of fishing tournaments. He said bass fishing brought in nearly $55 million for California in 2015.

He said 12 tournaments were planned in February, of which three were lost. Several more could also be lost in March. He said anglers can easily spend up to $500 a day during their trips.

Moy said the board had attempted to balance fishing tournaments with protecting property by earlier versions of the urgency ordinance that required the no wake zone 2,500 feet from shore. However, he said it was difficult to enforce and was ignored by boaters. Consequently, the board decided not to allow boats in the short term.

The challenge, he said, is how to prevent shoreline property damage, ensure boater safety – including protecting them from debris in the lake – and restore the economic benefits of the lake, both in the long- and short-term.

During public comments, key concerns were raised by members of the fishing community, from sportsmen to guides and business owners, who asked for clear guidance in a future ordinance and also opposed closing the lake before it got to the 9-foot Rumsey flood stage.

Fishing guide Bob Myskey, who has lived on the shoreline for 18 years, said he’s been on the lake during previous flooding in 1998 and 2011. “In all the years it’s been over 9 feet, we’ve been able to boat.”

He also emphasized that boaters have their own responsibility when it comes to dealing with hazards like debris. “We understand what we’re facing out there, that maybe a casual boater won’t.”

Myskey said the guides want to get back out on the lake as quickly as possible. He also recognized the property damage, and said he’s been pulling debris out of the lake himself. Myskey added that much of the damage was the result of high winds.

Guides are losing thousands of dollars a week, he said, adding that March is their busiest month.

Troy Bellah, co-owner of Clearlake Outdoors, said he'd never in his 17 years in the county seen the closure of Clear Lake, which he said is a renowned bass fishing destination that draws people from around the world.

Pointing out that Lake County has a tourism-driven economy, Bellah said he was upset that the boat launches at Library Park and Lakeside County Park were closed even before the lake hit flood stage, which is 9 feet Rumsey.

He said boaters are smart enough to deal with the debris on the lake, and that they assume responsibility for hazards on the water.

Bellah said no one is coming through his front door, which he is OK with due to the lake level, but asked, “When do we open the lake?”

Sheriff Brian Martin, who has lived in Lake County since 1981, remembered experiencing floods in the mid 1980s.

Martin declared a local emergency on Tuesday because of the storms and flooding.

“There is a lot of damage going on” from the flooding, he said, explaining that some people don't understand impacts on homes, docks or infrastructure, some of which is failing, with sewer districts struggling to keep their lines clear. He said boaters may not see all of those impacts.

“It is the county's intent to get this lake opened back up,” said Martin, calling Clear Lake “the jewel of our county.”

Martin said the entire state is dealing with impacts from this winter's storms, quoting an estimate from Gov. Jerry Brown that it may require $1 billion statewide for repairs.

He said he hoped President Donald Trump would declare a federal disaster, as requested by the governor, which would help the county with funding since it declared a disaster.

Martin said the federal government will ask what the county has done to mitigate the damages, and the urgency ordinance was one action to take. He said they’re not trying to hurt people’s businesses, give Clear Lake a bad name or stifle tourism.

“We're trying to be responsible stewards of your taxpayer dollars,” he said, and be able to demonstrate to the upper levels of government that they have been responsible.

Lower Lake resident Tom McFarling asked Martin if he department is providing aggressive patrolling of the lake until it comes down to the 8-foot Rumsey elevation.

Martin said he has one person assigned year-round to the Marine Patrol unit, plus one part-time employee who was pulled in to help during the flooding. Right now they're pulling a lot of the trees out of the lake and patrolling flooded and closed streets.

“That's a long way to say, we're doing the best we can,” he said.

Sarah Ryan, the environmental director for Big Valley Rancheria, said she found several things about the urgency ordinance shocking, including the fact that it wasn't agendized – it had been added as a special item during the meeting – and that the tribes weren't notified beforehand.

She said the tribe conducts monitoring activities on the lake, for which it uses a motorized boat. Under the urgency ordinance, it's not one of the agencies that's exempted. Only the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the sheriff's office are still permitted to operate vessels for enforcement purposes.

Ryan also asked about the monitoring of sewage overflows. Environmental Health Director Ray Ruminski said the county has put out advisories and guidelines about coming in contact with contaminated water.

He said the flood water doesn't have as high a bacteria count as raw sewage. “The water's diluted but there's still a risk,” and people should avoid contact with flood water, being sure to using washing and disinfecting protocols if they do. “You shouldn't be in the water unless you absolutely have to.”

Ryan asked about providing dumpsters or a free dump day for those impacted by flooding. Martin said they are working on putting out more dumpsters that would be monitored by the California Conservation Corps or AmeriCorps to prevent people who aren't directly impacted by the flooding from taking advantage of them.

In her other comments, Ryan – referring to Moy's information about the 4,200 flood-impacted impacted parcels – suggested the county map the areas that are under water as a result of the flood.

“We've all been handed a really raw deal with what's going on,” said Kelseyville resident Ross England, a guide and fisherman.

He commended the county for making an effort to include people in the process and have them come in and voice their comments and concerns.

Referring to Moy’s list of goals for balancing the economy, safety and property protection, England said, “How do we do all this? I don’t have a clue. I’m just a fisherman.”

England, who said he wanted to get back on the lake at 9 feet Rumsey, noted that hazards on the water come with the territory. “You guys cannot protect everybody from everything with regards to what’s on the lake.”

Karola Kennedy, Elem Colony's environmental director, also raised the issue of the county's lack of consultation with the tribe before taking action to close the lake. She said she found out about it through a Nixle alert.

One community member asked why the county doesn't provide free sandbags to residents. Martin explained that in 1997 the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution stating that the county will not provide them to the public or fire districts.

That's because when they were being offered people who didn't need them were taking them and fist fights were occurring Martin said. The other issue that arose was that if the county was to provide them, they needed to be available to everyone, which is difficult due to the lake’s 70 miles of shoreline.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, who was at the meeting along with City Manager Margaret Silveira, said the city had similar concerns as the sheriff and Water Resources about getting the lake reopened and the impact on the county's economy.

He said about 40 Lakeport evacuees had shown up and so city officials were going to host an update meeting for evacuees at the Lakeport Seventh-day Adventist Church, where an evacuation shelter has been set up for Lakeport's displaced residents.

Moy thanked community members for participating, and said he hoped to have an updated and modified urgency ordinance before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that will allow contractors' boats to get out on the lake to begin making repairs to docks and piers.

He said work on a permanent ordinance for future emergencies will be agendized before the board.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Crappie fishing action on Clear Lake is getting ready to start again, and the Lake County District Attorney’s Office would like to remind fishermen and women that there are limits on the take and possession of crappie.

Failing to abide by those take and possession limits can be costly for violators, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

Clear Lake has a long history of experiencing boom or bust crappie fishing years. During years of fantastic crappie fishing, such as last year, Hinchcliff said hundreds of people flock to Clear Lake to fish, and many disregard the crappie limits and catch dozens of  fish over the limit.

Some people also come to Clear Lake to catch over-limits of crappie to sell, which is also illegal, Hinchcliff said. This illegal overfishing is one of the factors that cause crappie to disappear from Clear Lake during some years.

When the crappie populations decline severely it has a negative impact on local businesses that benefit from people who fish for crappie on Clear Lake, Hinchcliff said.

Crappie fishing also is a great way to get children interested in fishing, and provide them with fun and entertainment that helps keep them out of trouble. When the crappie fishing is good, young children can catch lots of fish in a short period of time, and become interested in fishing and the outdoors, according to Hinchcliff.

Hinchcliff said crappie fishing is a sport children can participate in without any significant expense. With a cheap fishing rod and some cheap crappie lures, children can catch lots of crappie on docks and at local city  county and state parks.

Unfortunately, when people get greedy and catch over-limits of crappie, the crappie fishery declines or disappears and deprives children and their parents of the opportunity crappie fishing provides, Hinchcliff said. That is one of the reasons why it is so important to protect the local crappie fishery from overfishing.

Last year, and at least one time a few years ago, the Lake County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee and the Board of Supervisors asked the state Fish and Game Commission to reduce the crappie limit from 25 to 10 on Clear Lake, as Lake County News has reported.

Hinchcliff said the possession limit reduction was requested  in an effort to help prevent drastic declines in the crappie fishery, and to make it easier for game wardens to catch violators. The state Fish and Game Commission has so far not reduced the limit.

The combined bag and possession limit on Clear Lake and in most of the state for crappie and sunfish/bluegill is 25 fish. That means that a person can possess no more than 25 at any time, whether they are freshly caught, in an ice chest, or at home in a freezer, Hinchcliff said.

For example, Hinchcliff said if a person has 20 crappie or sunfish at home in the freezer, and they go fishing, they cannot catch and keep more than five. The bag and possession limits are found in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 1.17 and 5.82.

In addition, a person who catches more than three times the daily bag limit  can be fined up to $40,000 and a second offender can be fined up to $50,000, Hinchcliff said.

He said Fish and Game Code Section 7121 also makes it illegal to sell or purchase fish that are sport caught out of lakes and rivers. Individuals who work together to violate fish and game laws can also be charged with felony conspiracy.

The fine for catching crappie or sunfish exceeding the legal bag or possession limit is $1,095 for the first fish over the limit, and $82 each for any additional fish over the limit, Hinchcliff said.

In addition, Hinchcliff said fishing equipment and boats can be confiscated and ordered forfeited, and the person can have their fishing privileges/license revoked for up three years.

When the crappie fishing is good, local game wardens and state parks officers issue many citations for overfishing in an effort to preserve the crappie fishery on Clear Lake, Hinchcliff said.

During the 2016 crappie season, 31 cases were referred to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution for possessing more than 25 crappie. In those cases, Hinchcliff said violators had anywhere from a half dozen to several dozen fish over the limit.

He said 29 of those individuals were prosecuted, and two were not filed on. Of those 29 cases, six are still pending resolution  and 23 have resulted in convictions. Hinchcliff said most of those 23 violators  were placed on probation, they were ordered to pay fines totaling $45,220, and 20 of them  had their fishing licenses/privileges suspended for one to three years.

Wardens and other law enforcement officers will be enforcing the crappie fishing regulations again this year, Hinchcliff said.

Hinchcliff said people who wish to catch more than the limit should practice catch and release, and help preserve the crappie fishery for our kids and other people who want to enjoy great fishing also. Catch and release is always a great conservation idea anyway.

The fewer you keep, the less cleaning you have to do at the end of the day, and the better the fishing will be next time, Hinchcliff said.