LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — After more than 15 years of planning, testing and multi-agency collaboration, the Goat Mountain Project has reached a major milestone. 

On Oct. 1, the communications repeater at Goat Mountain was successfully brought online and is now fully operational.

The Goat Mountain Project is a joint initiative of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Fire Protection District, and Pacific Gas and Electric Co., with aerial support provided by PJ Helicopters. 

The project was designed to eliminate critical radio dead zones that have limited law enforcement and fire response for years.

The newly activated repeater significantly improves coverage across Bear Valley, Indian Valley, Bartlett, and areas north of Bartlett, Walker Ridge, and the Lake Pillsbury area.

It also strengthens communication along Highway 20 east of Highway 20 and Highway 53, including Spring Valley.

Bringing this project online required persistence and dedication. Members of the Sheriff's Office and partner agencies made more than five trips to the rugged Goat Mountain site to deliver, install, and activate the equipment, despite ongoing challenges posed by wildfire seasons and severe winter storms.

The project began more than a decade ago with field testing of potential repeater sites across San Hedrin, Walker Ridge, Lake Pillsbury and ultimately Goat Mountain. 

Goat Mountain was identified as the only viable location to provide the broad coverage needed. After years of environmental review and funding coordination, the project has now been fully completed with the installation of the vault, repeater, and communications equipment.

Future projects will continue to expand and strengthen this system to ensure Lake County’s first responders remain connected when it matters most.

Lauren Berlinn is public information and community engagement officer for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.