Starting in October, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold 11 public meetings on the update to the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP).

The scoping meetings will be held throughout the state and are intended to educate the public on the work being done to update the plan and to solicit input from the public and stakeholder groups. See below for dates and locations.

Every 10 years, the SWAP is updated to ensure that California’s vulnerable plant and animal species are being preserved and protected.

The SWAP examines the health of fish and wildlife populations and prescribes actions to conserve species and habitats before they become rare and more costly to protect.

The plan also promotes wildlife conservation while furthering responsible use and enjoyment by an ever-increasing human population.

The conservation strategies take into consideration the relationship between the biology and ecology of the natural environment, together with the social, economic, political and institutional systems that may affect the habitats being conserved.

The update, which is scheduled to be completed in late 2015, will allow CDFW to integrate new information developed since completion of the original plan in 2005.

The objectives for the update include:

• Creating a common vision for fish and wildlife conservation in California;
• Providing an accounting of conservation accomplishments since 2005;
• Stratifying analysis of threats and stresses by ecoregions, watersheds and marine study regions;
• Incorporating analysis of potential climate change impacts;
• Updating species at risk, vulnerable species and species of greatest conservation need lists; and
• Recommending conservation actions that are implementable, measurable and time bound.

The schedule of meeting is below.

Thursday, Oct. 3 (6-9 p.m.)
West Sacramento
West Sacramento Galleria
1110 West Capitol Avenue

Tuesday, Oct. 15 (7-10 p.m.)
Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific – Ocean Theater
100 Aquarium Way

Wednesday, Oct. 16 (6-9 p.m.)
San Diego
San Diego County Office of Education
6401 Linda Vista Road, Room 401

Thursday, Oct. 17 (6-9 p.m.)
Palm Desert
UC Riverside Palm Desert Center
75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Room B-200

Thursday, Oct. 24 (6-9 p.m.)
Fresno
California Dept. of General Services – Large Assembly Room
2550 Mariposa Mall

Friday, Oct. 25 (1-4 p.m.)
San Luis Obispo
Ludwick Community Assembly Room
864 Santa Rosa St.

Monday, Oct. 28 (6-9 p.m.)
Bishop
Tri County Fairgrounds – Tallman Pavilion
Sierra Street and Fair Drive

Tuesday, Nov. 5 (6-9 p.m.)
San Leandro
San Leandro Library – Karp Room
300 Estudillo Ave.

Wednesday, Nov. 6 (6-9 p.m.)
Santa Rosa
Laguna Environmental Center – Heron Hall
900 Sanford Road (at the corner of Occidental Road)

Tuesday, Nov. 12 (6-9 p.m.)
Redding
TBD

Wednesday, Nov. 13 (6-9 p.m.)
Eureka
Wharfinger Building – Great Room
1 Marina Way

For more information, please visit the SWAP Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/SWAP/ .

To provide input, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will hold its annual Democratic Legislator’s BBQ on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Keynote speaker will be California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

Other honored speakers are Congressman Mike Thompson, Speaker Pro Tem Emeritus Fiona Ma and Assembly member Mariko Yamada. Lake County District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington will be the master of ceremonies.

The barbecue takes place at the Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave. in Clearlake from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy tri-tip, tempting side dishes, homemade desserts and Lake County wine.

Lake County favorite, David Neft, will provide the music.

Bid on gifts and goods from local businesses in the silent auction.

Come join the fun and mingle with like-minded people. Enjoy the music, food and wine. Visit with your local legislators and candidates.

Early union sponsors include the California Teachers Association, Plumbers Union Local 38, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Building and Trades Council, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 5, California United Health Care Workers, North Bay Labor Council, Operating Engineers Local No. 3, SEIU 1021 and Teamsters Local 665, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 551.

Support from legislative sponsors state Sen. Noreen Evans, Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressman John Garamendi, Board of Equalization Member Betty Yee and Assemblymember Mariko Yamada as well as candidate or State Assembly Dan Wolk help make the event possible.

The wine sponsors are Bell Hill Vineyards, Cache Creek Vineyards, Chacewater Wine Co., Langtry Estates & Vineyards, Laujor Estate Winery, Olof Cellars, Robledo Family Winery, Rosa D’Oro Vinyards and Thornhill Vineyards.

Tickets cost $25 per person for seniors, 55 and older, $35 for general admission and $20 for students. Children under 5 may attend for free.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://secure.actblue.com/page/bbq2013 .

All tickets are held at the door. Walk-ins welcome.

For more information contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Visit the party's Web site at www.lakecountydemocrats.org .

The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Lake County sheriff’s candidate Bob Chalk is proud to present comedian Michael Pritchard at an event to encourage a drug free Lake County.

On Saturday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge in Clearlake, Pritchard will share his rare brand of humor, suitable for the entire family, as families dine on a delicious spaghetti supper, and have the chance to bid on some incredible silent auction items, including 49er tickets to the last Rams game at Candlestick Park.

Pritchard has been featured on national TV, and has been a keynote and motivational speaker at many events.

He has won awards for his comedy, and for his dedication to helping inspire children to make good choices.

His work has been praised on CNN, the Wall Street Journal and Time magazine.

Don’t miss your opportunity to see Michael Pritchard live in Clearlake.

Call 707-277-7474 for tickets or information. Your $5 donation (under 5 years old attend for free) will buy a spaghetti plate with dinner salad and garlic bread, three hours of family friendly entertainment and your entrance to the silent auction.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Thursday, Oct. 3.

The group meets at the First Lutheran Church, 3863 Country Club Drive across from the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Social worker Jenny Johnson is the facilitator.

The group is sponsored by Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (1-800-834-1636) and the Social Day Programs in Lake County.

For more information call Jenny Johnson at 707-350-3030 or Caroline Denny at 707-263-9481.

Respite is provided by the centers at no charge.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1, has been canceled.

The commission is next scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 53

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from Crawford Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

Highway 175

– AT&T of Santa Rosa has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from Anderson Springs Road to Bush Street. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Guardrail repairs at various locations from Ocean View Drive to Navarro Bluff Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

– PG&E of Santa Rosa has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs near Navarro Bluff Road. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs from 0.6 mile north of the junction of Routes 1/128 to the Albion River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge painting at the Salmon Creek Bridge and the Albion River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Jeffco Painting and Coating of Vallejo.

– Replacement of a culvert with a bridge at Dunn Creek will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Shasta Construction of Redding.

Highway 20

– Culvert rehabilitation from 1.5 miles east of Two Rock Lookout to the Broaddus Creek Bridge will begin Monday, September 30. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs 0.4 mile south of the Pieta Creek Bridge on Sunday, Sept. 29. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Northern Aggregates Inc. of Willits has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to add turn lanes just south of Black Bart. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Highway construction from 1.0 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Daytime work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Saturday Morning. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor ‐ DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.

– Highway construction from 0.8 to 1.5 miles south of the North Willits Railroad Crossing will continue. Daytime work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Saturday Morning. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor ‐ DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.

– PG&E of Santa Rosa has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs just north of the UPP Creek Bridge beginning September 30. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. LC#P101GA

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).