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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A newly detected invasive mussel is posing a potential threat to Lake County’s water bodies.
The Lake County Water Resources Department, and Watershed Protection District urge residents and visitors to Clear Lake, and other Lake County water bodies, to be aware and on the lookout for invasive golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei).
The newly detected invasive mussel (freshwater bivalve) found in several locations in the Port of Stockton and in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region.
On Oct. 17, the California Department of Water Resources reported finding attached, adult mussels at a sample site location in the Port of Stockton.
Mussel specimens were sent to UC Davis Genomic Variation Laboratory and confirmed to be golden mussels, originally from China and Southeast Asia; the species had not previously been detected in North America.
Water Resource managers are concerned. While similar in appearance, biology and potential ecosystem effects to quagga and zebra mussels (the current focus of invasive mussel prevention programs in Lake County), golden mussels pose an even greater threat.
“Golden mussels have been found in soft surfaces [e.g., fine silt and sediments] and attached to hard surfaces. Adult mussels are mobile and have been observed to move freely within a waterbody,” notes California Department of Fish and Wildlife Regional Biologist, Angie Montalvo, who observes Clear Lake on behalf of the State agency. “[Golden Mussels] have a much wider tolerance threshold than Quagga-Zebra mussels. This discovery is serious.”
Much like quagga and zebra mussels, golden mussels, if established in Clear Lake or other Lake County water bodies, pose a significant threat to water conveyance systems, infrastructure, and water quality.
Effects golden mussels would have on sport fisheries, like bass, crappie, and catfish, native fisheries and wildlife species, like the Clear Lake Hitch and Clark’s and Western Grebes (which feed and forage in shallow lake areas on green algae), and plants whose populations can become heavily disrupted when invasive mussels establish, are not fully known.
Golden mussels were likely introduced to California by a ship traveling from an international port. Lake County water managers are concerned they may mobilize further from the Delta (likewise a popular California sport fishery) to Lake County overland on a visiting boat.
Therefore, the Lake County Water Resources Department is reminding the public, both residents and visiting boaters, to get their boat screened by trained and certified boat screeners and inspectors (the Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program) whenever coming back to the county from Delta region or waters.
In addition to routine screenings, some boats may be inspected or required to undergo decontamination beyond what has been typical in Lake County. Please be patient and understanding with staff and certified screeners and vendors.
County water officials ask that boaters always remember to “clean, drain, dry” whenever moving a boat between water bodies — every time.
Visit www.nomussels.com for more information on the Lake County Mussel Prevention Program. To learn more about Lake County’s efforts to plan for an invasive mussel rapid response, visit https://www.clearlakemusselprevention.org/.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife are also encouraging boaters and water users to visit their new website, “California’s Invaders: Golden Mussel,” to learn more about this dangerous newly detected invasive species: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Golden-Mussel.
If you think you visually observe a golden, quagga or zebra mussel, please contact the Water Resources Department at 707-263-2344 or email at
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
A bipartisan effort is seeking to create an important new weather forecasting program.
On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced bipartisan legislation that will reduce flood risks and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting to more precisely predict the timing and location of these storms.
The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service.
The legislation was introduced as the first significant atmospheric rivers of the season made landfall in the Pacific Northwest and along the Gulf Coast.
Atmospheric rivers, often described as “rivers in the sky” that are hundreds of miles wide and can carry water vapor equivalent to multiple Mississippi Rivers, cause more than 80 percent of flood damage across the West.
Climate change will only make these storms increasingly catastrophic: by 2090, atmospheric rivers are expected to cost $2.3 to $3.2 billion in annual damages and increase in width by nearly 25 percent.
Over 50 atmospheric rivers made landfall across the West Coast during the 2024 water year, from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024.
“For the past several years, California communities have witnessed firsthand the ongoing threat of destructive flooding caused by intense and frequent atmospheric river storms,” said Sen. Padilla. “California scientists have led the way in improving our understanding of these storms, and this bipartisan bill will strengthen forecasts to both reduce flood risks and bolster our water supply and drought resilience.”
“It was one year ago today that the community of Wrangell was devastated by the loss of six people, including three children, due to landslide. Ketchikan also experienced a deadly landslide just months ago. Haines and Sitka have also lost friends, family, and property due to massive landslides. With greater frequency, we are seeing that atmospheric rivers instill dangerous climate conditions that pose deadly threats to Alaskan communities,” said Sen. Murkowski. “While there are numerous atmospheric river observatories in the Lower 48, none are in Alaska. This bill ensures that all states along the West coast, including Alaska, have at least one atmospheric river observatory. Along with improved modeling, data collection, and risk communication, this legislation will help protect our communities and ultimately save lives across Alaska.”
“Atmospheric rivers are responsible for 30-50% of annual precipitation along the western U.S. and cause the majority of the flooding, with more than $1 billion in annual average flood damage in the western 11 states,” said Marty Ralph, founding director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “The introduction of this act is critically important to advance forecasts of atmospheric rivers to enable more flexible and resilient water management, improved warning around flooding, safer transportation, and overall improvements to public safety. It will also enable reservoir operators to safely implement Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) to save additional water after a storm for the dry summer, or release it if an AR storm is predicted in the next few days.”
Specifically, the Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would direct NOAA to establish a standalone atmospheric river forecast improvement program that would:
• Develop accurate, effective, and actionable storm forecasts and warnings in collaboration with public and private partners across the weather enterprise;
• Evaluate innovative observation tools and emerging technologies to improve atmospheric river analysis, modeling, forecasts, and warnings;
• Authorize NOAA to procure equipment, aircraft, and personnel contracts to fully monitor atmospheric river events each winter; and
• Improve atmospheric river hazard communication.
On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced bipartisan legislation that will reduce flood risks and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting to more precisely predict the timing and location of these storms.
The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service.
The legislation was introduced as the first significant atmospheric rivers of the season made landfall in the Pacific Northwest and along the Gulf Coast.
Atmospheric rivers, often described as “rivers in the sky” that are hundreds of miles wide and can carry water vapor equivalent to multiple Mississippi Rivers, cause more than 80 percent of flood damage across the West.
Climate change will only make these storms increasingly catastrophic: by 2090, atmospheric rivers are expected to cost $2.3 to $3.2 billion in annual damages and increase in width by nearly 25 percent.
Over 50 atmospheric rivers made landfall across the West Coast during the 2024 water year, from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024.
“For the past several years, California communities have witnessed firsthand the ongoing threat of destructive flooding caused by intense and frequent atmospheric river storms,” said Sen. Padilla. “California scientists have led the way in improving our understanding of these storms, and this bipartisan bill will strengthen forecasts to both reduce flood risks and bolster our water supply and drought resilience.”
“It was one year ago today that the community of Wrangell was devastated by the loss of six people, including three children, due to landslide. Ketchikan also experienced a deadly landslide just months ago. Haines and Sitka have also lost friends, family, and property due to massive landslides. With greater frequency, we are seeing that atmospheric rivers instill dangerous climate conditions that pose deadly threats to Alaskan communities,” said Sen. Murkowski. “While there are numerous atmospheric river observatories in the Lower 48, none are in Alaska. This bill ensures that all states along the West coast, including Alaska, have at least one atmospheric river observatory. Along with improved modeling, data collection, and risk communication, this legislation will help protect our communities and ultimately save lives across Alaska.”
“Atmospheric rivers are responsible for 30-50% of annual precipitation along the western U.S. and cause the majority of the flooding, with more than $1 billion in annual average flood damage in the western 11 states,” said Marty Ralph, founding director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “The introduction of this act is critically important to advance forecasts of atmospheric rivers to enable more flexible and resilient water management, improved warning around flooding, safer transportation, and overall improvements to public safety. It will also enable reservoir operators to safely implement Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) to save additional water after a storm for the dry summer, or release it if an AR storm is predicted in the next few days.”
Specifically, the Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would direct NOAA to establish a standalone atmospheric river forecast improvement program that would:
• Develop accurate, effective, and actionable storm forecasts and warnings in collaboration with public and private partners across the weather enterprise;
• Evaluate innovative observation tools and emerging technologies to improve atmospheric river analysis, modeling, forecasts, and warnings;
• Authorize NOAA to procure equipment, aircraft, and personnel contracts to fully monitor atmospheric river events each winter; and
• Improve atmospheric river hazard communication.
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, the Office of Traffic Safety and the Department of Motor Vehicles joined together this week as part of Crash Responder Safety Week to remind drivers to move over when safe to do so and slow down near traffic incidents and work zones to prevent serious injuries and deaths on California’s roadways.
California’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over a lane when safe to do so, and slow down when approaching stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles.
This week recognizes that the public’s health, safety, and well-being are often dependent on the commitment of first responders to conduct invaluable and often life-saving operations on the side of our roads. When first responders report to an incident, that is a work zone.
According to the National Safety Council, 891 people were killed and 37,701 were injured in work zone crashes in 2022 across the country.
During the same period, more than 10,000 work-zone crashes occurred on California roadways, resulting in 117 fatalities and more than 4,500 injuries.
While all 50 states have "Move Over" laws to protect roadway workers, one-third of the public are not aware of the law.
“Safety is our top priority,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “We are asking drivers that when near work zones, please slow down, pay attention and move over when you see flashing responder lights. There’s no excuse to speed and drive recklessly. Make the conscious decision to protect yourself, loved ones, fellow travelers and vulnerable highway workers.”
“Every day, our officers and first responders put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Crash Responder Safety Week reminds drivers everywhere of the vital importance of moving over, slowing down and staying alert when approaching emergency scenes. Together, we can save lives and ensure that those who serve on California’s roadways make it home safely.”
“Keeping all road users safe is a priority for the DMV,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “That is why we do what we do to ensure all drivers know the rules of the road before we license them.”
Each year, first responders are struck by passing motorists, often while aiding motorists and clearing roadway incidents, resulting in serious injury or death.
Traffic-related incidents are the leading cause of death for on-duty law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, maintenance workers and tow/recovery professionals. Many of these incidents can be prevented if motorists follow the law.
For more information on the campaign, visit http://beworkzonealert.com/.
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Lake Family Resource Center is preparing to relocate its Lakeport facilities, including its child care services, from the Vista Point Shopping Center to a new site on Parallel Drive.
The relocation plan is moving forward thanks to a use permit approval by the Lakeport Planning Commission last Wednesday, allowing the new location — formerly an office building for Ruzicka Associates and owned by Nancy Ruzicka, who submitted the permit application — to house a day care facility.
The permit approval will allow the center to proceed with its plans to design and build a new child care center for its Early Head Start program, which serves children aged zero to 3 and their families.
Lake Family Resource Center, or LFRC, will first move its Lakeport offices and administrative staff to the new site by mid-December. Those offices will enter full operation in the new year, said Executive Director Lisa Morrow.
However, “Right this minute, the babies aren’t moving,” said Morrow at the Nov. 13 Planning Commission meeting, adding that the children in the Early Head Start program will stay at the Vista Point location until the end of June of 2025 when LFRC’s lease expires.
This delay in moving the children is due to the time required for funding applications, permitting and licensing, and building code-compliant facilities for children at the new location, Morrow explained in an interview after the meeting.
The Early Head Start program, once moved to the new facility, will serve a maximum of 23 infants and toddlers across four classrooms, according to Lakeport associate planner Victor Fernandez in his presentation at the planning meeting.
The facility will host 20 staff members onsite and have 22 to 24 parking spaces, operating Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The plan also includes play structures for children. Fencing will be required around the play structures for safety.
Conditions for the project’s approval include installing fire infrastructure such as sprinklers and submitting a new parking plan with a clear layout, said Fernandez, who also emphasized that the permit is only for the existing building.
For any future expansion or new infrastructure, “They will have to go through new additional permits,” he said.
Toward the end of the discussion, planning commissioners voiced concerns over the driving speed limit near the new location.
Commissioner Nathan Maxman asked if the facility would have a school zone marking with the reduced speed limit.
Fernandez said he would need to look into it with the Public Works Department on “the process of adding those zones in there.”
Commissioner Kurt Combs suggested reducing the speed limit at the zone to 35 miles per hour.
“We would have to coordinate with the other city departments on those items. We weren't prepared to speak on that,” said Lakeport Community Development Director Joey Hejnowicz. “We can definitely look into it.”
Planning for moving children to the new location
“The children are not allowed to go into the current building as it is,” Hejnowicz reiterated in response to a public comment through Zoom regarding children’s move-in.
“We must follow child care licensing regulations, the Head Start Act, all building codes that would be involved with new construction etc,” Morrow told Lake County News following the meeting.
Morrow said completing the required procedures will likely exceed the current lease term. Accommodating the children after the lease ends remains a challenge for now.
By June 30, 2025, “We have to be out of there,” Morrow said. “I don’t anticipate that the new facility will be built by then."
Morrow said the center will be applying for funding to build the new child care facility from the Administration for Children and Families, which is already funding the Early Head Start program.
“They have about 120 days once we get that submitted, but we can’t submit it until we have all the plans and architectural drawings and all of that stuff in place,” Morrow said, explaining how the various steps are tied to each other.
“We do have a plan,” Morrow said of the center hiring an experienced project manager who’s working on the design, adding that “with the holidays, it’s going to take a little bit of time.”
Morrow expected the child care portion of the relocation project to be completed by September 2026, more than a year after the lease ends.
“The wheels of government turn slow,” Morrow said.
She added with a smile, “At least they are turning.”
Now LFRC is evaluating “alternatives to the space we're not going to be able to occupy," said Morrow about finding a location for the children during the gap year.
"In the next few months, we should have a solid plan," she said.
The necessity to move: An expiring lease and safety concerns
Morrow said the final decision for LFRC to move out of the current location that it has occupied for the past 27 years was prompted by Vista Point’s change of ownership.
Tribal Health purchased the property in February.
“When the building was sold to Tribal Health, they let us know that they would not be renewing our lease in June of 2025,” said Morrow. That notice came immediately after the purchase.
“They attempted to give us as much time as they possibly could,” Morrow said.
While acknowledging that Tribal Health has been “very supportive,” Morrow said she did not want to speculate why they wouldn’t renew the lease with the center.
Morrow subsequently told Lake County News that the new owners are planning “a full demolition of the Shopping Center.”
In fact, the idea of finding a new home for its Lakeport office isn’t new to Morrow. Safety at the current location has long been a concern.
“We’ve been talking about it for a long time,” said Morrow.
In February 2023, a roof collapsed in winter storms on the “old bowling alley” at the Vista Point Shopping Center. LFRC’s facilities which were located at the other side of the same building were red-tagged by the city, Morrow said.
The city decided to “shut down everything in there and we were shut down for 90 days," Morrow said of the mandatory evacuation at that time. After that, the building was deemed safe for temporary occupation by the city.
The building’s former owner was Matt Riveras of Donica LLC. Riveras is the son-in-law of Buzz Bruns, Lakeport’s mayor in 2007 when the City Council voted to sell the property to him.
On Dec. 5, 2023, the Lakeport City Council conducted a public nuisance abatement hearing where city officials repeatedly brought up the concerns over the building’s safety and ability to withstand heavy winter rains. The discussion took up most of the meeting time.
The council then voted unanimously for moving forward on the abatement at the end of the three-and-a-half-hour-long hearing.
The abatement order came after 16 years of frustration during which city officials and residents felt that the blighted condition of the property had negatively affected the city’s ability to attract new businesses.
“It wasn’t a dilapidated shopping center when we moved in 27 years ago, but it was on its way, and it’s just, you know, fallen into disrepair over the years,” Morrow said.
For Morrow, the expiring lease is “necessitating an urgent and strategic response to secure a new, stable location to continue our vital services.”
Now LFRC has entered into a lease and purchase agreement with Nancy Ruzicka for the property on Parallel Drive, said Morrow.
“Plans are underway to construct a new child development center on the Parallel Drive property,” Morrow said.
Speaking about the new location, Morrow observed, “It’s going to be so much better.”
“It’s a beautiful building with a fountain out in front that never works,” said Ruzicka at Wednesday’s meeting. “It wasn’t the right thing to do because we had a water shortage.”
Email staff reporter Lingzi Chen atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The relocation plan is moving forward thanks to a use permit approval by the Lakeport Planning Commission last Wednesday, allowing the new location — formerly an office building for Ruzicka Associates and owned by Nancy Ruzicka, who submitted the permit application — to house a day care facility.
The permit approval will allow the center to proceed with its plans to design and build a new child care center for its Early Head Start program, which serves children aged zero to 3 and their families.
Lake Family Resource Center, or LFRC, will first move its Lakeport offices and administrative staff to the new site by mid-December. Those offices will enter full operation in the new year, said Executive Director Lisa Morrow.
However, “Right this minute, the babies aren’t moving,” said Morrow at the Nov. 13 Planning Commission meeting, adding that the children in the Early Head Start program will stay at the Vista Point location until the end of June of 2025 when LFRC’s lease expires.
This delay in moving the children is due to the time required for funding applications, permitting and licensing, and building code-compliant facilities for children at the new location, Morrow explained in an interview after the meeting.
The Early Head Start program, once moved to the new facility, will serve a maximum of 23 infants and toddlers across four classrooms, according to Lakeport associate planner Victor Fernandez in his presentation at the planning meeting.
The facility will host 20 staff members onsite and have 22 to 24 parking spaces, operating Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The plan also includes play structures for children. Fencing will be required around the play structures for safety.
Conditions for the project’s approval include installing fire infrastructure such as sprinklers and submitting a new parking plan with a clear layout, said Fernandez, who also emphasized that the permit is only for the existing building.
For any future expansion or new infrastructure, “They will have to go through new additional permits,” he said.
Toward the end of the discussion, planning commissioners voiced concerns over the driving speed limit near the new location.
Commissioner Nathan Maxman asked if the facility would have a school zone marking with the reduced speed limit.
Fernandez said he would need to look into it with the Public Works Department on “the process of adding those zones in there.”
Commissioner Kurt Combs suggested reducing the speed limit at the zone to 35 miles per hour.
“We would have to coordinate with the other city departments on those items. We weren't prepared to speak on that,” said Lakeport Community Development Director Joey Hejnowicz. “We can definitely look into it.”
Planning for moving children to the new location
“The children are not allowed to go into the current building as it is,” Hejnowicz reiterated in response to a public comment through Zoom regarding children’s move-in.
“We must follow child care licensing regulations, the Head Start Act, all building codes that would be involved with new construction etc,” Morrow told Lake County News following the meeting.
Morrow said completing the required procedures will likely exceed the current lease term. Accommodating the children after the lease ends remains a challenge for now.
By June 30, 2025, “We have to be out of there,” Morrow said. “I don’t anticipate that the new facility will be built by then."
Morrow said the center will be applying for funding to build the new child care facility from the Administration for Children and Families, which is already funding the Early Head Start program.
“They have about 120 days once we get that submitted, but we can’t submit it until we have all the plans and architectural drawings and all of that stuff in place,” Morrow said, explaining how the various steps are tied to each other.
“We do have a plan,” Morrow said of the center hiring an experienced project manager who’s working on the design, adding that “with the holidays, it’s going to take a little bit of time.”
Morrow expected the child care portion of the relocation project to be completed by September 2026, more than a year after the lease ends.
“The wheels of government turn slow,” Morrow said.
She added with a smile, “At least they are turning.”
Now LFRC is evaluating “alternatives to the space we're not going to be able to occupy," said Morrow about finding a location for the children during the gap year.
"In the next few months, we should have a solid plan," she said.
The necessity to move: An expiring lease and safety concerns
Morrow said the final decision for LFRC to move out of the current location that it has occupied for the past 27 years was prompted by Vista Point’s change of ownership.
Tribal Health purchased the property in February.
“When the building was sold to Tribal Health, they let us know that they would not be renewing our lease in June of 2025,” said Morrow. That notice came immediately after the purchase.
“They attempted to give us as much time as they possibly could,” Morrow said.
While acknowledging that Tribal Health has been “very supportive,” Morrow said she did not want to speculate why they wouldn’t renew the lease with the center.
Morrow subsequently told Lake County News that the new owners are planning “a full demolition of the Shopping Center.”
In fact, the idea of finding a new home for its Lakeport office isn’t new to Morrow. Safety at the current location has long been a concern.
“We’ve been talking about it for a long time,” said Morrow.
In February 2023, a roof collapsed in winter storms on the “old bowling alley” at the Vista Point Shopping Center. LFRC’s facilities which were located at the other side of the same building were red-tagged by the city, Morrow said.
The city decided to “shut down everything in there and we were shut down for 90 days," Morrow said of the mandatory evacuation at that time. After that, the building was deemed safe for temporary occupation by the city.
The building’s former owner was Matt Riveras of Donica LLC. Riveras is the son-in-law of Buzz Bruns, Lakeport’s mayor in 2007 when the City Council voted to sell the property to him.
On Dec. 5, 2023, the Lakeport City Council conducted a public nuisance abatement hearing where city officials repeatedly brought up the concerns over the building’s safety and ability to withstand heavy winter rains. The discussion took up most of the meeting time.
The council then voted unanimously for moving forward on the abatement at the end of the three-and-a-half-hour-long hearing.
The abatement order came after 16 years of frustration during which city officials and residents felt that the blighted condition of the property had negatively affected the city’s ability to attract new businesses.
“It wasn’t a dilapidated shopping center when we moved in 27 years ago, but it was on its way, and it’s just, you know, fallen into disrepair over the years,” Morrow said.
For Morrow, the expiring lease is “necessitating an urgent and strategic response to secure a new, stable location to continue our vital services.”
Now LFRC has entered into a lease and purchase agreement with Nancy Ruzicka for the property on Parallel Drive, said Morrow.
“Plans are underway to construct a new child development center on the Parallel Drive property,” Morrow said.
Speaking about the new location, Morrow observed, “It’s going to be so much better.”
“It’s a beautiful building with a fountain out in front that never works,” said Ruzicka at Wednesday’s meeting. “It wasn’t the right thing to do because we had a water shortage.”
Email staff reporter Lingzi Chen at
- Details
- Written by: LINGZI CHEN