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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Public Services Department has closed the boat launch at Lucerne Harbor Park, which has become impassable to boats due to sediment buildup and the low water level.
The agency said Tuesday that, in order to protect public safety and prevent damage to public and private property, it was taking the action to temporarily close the boat launch at the park, located at 6225 East Highway 20.
The condition of the harbor has been a topic of concern for the community over the last several years, and in January 2019 the Lucerne Area Town Hall passed a resolution asking the county to spend a small portion of the $2.5 million sales price from the Lucerne Hotel to dredge the harbor.
After initial pushback to the request from the County Administrative Office, the Board of Supervisors ultimately approved the 2019-20 budget with $250,000 set aside for the project.
However, the project didn’t take place last fiscal year and so has been held over to this current fiscal year.
The price tag is now $350,000 and will include repairs to the deteriorating docks, based on the county budget document.
Public Services Deputy Director Kati Galvani said the sediment removal dredging project is expected to be completed next year.
Galvani said she could not give a more specific timeframe for the reopening of the harbor, which is popular with fishermen – professionals and amateurs alike – as well as recreational boaters.
She said the county needs to secure California Environmental Quality Act and regulator permits before the dredging is done.
“Topographic survey was completed last month and we will prepare the CEQA application, regulatory permit applications, and construction documents in the coming months for a calendar year 2021 dredging project,” Galvani said.
Asked about the last time the harbor was closed due to low water conditions, Galvani said she didn’t have records immediately handy but, based on staff’s recollection, “it is not an uncommon occurrence.”
Galvani said no other county boat launches are scheduled for closure currently due to low water, “but we will monitor and close as needed for safety reasons,” and will send out public announcements if necessary.
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As of Tuesday, 45 of California’s 58 counties have been placed in the purple tier, the most restrictive of the four tiers in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Those 45 counties account for 37.9 million, or 94.6 percent, of California’s population, the state said.
Last week more than half of California’s counties were placed in the purple tier.
So far this week, four have been raised to purple: Colusa, Del Norte, Humboldt and Lassen. No counties dropped out of the purple tier, based on state reports.
Lake County on Tuesday remained in the red tier, the second-most restrictive, but with cases continuing to rise, Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace warned that the county could move into the purple tier later this week or early next.
As of Tuesday, Lake County had 877 cases – an increase of 75 over the previous week – and 19 deaths, with six people currently hospitalized, according to Lake County Public Health.
The 19th person to die locally, confirmed this week, was over age 65, with chronic medical issues. The individual died at home, Pace said.
Pace said a large percentage of Lake County’s increasing caseload is due to an ongoing outbreak in the Lake County Jail.
The outbreak has moved into a second wing of the jail facility and 16 new cases were recently documented, Pace said.
He said the sheriff’s office is taking steps to contain the spread, including weekly testing of inmates and staff and rapid testing of newly booked individuals; physical separation of COVID-19-positive inmates and close contacts; masking whenever possible and increased disinfection; and implementation of best practices advised by Lake County Public Health and state infectious disease specialists
“We have also recently seen clusters in businesses and family units around the county,” said Pace.
He said an estimated one-third of all Lake County cases come from household spread, and another one-third stem from community spread – including seeing friends and family outside of work or home.
Because of the rising case numbers, Pace said Lake County will probably move into the purple tier, possibly as early as this weekend but more probably by early next week.
He said restricting high-risk activities is the state’s strategy to control the outbreak and limit spread.
As such, if Lake County goes to purple, Pace said the county will have 24 hours to move restaurants to outdoor dining only, stop indoor worship services and require that gyms and fitness centers open for outdoor activities only.
A move into the purple tier also will stop the further opening of schools, although those that already are open can remain open, Pace said.
“These changes would remain in place until our numbers improve for at least two consecutive weeks,” he said.
Pace is asking community members to take COVID-19 seriously this Thanksgiving by limiting travel and indoor gatherings as much as possible.
“Safe practices taken now will really help us in a few weeks. If you must travel out of the state, self-quarantining for 14 days is recommended, when you return,” Pace said.
Acknowledging that the pandemic has made 2020 a challenging year, Pace nonetheless urged continued caution.
“We must remain vigilant and careful during these coming few months, because we are entering a risky phase; one that could easily strain our healthcare system,” Pace said.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
To encourage safe travel, the CHP will enact a maximum enforcement period, or MEP, beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29.
During the MEP, CHP officers will be actively looking for unsafe driving practices as well as helping motorists in need.
“This year has presented us with many unforeseen challenges, but safety is still our priority,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “If you choose to travel this Thanksgiving weekend, our goal is to help motorists arrive at their destination without incident.”
Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel times of the year. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic may be a bit lighter, but this is not an invitation to speed to your destination.
The rules of the road still apply, and motorists should avoid driving tired, impaired or distracted.
Additionally, in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission, Gov. Gavin Newsom has instituted a limited stay at home order from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and a travel advisory, encouraging people to only go about essential activities during those hours and to self-quarantine for 14 days if they are arriving from another state or country.
Those who must be on the road, remember to buckle up. Proper seat belt use is the single most effective way to save a life in the event of a crash.
When you are traveling for the holiday, or any time of the year, make sure everyone in the vehicle is safely secured before even starting the car, and that includes children being in the correct child safety seats.
During the 2019 Thanksgiving MEP, 42 people died on California roadways. Of the 27 who died within CHP jurisdiction, 11 were not wearing seat belts.
The CHP also made 867 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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The city is inviting applications for the Lakeport Planning Commission, the Measure Z Advisory Committee and the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee.
The deadline to apply has been extended to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.
These appointments would be effective as of Jan. 1, 2021.
Membership on these commissions and committees is voluntary.
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, applications are available on the city’s website under the Community News Topic, “Now Recruiting: Commission/Committee Openings,” or under the “Government” tab (Committees & Commissions).
For additional information, please contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263‑5615, Extension 102, or by email at