Wed Jan 25, 2023 5:30pm – 7:30pm , Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89603074296
During this session, EPA will provide information and updates related to the Proposed Plan, offer time for Q&As, and an opportunity to submit official written comments. Please use the information below to join the online meeting via Zoom, and feel free to share this information with anyone else who may be interested.

EPA will host an optional in-person public open house for community members interested in learning more about the Sulphur Bank Superfund Site Proposed Plan. This is an opportunity to ask questions of EPA staff, learn more about the site and related issues, and submit official written comments on the Proposed Plan. This optional open house is one of several engagement opportunities related to the Proposed Plan. 

Date and Time: February 8th, 2023 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.. 
Location: The Moose Lodge, 15900 Moose Lodge Lane; Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423

The 160 acre Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site sits on the shore of Clear Lake in Lake County, Calif. Historic mining contaminated the property with unhealthy levels of mercury, arsenic and antimony. Contamination from the site also impacts the wetland area north of the mine and Clear Lake itself. Since the site was added to the Superfund cleanup program in August 1990, EPA has completed eight early cleanups to protect human health and the environment and reduce contamination in soil, lake water and sediments, fish and wildlife, and Tribal and residential properties near the mine.

The goals for the proposed cleanup are: Combining smaller waste piles with larger piles to reduce the area of contamination. Putting a liner, clean earth, and clean soil over the contaminated waste and soil to: make residential areas safe for a lifetime of use; make on-mine areas safe for use by Elem Indian Colony residents (hunting, fishing, foraging, transit to nearby lands); and prevent contamination from leaving the site with stormwater or wind. Limiting mercury entering Clear Lake to allow mercury levels in sediments and fish to decrease over time, and help EPA determine the cleanup needed for the lake.

The public can submit comments to EPA on the proposed plan until April 10, 2023, in the following ways: Email comments to EPA’s Gavin Pauley and Carter Jessop.

Printed comments can be mailed to:

Gavin Pauley, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
75 Hawthorne Street (Mail Code: OPA-2)
San Francisco, CA 94105.

Mailed comments must be postmarked by April 10th.

Oral comments can be left on EPA’s voicemail box at: (800) 231-3075.

The Hitch Conservation Strategy

Everyone living in Lake County needs to be aware of the recent and current meetings regarding the quality of Clear Lake both with its habitats and water quali- ty and flows. Last Thursday was the first of two zoom meetings regarding the Hitch population in Clear Lake. There is a strong push to list the Hitch on the Endangered Spices List. Local tribes such as the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, along with the Cen- ter for Biological Diversity urge Interior Secretary Debra Haaland and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to provide emer- gency protections to the Clear Lake Hitch. The next zoom meeting is Wednesday, Feb- ruary 1, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PST . Remote Participation – Join Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/CLH_Feb1.

“Adult hitch migrate upstream in tributaries of Clear Lake each spring to spawn before returning to the lake. Juvenile Hitch hatch in the tributaries and move to the lake as well. While the Hitch’s decline can be linked to a variety of factors includ- ing habitat loss, passage barriers, poor water quality, and invasive species, the most im- mediate threat to their survival is little to no water flowing in Kelsey, Adobe, Manning, Cole, and Middle Creeks during the upcom- ing spawning and rearing season (February through May). The State Water Board is looking for ways to protect the Clear Lake Hitch now and in the long term, including local voluntary actions to keep water in the creeks this year, obtaining data to better understand the problem and potential solu- tions, collaboration to fund effective solu- tions and spread important messages, en- forcement to ensure all diversions in the area are legal, and regulations if voluntary actions aren’t successful.” (County of Lake)

The USGS (United States Geologi- cal Survey) is working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to generate addi- tional scientific information needed for ef- fective management and conservation of the Hitch in Clear Lake. What does it mean for a species to be listed as threatened? A threatened species is defined under the ESA as “any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foresee- able future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” Species designated as threatened or endangered are called “listed species. What are the positives and the neg- atives of the Hitch on this list? Short and long-term economic benefits can conflict with the preservation of the species. Re- strictions on land use to protect habitats can have negative impacts on businesses, tour- ism and result in loss of jobs.

The Clear Lake Chamber reached out to the Lake County Farm Bureau in regards to possible water restriction on farmers. In talking with a local rancher, water restrictions could be devastating to crops, thus our economy.

Another concern brought to our attention is in regards to the wide mouth bass and the stocking of this and other game fish into our lake. Pro bass fishing brings revenue into our county, and to stop stock- ing would be detrimental to our economy and the sport.

Everyone involved is concerned with the efforts to conserve the Clear Lake Hitch, there is no doubt that our years of drought and lack of action through dredging creeks and waterways are leading to a re- duction in spawning locations for the Hitch.

Please read further the Lake County News article printed on Jan. 25th.

Sponsored by Nicole Flora

Supporting the local food service and restaurant industry is the goal of an upcoming series of events presented by the Lake County Economic Development Corporation (Lake EDC)

The Restaurant Expo is a free two-day networking and training event focused on providing expert support to new and existing owners of restaurants, food trucks and other food service businesses. The Expo will be held on January 30 at Woodland Community College and January 31 at Mendocino Community College. Both days will start at 10 a.m. Sessions will be presented in person, and via zoom. Sessions will include many aspects of running a food business including, food sourcing, menu pricing, payroll and human re- sources, and much more.

On the evening of January 30th, at 5:30 p.m. Lake EDC will host a networking event at The Ripe Choice for participants to mingle and network with real estate professionals, lenders and other industry collaborators. The first annual Lake County Restaurant Week will span the week of February 5th
to 11th. Coordinated by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, residents will be encouraged to try a new restaurant around the lake – restaurants from every corner of the County will participate with prix-fixe menu, small plates, or feature Lake County produce or product at a discounted price.

Tickets are not necessary for this delectable week of discounted dining, but reservations are recommended! To learn more about the Restaurant Expo and networking event, or to sign up to attend, visit https://www.lakecountycaedc.org/restaurant-expo or email [email protected].

Lakeport, Calif. (November 26, 2022) – Just in time for the gift giving season the Lakeport Library will present two craft classes in December. Giving hand-made gifts is a wonderful way to surprise and delight friends and family during the holidays. 

Both classes will be presented by Amy Patton at the Lakeport Library at 1425 North High Street in Lakeport. The classes are free to attend and all materials will be provided. Supplies are limited though, so registration is required by calling 707-263-8817.

The first class will begin on December 3 at 10am. Participants will learn how to create a shell necklace with fabric scraps. Anyone who has extra fabric scraps at home or enjoys other fabric based crafts would enjoy making this beautiful necklace. This craft will demonstrate making fabric twine and tying two different styles of knots.

The second class is on December 17 at 2pm. At this class participants will learn how to create a snowflake crystal with beads for use as a necklace or as an ornament. This necklace is constructed with pearls, crystals, and seed beads to simulate the elegant beauty of an icy snowflake.

Anyone who is interested in giving out a unique gift is encouraged to contact the library and register for one or both of these crafting classes. Both classes are great for beginning crafters, but advanced crafters can pick up some new skills as well. 

For more information, contact the Lake County Library by calling the main branch in Lakeport at 707-263-8817, emailing [email protected], or visit http://library.lakecountyca.gov.

Christopher Veach
County Librarian, Lake County Library
(707) 263-8816
[email protected]

We’ve heard it before and yet it may still be hard to believe: Our zip code determines our health more than our genetic code. Why is this important for business owners? Because poor health impacts us all through greater costs for businesses and higher taxes. Specifically, businesses are impacted by:

• Healthcare expenses are a direct cost for employers, whether through employer- provided insurance or public options supported by taxes.
• Higher rates of disability due to illness and injury generate higher insurance rates.
• Absences for illnesses and doctor’s appointments plus presenteeism (working whilesick) affect productivity.
• Poor health can lead to higher rates of employee turnover, causing greater costs forrecruitment and training.On a national level, this leads to what is known as the U.S. Healthcare Disadvantage and impacts our competitiveness globally. Chronic illnesses and injuries in the workforce cost U.S. employers more than half a trillion dollars (+$500,000,000) and 1.5 billion days in lost productivity each year. That’s a cost of almost $4,000 per employee on average!

What can be done? Many communities are looking for solutions ‘upstream’—before the illnesses and injuries occur. This is cost- effective because every $1 spent on prevention saves $5.60 on health spending “downstream.”“Most of the time we’re busy paying for illness and injuries on an individual basis ‘downstream’—or after they’ve occurred,” explained Amber Wier, previously a small business advisor for the North Coast Small Business Development Center and currently the Project Director of the California Health Collaborative’s NorCal 4 Health project. “This can be really costly for everyone, but specifically forbusinesses through direct and indirect costs, such as productivity loss, insurance rates and higher taxes.”

As it turns out, most poor health outcomes are preventable and those that contribute to over 50% of deaths in California are due to personal behaviors around food, activity, and tobacco use. This phenomenon can be summed up by what is known as the 3-4-50 framework:

How do these behaviors translate in Lake County? 

In the graphic below we can see that Lake County is behind in categories:

Below we can see Lake County residents suffer from higher rates of tobacco/nicotine use, heart disease, and food insecurity, which contribute to the county’s “very poor” health rankings:

Promising Community-level Solutions

While we bring to light the three behavior areas that contribute to the four diseases that account for more than 50% of the deaths, addressing those behaviors on an individual level is just one point of opportunity for change. Remember the zip code determinant above? Health starts long before illness. As we now know, in America, 80-90% of health outcomes are the result of conditions in communities.¹

Additionally, the same vital conditions that shape health are the very features that attract and retain talented workers, loyal customers, tourists and prosperous businesses to a community. Some of these features include safe parks and green spaces, quality, affordable housing and public transportation, access to healthy foods, access to childcare and early childhood education, quality schools, and feelings of civic pride and responsibility.

As it happens, in America, 80-90% of health outcomes are the result of conditions in communities.¹ Additionally, the same vital conditions that shape health are the very features that attract and retain talented workers, loyal customers, tourists and prosperous businesses to a community.

Policies and planning decisions that build in healthier choices, like bike lanes, smoke-free outdoor spaces, smoke-free shared-wall housing (also known as multi-unit housing), and increasing access in neighborhoods for most things needed for daily living, like healthy food and household items, lead to better health outcomes naturally.”

Further, for many rural communities that rely on tourism dollars, reducing harmful tobacco consumption, secondhand smoke, and tobacco product waste helps attract tourists, especially those from urban areas who expect a tobacco-free environment.

“What we’re noticing is that communities that put specific features in place in their built environment have created natural and effortless conditions for not only better health for everyone,” concluded Wier. “but, also for better local economies. In other words, how we shape our community, in turn, shapes us.”

“We know it’s hard to think about when we’re busy working our business and assisting people in immediate need,” acknowledged Wier, “but spending a little more time addressing why they are in need, improving community conditions, and tackling the problem before it happens will ultimately save us time, money and provide a better quality of life for the long run.”

She continued, “Community health is part of business health and local business owners can have influence. They can use their voice to let elected officials know they want to create a more viable economic future through upstream prevention and planning. Speak up at public meetings. Email or call their representatives. Small businesses can influence community health and prosperity by encouraging government and local planning projects to incorporate upstream thinking and design.”

Wier invites business owners to learn more at their website www.NorCal4Health.org and looks to the Community Health and Economic Prosperity (CHEP) initiative enacted by previous Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, for inspiration: “Health and the economy are inextricably linked and both most thrive if either is to be strong.”

NorCal 4 Health is a project of the California Health Collaborative serving Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte Counties. It provides education and resources on community-level solutions to elevate health and economic prosperity. The project is funded by the California Department of Public Health and works alongside local residents and organizations. Learn more at www.NorCal4Health.org

¹ Hood, C. M., Gennuso, K. P., Swain, G. R., & Catlin, B. B. (2016). County health rankings: Relationships between determinant factors and health outcomes. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 50(2), 129–135. Retrieved from: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/chep-sgr-causes-health-disadvantage-fs3.pdf.

Lower Lake, CA – The last guided nature walk for 2022 at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will be held on Saturday, November 12, beginning at 8:30am.

The November nature walk will be led by volunteer State Parks Docent Roberta Lyons. The hike will cover parts of the Cache Creek Nature Trail, the Marsh Trail and the Ridge Trail. The hike will be over mostly level terrain and will cover about 3 miles at a leisurely pace. The hike should last between 1½ and 2 hours.

Bring binoculars and meet in the parking lot at 8:15am for time to experience the early morning wildlife that can be found in the Ranch House and Barn complex yard – the walk will begin at 8:30am.
There is no charge for the guided nature walk and parking is free for those attending.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Hwy 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake. For more information about the guided walk, email [email protected] or call (707) 995-2658.

Subscribe to California State Parks News online at www.parks.ca.gov/news or email us at [email protected].

California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.

Contact:

State Parks, Clear Lake
707-279-2267
or
Henry Bornstein
707-995-2658
[email protected]

By Janine Smith-Citron
Development Director, Hospice Services of Lake County

Lakeport, CA – Hospice Services of Lake County recognizes and addresses the unique ways children grieve and heal from a loss of a loved one. Families with children ages 6 years and older who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives are invited to attend a one-day, free Bereavement Camp. The camp is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., in Clearlake.

Hospice Services of Lake County’s mission is to support and comfort people by providing the highest quality medical, emotional and spiritual care to help patients and their families navigate their end-of-life journeys. For more information, call Hospice Services of Lake County, (707) 263-6222. Visit the organization’s website at www.lakecountyhospice.org.