It”s a Lake County tourist brochure: shiny bass boats and gas-powered craft cruising our pristine and beautiful lake. The reality is quite different. A marine biologist opened my eyes to the true condition of our lake. In the wake of these craft, silent and unheeded, a film of unburned gasoline and lubricating oil, perhaps as much as one-third of all the fuel that passes through the motor, spreads out on the surface of the lake. The fact that recreational power-craft spray gas and oil into the water can”t be disputed. What”s in dispute is the effect of that pollution.
Despite the seasonal flow of the lake, it is shallowing annually. The biologist scoffed at the idea that the lake is self-cleaning. “It”s a mud puddle!” I have no doubt the lake will adapt itself to these conditions, however, as it shallows and becomes more polluted, this important resource will become less available to future generations as a potable water source. Despite the tribes” attempts to document the pollution taking place, there is little science being conducted on the synergistic effects of petroleum, chemical and biological contaminants on the long-term health of human beings.
County supervisors should rigorously enforce agricultural contaminant runoff safeguards and set a moratorium on gas-powered vehicles on the lake over the next five years. Solar/electric alternatives are developing at a rapid rate and even ancient Pomo tule boats could play a part in advertising to attract tourists to the lake for fishing and water sports.
As the biologist said, “Just because it”s big, doesn”t mean it”s safe.” Lip service to water conservation while preserving the business status quo is not a plan.
County leadership should be examining positions that force business to utilize evolving technologies and develop forward-looking business plans that commit to high quality environmental ideals.
James Blue Wolf
Lucerne
