LAKE COUNTY? The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to disband the Lake County Mussel Task Force, which was an ad hoc committee assigned to the specific task of implementing a local program for prevention of the invasive quagga and zebra mussels in Clear Lake. After 18 months of work, the task force has delivered a leading-edge prevention program that, according to county staff, has been used as a template throughout the state.
“We accomplished what you wanted us to do. Now it”s time to move on, in three ways,” Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division Deputy Director Pam Francis said.
Francis said that the task force recommends (1) forming a small group, including two supervisors and additional key representatives to focus on state and federal resources; (2) assigning responsibility for program improvements; and (3) continuing the implementation of existing ordinances.
With the dissolution of the task force, the board moved to delegate ongoing functions through a subcommittee via the Lake County Invasive Species Council and appoint Biologist Greg Guisti as chair. The purpose of the appointment is to gain accountability in implementing and continuing the Invasive Species Prevention Program.
“I think Greg is the perfect person for this,” District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown said. “He”ll come back to us and tell us what needs to be done.”
The Water Resources Division was directed to continue day-to-day program operations, which includes inspector and screener training, inspection stickers and forms, management of contracts and participant agreements, data collection and analysis, outreach, budgeting and staffing to perform these duties.
Program improvements will be addressed through the subcommittee. Suggested categories include: recommendations related to programmatic issues such as fees, access/availability of inspections, outreach/awareness and enforcement; recommendations related to policies and protocols for inspection, re-inspection, quarantine and decontamination; and consideration of a multi-lake sticker inspection program to achieve consistency throughout the state.
The goal of forming the small group recommended by the task force is to focus on interagency collaboration through implementation of an action plan that includes making contact with state and federal agencies, legislators and other entities that could provide resources to build on the program”s success and contribute to its sustainability over the long term. The group will work toward arranging a summit of these government entities with members of the public invited to attend. Supervisors Denise Rushing and Anthony Farrington agreed to participate in the group.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
