CLEARLAKE — Picketers whose efforts were aimed at raising awareness and gaining community response in addressing the algae problem in Clearlake found what they were looking for Friday. Passersby honked and many stopped to join the picketers in front of Austin Beach where they discussed how the algae situation is harming the community and what should be done about it.
“We are trying to bring as much attention to this problem as possible,” picketer Bob Ferias said. “It”s going to take our legislators getting involved to solve this problem.”
Lyngbya, a form of cyanobacterial blue-green algae that emits an offensive order as it decays, has plagued Clear Lake for the past two summers. The situation has hampered tourist and recreational opportunities as well as caused economic adversity.
Many stopping Friday said they were fed up and expressed concern for what they viewed as a lack of response by area officials and representatives. One picketer said that he thinks that county officials especially are ignoring the problem and providing half-truths with regard to the effect winegrape growing operations are having on the nutrient levels reaching the lake.
Residents of the area expressed an assortment of concerns that they have related to the lyngbya problem. One woman had concerns for the children of the area.
“There should be children on this beach. It”s summer,” Diann Sommers said. “Instead, they are playing war games on the computer. We need to make sure our children have something positive to do so they stay out of trouble.”
Sommers continued, “Our planet is depending on us and we have to stop our bad habits now.”
Jack McManus, who carried a sign that read “stop vineyard run off” said expressed concern for a waste of the clean air the county is recognized for. “The thing is we have the best air in the country and it is ruined by the stench coming off the lake,” he said.
Joyce Percy said she”s just fed up with it. “I live a block away from the lake and I can”t have a wedding at my house. We had to switch to a church because of this,” she said.
Picketers provided a petition during their demonstration requesting support in contacting area legislators. They said they will also be using the petition as a base for forming a community network aimed at raising awareness and initiating action to solve the problem.
Those interested in signing the petition and/or joining the network can find more information by contacting Vic Langlais at 994-5398.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
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