LAKE COUNTY >> The Lake County Board of Supervisors will consider whether to support proposed state legislation that would establish an environmental conservancy in the inner Northern California coast.
Supporting the bill — which covers an area from Lake Berryessa to the Oregon border — would make environmental projects in the region a priority in Sacramento, District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele said.
“California has ten conservancies established by legislation to supplement the work of its traditional state natural resource and public recreation agencies,” he said. “Clear Lake and its surrounding natural resources fit this intent.”
Before the vote, the board will hear a presentation on the proposed bill from Tuleyome, a political group dedicated to protecting the land from Lake Berryessa to Snow Mountain in the Mendocino National Forest.
According to organization materials and statements, an established conservancy would bring with it a governing board composed of local citizens appointed by various state officials and a county Board of Supervisors representative from every county. This board would coordinate toward state assistance on preservation and conservation projects.
Tuleyome also claims that this board’s level of regulation would not supersede local authority and will not regulate water rights nor exercise eminent domain.
“All are independent agencies within the California Natural Resources Agency, and are governed separately by independent bodies,” Tuleyome’s released documents reported. “Local cities, counties, and other agencies retain all of their decision-making and regulatory authority.”
Along with the preservation of the land and increasing tourism, Steele said one of the biggest benefits is project funding, coming at a time when the county seeks to understand its chronic algae problem.
“Lake County has a history of seeking funds to protect and restore Clear Lake without competitive leverage,” he said, adding that the Sierra Nevada Conservancy gets cash from multiple propositions. “A collaborative approach using the conservancy method will significantly improve Lake County’s grant application edge.”
The boundaries in the released draft encompass Lake County, the Trinity Alps, the Mendocino and Six Rivers National Forests and Cache Creek.
The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Lake County Courthouse.
