COBB
Mandala Springs wellness retreat center enters partnership with indigenous community members and community redevelopment group to begin Kelsey Creek restoration and stewardship program
Mandala Springs, formerly Glenbrook Resort, is situated on Kelsey Creek within the Cobb Watershed in Lake County. The goal of this partnership is to implement a program that will restore the creek (as much as is possible) and its surrounding streambed to a more natural state, with the guidance and expertise of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA), Flow West, and others. The meetings at Mandala also included discussions of the objectives of restoration in terms of wildlife habitat, water quality, and the reintroduction of native plant species that were an integral part of everyday life for local Pomo populations.
This last part was put into practice with the recovery and mindful planting of native sedge grasses along the Kelsey Creek streambed by workshop participants, Mandala staff, board members, families, and guests on February 18. The plants being reintroduced have a long tradition of respectful harvesting for use as basket materials and medicine by the Pomo. There are native plant species in the creek, such as Dogwood, and Willow, that are threatened by the encroachment of aggressive non-native plants, such as Himalayan Blackberry.
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LAKE COUNTY
Health advisory for flood water around Lake County
Lake County’s Health Services Department is aware of and monitoring flood conditions around Clear Lake and other low-lying areas amid a period of significant precipitation. With saturated soil and more rain and snowfall on the way, the Department remains concerned about localized flooding and is advising residents to be aware of their proximity to the Lake and of the possibility of flood conditions in their immediate area.
To prevent sewage contamination, which can lead to disease transmission, residents at risk of potential flooding should reduce the flow into their drains with strict water conservation measures in addition to checking to ensure that their systems are not backing up, allowing sewage to surface. Residents should also prepare to take the following precautions: Wastewater systems may not work until floodwaters recede and the water table drops below the septic tank and drain field trenches.
A septic system will not function in a flooded yard and should not be used. If a wastewater system depends on a pump, it will not operate properly if the system controls experience water damage or during a power outage. Do not continue to use water if sewage backs up into the household or if water or sewage is visibly surfacing near the septic system— exposure to raw sewage is a significant health threat and can cause disease. Remove and discard household items that become contaminated with sewage and cannot be disinfected, such as rugs, wall coverings and drywall. Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves when cleaning up sewage. If you are a Lake County resident with questions or concerns about your on-site wastewater system or if your home or business is inundated, please contact the Lake County Community Development office and Lake County Environmental Health before re-occupying the structure. They can be reached at 707-263-2221 and 707-263-1164, respectively.
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Sacramento
New Cal Fire website features modern look, new ways to track incident information
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) released a new website this month to provide an enhanced, modernized web experience for both the public and employees. Within the redesigned website, users can navigate content easily to access information about CAL FIRE’s current incidents, wildfire preparedness, fire prevention, hiring and recruitment, and more. The redesign was driven by analytics and site visits and was created to enhance the user experience for all Californians—representing a significant improvement from the previous site. Phase two of CAL FIRE’s website development will be launched in the coming months and will also include a standalone recruitment website: www.JoinCALFIRE.com. This site will be dedicated to potential CAL FIRE job candidates, focusing on providing guidance on the hiring process and tips on how to apply for a position. The newly designed CAL FIRE website can be accessed the same way as before at: www.fire.ca.gov.
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