The Konocti Project raffle will raise funds towards the preservation and purchase of lands on top of Mt. Konocti. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – Travel around Clear Lake and one towering view commands center of attention – Mt. Konocti.

While visible to so many people, few have actually experienced the spectacular views from the top – wide panoramas of Clear Lake and the Mayacamas, distant glimpses of Lake Berryessa and the Sutter Buttes. On a clear day, one can even see Mt. Lassen.

Lake County now has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire 1,520 acres, putting much of the mountain top into public hands for perpetuity.

The ultimate goal – to link the County and Bureau of Land Management-owned land with Clear Lake State Park, making it possible to develop access from Clear Lake to the top of Mt. Konocti. Public donations through September will benefit the acquisition and allow the future purchase of additional properties.

Efforts to raise funds to assist with the purchase of Mt. Konocti are gaining momentum.

To assist in the fundraising effort, the Konocti Project Inc., a nonprofit organization devoted to the “preservation, exploration and protection of Mt. Konocti,” is sponsoring a raffle drawing to be held at the upcoming Heron Festival at Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville

Kevin Kealey, currently managing the Konocti Project, and a group of volunteers have assembled a wonderful collection of prizes from local businesses and organizations.

“A number of people and businesses really stepped forward to help in our fundraising efforts,” said Kealey. “The prizes donated truly showcase the unique qualities that make Lake County special, from local award-winning wines to mini-ecotours and a winemaker’s dinner.”

Prize drawings will be held during the annual Heron Festival on April 26, 3 p.m. at the Mt. Konocti Acquisition Booth. Raffle tickets will be available for sale both days of the festival, with a donation of $10 for a book of five tickets.

Prizes include:

– Top of Mt. Konocti vehicle-guided tour with brown-bag lunch for four, sponsored by Lake County Department of Public Services.

– Winemaker dinner for eight people at the Rolling Knolls Vineyard in Lower Lake, from Shannon Ridge Vineyards.

– Lake County Winery Association (LCWA) Wine Cellar Collection of fine wines from Six Sigma, Gregory Graham, Tulip Hill, Wildhurst, Brassfield, Rosa d'Oro, Jeff Smith of Dusinberre Cellars and Langtry Estates.

– Lake County wine picnic basket with an assorted collection of Lake County wines provided by the Lake County Winegrape Commission.

– Tasting sampler of fine Lake County wines for four persons at Lake County Wine Studio in Upper Lake.

– Free one-day rental of a pontoon boat that holds eight people from the General Store at Clear Lake State Park.

– Guided kayak trip for two persons into either Anderson Marsh or down to Cache Creek Dam, provided by Herb Gura.

– Top-of-Mt. St. Helena vehicle-guided tour with brown-bag deli lunch for two person, sponsored by Pete McGee.

– Guided bird-watching eco-hike in Clear Lake State Park or Rodman Slough with Brad Barnwell.

– Inflatable Advanced Elements two-person kayak system from AirKayaks.

The public is encouraged to support the fundraising effort. Raffle tickets are available at the following locations:

• Wild About Books, 14290 Olympic Drive, Suite A, Clearlake.

• PennySaver, 14913 Lakeshore Blvd., Clearlake.

• Shannon Ridge Tasting Room, 12599 East Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks.

• Wildhurst Tasting Room, 3855 Main St., Kelseyville.

• Watershed Books, 305 N. Main St., Lakeport.

• Six Sigma Winery, 13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake.

• Lake County Visitor's Center, 6110 E. Highway 20, Lucerne.

• Lake County Wine Studio, 9505 Main St., No. 1, Upper Lake.

Raffle tickets can also be purchased online at www.PreserveKonocti.org/KonoctiProject or mail a check to Konocti Project, Inc. P.O. Box 3369, Clearlake, CA 95422. Please include your name, mailing address and phone number and $10 for each raffle book of 5. The tickets will be mailed to you. Deadline for tickets to be sent out by mail is 4/20. Details on the prizes can also be seen on the website.

All proceeds benefit the Mt. Konocti Acquisition Fund. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win, but must be 21 years or older to participate. The raffle drawing is sponsored by The Konocti Project, Inc. a 501c-3 nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and protection of Mt. Konocti.

For more info on the organization or raffle, contact Kevin Kealey at 707-994-1967 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Details on the Heron Festival and weekend events can be found at www.heronfestival.org/.

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HELP
written by swanson16, April 12, 2009

More prime land off the tax rolls. The tree huggers screwed the tax payers with the purchase of the "Black Forrest" for Buckingham, now it's Mt. Konocti. Next will be a section of Soda Bay Road so a gated community can be established to protect the "wild life".

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Poor baby swanson
written by Dwain, April 12, 2009

I feel your pain. Just think how much lower your taxes would be if Black Forest had been logged.






Not.

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I want...
written by smurf, April 12, 2009

Rob Brown to come to my house to give me a foot massage, i'm sure he'll be a sport and go for it if i toss $50 into the hat, right?
Yes swanson16, it is a shame that we have this beautiful place to live and now more of it is unable to be ruined by developers, I'm sure the spectacular view won't bring us any tourists or other pests, much better to let some rich folks slap some McMansions up there for us to see!

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HELP 2
written by swanson16, April 12, 2009

And, next the tax-payers get to make all these places ADA compliant.

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Hey swanson
written by golson, April 12, 2009

What do you have against folks with disabilities?

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And really
written by golson, April 12, 2009

What do you think the net loss in property tax income will be on this "prime" real estate on Mt. Konocti? If you do the research, I'm sure you will find the net loss to be nothing compared to the added tourist dollars in the long run.

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Jinkies, think
written by Donna Christopher, April 12, 2009

there's any chance swanson is a card carrying member of the party of "NO"?

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ANS TO MY DISABILITY STATEMENT
written by swanson16, April 12, 2009

I have nothing against people with disabilities. My complaint is with people who jump into things without considering all the aspects. It's not unlike buying a boat, the cost of the boat is nothing compared to the upkeep. Tree huggers want to control all open spaces without considering the impact on tax-payers. If they want the open spaces then they can foot the liabilities. Take a look around at what is already off the tax rolls.

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With all the poor...
written by CobbMt, April 12, 2009

and 16% percent unemployment in Lake, this will fall short.
Energy wasted. Just see how much money is raised. Lucky to raise
1K in Lake, there are few deep pockets.

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Shaving Konocti
written by drpmjhess, April 12, 2009

Why not simply shave off the top 200 feet of Mount Konocti and sell the volcanic soil as bags of amendment at local garden supply stores? The sales tax would replace the lost revenue about which Swanson is concerned. Shaving Konocti would have the added benefit of lowering the profile of the mountain which currently blocks everyone's views. You could fit numerous sports facilities on the flat and graded summit, and rents and use fees would pour into the county coffers.

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Konocti Mt. is a big part of LakeCounty
written by Lorilee, April 13, 2009

Having been raised here I've enjoy thousand of cups of coffee watching the sun rise over our mountain. Everyone is
struggling with hard times, but is money truly all important? I live on a very limited income myself but I would hate to see our Mountain scared by development of any kind. This recession will pass as have the others we've been through. We need to enjoy the beauty of Lake Co. more than ever now! "It's the simple things in life

!!!! Let's not forget!!

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The mountain
written by smurfhunter, April 13, 2009

I have been looking at Mt Konocti from my house in Big Valley all of my life. The last thing I want to see is houses like the Riv and Soda Bay, on this Mt. Now I complain about tax based waste. But this is important to save as it is, as it should bewithout anything on it for all to share. And that is from a conservative grower who complains alot losers spending our tax dollars.

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damnit
written by Gabandgo, July 28, 2009

Did the county ever buy the land?

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