From left to right, Karl Burke, closure manager for McLaughlin Mine’s Homestake Co., presents a check for $10,000 to county Public Services Director Kim K. Clymire. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – County Public Services Director Kim K. Clymire reported that he received a very generous donation for the Mt. Konocti property acquisition on Monday.

A $10,000 donation came from from Homestake Mine Co.’s McLaughlin Mine Closure Manager Karl Burke.

It will be used toward the county’s $3.8 million acquisition costs for more than 1,500 acres on beautiful Mt. Konocti.

Clymire said that a series of six evening outreach community meetings are being held in Lakeport and Lower Lake to gather input from the community regarding the acquisition and, more particularly, to begin to develop the master management plan for the mountain that will include, but not be limited to, resource and fire management plans, and types of use.

In addition, the master management plan is being driven by conditions that come with the sale of the property that include day use only, no motorized vehicles, preservation and conservation, and others.

The next meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 and 26 in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes in Lakeport.

The county previously closed escrow on a part of the acquisition that includes the 176-acre communication site on Buckingham Peak. That site currently generates approximately $80,000 per year in revenue that will be used toward maintenance and improvements on the mountain.

The balance of the property is scheduled to be purchased the end of October but no later than December of this year and opened to the public in 2010 after certain conditions are met.

For additional information, please visit the Web site, www.preservekonocti.org , or call the Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.