County closes boat launch at Lucerne Harbor Park due to low water, sediment buildup
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Public Services Department has closed the boat launch at Lucerne Harbor Park, which has become impassable to boats due to sediment buildup and the low water level.
The agency said Tuesday that, in order to protect public safety and prevent damage to public and private property, it was taking the action to temporarily close the boat launch at the park, located at 6225 East Highway 20.
The condition of the harbor has been a topic of concern for the community over the last several years, and in January 2019 the Lucerne Area Town Hall passed a resolution asking the county to spend a small portion of the $2.5 million sales price from the Lucerne Hotel to dredge the harbor.
After initial pushback to the request from the County Administrative Office, the Board of Supervisors ultimately approved the 2019-20 budget with $250,000 set aside for the project.
However, the project didn’t take place last fiscal year and so has been held over to this current fiscal year.
The price tag is now $350,000 and will include repairs to the deteriorating docks, based on the county budget document.
Public Services Deputy Director Kati Galvani said the sediment removal dredging project is expected to be completed next year.
Galvani said she could not give a more specific timeframe for the reopening of the harbor, which is popular with fishermen – professionals and amateurs alike – as well as recreational boaters.
She said the county needs to secure California Environmental Quality Act and regulator permits before the dredging is done.
“Topographic survey was completed last month and we will prepare the CEQA application, regulatory permit applications, and construction documents in the coming months for a calendar year 2021 dredging project,” Galvani said.
Asked about the last time the harbor was closed due to low water conditions, Galvani said she didn’t have records immediately handy but, based on staff’s recollection, “it is not an uncommon occurrence.”
Galvani said no other county boat launches are scheduled for closure currently due to low water, “but we will monitor and close as needed for safety reasons,” and will send out public announcements if necessary.
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