LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) has made more significant progress in her efforts to improve the health of Clear Lake.
Curry, whose district includes Lake County, announced on Monday that successful work with Secretary John Laird of the California Natural Resources Agency, or CNRA, and the Department of Water Resources, or DWR, to secure $15 million to help complete the first phase of the Middle Creek Restoration project located at the north end of Clear Lake in Lake County.
The grant will be funded by bond proceeds from Propositions 84 and 1E.
“I want to thank Secretary Laird, Director Nemeth and the staff at CNRA and DWR for their work on this critical project for Lake County,” said Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry. “This is a big victory for Clear Lake and the county. They’ve really used some creativity to come through for us.”
The Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project’s goal is to eliminate flood risk to residential structures, numerous outbuildings, and approximately 1,650 acres of agricultural land at the north end of Clear Lake. It will restore damaged habitat and help the watershed that feeds the lake.
Restoration of this large, previously reclaimed area, as a functional wetland is anticipated to have a significant effect on watershed health and the water quality of Clear Lake.
Clear Lake is the largest, natural freshwater lake in California and possibly the oldest lake in North America.
The natural properties of the Lake and the watersheds that feed into it make the lake very nutrient rich. One of the primary sources of these nutrients is located within the Middle Creek Restoration Project.
Completion of the project would have an immediate positive effect on the state of the lake and surrounding areas.
“Last year, in my AB 707, we were able to establish a Blue Ribbon Committee to guide the future of Clear Lake water and watershed quality and regional economic development, $2 million for Clear Lake research and a stewardship plan, and $5 million in the water bond on this year’s ballot to protect the Lake,” said Aguiar-Curry. “This grant for the Middle Creek Restoration Project will continue those efforts, reduce flooding, restore wetlands, and reduce the amount of nutrients flowing into Clear Lake. Gov. Brown, Secretary Laird and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon have been tremendous partners in our efforts to make Lake County’s future brighter, cleaner and more prosperous.”
Aguiar-Curry represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all of Lake and Napa counties, parts of Colusa, Solano and Sonoma Counties, and all of Yolo County except West Sacramento.
Aguiar-Curry secures $15 million from Natural Resources Agency to complete Middle Creek Restoration Project
- Lake County News reports
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