LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Three important Lake County projects will receive important funding thanks to the efforts of Rep. Mike Thompson.
Just in time for Christmas, on Friday Thompson (CA-05) announced that $3,738,600 for three projects in Lake County is included in the final 2023 appropriations government funding bill.
“Working with local leaders to identify projects that will help our community is one of my top priorities every year,” Thompson said Friday. “I am proud that three vital projects in Lake County were included in the government funding bill passed today. These projects will boost local revenue, create jobs, provide state-of-the-art first responder facilities, improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and restore wetlands.
He said he is proud to have secured this funding and he looks forward to seeing President Joe Biden sign this bill into law.
This funding includes:
• $2,000,000 for the Clearlake Burns Valley Sports Complex and Recreation Center Project, which will support the construction of a large sports and recreation center complete with baseball fields, soccer fields, a 20,000 square foot rec center, a small amount of retail space, a public works corporation yard and an 80-unit affordable housing project.
• $988,600 for the Lakeport Armory Facility Repurposing Project, which will rehabilitate and repurpose a decommissioned National Guard Armory facility in Lakeport for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office headquarters and the county’s Emergency Operations Center.
• $750,000 for the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project which will restart an authorized Corps of Engineers project in the Middle Creek area near Upper Lake to reduce flood and catastrophic loss, improve water quality, and restore vital wetlands habitat with cultural significance for the surrounding tribal communities.
“The Burns Valley Sports Complex is one of the most transformative projects we are working on for our community,” said Clearlake City Councilman Dirk Slooten, who served as mayor this past year. “We are so appreciative of Congressman Thompson’s support and that he is back representing the city of Clearlake! The $2 million contribution is the last piece of the funding puzzle that we expect will allow us to break ground in 2023.”
Supervisor EJ Crandell said the projects are vital to Lake County’s growth, and he thanked Thompson for his advocacy and representation.
“The Middle Creek restoration project has been ongoing for at least 30 years,” Crandell said. “We know Congressman Thompson is very familiar with the amount of impact this project will have on the health and revitalization of the Lake. The funding for this project will assist in another foundational reserve that gives the Army Corps more indication that Lake County is serious about bringing this project to the finish line for the people of Lake County.
In addition to those projects, Thompson also secured $3.7 billion for the Emergency Relief Program — or ERP, formerly known as WHIP+ — for agricultural losses sustained in 2022 due to wildfires, drought, freeze and other natural disasters.
Growers have been facing an unprecedented drought, and this program will help producers to rebuild and recover by providing financial assistance to cover a portion of their losses.
Thompson’s office said this program is important because it helps to ensure that farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to continue operating their businesses, even in the face of natural disasters.
It also helps to stabilize rural communities and keep the agricultural sector strong, which is vital for maintaining a secure and reliable food supply for the country.
Thompson also secured $1,205,966 for UC Davis to acquire two pieces of equipment which are essential for grape smoke exposure research in our district.
Research on smoke taint is vital to help winemakers and grape growers better understand the effects of smoke taint, as well as develop strategies for mitigating its impact.
This is important because smoke taint can significantly reduce the value and marketability of affected wines, which can have serious economic consequences for the wine community.
This bill passed the Senate by vote of 68-29. The bill passed the House by a vote of 225-201-1.
It will now go to President Biden’s desk for his signature.