KELSEYVILLE – This summer's severe infestation of cyanobacteria (also known as "blue-green algae") on Clear Lake has diminished the quality of life for many lakeside residents, impeded the recreational enjoyment of residents and visitors alike, and caused economic hardship to resort owners and other business people, especially along the south shore.

In order to minimize these adverse effects we have to figure out effective, practical techniques for dealing with these organisms during their periodic population explosions, but it is also very important to understand the relationship of the "algae" to the unique ecology of Clear Lake, and to promote actions that will foster the long term health of the Lake and its watershed, such as restoration of natural lakeside vegetation, reduction of erosion, and elimination of as many sources of pollution as possible.

In order to promote public understanding of these complicated issues, the Sierra Club Lake Group is hosting a special forum, "Stewards of the Lake," when an expert panel consisting of Yuba College Professor Dr. Harry Lyons, County Water Resources Engineer Tom Smythe, and Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Project Manager Rick Sugarek will address subjects such as: What does a healthy lake look like, and how can we get there? What monitoring information has been collected and what does it tell us? What's happening now in the SBMM Superfund site mercury pollution cleanup?

These questions and many more will be on the agenda during this free-ranging panel discussion, which will be held in Room 203 at Kelseyville High School (5480 Main St in Kelseyville) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday Sept. 22.

The meeting, which will be filmed for later broadcast on public access television Channel 8, is free and open to the public.

For more information call Victoria Brandon at 707-994-1931 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .