Lake County News,California

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: California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Posted On Sunday, 04 September 2022 02:29; 04 September 2022

Depleted oxygen levels from harmful algal bloom in SF Bay could trigger large-scale aquatic deaths

OAKLAND – As the massive harmful algal bloom, or HAB, stretching throughout the San Francisco Bay appears to be in decline, the State Water Resources Control Board, San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board and California Department of Fish and Wildlife are warning that depleted oxygen levels could lead to large-scale aquatic deaths in the days ahead.

Better known as a “red tide” since it has turned much of the Bay a reddish-brown color, the HAB was first detected in Alameda in late July and has grown to become the largest in the Bay’s recorded history.

Already, the HAB has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of fish, including large sturgeon, sharks, striped bass, bat rays and anchovy.

While this type of HAB is not considered a health threat to humans, it is recommended that people avoid swimming until further notice. The cause of the HAB is still not known.

“It’s very upsetting to see the scale of harm to aquatic life and we know how disturbing this has been for the public,” said Eileen White, executive officer of the San Francisco Regional Water Board. “We are doing everything possible to monitor the situation, work with other agencies and search for solutions.”

At Lake Merritt, which is connected to San Francisco Bay, reports suggest as many as 10,000 fish died in late August.

On Aug. 29, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board staff conducted a field investigation at Lake Merritt, where very low dissolved oxygen levels were measured in the water.

Water samples were collected for identification of algal species and toxins. Updates to this sampling event will be posted on the HAB web map.

CDFW will be conducting both boat and shore-based surveys next week at various locations around San Pablo and Suisun bays.

The goals of these surveys will be to determine the geographic extent of the fish kill, any expansion into new areas, the species affected and the numbers of dead fish on select target species such as white and green sturgeon.

CDFW is also tracking reports from partners and community scientists to determine where fish mortalities are occurring.

Due to the likelihood of increased fish mortalities through the weekend, CDFW is encouraging people who may be recreating on the nearby shorelines in affected areas to report sightings of dead fish through the iNaturalist smartphone app.

The water boards have worked with various agencies, including the City of Oakland, Alameda County, San Mateo County and East Bay Regional Park District to post caution advisory signs near affected waters (e.g., Lake Merritt, the Oakland Estuary, Coyote Point, and Crown Beach) to inform the public to avoid contact with the discolored water caused by the red tide.

For questions specifically related to fish mortalities from this HAB, please contact Jordan Traverso at CDFW at 916-212-7352.

For more information about HABs, please visit Cabs/slifornia Harmful Algal Blooms Portal.

: CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL; Posted On Wednesday, 24 August 2022 01:09; 24 August 2022

CHP canine team seizes 500 pounds of methamphetamine in Central Valley traffic stop

**Crystal methamphetamine seized by CHP Central Division canine team in Bakersfield, California. Photo courtesy of the California Highway Patrol.**

FRESNO, Calif. – In one of the largest drug seizures by a California Highway Patrol Central Division canine team, a CHP canine officer seized 500 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and arrested two suspects on several drug charges in Bakersfield last week.

The bust came on the heels of two other major drug seizures on the same day earlier this month by Central Division canine officers, whose seven teams since the beginning of the year have seized 1,384 pounds of illegal drugs, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl, during their traffic enforcement duties.

Officers have also arrested 97 suspects on various drug charges and confiscated 17 weapons and nearly $1.3 million in cash.

At 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, a CHP officer stopped a 2017 Land Rover for a vehicle code violation on northbound State Route 99, north of 7th Standard Road in Bakersfield.

After noticing indicators of criminal activity, the officer deployed his canine, which alerted to the odor of narcotics.

During a search of the vehicle, the officer found crystal methamphetamine in several cardboard boxes in the cargo area and arrested two male suspects from Fresno who were booked into Kern County Jail on charges of possessing a controlled substance for sale and selling or transporting methamphetamine.

The case has been sent to the Kern County Narcotics Task Force.

“Illegal narcotics have a devastating effect on our communities,” said CHP Central Division Chief Ceto Ortiz. “I would like to thank our Central Division Canine Unit for its continued commitment and dedication to removing dangerous narcotics from our roadways.”

Tuesday’s arrests follow two traffic stops by Central Division canine officers on the same day recently that resulted in the combined seizure of 150 pounds of drugs — 92 pounds of cocaine and 66 pounds of methamphetamine.

On Aug. 11, at approximately 1:35 p.m., a canine officer from the CHP’s Central Division stopped a 2017 Nissan Rogue on Interstate 5 at Nees Avenue in Fresno County for a vehicle code violation.

During the contact, the officer noted several indicators of criminal activity and obtained consent to search the vehicle. During the search, the officer discovered 92 pounds of cocaine hidden within the vehicle.

Agents with the High Impact Investigations Team (HIIT) responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

The driver, Umar Ovalle, 35, of King County, Washington, was subsequently booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of possession of cocaine for sale, transportation of cocaine across noncontiguous counties, and possession of a compartment used to transport narcotics.

Later that day, at approximately 3:15 p.m., a second CHP Central Division canine officer stopped a Nissan Frontier along State Route 99 north of Avenue 24 in Tulare County for a vehicle code violation.

During the contact, the officer noticed signs of criminal activity and deployed the canine to search the exterior of the pickup.

The canine alerted to the odor of narcotics and a subsequent search resulted in the recovery of approximately 66 pounds of methamphetamine on the rear seat.

The driver, Miguel Oropeza, 32, of Kern County was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Kern County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine for sale and transportation of methamphetamine across noncontiguous counties.

“I am extremely proud of the work of our canine teams throughout the state, who are working tirelessly to identify drug traffickers and remove illegal weapons and drugs from our communities,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “Our efforts to arrest those using our freeways for dangerous illegal activity will continue.”

: California Transportation Commission; Posted On Tuesday, 23 August 2022 01:41; 23 August 2022

California allocates more than $2.2 billion for transportation infrastructure

The California Transportation Commission has allocated more than $2.2 billion to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state at its August meeting.

The allocation includes more than $1.6 billion in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, or IIJA, and nearly $336 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“Thanks to a historic influx of federal funding and our ongoing investments powered by SB 1, California continues to make major progress in rebuilding, revitalizing and reimagining our infrastructure to support a cleaner, safer and more equitable transportation system,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

Projects approved this week include:

• Approximately $9.6 million toward pavement and roadway improvements along U.S. 101 from Fortuna to Alton in Humboldt County. The $9.6 million allocation includes more than $8.7 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $22.4 million toward improvements on Route 36 at Hely Creek Bridge, Little Larabee Creek Bridge and Butte Creek Bridge near Bridgeville in Humboldt County. The $22.4 million allocation includes more than $19.9 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $7.8 million toward the construction of a retaining wall and roadway improvements on Route 96 near Weitchpec in Humboldt County. The $7.8 million allocation includes more than $7 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $7.5 million toward roadway and sidewalk improvements in Humboldt County along U.S. 101 in Eureka from McCullen Avenue to Commercial Street and the installation of fiber optic communications from traffic signals to the Caltrans District 1 Office. The $7.5 million allocation includes more than $6.7 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $8.7 million toward roadway improvements in Humboldt County along U.S. 101 in Eureka from north of V Street to 6th Street. The $8.7 million allocation includes more than $7.8 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $5.4 million toward storm damage roadway repairs and the construction of retaining walls at four locations on Route 169 between Pecwan and Weitchpec in Humboldt County. The $5.4 million allocation includes more than $4.8 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $6.7 million toward the construction of a bridge for fish-passage improvements along Route 254 from south of Maple Hills Road near Phillipsville in Humboldt County. The $6.7 million allocation includes more than $5.9 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $32 million toward roadway improvements and the construction of retaining walls along Route 299 near Willow Creek from East Fork Bridge to east of Cedar Creek Road in Humboldt County. The $32 million allocation includes more than $28 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $616,000 in support allocations toward roadway, drainage and guardrail upgrades near Albion north of Route 128 to South of Navarro Ridge Road in Mendocino County.

• Approximately $1.9 million in support allocations toward roadway improvements along U.S. 101 from the Hopland Overhead to Mountain House Road near Hopland in Mendocino County.

• Approximately $2.2 million in support allocations toward roadway, guardrail and other improvements along U.S. 101 near Hopland from Felix Creek Bridge to First Street in Mendocino County.

• Approximately $1.8 million in support allocations toward roadway improvements on U.S. 101 from Willits to south of Black Bart Road in Mendocino County.

The CTC also adopted the 2022 California Transportation Asset Management Plan at the meeting.

The plan lays out the needs and investment strategies for Caltrans and its partner agencies to maintain the state’s highway infrastructure — including pavement, bridges and other assets — over the next decade.

California’s plan was the first in the nation to be certified by the Federal Highway Administration. The CTC’s adoption finalizes the plan.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between the state and local agencies.

Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

For more information about transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit http://RebuildingCA.ca.gov.

: GOVERNOR’S OFFICE; Posted On Thursday, 25 August 2022 02:59; 25 August 2022

Governor announces $694 Million in Homekey awards to create more than 2,500 new homeless housing units statewide

**Gov. Gavin Newsom visits Homekey project in Los Angeles preparing to welcome tenants on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.**

Alongside state and local leaders at a new Homekey project in Los Angeles preparing to welcome tenants, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced the award of $694 million for 35 projects that will create more than 2,500 new units in 19 communities throughout the state.

In total, including Wednesday’s announcement, California’s nation-leading Homekey program has funded more than 200 projects statewide — creating more than 12,500 permanent and interim homes for people exiting homelessness.

“With 12,500 new homes funded in just two years, Homekey is changing lives across the state,” said Newsom. “Homekey’s groundbreaking success is a model for the nation, showing that we can make real progress on ending homelessness in months, not years. In partnership with cities and counties like Los Angeles, we’ll continue to safely house Californians in need faster and more cost-effectively than ever.”

The governor celebrated Homekey’s recent two-year anniversary at a volunteer workday for a Los Angeles Homekey project, where he assisted in assembling welcome kits as part of the site’s move-in preparations. Including today’s awards, the Los Angeles region has to date received $948 million for 62 Homekey projects that will create 4,034 units of housing.

The governor was joined by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez and Department of Housing and Community Development Director Gustavo Velasquez.

“Homekey is more than just another tool in our toolbox in the work to end homelessness – it’s an opportunity for thousands to start anew, and an injection of pride and dignity that can keep Angelenos off the street for good,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Thanks to this latest infusion of funds, hundreds of people experiencing homelessness today will be offered the stability of a permanent home, the safety of a door with a lock, and the services they need to get back on their feet.”

Homekey has become a national model for how to quickly deploy emergency funds to meet the diverse needs of rural, suburban, urban and tribal communities working to expand homeless housing.

Building on the program’s success, the state budget signed by the governor this year invests an additional $150 million, bringing total Homekey funding to $3.75 billion.

“Homekey has been one of our most effective and catalytic affordable housing supply solutions,” said BCSH Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “Thanks to Gov. Newsom’s vision, in 24 months, we designed a hotels-to-housing national model, mobilized technical assistance and marshaled historic housing resources. The state brought together housing providers, social service organizations, residents and local leaders to create over 12,500 places that people exiting homelessness can call home. This is an incredible example of good government responding with compassion, speed and transformative solutions.”

Newsom on Wednesday also announced $47 million in housing grants to create more residential care options for seniors and adults with disabilities, including people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

These grants are the first to be awarded through the new Community Care Expansion — Capital Expansions Grants Program administered by the California Department of Social Services to help address historic gaps in the state’s behavioral health and long-term care continuum.

The governor’s multibillion-dollar homeless housing investments will provide more than 55,000 new housing units and treatment slots in the coming years.

Building on last year’s historic $12 billion investment to help get the most vulnerable people off the streets, the state budget this year invests an additional $3 billion in behavioral health housing, homeless emergency aid, and encampment rehousing strategies, creating a total $15 billion package.

“In just two years, Homekey has facilitated the creation of 12,500 interim and permanent homes for our most at-risk Californians. In this program, HCD continues implementing systemic changes to address both the urgent need to shelter people and to progress toward our Statewide Housing Plan goal for more affordable housing for lower-income and unhoused residents who are disproportionately people of color,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “State and local collaboration has been key throughout these two years, and we must continue to use Homekey as a model to accelerate production and affirmatively further fair housing.”

The latest Homekey awards include the following projects:

• City of Fontana: $3.1 million for 14 interim units.
• City of Fresno: Four awards totaling $57.9 million for 283 units.
• City of Los Angeles: Ten awards totaling $277.3 million for a total of 960 units.
• County of Los Angeles: Two awards totaling $24.6 million for a total of 78 units.
• City of Long Beach: Two awards totaling $30.6 million for 110 interim units.
• City of Newark: $38.1 million for 124 permanent units and one manager unit.
• City of Oakland: $5.6 million for 24 interim units and 10 interim youth units.
• City of Palo Alto: $26.6 million for 108 interim units.
• County of Riverside/Palm Springs: $19.1 million for 70 interim units and 10 interim youth units.
• County of San Diego: $11.8 million for 40 permanent units and one manager unit.
• San Francisco: Two awards totaling $73.4 million for a total of 221 units.
• City of San Jose: $51.6 million for 204 interim units.
• County of San Luis Obispo: $568,000 for 3 interim housing youth units.
• City of Santa Rosa: Two awards totaling $24.7 million for 91 units.
• Sonoma County: $6.3 million for 21 permanent units and one manager unit.
• City of Stockton: $4.1 million for 14 permanent units and one manager unit.
• City of Thousand Oaks: $26.7 million for 77 permanent units and one manager unit.
• County of Ventura: $5.9 million for 27 interim youth units.
• City of West Hollywood: $6 million for 20 interim units and one manager unit.

: CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL; Posted On Wednesday, 24 August 2022 01:07; 24 August 2022

CHP to deploy a motorcycle safety enforcement operation in Humboldt Area

ARCATA, Calif. — Whether you drive on a scenic highway or a congested freeway, motorcycles are all around.

As such, motorcycle-involved crashes in California continue to be a major concern for the California Highway Patrol.

In an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle incidents or crashes resulting from unsafe speed, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, improper turning, and other violations by both motorcyclists and other drivers, the CHP Humboldt Area will deploy additional officers throughout the 2022 Labor Day weekend.

To assist the CHP in this traffic safety effort, the Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has awarded a grant titled “Get Educated and Ride Safe III.”

With the grant-funding, the Humboldt Area will continue to deploy additional enforcement efforts through Sept. 30, 2022.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Humboldt Area office at 707-822-5981.

: Cal Fire; Posted On Tuesday, 23 August 2022 01:40; 23 August 2022

Prescribed pile-burning operations planned at Gualala Aug. 24

NORTH COAST, Calif. — Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit — in collaboration with Sonoma County Regional Parks, the North Sonoma Coast Fire Protection District and the South Coast Fire Protection District in Mendocino County — is planning to conduct pile burns at Gualala Point Regional Park on Aug. 24 to take advantage of cool coastal conditions.

Pile burning will only be conducted during cool weather conditions and with ample fire-suppression resources available at the site.

The fire agencies will provide fire engines and crews to manage the burning process throughout the day, and Regional Parks staff will work in collaboration with the fire agencies.

To reduce smoke and air pollution, we are following best management practices. The burn piles have been cured over several months, reducing the moisture content of the woody material and providing the conditions for a more complete and efficient burn.

The upcoming pile burning at Gualala Regional Park is a continuation of fuels reduction work that began earlier this year with the California Conservation Corps providing the workforce to thin vegetation along the forested windrows and stack the material into burn piles.

This work will help reduce wildfire severity by thinning vegetation to minimize surface and ladder fuels and help protect the remaining trees and adjacent communities from wildfire.

It will also help build and foster collaboration between Parks and fire agency personnel.

For more information about fire safety or controlled burning and its benefits, visit the Cal Fire website at www.fire.ca.gov or call your local Cal Fire facility.

Regional

Depleted oxygen levels from harmful algal bloom in SF Bay could trigger large-scale aquatic deaths

CHP canine team seizes 500 pounds of methamphetamine in Central Valley traffic stop

California allocates more than $2.2 billion for transportation infrastructure

Governor announces $694 Million in Homekey awards to create more than 2,500 new homeless housing units statewide

CHP to deploy a motorcycle safety enforcement operation in Humboldt Area

Prescribed pile-burning operations planned at Gualala Aug. 24

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