The Trump Administration says it has no intention of assuming control of the Potter Valley hydroelectric power plant that’s slated for decommissioning by PG&E. If the decommissioning is approved, which is probably several years down the road, it would involve tearing down the Cape Horn Dam in Mendocino County and Scott Dam in Lake County. The Press Democrat reports that this would alter the flow of the Eel River to the Russian River, with a new multimillion-dollar diversion facility routing water from both the Eel and Russian watersheds to Marin, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties.
A Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy is under investigation after allegedly taking a county-owned patrol vehicle to a Willits bar while off duty, crashing it into a guardrail, and then continuing on to spend the night drinking before driving the damaged vehicle home. As per a press release obtained by MendoFever, the incident came to light on April 24 when a sheriff’s sergeant arrived at the Willits substation and noticed damage to a patrol vehicle. he deputy, who has served in both patrol and corrections divisions for over three years, did not report the damage as required. The MendoFever says his actions were in violation of department policy, which only allows patrol cars to be used for official duties such as training, court appearances, or when on-call. The deputy was placed on paid administrative leave and has had his peace officer powers revoked pending the outcome of the investigation.
The state of California is considering replacing gas taxes with mileage fees. The tax stands at 59-cents and is the main source of funding for highways and roads. A California Road Charge could replace the gas tax with a mileage-based user fee charged to drivers who use the roads. Since the state has been promoting electric vehicles, and more people are driving them, alternatives for the gas tax are being explored.
Last week, construction crews in Fort Bragg laid the foundation to install fiber for broadband by digging up streets in order to make high-speed internet available to everyone within the city. On Monday, at the regular City Council meeting, council members decided to close the gap and fund the project, by authorizing a $7 million 20-year loan from EverBank. The Mendocino Voice says according to Isaac Whippy, Fort Bragg’s City Manager, the city will also receive a complete map of water and sewer lines and hookups following the broadband install.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says beginning tomorrow, burn permits will be required in Mendocino County. The Mendocino Unit of Cal Fire also says that those burn permits will only be available online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/. The Ukiah Daily Journal says the permits are free of charge, and require annual renewal. You should also know that you’re responsible for checking the burn day status when you’re conducting hazard reduction burning. For more information, you can visit your local Cal Fire station or go to www.readyforwildfire.org.
Finance director Dan Buffalo will discuss and review the fiscal year 2025-26 budget for the valley fire authority at the Ukiah Valley Fire District Special Meeting budget Workshop. Tonight’s workshop will cover key components of the budget, including direct and indirect
costs and allocations, revenue sources, and the UVFA cost share between the City and District. Tonight’s meeting is virtual or in person at the Civic Center Council Chambers.
Millions of dollars in grant funding that’s been allocated to Mendocino County for wildfire preparations in the township of Brooktrails has been rescinded, FEMA officials say they’re ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program or BRIC and canceling all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports that FEMA officials say they’re working to develop a new approach to mitigation that is more responsive to state and local requirements, including the funding. FEMA will be reaching out and coordinating with recipients on projects.
