Lake County is taking steps to apply for thousands of dollars worth of state grants. They’re called Community Development Block Grants, and every year, counties can apply for up to 3.6 million from the state. Counties can make up to three separate applications for things like economic development or housing projects. Lake County has hired a firm called Community Development Services of Kelseyville, which specializes in those grants, and the Board of Commissioners will hear a presentation from the firm about what’s next at this week’s board meeting. Also on the board agenda, a temporary pause on permits for commercial cultivation of cannabis within the county’s unincorporated area. The pause would allow the county to draft a new ordinance about those businesses after a task force looking at cannabis ordinances was disbanded in March. Commissioner Helen Owen says the slowdown is a good idea until the correct ordinances and regulations are in place. The meeting starts at 10:00 am on Tuesday in the board chambers in Lakeport.
As zero-emission vehicle use grows, the need for more charging stations for EVs and fueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles will grow too. Now, Lake County wants input on where those chargers and stations should go. The Lake Area Planning Council has put up an online survey and an online map where you can share your thoughts about the best places for those facilities. They will also host a workshop on July 24 at Clearlake City Hall to take in-person comments. The goal is to write a plan that supports vehicle owners and also helps the economy. You can take part even if you have yet to own an alternative-fueled vehicle. The meeting on the 24th is from 5:30 to 7:30. There is more at the planning council’s website.
A small wildfire in a remote part of the Mendocino National Forest is no longer a concern. The Ivory Fire started Sunday in the forest in Glenn County, just over the Lake County line. Another fire South of Lower Lake is also contained and in the mop-up phase. The Marcy fire burned about 4 acres Sunday afternoon. It’s a different situation from what’s going on up north. Dozens of fires are raging from northern California into Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. And a major fire in the Grand Canyon area has destroyed a historic lodge on the Park’s North Rim. The fire started on July 4th, and the Governor of Arizona wants answers about the Park Service’s response.
With the ever-present risk of fire, Cal-Fire says it is important to know your evacuation zones. They say that knowledge could save time–and lives–in an emergency. If you don’t know, you can find out through Lake and Mendocino County emergency preparedness websites
