Tuesday August 13, 2024
Lake County Record Bee —
The Lake County Civil Grand Jury investigated the Quagga and Zebra Invasive Mussel Program finding that precautionary signage is in need of maintenance as well a need to improve their website as to show more transparency in their budget.
After receiving a complaint on Nov. 30 2023 regarding “…a lack of response from the Lake County Board of Supervisors, concerning tax dollars expended on the Quagga Mussel Program” the civil grand jury responded with their review.
According to the CGJ report “The purpose of this program is to prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive mussels in Lake County waterbodies, including Clear Lake, Indian Valley Reservoir, Blue Lakes, Hidden Valley Lake, Highland Springs Reservoir, and Lake Pillsbury.” This responsibility falls on the Lake County Watershed Protection District and their affiliated partners as per state code. The CGJ shared “local codes and ordinances are therefore critically important in establishing local authorities to create prevention groups.” It continues to explain that due to the high numbers of private boat launches around the lake “self-enforcement of preventing the spread of invasive mussel, and other aquatic plants is dependent on responsible boaters following the guidelines.”