The USDA Forest Service is releasing its Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, or PCT, Foundation Document — that will guide the future preservation and protection of the PCT — right as the season opens for northbound trail users starting their journey.

Since the Trail’s designation in 1968, the USFS has been the administrating agency for the iconic PCT and has collaboratively managed the trail with other natural resource agencies and partners.

“Until this point, the PCT Comprehensive Management Plan has directed the management of this unique recreation resource,” said Jennifer Eberlien, regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region of the USFS. “Today, we are honored to release the PCT Foundation Document, a companion document, which will ground us in a shared understanding of the trail’s nature and purposes, and will be used as a cornerstone in future management discussions.”

This foundation document combines legislative history, legal and policy requirements, special mandates, and administrative commitments, and illustrates the nature and purposes of the PCT in one comprehensive communication and management tool.

Partners, stakeholders and the general public helped identify the interpretive themes and fundamental resources and values threaded throughout the document.

“The development of the PCT Foundation Document allows us to explore and root ourselves in the intrinsic values of the PCT that led to its designation as a national scenic trail,” said Lindsey Steinwachs, Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail Administrator with the Pacific Southwest Region of the USFS.

By fostering a deeper understanding of the Trail, the PCT Foundation Document will help the USFS and partner land managers protect the fundamental resources and values of the PCT for this and future generations.

To read the document, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/pct/land-resources-management.

SACRAMENTO — As Gov. Newsom prepares for his May budget revision with estimated surplus funds potentially exceeding $68 billion, Assemblymember Marc Levine (D - Marin County) on Monday announced a $10 billion budget request that would invest $5 billion to incentivize home hardening in high wildfire risk areas and an additional $5 billion to establish a state Catastrophic Wildfire Reinsurance Fund.

These two requests are essential to prepare and respond to the year round wildfire risk that threatens families and homes across California.

The climate crisis has redefined California’s approach to wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts necessary to stop widespread loss of life and property.

Thanks to California’s resilient economy, the current estimated budget surplus presents a number of opportunities to make lasting investments and prevent future destruction resulting from wildfires.

Homeowners, especially those in rural or suburban communities are in dire need to reduce their own risk of wildfire by increasing defensible space around their home.

A homeowner that invests in science-based home hardening stands a higher chance of surviving a wildfire than homes that do not. Large-scale home hardening is an essential tool to reduce wildfire-caused losses now and into the future.

Levine’s $5 billion budget request will incentivize science-based home hardening by offering homeowners grants of up to $10,000 to reduce a homeowner’s wildfire risk and reduce the potential spread of wildfires in high-risk fire zones across California.

As has been demonstrated over the past several years, insurance companies are canceling or non-renewing insurance policies, raising premiums, or threatening insolvency due to increased wildfire risks in California.

Levine’s additional $5 billion request would establish the Catastrophic Wildfire Reinsurance Fund, a state administered reinsurance program to provide a stable and ongoing source of reimbursement to insurers for catastrophic wildfire losses.

This fund, based on Levine’s legislation, AB 1522 (2022), will be the last line of insurance protection and will cover all insured losses over a certain amount occurring during the annual wildfire season.

As wildfires become larger and more destructive, no insurer or financial entity in the future will be willing to assume wildfire liability risks unless the state of California can provide a framework and structure to limit exposure and bring stability and predictability to the California property insurance market. Levine’s $5 billion request will stabilize the insurance marketplace and increase the availability of comprehensive, affordable property insurance.

“We have to do more than the bare minimum as California wildfires become hotter, faster and more devastating,” said Assemblymember Marc Levine. “We must harness our state’s economic health to make lasting investments that will reduce homeowner risk to wildfire loss and help to stabilize the insurance marketplace. This $10 billion investment is a necessary down payment as part of our state’s broader work to address the climate crisis and the devastating economic impacts of wildfires in California and should be included in the 2022-23 Budget Act.”

Levine’s budget request will be considered as part of the 2022-23 state budget.

A copy of Levine’s $10 billion wildfire budget request to legislative leaders is published below.

Wildfire Budget Request 5-9-22.Docx by LakeCoNews on Scribd

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Maintaining an active lifestyle is vital to our long-term health. Having options, a variety of fitness activities, particularly if they are relatively close to where we live, can help each of us more consistently make positive choices.

The county of Lake, in collaboration with the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake and the Lake County Office of Education, invites your input regarding the future of recreational amenities in our region.

They hired a consulting team to develop a multiphase feasibility study that explores planning, funding and operational implications of a recreational and/or aquatics facility.

Their collective mission is to provide a haven for all community members to access fitness and health-related services.

Officials said they are working to provide a safe and healthy environment for all Lake County community members to develop a passion for fitness and health, engage in the community and support our neighbors to live our best lives.

What are your recreational and aquatics facilities needs and desires? What’s missing in your community?

Please complete the Lake County Region Recreational and Aquatics Facility Survey by June 6, 2022.

In recent months, the Blue Zones Project Lake County has been working to educate residents on ways to transform our well-being at our worksites, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, community organizations and more.

Developing and maintaining robust recreational amenities is one way we can move our communities forward, and promote better long-term health outcomes in Lake County.

To effectively target our approach, and develop the right amenities in the right communities, the survey organizers need to hear from you.

They offer their thanks to participants for partnering with them to promote the brightest, healthiest possible future for every Lake County resident.

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif. —‌ Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
‌‌‌ ‌
Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
The‌‌ ‌‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌Traffic‌‌ ‌‌Operations‌‌ ‌‌Office‌‌ ‌‌has‌‌ ‌‌reviewed‌‌ ‌‌each‌‌ ‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌determined‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌individual‌‌ ‌‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌delays‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌expected‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌less‌‌ ‌‌than‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌statewide‌‌ ‌‌policy‌‌ ‌‌maximum‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌30‌‌ ‌‌minutes‌‌ ‌‌unless‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
noted‌‌ ‌‌otherwise. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE‌‌ ‌‌COUNTY‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Highway‌‌ ‌‌20

— Road work will occur east of Scotts Valley Road on Wednesday, May 11. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work will begin on Sunday, May 8, in Upper Lake at Middle Creek. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Road work in Upper Lake near Upper Lake Lucerne Road is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Road work continues at the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff/Roundabout. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Road work will occur in Lucerne near Rosemont Drive on Tuesday, May 10 . One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Road work is scheduled to begin in Clearlake Oaks at Harvey Boulevard on Monday, May 9. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌29

— Road work will occur in Middletown near Shady Grove Road on Monday, May 9. One-way traffic control will be in place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Putah Creek continues. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Bridge work continues at Siegler Creek. One-way traffic control will be in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Road work will continue near Red Hills Road. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Bridge work will continue at the Lakeport Blvd Overcrossing. One-way traffic control will be in place from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Bridge work in Lakeport at the Park Way Overcrossing continues. One-way traffic control will be in place from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Bridge work continues at Scotts Creek. One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌53

— Bridge work at Cache Creek continues. Lane closures will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌175

— Road work will occur at McDowell Creek on Wednesday, May 11. One-way traffic control will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 20

— Road work will begin in Fort Bragg near Route 1 on Monday, May 9. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor slowdowns through the area.

— Tree work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 10 east of Fort Bragg near the South Fork Noyo River. One-way traffic control will be in place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌101

— Slide removal at Pieta Creek Bridge will continue. Northbound Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Moss Cove Safety Rest Area will be closed through July 2022.

— Empire Camp Safety Rest Area will be closed through July 2022.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌162

— Road work south of Dos Rios near the Rodeo Creek Bridge continues. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknight. Motorists should expect up to 10-minute delays.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌175

— Road work in Hopland at U.S. 101 will conclude on Friday, May 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

— Utility work will occur in Hopland near East Slide Road on Tuesday, May 10. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect up to five-minute delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Construction work from the Route 169 junction to north of Klamath will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work north of Klamath near Old Hunter Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Construction in the Last Chance Grade area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 25-minute delays at all hours.

Highway 199

— Permitted cleanup and repair work between Hiouchi and Gasquet will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Permitted utility work near Grizzly Creek Redwoods will occur on Monday, May 9, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

— Construction work from Buck Mountain Road to the Trinity County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌101

— Permitted utility work near the Alderpoint Road Overcrossing will occur on Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. A northbound onramp closure will also be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route.

— Permitted work near Pepperwood will occur on May 9, 10, and 11 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Construction from the Herrick Avenue Overcrossing to Washington Street in Eureka will continue. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌169

— Permitted utility work north of Weitchpec will continue. One-way traffic will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect five-minute delays.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌254

— Permitted utility work north of Redcrest will occur on May 9, 10, and 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway‌‌ ‌‌255

— Permitted work near Manila will continue. One-way traffic will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Construction near Route 200 will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect minor traffic slowdowns.

— Paving east of Blue Lake will begin. The westbound offramp at the Truck Scale House will be closed. Motorists should use an alternate ramp.

— Emergency work west of the Burney Vista Point will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should expect 15-minute delays.

— Construction east of the Burney Vista Point will continue. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Drainage work near Willow Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Air Quality Management District has funding available for woodstove replacement projects to be completed by June 30, 2022.

The funding is available for residents of Lake County who want to replace an uncertified woodstove or fireplace insert with a new, EPA-certified wood, electric or gas device.

A wood-burning fireplace used as a primary source of heat may also qualify.

The Woodsmoke Reduction Program is a voucher program supported by the California Climate Investments Program and administered by local air districts.

Applicants that demonstrate low-income household status may qualify for the maximum grant amount of $5,000. All other applicants may qualify for a grant amount of $1,500 to $2,500.

The grant generally will not cover the full cost of the installation.

Applications can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or in person at the district office located at 2617 S. Main St., Lakeport.

Applications are processed in the order they are received.

Applications may be found online at www.lcaqmd.net; follow the link to the woodstove/fireplace grant on the grants page.

Applications must be received by June 1, 2022 to be considered.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Thursday, April 28, at 6:30 a.m. the Toyota Fishing Tournament took off with 77 pro and 77 co-anglers.

The wind and fishing was challenging but the results were incredible.

Friday's cut left 25 pros and 25 co-anglers to return on Saturday.

The pros and co-anglers were joined by 33 college teams from as far away as Idaho.

Saturday afternoon's weigh-in had some very exciting moments especially when our own Kelseyville co-angler lost the tournament boat by one ounce.

Sunday brought 28 high school teams on the lake. Weather calmed down and teams from all over Northern California caught some nice bass.

Sunday weigh-in brought more heartaches and excitement when the first place team was disqualified, leaving the second place team from the Lake County Fishing Club to be named the winners.