Supes receive reports on environment

The Behavioral Services Department shared one of its many annual audits for the first time

LAKEPORT >> At their Tuesday meeting the Lake County Board of Supervisors received saw a presentation by the Environmental Protection Agency discussing clean-up plans for the Sulpher Bank Mine Superfund site. The Board also heard annual reports regarding cyanobacteria levels in Clearlake and the Department of Behavioral Services' external quality review.

The Behavioral Services Department shared one of its many annual audits for the first time, the 2021 to 2022 external quality review final report. Department Director Todd Metcalf stated “We want to bring more of these audits to the Board, it's all about our goal in being transparent and ensuring that the community and the Board understands what we are doing. This is going to show the good, the bad, and the ugly, but we want to be transparent.” The report reflects some downfalls in clinical waiting times and staff morale. Metcalf said these issues are mainly caused by budgeting constraints and a lack of resources, which the department is beginning to battle with increased funding for employee support programs to help with staff burnout and high turnover rates.

Another report heard by the Board was from Water Resources Project Coordinator Angela De Palma-Dow concerning the annual pre-season Cyanobacteria levels found in Clearlake. Every year this report is made in preparation of more tourism and boats on the lake over the Summer. Due to the drought, this year's levels could be worse than in previous years and the Water Resources Department is keeping up with public communication by posting signage around water entry points warning everybody of the potential hazard level for that specific area. District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon suggested the use of geo-fencing to ensure communication with the

public and for county officials to be able to update both residents and visitors as to cyanobacteria levels. Simon said, “If we could just continue to look into these technological advances as we move forward to get public messaging out there.”

Carter Jessop, the EPA Lead Manager for the Sulpher Bank Mine Superfund site, presented an update on the agency's plans to clean up the toxic waste site. The mercury located at the Bradley Mining Company site has continually polluted the lake water, damaging the entire ecosystem and making the local fish and groundwater inconsumable. According to Jessop, the EPA is trying to “fast track” this operation with phase one of clean up to begin in 2024. District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier added, “Once a site is listed it should be cleaned up in five years, in 1996 that changed to 10.6 years. If we were listed in 1990 then we're at year 32 and that's where the public, and myself included, are frustrated.”

A schedule of upcoming and past meetings of the Lake County Board of Supervisors, as well as minutes to previous meetings can be found online at http://www.lakecountyca. gov/Government/Boards/ Board_of_Supervisors.htm