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Findings and Recommendations 18 findings
F1
Communications between LCAQMD and the fire districts back in 2024 resulted in a decision by both parties that the fire districts would no longer be issuing Residential Burn Permits independently of LCAQMD.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
That DPW explore funding additional inspectors, at the expense of PG&E. (F4, F5) RESPONSE: "PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC UNDERGROUNDING IN LAKE COUNTY" While the Board of Supervisors was not required to respond, our Board is responsible for oversight of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Administrative Office staff and our Board have reviewed and concur with the Responses of Public Works Director, Glen March. Our Board expects and encourages effective collaboration between PG&E and the Department to provide for efficient and compliant construction, and appropriate emergency services and residential notifications. R-2: That DPW contract with a licensed engineering firm to perform inspections of PG&E, and their subcontractors, during heavy inspection times. (F4, F5) RESPONSE: SEE R1 R-3: That DPW enforce the CATTCH guidelines, per their encroachment permits. (F1) RESPONSE: SEE R1
F2
In 2024-2025, LCAQMD entered into an agreement with the six fire districts that all RBPs were to be issued online, in-person, and on the telephone only through LCAQMD.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
That DPW ensure that PG&E make all required emergency service and residential notifications in a timely manner. (F2, F3) RESPONSE: SEE R1 QUAGGA MUSSEL FUNDING
F3
There is a difference between the RBPs issued through the LCAQMD website and those issued through the Cal Fire website, which go directly to the fire districts and require purchasers to watch an instructional video on controlled burns before RBP approval. Many of these RBPs are for “exception” burns, and, when the location is within an SRA or FRA region, watching the instructional controlled burn video is required.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
That DPW ensure that PG&E make all required emergency service and residential notifications in a timely manner. (F2, F3) RESPONSE: SEE R1 QUAGGA MUSSEL FUNDING
F4
The fire districts as of 2024-2025 are no longer issuing RBPs to the public but have turned that task over to the LCAQMD. The fire districts will continue to assist LCAQMD with all RBP “exceptions” site inspections through the year as a point of fire mitigation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
That DPW explore funding additional inspectors, at the expense of PG&E. (F4, F5) RESPONSE: "PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC UNDERGROUNDING IN LAKE COUNTY" While the Board of Supervisors was not required to respond, our Board is responsible for oversight of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Administrative Office staff and our Board have reviewed and concur with the Responses of Public Works Director, Glen March. Our Board expects and encourages effective collaboration between PG&E and the Department to provide for efficient and compliant construction, and appropriate emergency services and residential notifications. R-2: That DPW contract with a licensed engineering firm to perform inspections of PG&E, and their subcontractors, during heavy inspection times. (F4, F5) RESPONSE: SEE R1 R-3: That DPW enforce the CATTCH guidelines, per their encroachment permits. (F1) RESPONSE: SEE R1
F5
When Lake County residents obtain a Residential Burn Permit online but actually need an Agricultural Burn Permit instead, they may execute a controlled burn that becomes a break-out burn and will require fire-district emergency intervention and put the County at risk.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
That DPW explore funding additional inspectors, at the expense of PG&E. (F4, F5) RESPONSE: "PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC UNDERGROUNDING IN LAKE COUNTY" While the Board of Supervisors was not required to respond, our Board is responsible for oversight of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Administrative Office staff and our Board have reviewed and concur with the Responses of Public Works Director, Glen March. Our Board expects and encourages effective collaboration between PG&E and the Department to provide for efficient and compliant construction, and appropriate emergency services and residential notifications. R-2: That DPW contract with a licensed engineering firm to perform inspections of PG&E, and their subcontractors, during heavy inspection times. (F4, F5) RESPONSE: SEE R1 R-3: That DPW enforce the CATTCH guidelines, per their encroachment permits. (F1) RESPONSE: SEE R1
F6
The signage on the LCAQMD building/facility in Lakeport is difficult to see from the access road due to positioning, sign size, and size of lettering, causing difficulty in locating it for the residents traveling there.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
It was not possible to talk to someone in-person or by telephone when contacting LCAQMD to obtain a Residential Burn Permit, between October 11– November 22, 2024, due to no staff when our juror visited or called LCAQMD.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
There have been staffing problems at LCAQMD since mid-2024.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The APCO of LCAQMD had 2.8 employees and needed 6 employees. Recently, LCAQMD hired two new engineers just out of college.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The fire districts reported dealing with the LCAQMD computer system as frustrating, inefficient, and prone to repeated malfunctioning, break-downs, lapses in operation, problems with pop-ups, and overall failing to work consistently. These problems, while reported to LCAQMD, remain unsolved.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Fire districts support residents with smaller than 1-acre parcels utilizing controlled burn “exceptions” for their necessary burns.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The APCO of LCAQMD is not in favor overall of “exception” burns because of problems they cause with air-quality parameters, despite the fact that Lake County residents need to be able to utilize “exception” burns.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Fire districts prefer that residents who need to utilize “exception” burns obtain RBPs on the Cal Fire website so the request can be reviewed initially by a fire specialist, instead of purchasing the RBP for an “exception” burn on the LCAQMD website.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Public referrals to alternative debris-disposal methods that appear on the Residential Burn Permit application under ‘Alternative Vegetation Disposal Methods’ contain information that is incorrect.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
The combined efforts of, and open lines of communication between, the fire district staff and offices and LCAQMD staff and offices are required to assure the safety of all controlled burns by County residents.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The APCO of LCAQMD needs to attend the monthly meetings of the six fire protection districts to facilitate open lines of communication.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
With RBPs now under the jurisdiction of LCAQMD, whose office is located in Lakeport, the public may need additional “satellite sites” around the Lake where they may connect with LCAQMD via internet, telephone, or in-person representatives for help with RBPs, permits of any kind and other important help and information. These could take the form of kiosks, libraries, or local businesses/agencies who can assist the public with LCAQMD products and services.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The Residential Burn Permit Application Form is in need of many changes, which are discussed in detail in this report, including suggested changes to the permit “WARNINGS.” RECOMMENDATIONS
No recommendations for this finding
Additional Recommendations 15
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R2That the Board of Supervisors propose a Memorandum of Understanding between LCAQMD and the six separate fire districts to cooperate in the joint issuance of Residential Burn Permits. [F-1, F-2, F-4, F-5, F-15]
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R3That the Board of Supervisors diagnose and correct whatever issues there are with the LCAQMD computer system that are causing complaints about the system’s not working properly when interfaced by the fire districts and used by the public. [F-10]
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R5That the Board of Supervisors supply more visible address signs outside the office of LCAQMD to make it easier for the public to locate. [F-6]
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R6That the Board of Supervisors correct the information on the Residential Burn Permit under ‘Alternative Vegetation Disposal Methods’ that are currently incorrect. [F-14]
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R7That the Board of Supervisors propose a Memorandum of Understanding between LCAQMD and the six separate fire districts regarding the role of the APCO in the fire districts’ monthly meetings, in order to facilitate open lines of communication between LCAQMD and the fire districts. [F-16]
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R8That the Board of Supervisors set up “satellite sites” for LCAQMD to assist County residents as needed. [F-17]
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R9That the Board of Supervisors recommend ALL Residential Burn Permit applicants be required to view the Cal Fire controlled burn video as part of obtaining a County burn permit, or “exception” burn permit, regardless of the BFFP special fire responsibility area they are in (LRA, SRA, or FRA). [F-3]
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R10That the Board of Supervisors propose a Memorandum of Understanding between LCAQMD and the six separate fire districts to cooperate in joint issuance of controlled “EXCEPTION” burns as necessary. [F-11, F-12, F-13, F- 15]
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R11That the Board of Supervisors make changes that are needed to the Residential Burn Permit Application Form as per the suggestions proposed in this report, including spaces on the form for purchasers to enter the number of actual piles to be burned, size of the piles, detailed list of contents of piles being burned, and schematic plot to mark placement of piles and burn plan for the parcel, as well as making the permit “WARNINGS” much stronger and more visible on the form. (See details on report pages 17-19) [F-18] REQUIRED RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code sec. 933(c), the following responses are required: Lake County Board of Supervisors: (R-1, R-2, R-6, R-10) 90 days Lake County Board of Directors for LCAQMD: (R-3, R-4, R-5, R-7, R-8, R-9, R-11) 90 days INVITED RESPONSES Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD) LCAQMD is invited to respond to Recommendations: [R-1 through R-11] of the date of this report. All Fire District Boards are invited to respond to Recommendations: [R-1, R-2, R-7, R-9, R-10, R-11] of the date of this report Lakeport Fire Protection District Board Lake County Fire Protection District Board Northshore Fire Protection District Board Kelseyville Fire Protection District Board South Lake Fire Protection District Board Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District Board . BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Lake County Fire Safe Council: firesafelake.org. 2. California Air Resources Board: ww2.arb.ca.gov. 3. lcaqmd.net/home/burn-permit/ 4. lcaqmd.net/mt-content/uploads/2024/06/burn-permit-fee-schedule.pdf 5. lakeconews.com/news/81380-lake-county-returns-to-the-top-25-cleanest- counties-in-the-nation-for-air-quality 6. pressdemocrat.com/article/news/lake-countys-air-rated-cleanest-in-the- nation 7. lung.org/getmedia/ Additional sources of information: CARB: Current Air District Rules: ww2.arb.ca.gov/capp/cst/tch/current-air-district-rules CARB: Air District Rules: ww2.arb.ca.gov/air-district-rules List of California Wildfires: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_Wildfires
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R12Do you currently hold a civic elective position (school board, commission, etc.)?_____ If yes, please list the identity of the agency, position held and term of expiration date _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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R13Why would you like to serve on the Grand Jury? ____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________
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R14What departments of County or City government or County/City services, if any, do you believe warrant closer scrutiny, and why?:_____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
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R15Are you or your spouse now, or have you ever been employed by a governmental body or agency, and if so in what capacity?:__________________________________ Pursuant to Penal Code Section 903.2, I understand an investigation that will include a criminal record check will be conducted to help determine my eligibility to serve as a Grand Juror. I further understand that if my name is drawn as a Grand Juror or as an alternate, I may be required to attend grand jury training; if I am seated as a Grand Juror, I will be available to attend grand jury meetings and devote the required time to complete grand jury work for one year, from July through June. I further understand that if my name is drawn as an alternate, I will remain available for one year to serve as a member of the grand jury if called upon. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Dated: _______________________ Signature: __________________________________ (Please insert date signed) (Please sign your name here) For statistical records, please mark appropriate boxes. Age Range; specifically: 18- 25 26-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75 and over Gender: Male Female Race or Ethnicity: White (Anglo) Other Race or Ethnicity (Please state ___________) Decline to Answer Place of Residence by Supervisorial District: District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5
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R01-045) Hydroinfiltrator rainwater harvesting system on soil moisture. October 2023 Geoderma 6) Turlock Irrigation District’s (TID) Project Nexus https://www.tid.org/current-projects/project-nexus/ 7) U.S. Weather Bureau Technical Paper No. Rainwater Harvesting Copyright © 2025 https://harmonyfarm.com/rainwater-harvesting/ 8) Hadhazy, Adam San Joaquin Valley sinking November 19th, 2024 https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/11/groundwater-pumping-drives-rapid-sinking-in- california#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20shows%20land,year%20between%202006%20and%2 02022. Grand Jury Report on Site Visit to Mendocino County Juvenile Hall: April 9, 2025 On April 9, 2025, the Lake County Civil Grand Jury paid a site visit to the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall (MCJH), located at 585 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 95482. Website: mendocinocounty.gov/government/probation/juvenile-hall
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R55-6465-74 75 and over Gender: Male Female Race or Ethnicity: White (Anglo) Other Race or Ethnicity (Please state ___________) Decline to Answer Place of Residence by Supervisorial District: District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5