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Board approves LG Sonic buoy project for Clear Lake with environmental and safety conditions
Summary
The county approved a nearly $1 million grant-funded contract to deploy 14 LG Sonic ultrasonic buoys as a two-year trial to mitigate harmful algal blooms; the vote included conditions to complete environmental review and coordinate a navigation and public-safety plan with the sheriff and Lakeport/Clear Lake officials.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved a contract March 25 to buy and operate a 14-unit LG Sonic ultrasonic buoy system intended to reduce harmful algal blooms on Clear Lake. The award, funded through the Watershed Protection District with state grant support, passed 4-0 after questions about environmental review, public safety and operational logistics.
Water Resources Director Buona Podier told the board the $921,407.12 contract covers 10 MPC BuE Lite units and four MPC BuE Pro units; staff noted an additional $60,000 was budgeted to cover staff time and program support, bringing the total planned project cost to roughly $981,407.12. Podier said the 24-month project would include deployment, staff training and ongoing operation and monitoring. The county will partner with LG Sonic on installation and maintenance.
The LG Sonic system uses ultrasonic signals designed to reduce the buoyancy and proliferation of cyanobacteria and other nuisance algae. An LG Sonic representative said the company has not observed adverse impacts to aquatic life or waterfowl in other deployments and that the devices may encourage green-algae dominance while reducing toxin-producing cyanobacteria.
Several supervisors raised public-safety and operational questions: how buoys will be marked and lit for boaters, whether a rental boat or barge is needed for installation, how vandalism or damage would be handled and where responsibility for maintenance and replacement would fall. Sheriff Luke Bingham said the buoys’ size and weight create potential hazards if struck at speed and requested the sheriff’s marine patrol be involved in navigation planning. Podier said buoys would be fitted with lights and hazard markers; the county will post public information at boat ramps and coordinate a navigation plan.
County counsel and community development staff noted environmental review requirements. Community Development Director Maria Turner said CEQA and any federal NEPA review (because the project uses federal funds) must be completed prior to installation; the board’s approval was conditioned on obtaining required environmental approvals in accordance with the contract.
The board’s motion also directed staff to coordinate with the sheriff’s marine patrol for a navigation plan and with City of Clear Lake officials on logistics for delivery, staging and public outreach. Supervisors and staff said the deployment is a pilot: if the devices demonstrate benefit, the project could be expanded to other lake areas.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the LG Sonic buoy contract and the waiver of a county procurement requirement, contingent on CEQA/NEPA clearance and additional coordination (vote: 4-0).
