Lake County approves LG Sonic buoy pilot at Clear Lake, contingent on environmental review

At a meeting of the Lake County Board of Supervisors sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, supervisors voted 4-0 to waive a county procurement rule and award a $921,407.12 contract to LG Sonic for a 14‑buoy ultrasonic harmful‑algal‑bloom mitigation pilot at Clear Lake, with the award made contingent on completion of required environmental reviews and coordination on navigation and safety plans.

The project, described by Dr. Upadhyay, Lake County Water Resources Director, as a 24‑month effort, would purchase, install and operate 10 MPC Buoy Lite units and 4 MPC Buoy Pro units and include staff training and data collection. Dr. Upadhyay said the department will oversee implementation and long‑term maintenance in partnership with LG Sonic and that state grant funding covers the project. He said the Department budget unit 8109 will be used and reimbursements processed through account 1120. The department presented an anticipated construction cost around $1 million and a contracted equipment amount of $921,407.12 plus approximately…