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Water resources director asks for bridge funding for mussel prevention as PG&E readies Middle Creek work
Summary
Lake County’s water resources director told supervisors that roughly $6 million in watershed grants are pending and requested a $270,000 short‑term appropriation to keep invasive mussel prevention staff funded while grant awards and fee changes are finalized; staff also reported PG&E is now requesting a larger deposit to begin Middle Creek planning.
Pawan Opatier, Lake County Water Associate Director, told the Board of Supervisors the Watershed Protection District currently has roughly $6 million in grant awards pending or recently awarded that will be appropriated and adjusted midyear as projects finalize.
Ongoing work in the Bridal Creek/Middle Creek project drove several budget questions. Opatier said the board previously approved $200,000 for PG&E planning work (board action of Dec. 12, 2023), but that PG&E has recently asked for a $250,000 deposit to proceed. “We have already asked them if they will take $200,000 or they can work with their previous quote, but we have not heard back from them because it's a very recent development,” Opatier said. He told supervisors staff are negotiating and exploring whether restricted restoration reserves could temporarily cover a $50,000 gap if the board authorizes it.
Opatier also requested a time‑limited appropriation to maintain invasive mussel prevention staffing while grant award status is pending: a six‑month cost estimate of $270,000 to fund extra‑help staff and maintain the ramp monitoring program. He said the department is preparing proposals to increase revenue — including updating sticker prices and considering application fees for lake tournaments — to reduce long‑term dependence on grants.
Public comment underscored local concern about monitoring coverage and infrastructure. Elizabeth Larson of Lake County News said ramp monitors were absent at a major ramp during recent holidays and urged permanent decontamination stations and volunteer recruitment to cover gaps. “For the past two major holidays, they have been largely absent from one of the major ramps in the county,” Larson said, and asked whether tourism funding or volunteers could supplement the program.
Board members pressed staff on contingency plans and reserves. Opatier said the ramp program currently shows 17 ramp monitors, one coordinator and two on‑call staff (20 total with trainees) and described an on‑call approach to cover shortfalls, but acknowledged the program remains dependent on grant funding. Supervisors asked staff to return with more detailed options — including whether reserves could be used or fee increases implemented — and scheduled the watershed extraordinary request (the $270,000 item) for further consideration the following day.
No final appropriation for the $270,000 request was approved at the session; staff were directed to provide additional analysis and, if necessary, bring an extraordinary item for board action.
