Assemblymember Dodd Continues Fight to Restore Clear Lake

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) addressed the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources and Transportation in a continued attempt secure much needed funding to help protect and improve Clear Lake. In response, the subcommittee approved $1 million in funds to be included in the Assembly Budget for 2015-16.

"Clear Lake is a state treasurer and the fight to restore it will be a long one. We've come a long way in raising the awareness of this issue, which can no longer be ignored in Sacramento. People are taking note, and sooner or later we will see Clear Lake get the increased resources it needs." Assemblymember Dodd said.

Assemblymember Dodd is pursuing multiple avenues to secure critical funding for Clear Lake. Dodd's petition to the Budget Subcommittee to appropriate additional funds in the state budget toward restoration of the lake accompanies his bill, AB 367, which seeks to allocate funds for water quality improvement, wetland restoration, and protection against invasive species. Assemblymember Dodd has been working closely with Senator Mike McGuire to accomplish these goals, and the Senate budget subcommittee will consider a similar appropriation for the lake in late May.

Assemblymember Dodd brought Assemblymember Richard Bloom, chair of the subcommittee, to tour Clear Lake, which provided a firsthand look at the issues facing the lake.

"You cannot visit Clear Lake without getting a keen sense of its environmental and economic importance to the communities in Lake County," Dodd said. "I'd like to thank Assemblymember Bloom and the members of the subcommittee for their support in addressing the problems of Clear Lake."

Assemblymember Bill Dodd represents the 4th Assembly District of California, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Lake, and Colusa Counties.