I believe this would make a timely letter as Lake County is asking us to pass a tax to be used directly for Clear Lake needs. Everyone can agree that Clear Lake is not clear. The algae have overtaken the lake. In the summer it turns green, it stinks and it is hindering the tourist industry.
Did you know there was a proven, simple, environmentally-friendly answer to this problem? I didn't say it was free, because it's not. In August I was in Texas and read an article about a lake with algae problems. It is located in the Austin area. The lake is more than 30 acres and was being ruined because of algae. Today, five years later they have only nine acres remaining with an algae problem.
I called the Lake County agency responsible for issues regarding the lake and they knew of this and agreed that what I read is true. However, we cannot use this as the state of California forbids it. What is the secret weapon? Are you ready? Sterile carp. Why does the State of California say no? No says the state.
We can't use this to eliminate the algae because there is no guarantee that all of the sterile carp are sterile. Carp is an invasive fish so the potential is that if any sterile carp that aren't sterile are used to eradicate algae, it could create an overabundance of carp.
I would willingly have too many invasive carp and gamble that any carp purchased would in fact be sterile because it would eliminate the algae problem. How about you? If Lake County finds that a sneaky sterile carp from that bunch released, was not sterile and the number of carp significantly increased then we could have a yearly carp derby to remove the overabundance.
This could be an event that might draw tourists like the Catfish Derby. There is always interest in events that are not only fun but where prizes are given.
Does anyone out there know how to have the State of California let us try to clean our lake without endangering the environment?
There would be a wonderful side effect if Lake County could get a waiver to this law. That side effect would be an increase in tourism that would increase revenue to the cities and county in the form of tax receipts and increased income for local businesses that rely on tourist dollars. Can you imagine a Clear Lake that is really clear?