SECTION 1.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Clear Lake, located in the County of Lake, is the largest freshwater lake in California with 68 square miles of surface area.
(2) Clear Lake supports large fish populations including bass, crappie, bluegill, carp, and catfish. In addition to fish, there are year-round populations of ducks, pelicans, grebes, blue herons, egrets, ospreys, and bald eagles. The lake basin also supports deer, bears, mountain lions, and other animals.
(3) Clear Lake has a problem with the explosive growth of algae blooms, which can create a dangerous condition for fish and wildlife. Cyanobacteria blooms are trapped at the surface of the water and die, creating unsightly slicks and odors. Some algae may produce toxic cyanotoxins that pose a range of health risks to both people and animals.
(4) Algae “mats” along the eastern and southern shores of the lake have sometimes become so thick as to completely block shoreline access and normal recreational use of the lake by residents and visitors. Close contact with cyanobacteria can result in rashes, irritated eyes, and respiratory problems.
(5) Clear Lake is contaminated by heavy metal pollutants, such as mercury from the Superfund site of the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine site along the southeastern end of the lake.
(6) The State Water Resources Control Board has listed Clear Lake as an impaired water body and has found that the forms of pollution are real and that a great deal of work needs to be done to restore the lake to a healthy balance.
(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to assist the County of Lake in restoring Clear Lake to healthier conditions so as to protect fish and wildlife as well as to preserve the unique recreational and economic opportunities that the lake provides.