Lucerne Harbor Dock Lakebed Encroachment Permit (PL-25-392)
Summary
SCH Number
2026050081
Public Agency
Lake County
Document Title
Lucerne Harbor Dock Lakebed Encroachment Permit (PL-25-392)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/4/2026
Document Description
BACKGROUND: The Lucerne Harbor Dredging Project, which included dredging and removal of +/-3,000 cubic yards from the existing boat ramp channel, was completed in December, 2024. The project included a Complex Grading Permit (GR 22-36) and was analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) with an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS 22-37; SCH No. 2022120399). The project and related CEQA were approved by the Zoning Administrator on January 23, 2023. The project included a Lakebed Encroachment Permit from the Lake County Water Resources Department and a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (No. LAK-21265-R2) from the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: The County of Lake, Public Services Department, proposes to install two (2) new 8 ft by 40 ft floats on an existing dock facility at the Lucerne Harbor Park, which is developed with a boat ramp and launching facilities. Installation would include two (2) new 8-in diameter steel pilings to anchor the new floats to the existing dock.
Construction is anticipated to take approximately three weeks. All materials and equipment will be transported from the staging yard at 1624 Parallel Drive in Lakeport to existing boat ramps in Clearlake or Lucerne. Installation of docks would occur from the water on barges and pontoon boats. Hand tools, generator and welders would be utilized to install equipment. All loading of materials and boat launching will take place at existing boat ramps in Clearlake or Lucerne.
Lakebed disturbance would be limited, with installation of two (2) 8-in pilings using a free fall hammer method. No digging, constant vibration or drilling will be used; a hammer would drive them directly in the lakebed. The new floats would connect to the portion of the existing dock that is in the water, so no new shoreline disturbance would occur. No trees or vegetation would be removed for this project. All activities would occur within existing disturbed areas of the harbor, including the area that was previously dredged.
Contact Information
Name
Michelle Irace
Agency Name
County of Lake
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Joe Cooper
Agency Name
County of Lake
Job Title
Capital Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
unincorporated
Counties
Lake
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
E State HWY 20; 7th Ave; 8th Ave.
Zip
95458
Total Acres
1.57
Jobs
3
Parcel #
034-121-11
State Highways
HWY 20
Railways
n/a
Airports
n/a
Schools
n/a
Waterways
Clear Lake
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303, New Construction; 15301 Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
A Categorical Exemption is anticipated to be the level of environmental review required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the project. Section 15303, New Construction of Small Structures and 15301, Existing Facilities, of the CEQA Guidelines consists of modification of existing facilities, as well as the construction of new, small facilities or structures appurtenant to existing facilities.
As previously noted, the project includes the addition of two floating docks to an existing dock. The County regularly maintains the harbor and boat facilities. Most recently, 3,000 cy of sediment was removed from the harbor in December 2024. The proposed facilities would be within the footprint of the previously dredged area. Additionally, no vegetation removal or shoreline disturbance would occur. The County will obtain a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement from CDFW and all lakebed disturbance would take place between October 15 and December 31 to protect the Clearlake hitch, unless otherwise approved by CDFW.
Notification of the project was sent to all tribes within Lake County, including Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians (Tribe), who previously provided construction monitoring for the dredging project. The Tribe requested that a monitor be on-site during lakebed disturbing activities, in the event unanticipated resources are discovered.
In accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Section 15300.2, there would be no cumulative impacts related to the project; there are no known unusual circumstances that would have a significant effect on the environment; the project would not be located within an officially designated state highway; no trees, rock outcroppings or historic buildings would be removed or damaged; and there are no hazardous waste sites within 1,000 feet of the project site. Additionally, the County will coordinate with the Robinson Rancheria Pomo of Indians for monitoring services. Lastly, a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement will be obtained from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and work would be conducted within the Clearlake ‘hitch window’ (October 15-December 31), unless otherwise approved by CDFW.
Based on the aforementioned, the Lake County Community Development Department has determined that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and is, therefore, exempt from the aforementioned provisions of CEQA.
County Clerk
Lake
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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