Clearlake Algea Harvesting Demonstration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026061121
Public Agency
City of Clearlake
Document Title
Clearlake Algea Harvesting Demonstration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/25/2026
Document Description
The City of Clearlake has received grant funding through the California Natural Resources Agency to conduct a temporary algae harvesting demonstration project. The project is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of Hydronucleation Flotation Technology (the project will not require ground disturbance and/or impact the lakebed at any time) in removing algal, cyanobacterial biomass, nutrients, and cyanotoxins from lake water to generate data that may support future harmful algal bloom management strategies for Clear Lake and other California water bodies.
The system will withdraw water from Clear Lake, separate the algal and cyanobacterial biomass from the water, and return the clarified water to the lake. The return water will be discharged to a semi-enclosed treatment zone within the lake created using turbidity curtains to support evaluation of treatment performance under controlled conditions. Monitoring will be conducted during operations to document system process controls, influent and effluent quality, and lake water quality.
The algae harvesting operating period is expected to last approximately three weeks, processing up to 21 million gallons of water and generating approximately 22,000 gallons of algae slurry.
Contact Information
Name
Mark Roberts
Agency Name
City of Clearlake
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Dan Levy
Agency Name
BlueCycle Technologies
Job Title
Co-Founder and President
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Clearlake
Counties
Lake
Regions
Citywide, Northern California
Cross Streets
Lakeshore Blvd
Zip
95422
Jobs
5
Parcel #
040-240-10
State Highways
State Highway 53
Schools
Burns Valley Elementary School
Waterways
Waters of Clearlake
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061 (B3) and 15306 (Information collection)
Reasons for Exemption
The project qualifies for the above Categorical Exemptions as the project will be implemented on a temporary basis (as a pilot program for data collection and research which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to the environmental and/or resources.) for the collection of lake water to separate the algal and cyanobacterial biomass from the water, and return the clarified water to the lake. The project will not require ground disturbance and/or disturb the lake bed at any time. All water collected will be through water pumps/lines that will be installed just below the water surface with filters/screens to prevent impacts on native species/fish.
County Clerk
Lake
Attachments
Notice of Completion [NOC] Transmittal form
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