CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake Local Agency Formation Commission has approved a proposal to annex Middletown Rancheria land into the Callayomi County Water District in order to ensure a safe, reliable source of water for the tribe’s homes and casino.
LAFCo approved the annexation of approximately 109.38 acres into the water district at its meeting on Jan. 15 in Clearlake.
The discussion of the annexation begins at the 2:20 minute mark in the video above. The staff report for the discussion is posted at the end of this article.
The commission, which oversees development and protects natural resources, includes members of local government such as the Board of Supervisors, the city councils for Clearlake and Lakeport, special districts representatives and public members.
LAFCo this year is chaired by Bruno Sabatier, the District 2 representative on the Board of Supervisors, with District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon acting as vice chair.
Simon, who also chairs Middletown Rancheria’s tribal council, recused himself from the Jan. 15 discussion and vote.
LAFCo Executive Officer John Benoit’s report to the commission explained that the tribe was seeking the annexation “to receive domestic water services.”
The water district’s board adopted a resolution of application on June 13 requesting LAFCo to take the annexation proceedings, Benoit’s report explained.
The rancheria property includes Twin Pine Casino and Hotel, a government administration complex, tribal members’ homes and a commercial property for future development, according to Benoit’s report.
Benoit’s report explained that 30 homes on the rancheria are being served by an out-of-agency service agreement with the district, with another 15 homes receiving water service under a separate out-of-agency service agreement recently approved by LAFCo, Benoit’s report said.
In addition to providing safe, adequate and reliable domestic water service for the structures, the annexation to the water district also will provide water for fire protection for the site, the report noted.
The report also explained that the district has an excess of 243,057 gallons per day, with 366 active accounts and 84 inactive accounts. Much of the district’s infrastructure was destroyed during the Valley fire but has since been rebuilt.
Benoit told the commission that there is a housing shortage at the rancheria.
He said the effort to get the land annexed has been under way for several years, with a previous application filed in 2015 that didn’t work out.
“This has been long in coming for the tribe,” said Benoit, who recommended the approval.
Commissioner Ed Robey agreed that it was a long time in coming and was noncontroversial.
Sabatier asked about the district’s excess water and whether it’s enough to deal with a large scale fire. He added that it appeared to be enough for homes, with the typical household using 40,000 gallons a year.
Explaining that the Valley fire had damaged a lot of infrastructure that has required rebuilding, Benoit said he’s concerned about other projects – like the Maha Guenoc Valley development at Langtry Estates – as well as another potential rancheria parcel which will need service. At that point, they will need to address capacity issues; Benoit said the district has an additional well.
With wildfires, Benoit added, you can have almost any amount of water and it won’t be enough.
Commissioner Dirk Slooten moved to approve the annexation, which Robey seconded and the commission approved 6-0.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
011520 Lake LAFCo discussion on Middletown Rancheria annexation by LakeCoNews on Scribd