The Climate Adaptation Plan (CAP), funded by the State’s Adaptation Planning Grant Program, will include development of a climate adaptation and resilience framework for both unincorporated Lake County and the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport. The CAP process has included preparation of a Climate Vulnerability Analysis, identification of problem statements based on the Climate Vulnerability Analysis, community engagement, and development of adaptation goals and strategies are organized around Lake County’s Pillars of Landscape Resilience, a framework that guides integrated approaches to building community and ecological resilience across the region. The project team has prepared the CAP concurrent with the update of the County’s General Plan to ensure consistency between the effort.
During this process, the County is engaging the community and stakeholders through an inclusive, transparent, and collaborative process to learn about lived experiences in adaptation and gain local knowledge of resilience practices to ensure the CAP builds off existing adaptation efforts and improves the resilience of all communities in the county. The CAP will highlight and build upon the resilience projects already being implemented by the County, local organizations, and Tribes to strengthen countywide resilience and collaboration.
Climate Vulnerability Analysis
The County, City of Clearlake, and City of Lakeport completed a comprehensive Climate Vulnerability Analysis examining how climate change hazards could impact our community. This detailed study analyzes 8 climate hazards and their potential effects on 18 different population groups, 19 types of buildings and infrastructure, 7 economic drivers, 6 ecosystems, and 8 key services across unincorporated Lake County and the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.
Key findings include:
- Wildfire and smoke pose the greatest climate risks countywide, followed by severe weather, flooding, and drought.
- Most vulnerable populations: People of color and immigrant communities, outdoor workers (like farmworkers), households in poverty, tribal community members, and people with chronic illnesses/disabilities.
- Most at-risk community assets: Energy and communication infrastructure, homes, transportation systems, and agriculture as an economic driver.
Where We Are Now
The project team is developing the Public Review Draft Climate Adaptation Plan, which will go to the community for review later this year. In the coming weeks, we will be holding study sessions with:
- County Planning Commission (October 9th)
- City of Lakeport City Council (October 21st)
- Lake County Board of Supervisors (October 21st)
- Lake County 2050 General Plan Advisory Committee & Local Area Plan Advisory Committees (October )
- City of Clearlake City Council (November )
What happens next? We need YOUR input to develop the Public Review Draft Climate Adaptation Plan – our roadmap for preparing for and responding to climate challenges. Your lived experience and local knowledge will provide input that ensures the Climate Adaptation Plan reflects community needs and priorities. Stay tuned for the release of the Draft CAP and further instruction on how to provide comments.
To share your comments now, please visit the ‘Share Your Comments’ section on our Participate Online page or contact Mireya Turner, Lake County Community Development Director, at LakeCounty2050@lakecountyca.gov.
Whether you’re a long-time resident, new to the area, work here, or are visiting – we want to hear from you. Every perspective helps us build a more resilient Lake County.