I am a 90-yr-old local resident. I OPPOSE this commercial cannabis grow.

I oppose this proposed commercial cannabis cultivation operation. Below are my concerns and questions regarding the potential impacts this project may have on the surrounding community, infrastructure, environment, public safety, and watershed.

1. Traffic & Road Safety Concerns

Commercial cultivation operations can significantly increase vehicle traffic, especially on Lake County rural roads that were not designed for intensive commercial agricultural activity.

Concerns include:
• Increased daily employee traffic
• Delivery trucks and supply vehicles
• Transport of soil, fertilizer, fuel, and equipment
• Increased wear and tear on narrow rural roads
• Dust impacts on neighboring properties
• Safety concerns for children, pedestrians, cyclists, livestock, and emergency vehicles
• Reduced emergency evacuation efficiency during wildfire season
• Existing road maintenance deficiencies
• Limited fire evacuation routes
• Potential traffic bottlenecks caused by commercial operations

Questions:
• Was a traffic impact study completed?
• How many daily vehicle trips are projected?
• Can existing roads safely accommodate this level of commercial use?

2. Water Use, Drinking Water, & Watershed Concerns
Residents in the surrounding area rely heavily on private wells, groundwater, and in many cases water drawn directly from Clear Lake and connected watershed systems for drinking water and daily use. Because of this, there is significant concern regarding the environmental impacts associated with a large-scale commercial cannabis cultivation operation.

Specific concerns include:
• Depletion of local wells during ongoing drought conditions
• Reduced groundwater recharge and increased strain on local water resources
• High seasonal water demand
• Fertilizer, sediment, and chemical runoff entering streams, drainage channels, groundwater, or the lake itself
• Potential contamination of private wells and residential water intakes
• Chemical drift from pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides
• Increased nutrient loading that could contribute to harmful algae blooms and declining water quality
• Erosion and stormwater runoff caused by grading, land clearing, or agricultural activity
• Long-term impacts to watershed quality and ecosystem health

In addition to concerns regarding drinking water, residents are also concerned about possible impacts to local wildlife and aquatic ecosystems, including fish populations, turtles, migratory birds, amphibians, pollinators, and other sensitive species that depend upon the health of Clear Lake and its surrounding habitat.

Potential environmental concerns include:
• Pesticide exposure
• Contaminated runoff
• Habitat disruption
• Increased sediment entering waterways
• Artificial lighting impacts
• Noise and increased human activity affecting wildlife behavior
• Impacts on spawning habitat
• Reduced water quality for aquatic species
• Contamination of food chains
• Harm to sensitive wetland or riparian areas

Given the importance of Clear Lake and the surrounding watershed to both residents and wildlife, a thorough environmental review should be required before approval of this project is considered.

Questions:
• What is the projected annual water consumption?
• What is the source of irrigation water?
• Will groundwater extraction affect neighboring wells?
• Has a hydrological analysis been completed?
• What runoff containment systems are planned?
• How will wastewater and nutrient runoff be handled?
• What protections are in place to prevent runoff into the watershed?
• What fertilizers, pesticides, or fungicides will be used?
• How will stormwater runoff be contained?
• What setbacks exist from waterways or drainage channels?
• Has an environmental impact assessment been conducted regarding wildlife habitat?
• How will water quality be monitored over time?
• What contingency plans exist if contamination occurs?

3. Crime & Security Concerns
Reasonable concerns include:
• Increased attractiveness for theft or burglary
• Potential armed security presence
• Trespassing onto neighboring properties
• Illegal diversion concerns
• Increased nighttime activity
• Generator noise and security lighting
• Potential black-market activity associated with cultivation sites

Questions:
• What security measures are proposed?
• Will armed guards be used?
• How will neighboring properties be protected from trespassing?
• Will there be 24-hour operations?
• What lighting impacts are expected?

4. Odor & Quality of Life Concerns
Concerns include:
• Strong odor during flowering season
• Reduced enjoyment of outdoor property
• Impacts on neighboring homes and businesses
• Effects on tourism and rural character
• Reduced ability to open windows or enjoy outdoor spaces

Questions:
• What odor mitigation systems are proposed?
• How far is the grow site from residences?
• Have prevailing wind studies been conducted?

5. Noise Impacts
Commercial cultivation operations may involve:
• Generators
• Fans and ventilation systems
• Pumps
• Drying equipment
• Increased vehicle traffic

Potential concerns include:
• Continuous generator operation
• Fan and ventilation noise
• Early morning or late-night activity
• Construction noise

6. Fire Risk Concerns
This is a major concern in rural Northern California due to elevated wildfire risk.
Potential concerns include:
• Electrical system overloads
• Generator use
• Dry vegetation conditions
• Increased human activity in high fire-risk areas
• Water diversion reducing firefighting resources

Questions:
• Has CAL FIRE reviewed the proposal?
• Is there adequate fire access?
• Are evacuation routes sufficient?
• What backup power systems are planned?

7. Compatibility With Existing Rural Residential Use

Concerns include:
• The scale is inconsistent with the rural residential character of the area
• The project changes the nature of the neighborhood
• Residents purchased property expecting low-density agricultural or residential use
• The operation industrializes a rural community environment

8. Property Value Concerns

Residents are concerned about potential impacts on the desirability and marketability of nearby homes due to odor, traffic, lighting, industrial activity, and environmental concerns.

This expansion poses a major threat to the water system in the area besides all the other environmental impact. I live right next door. I am strongly opposed to this.
Bill Somers

As a resident living on Seigler Mountain near this proposed site, I vehemently oppose the permit for the commercial cannabis business, because it will destroy the natural Oak Woodland ecosystem, wildlife habitat and watershed of Seigler Mountain and surrounding area! As a member of the Seigler Springs Firewise Committee for 8 years, I have seen the value of our mature Oaks as essential for wildfire resilience and we cannot allow any of these trees to be removed! The forests are already overly stressed from drought, beetles and rising temperatures! We must protect our natural resources for future generations, as a retired teacher of many years, I strongly oppose this permit! We must not allow a commercial business to degrade our natural resources and environment, create noise, dust, traffic with their trucks on our narrow mountain roads, disturbing our neighborhoods and increasing the safety risk for pedestrians, cars and wildlife in this beautiful, serene, natural environment!

Dear Planning Department staff,

We live immediately adjacent to this property and face losing not only our well water but damage to the land and animals. The noise and dust from increased traffic on the road, as well as potential noise and light from the around the clock commercial operation would deeply disturb the quiet rural nature of the area.

Please do not accept this permit, and of course, your service to Lake County is much appreciated.

Our property borders on this proposed grow. We purchased our five acres after losing our 'retirement home' in the 2015 Valley Fire. We chose this lovely property for the trees, the quiet and the wildlife. We have a 700 ft well which was so high in iron that it required we invest $10,000 in municipal level filtration to make our water usable. This grow operation threatens our well and water supply. In addition, the quiet restorative environment would be lost.

Cannabis grow operations are not agriculture. They are 24/7 industrial production operations. In this respect they are incompatible with the residential and religious nature of the land use surrounding the proposed grow operation and will dramatically disrupt the rural, low-activity character of the neighborhood and impose significant noise and light pollution. In addition, they require an unacceptable degree of exploitation of the naturally occurring water resources in the area.

The natural environment of Lake County is one of our greatest resources. Removing and overusing it in the name of business and profit does not feel like a right use of our gift. I strongly oppose this propsal.

As a resident of this neighborhood and of Lake County, I strongly oppose this. The effect on the area, to the people living here, the retreat sanctuary, and the ecosystem altogether, would be devastating--especially in terms of the loss of trees at a time when the oaks are already at risk and dying, and the water usage and the impacts that will have on the entire area including increasing fire danger, and the noise and traffic and dust. If there is any care and concern for the quality of life on all levels in this neighborhood and in Lake County altogether, this permit should be denied.

The uniquely valuable resource for local and international visitors that is The Mountain of Attention Retreat Sanctuary will be negatively impacted by increased truck traffic, dust, noise, and road impacts along both Seigler Springs North Road and Loch Lomond Road. Also: negative effect of water usage on Seigler Canyon Creek which runs through Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary. Further: negative effect of smell on retreats and nearby homes. Additionally: inadequacy of environmental review under CEQA. There is failure to address fire prevention and suppression. And the devastating cumulative effect of tree removal on climate at a time when there is already high tree mortality due to water stress, bark beetle and other infestations

I am very concerned about the stress that this proposed operation will put on the water supply and existing unpaved road. A large cannabis farm will also negatively change the quality and character of the neighborhood. The removal of so many trees is egregious.

I humbly but urgently request that the Lake County Planning Commission refuse permission for this cannabis operation. As a resident of the area and someone who has attended many, many retreats at the adjacent Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary since 1990, I can attest to the rare quality of deep peace and quiet that one feels on this sacred land. People come on retreat from all over the world to benefit from this deep peace.

Having a commercial cannabis operation so close to the Sanctuary would be greatly damaging to the land, the animals, and the people who live and come on retreat here. The noise and dust from increased traffic on the road, as well as potential noise and light from the 24/7 commercial operation, would deeply disturb the quiet rural nature of the area. There would be a significant impact on water usage from Siegler Canyon Creek which runs through the Sanctuary - and this could be catastrophic in the case of wildfire. The proposed removal of over 300 mature oak trees is a desecration of this beautiful environment.

I join with my neighbors and friends - many of whom have lived here for decades - in strongly opposing this operation. I wish I could communicate in words the special feeling of peace that exists here now, and that risks changing irreparably if this permit is granted. I implore you to help us maintain the quality of this place for all who live here now (human and non-human) and those who come here to find refuge.

Thank you.
Alexandra Gandolf

Lake County planners:
As a homeowner in the area I am strongly opposed to this new proposed cannabis operation in my neighborhood. I urge you to take into consideration people who live here and what is happening in this county under the guise of commercial development. The noise, pollution and depletion of groundwater by monocrops is appalling. I have personally experienced increase traffic and intense machinery sounds at night to the point of not being able to sleep with open windows - something one would expect in a peaceful rural circumstance. Do not ruin the county further by approving this proposal that is simply in the financial interests of a few. Lake County is one of the last peaceful areas left. Be long-sighted in your planning responsibilities and listen to your constituents- the people you represent.

I live very close to this and often host retreats for kids and parents nearby. This would be a real disruption to area right next to the place that is meant for retreat, for peace and calm. All the traffic, and smell will be a huge disservice to the area, not to mention we need the water. That is an extraordinary amount of water that will take away from everything else. Also, my husband is an arborist, and trees are another very important thing to the environment of Lake County. I am strongly opposed to this happening.

Dear friends
I strongly oppose this prospective use-case for this area: very close to sensitive habitats, a beloved retreat sanctuary and my neighbors….who fear an all-too-common encroachment and overuse of our precious natural resources: water, serenity and a rural beauty, that I, and my fellow friends and neighbors, value so highly.
Please value our water, peaceful neighborhood and retreat sanctuary as we do.

As a resident of Shenandoah Road, I am strongly opposing the proposed Major Use Permit PL-26-115. My main concerns are the overuse of water and the increased traffic in a sensitive environment. I hope that our officials do not fall for the "money trap" and let their decision in regard to this permit be guided by our shared need for an intakt environment and healthy water resources.

I am totally opposed to mega-size corporations purchasing and/or expanding their use of public property, ground, water, air for their financial gains. People have the right to live in a healthy, human-size environment which they can control through establishing the rules and regulations suitable to their particular community needs and lifestyles. They need property to build homes, clean water to drink, a noise-free environment. None of these things are available when land is raped, 100 year old oxygen-giving trees are destroyed, water is used to grow a crop that is combined with chemical fertilizers, then run-off onto established communities and sanctuaries, the environment is filled 24 hours with the offensive noise of machinery, reminding everyone that life as they have worked so hard to establish is being destroyed. And for what? Is more marijuana going to increase the quality of civilization, help our kids grow into healthy adults? What are these corporations going to give back to our community? Obviously Nothing. They have absolutely no investment in improving our communities. Only raiding, destroying, taking what will benefit their bottom line.

I am a nearby resident, and I do not feel we can sustain drawing more water from the water table. This proposed grow will take millions of gallons of water and likely use pesticides commonly found in cannabis, bringing water and earth contamination. It feels like the wrong time and move for this. Instead, we should focus on fire and drought prevention. I do not feel the world needs more cannabis, and the increased demand on the earth and local neighbors for this type of business feels like it's too much for what we can handle up here. I oppose this.

Dear Planning Commissioners and all,
I am writing in opposition to the Major Use Permit PL-26-115.
As a resident on the Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary, we are already feeling the impact of the increased traffic, dust, noise, pollution, water usage, etc. One of our primary purposes is to host meditation retreats for the members of our community who come from all over the world to participate on this sacred ground which has been specifically empowered by our spiritual teacher for this purpose. It would be a tragedy to not have the opportunity to take refuge from this unbalanced world on the Mountain Of Attention which has been here for over 52 years now. As I'm sure you are aware, the world is in desperate need of peaceful places for people to go to.
Please join us in protecting this holy place for the sake of all.
Thank you for your service.
Amy Jacob
Mountain Of Attention Retreats Co-Manager

Dear Planning Commissioners,
I have lived in this area with my family for 40 years now and am very concerned about the idea of another large cannabis grow nearby, especially because it would be close to the Mountain Of Attention Sanctuary which I make use of regularly. This is a retreat sanctuary where people enjoy the tranquility of a clean and quiet environment and it would be extremely unfortunate to have an increase of commercial activity - trucks, dust, noise, etc. - in the vicinity.
The water issue is huge as others have pointed out, and i fear for the health of the Seigler Canyon Creek which is a highlight of the Sanctuary.
Please deny this permit, and thank you for your service to Lake County