The Lake Berryessa News
October 5, 2026
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The Lake Berryessa News Opposes Napa County Measure B
It is a bit of a quandary to oppose something you've strongly supported for a decade, but Napa County's proposed Measure B sales tax provides such a dilemma. I've read and underlined the measure's text. It appears that the language of the measure was designed to confuse the reader.
There has always been the political tension involved with appealing to urban voters versus rural voters in many elections. Living in a rural section of Napa's District 3 which combined St. Helena with Lake Berryessa, I learned that our rural area could approve a ballot proposal by more than 80%, but St. Helena residents only had to oppose it by 60% to override us.
I sense the same thing is happening with Measure B. The Lake Berryessa News has long supported the development of Napa Firewise and contributed to the creation of Fire Safe Councils. Berryessa Highlands volunteers created one of the first Fire Safe Councils in Napa County. These volunteers also wrote one of the best wildfire protection plans:
Berryessa Highlands Firesafe Council Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Christopher Thompson, Chairman of the Board, Napa Communities Firewise Foundation
Joe Sponseller, Co-Lead, Berryessa Highlands Fire Safe Council
Evan Kilkus, Co-Lead, Berryessa Highlands Fire Safe Council
https://napafirewise.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BHFSC_CWPP_Final_2026-signed.pdf
The Lake Berryessa News has long supported the development of Napa Firewise and contributed to the creation of Fire Safe Councils. I've hosted land clearing specialists camping in eight person tents in my front yard while they cleared the hills on Steele Canyon Road. During the last tragic wildfire that destroyed so many homes in the Berryessa Highlands, flames surrounded my house, but, thanks to Evan's foresight, our multi-headed indoor/outdoor sprinkler system protected us. Two huge CalFire bulldozers were dropped off at my house to roll downhill to help contain the recent Steele Fire. To put it in perspective, the Measure B tax expires when I turn 100! But...
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The Lake Berryessa News Opposes Measure B
Too Long, Too Much, Wrong Focus
Wildfire Mitigation NOT Land Acquisition
Wildfire Mitigation NOT Management Compensation
Wildfire Mitigation NOT Environmental Obfuscation
Napa Firewise NOT Napa Land Trust
Fire Safe Councils NOT Optional Parks
This sales tax is projected to generate approximately $23 million annually. Over its 18-year lifespan (from April 2027 to March 2045), it is expected to bring in a total of roughly $414 million. The proposal establishes a countywide half-cent (0.5%) sales tax with annual funding to supposedly be split evenly between two main purposes: wildfire prevention and preparedness grants, and Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District for land preservation and watershed protection.
This split has the wrong focus. Wildfire prevention should be paramount, regional parks and more open space should be secondary. In reality, this sales tax unfairly conflates two goals that are politically and practically distinct. Even proponents familiar with the size and complexity of the wildfire mitigation projects completed so far are not convinced that Napa Communities Firewise Foundation can organize and manage that level of annual revenue.
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The Lake Berryessa Chamber of Commerce Opposes Measure B
This sales tax does not recognize the importance of the Lake Berryessa Revitalization Program and the value of the Lake Berryessa region to Napa County. It appears to place open space and parks above the real fire protection of rural residents. It's written in a way that conflates the actual, practical fire protection needs of the large population of vulnerable residents with the optional recreational wants of a much smaller group. A need is something essential for survival and basic functioning, while a want is a desire that improves your quality of life but is not required to live.
History has shown that fire protection needs are expensive and important, while parks and open spaces are secondary. This, and any future sales tax, should be specific to wildfire mitigation. It appears that this proposal was consciously written to use wildfire concerns to siphon tax money to park and open space advocates.
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Napa County Taxpayers Association Opposes Measure B
Here we go again. Another election cycle and another proposition for an additional sales tax increase. Vote "No" due to cumulative tax burdens on residents. Combining the Regional Park and Open Space District with a Wildfire Preparedness agency funding request is an attempt to gain passage of a new tax that had been previously defeated by voters as standalone propositions. Each of these agencies has separate and independent boards of directors. This blurs accountability.
On the heels of the City of Napa's approval of a 1% sales tax increase and the current proposed American Canyon 1% sales tax increase, and adding the Measure B tax has the effect of increasing the sales tax burden for some Napa residents to 9.25%. This would be a 19% increase over our old 7.25% rate. We have all heard the political rhetoric about affordability, let's do something about it. Vote No on Measure B.
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Napa County Farm Bureau Declines to Support Measure B
Like the measure itself, the Napa County Farm Bureau is split between supporting additional and ongoing revenue for needed fire mitigation and prevention services, and opposition to an overly broad tax that has the potential of putting pressure on Napa agriculture. The Farm Bureau cannot oppose the measure because of the proven value of fire prevention, yet cannot support the measure without a better track record of open space agencies working in collaboration with agriculture. Because of this, the Napa County Farm Bureau will remain neutral in the campaign.
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Lake Berryessa News Reader Opposes Measure B
I just cannot stomach approving a sales tax to benefit the Napa Land Trust and the Regional Parks and Open Space District (RPOSD) under the guise of fire protection. The whole thing just reeks of a scam. Giving RPOSD and Land Trust land acquisition the same priority as fire protection is obviously wrong; a blatant effort to manipulate voters into approving a lower priority item they would not otherwise approve.
In addition, the new tax is supposedly justified because fire protection is such a high priority. Well, our elected representatives’ job number one is to spend our tax dollars wisely, i.e., on items of highest priority to the taxpayers. If fire protection is such a high priority item, then the BOS should already be spending our tax dollars on that rather than on other lower priority items. If they spend our money on lower priority items, they are not doing the job for which they were elected. Lower priority items should be bumped to the bottom of the list and if there is not enough money left for them, then the voters should be asked if they want to impose an additional tax to fund those lower priority items.
I think the Regional Parks and Recreation Department (RPOSD), the Napa Land Trust, and the Board of Supervisors must all be thanking their lucky stars for getting to hitch a ride on the fire prevention bandwagon, giving them the best shot yet at getting the sales tax increase they have wanted for so long. It’s too bad the Firewise people feel they can’t get enough votes without allying themselves with the Land Trust, which has a long history of forbidding and frustrating fire prevention efforts on the land it controls.
George Bacich
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Words Have Real Meanings, Applehood and Mother Pie Statements Don't
Conflation is the act of mixing two or more separate things, ideas, or texts into a single whole, often by mistake. Conflating being busy with being productive. Conflation is the merging of two or more sets of information, texts, ideas, or opinions into one, often in error. Conflation is defined as 'fusing or blending', but is often used colloquially as 'being equal to' – treating two similar but disparate concepts as the same. An example is conflating watershed protection with wildfire mitigation.
"Water"sheds are not "wet" except during the rainy season! Dry watersheds do nothing for wildfire mitigation.
A watershed is an area of land that channels rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a common water body such as a stream, river, lake, or ocean. A healthy or restored watershed can actively mitigate wildfire severity, but typically no wildfires occur during a California rainy season. A degraded or burned watershed can severely support or worsen the spread and aftermath of fires during the California dry season.
Watershed "protection" IS NOT a wildfire prevention strategy. Buying or "protecting" Napa County watersheds as a wildfire mitigation strategy is a waste of money.
Applehood and Mother Pie Statements
The phrase "motherhood and apple pie" is an idiom that describes ideas, values, or goals that are so universally considered good and wholesome that no one can reasonably question or oppose them. A variation of the motherhood and apple pie statement is often used to gain undeserved emotional support for a controversial proposal such as Napa County's Measure B sales tax. The proponents of this sales tax are using what I consider false emotionally-colored words, or "Applehood and Mother Pie" statements. Actual examples of are listed below. (Emphasis added)
"Half of the revenue would go to Napa County for competitive grants supporting wildfire prevention projects such as hazardous fuel reduction, firebreaks and fire-safe evacuation routes. The other half would go to the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District for projects involving open-space preservation, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, parks and trails."
"The Measure B expenditure plan includes creating and operating parks, building trails, "protecting" key agricultural lands, "preserving" important watersheds, "protecting" oak woodlands and forests, "protecting" wildlife corridors and removing invasive species."
"The money would be kept in Napa County and dedicated to wildfire preparedness, watershed protection and open-space preservation."
"Watershed protection and the lands surrounding our reservoirs is particularly important because those natural areas are connected to the quality and reliability of Napa County’s drinking water."
“As recent events have demonstrated, Napa County faces increasingly severe wildfire seasons and drought conditions that threaten our lives, homes, agriculture and communities”. Meanwhile, the organizations that mitigate these risks and protect our open spaces and drinking water need stable, long-term funding. Without reliable sources, wildfire prevention and response efforts risk falling short just as the need is greatest.”
"Lakes and water sources must be protected from “pollution, overuse and wildfire damage". Without stronger wildfire protections to reduce the risk in our area, insurance companies will cancel more policies or charge significantly more for fire insurance.”
"The sales tax could provide funds to acquire land near cities where the public could take children or walk their dogs after work without having to travel far to reach open space or a park. Lands near cities are more expensive than more remote properties."
Conclusions
The famous quote is, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit," attributed to comedian W.C. Fields. Some Measure B proponents seem to have embraced that strategy in their recent public comments and YouTube videos.
Open space "preservation" IS NOT a wildfire prevention strategy.
More parks and trails IS Not a wildfire prevention strategy.
Removing invasive species IS NOT a wildfire prevention strategy.
Pure, reliable drinking water IS NOT a wildfire prevention strategy.
Taking children to the park IS NOT a wildfire prevention strategy.
Walking dogs IS NOT a wildfire prevention strategy.
Appeasing insurance companies IS NOT a wildfire prevention strategy.
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How much land is still open to any development in Napa County?
Is the Napa Land Trust Obsolete?
Is the Napa Land Trust obsolete? The latest real estate analyses show that there are only between 76 and 88 parcels of undeveloped land for sale in Napa County. Per public research, only a tiny fraction of Napa County is open for general development, as roughly 82% of the land is permanently preserved or protected by strict agriculture zoning.
Development is heavily concentrated into incorporated cities (Napa, St. Helena, Calistoga, Yountville, American Canyon) and a few designated industrial areas like the Airport Industrial Park. Thanks to the landmark Napa County Agricultural Preserve (established in 1968) and the Land Trust of Napa County, over 96,000 acres (about 18%) of the county are permanently protected. Approximately 75% of the unincorporated county is zoned for agriculture, allowing only for very low-density residential uses (typically 40- to 160-acre minimums) to limit urban sprawl.
The principal hub for unincorporated commercial and industrial growth is the Napa Valley Business Park Specific Plan area near the Napa County Airport, which comprises about 2,945 acres. Municipalities direct new development toward "infill" projects (such as the South Oxbow housing site in the City of Napa) rather than expanding outwards into open space. While there are still privately owned vacant parcels and empty lots listed on the open market (ranging from 0.25-acre plots to larger, rural ranch properties), their development potential is highly restricted by county building codes and water allocation
limits.
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"Water"sheds are not "wet" except during rainy season!
Dry watersheds do nothing for wildfire mitigation. A watershed is an area of land that channels rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a common water body such as a stream, river, lake, or ocean. Think of a watershed as a giant natural funnel. High points of elevation like ridges, hills, and mountains form the rim, while streams and rivers form the spout.
Watersheds vary dramatically in size. They can range from a tiny local backyard puddle area to massive multi-state regions like the Mississippi River Watershed. A watershed includes all surface water (lakes, wetlands, streams) and underlying groundwater.
A healthy or restored watershed can actively mitigate wildfire severity, although typically no wildfires occur during a California rainy season. A degraded or burned watershed can severely support or worsen the spread and aftermath of fires during the California dry season. Buying or "protecting" Napa County watersheds as a wildfire mitigation strategy is a waste of money.
Healthy Watersheds Mitigate Wildfires
Increased moisture of intact wetlands, connected floodplains, and high water tables raise soil moisture and support less flammable, green vegetation in valley bottoms and meadows. Natural firebreaks like wet meadows and riverscapes act as natural fuel breaks, helping slow down fire momentum and boosting the effectiveness of artificial containment lines.
Damaged or Altered Watersheds Support Wildfires
Extreme dryness due to over-accumulated fuels, prolonged droughts, and disconnected streams dry out vegetation, turning a landscape into tinder that feeds high-severity wildfires. Severe fires destroy canopy and organic soil cover, creating water-repellent (hydrophobic) soils that drastically increase flash flooding, erosion, and ash runoff into water supplies during subsequent storms.
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Strategy of the Political Boondoggle
The famous quote is, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit," attributed to comedian W.C. Fields. Measure B proponents appear to have taken up that strategy in their written and video propaganda, some of which is published above.
A political boondoggle is a wasteful and unnecessary government project funded by taxpayers, usually kept alive only because of political motivations or favoritism. Politicians often back these multi-million or billion-dollar projects to look busy, please special interest groups, or secure votes in their home districts, despite the project providing little to no public value.
The word boondoggle didn’t start in politics—it started with the Boy Scouts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boondoggle
"Boondoggle" was the name of the newspaper of the Roosevelt Troop of the Boy Scouts, based in Rochester, New York, and it first appeared in print in 1927. From there it passed into general use in scouting in the 1930s. It was attributed to a boy scout from Rochester who coined the term to describe "a new type of uniform decoration". After the presentation of honorific boondoggles at a World Jamboree, the use of the word spread to other troops and branches.
Critics of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal immediately seized on the word, turning it into a lasting political insult for useless, expensive government make-work.
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Reclamation announces seasonal hours and facility updates at Lake Berryessa
The Bureau of Reclamation adjusted operating hours at Lake Berryessa beginning September 8, as part of its seasonal transition. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead for changes to facility access, boating regulations, and recreation services.
Dufer Point Visitor Center
· Open weekends and holidays, Noon to 3 p.m.
· America the Beautiful Interagency Passes available by appointment on weekdays and during open hours on weekends
Oak Shores Day Use Area
· South End: Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· North End: Closed for the season starting October 1
· Parking fees must be paid and receipts displayed on dashboards
· Group Reservations - Oak Shores offers four large shade shelters at Acorn Beach and Foxtail Flat. Reservations for groups of up to 50 people are available for $25 per shelter, per day at Recreation.gov. For larger gatherings, contact the Park Ranger Office at 707-905-7896.
Smittle Creek and Eticuera Day Use Areas
· Open year-round for wildlife viewing, picnicking, and hand-launch watercraft
· Smittle Creek Trail remains open and accessible from two trailheads:
o Smittle Creek Day Use Area (year-round)
o Coyote Knolls parking lot (summer only)
· Starting September 8, parking lot gates will close at 5 p.m.
Capell Cove Boat Launch
· Closed indefinitely due to staffing.
Boating and Mussel Prevention
· 30-Day Quarantine Requirement:
Beginning November 2024, all trailered vessels must complete a free 30-day quarantine before launching, unless they:
o Already have a Lake Berryessa green seal
o Provide proof of decontamination
o Use non-petroleum-powered or non-trailered vessels
· Learn more at the Solano County Water Agency Mussel Prevention Program and Reclamations website at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/golden-mussels.html
Tip: Boaters should confirm ramp closing times with operators to avoid delays or a second quarantine period.
Concession-Operated Facilities
Alternative recreation opportunities, including boat launching, are available at concession-operated sites:
· Markley Cove Resort: markleycove.com | 707-966-2134
· Pleasure Cove Marina: goberryessa.com | 707-966-9600
· Steele Canyon Recreation Area: campsteelecanyon.com | 707-966-9410
· Spanish Flat Recreation Area: campspanishflat.com | 707-966-0200
· Putah Canyon Recreation Area: royalelkparkmanagement.com | 707-966-9051
For more information about activities, fees, maps, and updates, visit the Lake Berryessa Website, call 707-905-7896, or email BOR-Berryessa@usbr.gov.
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Five Lake Berryessa resorts are open.
Spanish Flat Campground: https://campspanishflat.com/
Steele Canyon Campground: https://campsteelecanyon.com/
Pleasure Cove Marina: https://goberryessa.com/
Markley Cove Resort: https://markleycove.com/
Putah Canyon Campground: https://royalelkparkmanagement.com/putah-canyon
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Track the real-time Lake Berryessa weather at:
Skiers Cove (Below the Berryessa Highlands)
Skier Cove - KCANAPA228
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA228
East Side Road (Across from Big Island)
East Side Road, Lake Berryessa - KCALAKEB2
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCALAKEB2
Spanish Flat (Near the Spanish Flat Recreation Area)
Roger - KCASPANI1
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCASPANI1
Berryessa Pines
KCANAPA461
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA461
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Lake Berryessa Fire Watch Cameras
This site covers the whole Lake Berryessa Region.
http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
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Free Book Chapters Available For Download
My sincere thanks to those of you who contributed to the future of the Lake Berryessa News. I challenge you to find any Lake Berryessa news anywhere. Hopefully, the many years of our intensive reporting about the latest Lake Berryessa issues will convince you of the truth of our motto, "Without The Lake Berryessa News there would be no Lake Berryessa news".
Here's a gift from The Lake Berryessa News to my readers - Free downloadable chapters from my books:
The Death of a Valley
Why Does Lake Berryessa Exist?
The Lake Berryessa Watershed
Rainfall and Lake Level History
How High Is Lake Berryessa?
How Deep is Lake Berryessa?
How Much Water Does Lake Berryessa Hold?
Mean Sea Level: Is There Such A Thing As Accurate Height?
Water In, Water Out, But From Where?
Does the WALROS Like Lake Berryessa?
Why is Lake Berryessa Not a Part of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument?
East Side Story
Hiking and Wildlife Viewing
Are There Quail on Quail Ridge?
Why Does A Hiker Cross The Road? To Get To Stebbins Cold Canyon!
Private Houseboats - Yes; Private RVs & Trailers - No: Why?
Motorized Boats Banned From Big Island Lagoon! Why!
Archeologists Can't Dunk But Can Dig
What Can't You Do At Lake Berryessa?
Napa Opposes Building the Monticello Dam
Monticello Dam Construction
Raise Monticello Dam
Power Generation at Monticello Dam
Monticello Dam Failure Analysis
Predicting the Future & Glory Hole Drone Videos
As Lake Berryessa Turns!
The Ins and Outs & Ups and Downs of Lake Berryessa
Does Lake Berryessa Sweat in the Summer?
Glory Hole Introduction
How Does Glory Hole Work?
Glory Hole: Awesome, Frightening, But Dangerous?
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Lake Berryessa Political History (Free Downloads of Book Chapters)
Policy And Politics Betray The People: The Lake Berryessa Saga: 1958 - 2020, By Peter Kilkus
I. The Five Tragedies Of The Berryessa Valley: A History Of Heartbreak
II. Lake Berryessa Political History Timeline
III. The “Big Lie”: How It All Began
IV. The “Big Fail”: Napa Abandons Lake Berryessa (1975)
V. The “Big Picture”: Lake Berryessa Issues: 1957 - 2012
VI. The “Big Illusion”: Notice Of Intent
VII. The “Big Fight”: Facts Do Matter
VIII. The “Big Betrayal”: Perversion Of Public Law 96-375
IX. The “Big Mistake”: Pensus - The Beginning Was The End!
X. The “Big Hole In History”: Post-Pensus Blues
XI. The “Big Boondoggle”: Creation Of A Phony National Monument
Addendum 1. Dueling Napa Register Letters To The Editor
Addendum 2. The Napa Register View
Index Of Primary Documents
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Lake Berryessa Technical Manual: The Science, Engineering, History, and Humor of a Major Unnatural Resource
https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Berryessa-Technical-Manual-Engineering-ebook/dp/B0C21DZ9M9/ref=sr_1_3?
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Policy and Politics Betray the People: The Lake Berryessa Saga: 1958 - 2020
https://www.amazon.com/Policy-Politics-Betray-People-Berryessa-ebook/dp/B08MFSQDBR/ref=sr_1_1?
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Conspiracy Theory or Automatic Pilot: The Economic Roots of Environmental Destruction
https://www.amazon.com/Conspiracy-Theory-Automatic-Pilot-Environmental/dp/1676368302/ref=sr_1_3?
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The KPIX Eye on the Bay interview below is one I did in 2010 and a relevant introduction to the substance of the book. I did it after Pensus had been given the contract for 5 resorts. As we all know Pensus was subsequently kicked out in 2012.
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Lake Berryessa Data Sources
There are many sources of Lake Berryessa water and weather conditions available. The Solano County Water Agency site is good for real-time graphs of level, capacity, and water temperature. The California Data Exchange Center has data going back decades for level, capacity, capacity change, dam outflow, dam inflow, and rainfall. Anyone can research their own data and create custom charts. This is the source of many of the charts on the Lake Berryessa News website.
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An upgraded wildfire alert camera system will be keeping watch on Napa County day and night and notifying Cal Fire crews of potential fires. Twenty cameras will be part of a system that will use artificial intelligence and other technologies to identify fire and smoke. If they detect something, an alert will sound in the Cal Fire emergency command center near St. Helena.
Cal Fire has made a large investment into the ALERTCalifornia system, partnering with UC San Diego. There are 1,000 cameras across the state and Napa County is one of the test models. Cameras can see 60 miles during the day, and this can increase to 120 miles on clear nights, with the changes in the air. The system can differentiate among smoke, clouds and dust. A link to this camera system and other relevant weather data is available on the Lake Berryessa News website at: http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
This website was created by Doug Kunst. It is an amazing resource for Lake Berryessa fire cameras and weather. His business website is http://www.rntl.net/
Lake Berryessa Fire Alert Cameras
http://www.rntl.net/lake-berryessa-cams/
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Real-Time Lake Level, Lake Capacity, Water Temperature
Solano County Water Agency
https://www.scwamonitoring.com/LakeBerryessa/
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Lake Detailed Historical Data
California Data Exchange Center
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/
Research historical data and create custom plots
Lake Berryessa Code: BER
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/sensorplots?staid=ber&dur_code=D
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Local Weather Stations (Weather Underground Network)
Skiers Cove (Below the Berryessa Highlands)
Skier Cove - KCANAPA228
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCANAPA228
East Side Road (Across from Big Island)
East Side Road, Lake Berryessa - KCALAKEB2
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCALAKEB2
Spanish Flat (Near the Spanish Flat Recreation Area)
Roger - KCASPANI1
https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCASPANI1