EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERED SODA BAY BATHS
BLM Concerned with Public Safety; Public Meeting Planned

The Soda Bay Baths at the south shore of Clear Lake will be immediately closed to public access, and the Bureau of Land Management will begin looking at options for long-term management of the area.

The emergency closure follows the asphyxiation of a 31-year-old man in late July.  Officials from the BLM and Lake County said the man's death was a result of insufficient oxygen in the baths which are below the surface level of the lake.

"The Lake County Health Department took air samples inside the baths and confirmed the oxygen levels are dangerously low," said Phil Damon, assistant field manager for the BLM's Ukiah Field Office.  "BLM and the county concur that the baths must be closed because of the danger."

While the closure is in place, BLM will be seeking public input to gain ideas for long-term management.

A public meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lake County Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport.

"We will be beginning an environmental assessment to determine how to best manage the island, and we'd like as much public input as possible," Damon said.

For additional information on the closure or the upcoming meeting, contact the BLM's Ukiah Field Office, (707) 468-4000.

-BLM-