as Harmful Algal Blooms, these blooms consist of solid mats of scum and are associated with unpleasant odors. Studies have shown that increased nutrient contents, especially in the form of phosphorus, from fertilizer runoff can potentially influence cyanobacteria blooms The California Water Boards have found that phosphorus loading in Clear Lake is largely driven by sedimentation due to erosion from agricultural activities as well as channel erosion, mining activities, wildfires, off highway vehicle use, and timber harvesting. Types of toxin-producing cyanobacteria that have been identified in Clear Lake include the following genera: Anabaena, Microcystis, Oscillatoria, Planktothrix, Aphanizomenon, Cylindrospermopsis, and Lyngbya, all of which can cause short and long term health effects. Studies are ongoing to determine the various environmental factors responsible for harmful algal blooms. Heavy metal contamination The lake is heavily contaminated with mercury from the nearby Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine. The abandoned mine was declared a Superfund site in the early 1990s and is still undergoing clean-up. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife presently recommends that women of child-bearing age and children do not consume certain fish from Clear Lake, due to the presence of methylmercury compounds in lake sediments. Monitoring, mitigation, and restoration Clear Lake has been identified as an impaired water body under Section 303(d)(1)(A) of the Clean Water Act. This designation indicates that the water body does not comply with applicable water quality standards. As such, the area is required to comply with quality management strategies such as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL’s) to satisfy federal regulatory requirements. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has identified point sources of pollution in Clear Lake as Caltrans and Storm Water Permitees. Nonpoint sources of pollution in Clear Lake include: U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Irrigated Agriculture, and the county of Lake The lake and the surrounding watershed are being monitored through sampling of gauges placed by the California Department of Water Resources. The Middle Creek Project was started in 1995 by Lake County to restore native wetlands to the Clear Lake area. The project set a goal of expanding the current wetlands area to double its current size. Lake County has additionally ensured no further loss of wetlands by the passage of the County Shoreline Ordinance which prohibits the removal of wetland vegetation on private property. In 2009 the Middle Creek and Hamilton City Flood Damage Restoration and Ecosystem Act (AB74)