West (Fred) Baker, a resident of Lower Lake, thanked the board for exploring geothermal but said he was concerned about unclear commitments tied to joining Sonoma Clean Power's geothermal opportunity zone, which the presenter described as "a demonstration of commitment and intention to support the development of advanced geothermal power sources in participating counties." Baker quoted Sonoma Clean Power minutes and said the board's own director had asked what it meant to join as a GeoZone. "That was a question we had for almost a year," Baker said.

Baker also raised questions about water demand. Quoting Sonoma Clean Power's presentation, he said the presenter told the board the newer closed-loop geothermal technologies "use lot less water than traditional systems," and Baker said that response "is not an answer to questions." He said he feared signing agreements without clear, written terms because "it morphs and changes all along the way."

During public input another resident recounted Lake County's mining history and the long-term contamination from Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine. That speaker cited the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Public Health to say Clear Lake is among the most mercury-contaminated lakes in the world and that Clear Lake Oaks was built on contaminated soil that continues to leach mercury into the lake. The commenter said monitoring shows "200 to 250 tons of methane gas has released into the air every single day" at the Redmond Impound at Sulphur Bank Mine and warned that "if there's a major seismic event triggered or worse worsened by increased geothermal activity, Lakeport would face little to no consequences, but communities like Clear Lake and Clear Lake Oaks could be wiped off the map."

Speakers repeatedly asked for clearer, written explanations of what county participation in a GeoZone would require and for assessment of local water and contamination risks. Comments emphasized that tribal communities and residents nearest proposed geothermal areas would bear disproportionate risk if environmental impacts or seismic events occurred. The board did not take action during public input; the chair reminded speakers that the Brown Act restricts on-the-spot decisionmaking.