Memorandum
Date: July 7, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Brad Rasmussen, Chair, District 4 Supervisor
EJ Crandell, District 3 Supervisor
Subject: 9:15 A.M. - Consideration of a) Presentation and Discussion of Draft Co-Management of the Clear Lake Watershed Global Agreement; b) Provide Feedback to Staff on Amending, and If No or Minimal Amendments; c) Authorize Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer, to Sign
Executive Summary:
On September 16, 2025 your Board directed staff to work with outside agencies on drafting a Co-management Agreement of the Clear Lake Watershed. Before you today is that draft Co-managment Agreement, with the draft Clear Lake Hitch Task Force Charter as an appendix to the agreement.
As background, on September 27, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1284 (Ramos), encouraging the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to enter into “Co-governance” and “Co-management” Agreements with federally recognized tribes to manage state lands and waters, and authorizing CNRA as State signatory for this purpose. AB 1284 was enacted by adding Section 11019.82 to the Government Code, cited as the, “Tribal Co-governance and Co -managment of Ancestral Lands and Waters Act.”
The ability to enter into such agreements is anticipated to strengthen the State and CNRA’s relationships with local tribes and promote true “government-to-government” negotiations between the state and tribal nations.
The County of Lake, through the Watershed Protection District, has management responsibilities for Clear Lake and currently works collaboratively with Tribal Governments, state agencies, federal agencies, and other local organizations in many areas regarding the health and viability of Clear Lake, including fish and wildlife concerns, recreation, its use as a drinking water source, sediment, and harmful algae concerns.
On May 28, 2025, Deputy Secretary of Tribal Affairs for CNRA, who serves as the State representative on the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake and on the Clear Lake Hitch Task Force, convened a local meeting with Tribal, State, and Local governments representatives to discuss the creation of a Co-management Agreement for use by the County of Lake to enter into non-binding Memorandums of Understanding with State Agencies (Primarily those of the Department of Natural Resources), local cities, and the following Tribal Nations:
• Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians
• Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of the Sulphur Bank Rancheria
• Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake
• Koi Nation of Northern California
• Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California
• Robinson Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians of California
• Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians
This agreement is not legally binding and does not seek to remove any rights, responsibilities, or authority of the County of Lake but rather document and formally agree and mutually pledge to continue to collaborate and work together in the best interests of Clear Lake. Additionally, this could serve as a model program in the state of California.
We are here today to present this item for your information, consideration, and to gather any feedback or edits. If your Board directs minimal or no edits, you can approve and direct the County Administrative Officer to sign at a future date. If more substantial edits are required, staff will make those changes and bring back to your Board later this month for consideration.
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Recommended Action: a) Discuss the Draft Co-Management of the Clear Lake Watershed Global Agreement, and b) Provide Feedback to Staff on Amending and if No or Minimal Amendments, c) Authorize Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer, to Sign.