Memorandum
Date: March 5, 2024
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Jordan Beaton, Water Resources Program Coordinator
Subject: Presentation from California Department of Fish and Wildlife providing an overview of Clear Lake Hitch Summit meeting, explanation of the Relative Population Estimate, and related hitch topics.
Executive Summary:
As your board is aware, the Clear Lake Hitch was listed as Threatened under the California Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2014. In 2022 there was a local call for action in response to the denied federal ESA listing of Clear Lake Hitch in combination with low observations during spawning season. In February of 2023 your board declared a Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to Persistent Drought, Habitat Loss, and Potential Extinction of Clear Lake Hitch. Since then, collaborative efforts have occurred among many local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
To update the Board and the public, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Senior Environmental Scientist, Felipe La Luz, will be presenting on the Clear Lake Hitch, whose population is still threatened, regardless of 2023's observations.
This presentation will provide information on:
a) The commitments and outcomes resulting from the November 2023 Clear Like Hitch Summit
b) Explanation of the Relative Population Estimates of the hitch
c) Hitch habitat use and related influences
Water Resources will host and introduce CDFW staff and presentation.
Felipe La Luz, will lead the presentation and be available for any questions that may arise from the Board or the public.
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