Memorandum
Date: February 7, 2023
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Michael S. Green, District 4 Supervisor, Eddie "E.J." Crandell, District 3 Supervisor
Subject: 1:30 P.M. - Consideration of Draft Proclamation declaring a Clear Lake Hitch Emergency.
Executive Summary:
The Clear Lake hitch, or chi, is a native fish species whose rapid population decline has been accelerated by the statewide drought emergency, competing water demands, legacy environmental impacts, predation by non-native fish, and many other complex factors. While the chi was listed as "threatened" in 2014 under the California Endangered Species Act, that listing and subsequent state, federal and local actions have not been sufficient to protect the fishery.
On Jan. 24, 2023, your board heard extensive written and oral testimony regarding the status of the Clear Lake hitch, along with concerns about some emergency actions proposed in recent weeks by native sovereign nations within Lake County, government agencies and commissions. Because that discussion spanned nearly five hours, covering multiple subjects, consideration of a draft emergency proclamation was continued by board consensus to the Feb. 7 board meeting. An updated draft incorporating feedback from multiple agencies and interested parties is attached for discussion purposes and possible action, along with the original draft version from Jan. 24. Another draft resolution, which removed all of the requests or "asks" found in the original draft, was circulated for discussion but is not presented here because it is not a preferred option.
Several attachments are included with this memo to provide background information, including all of the multimedia slides presented at the Jan. 24 meeting. The hearing is viewable on the county's digital channels, including YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si7xIiWgE2c. No presentations are scheduled today, but some of the Jan. 24 presenters are planning to attend a...
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