Board approves nonbinding Clear Lake watershed co-management agreement; staff to finalize amendments

The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted July 7 to approve a nonbinding memorandum of understanding designed to foster co-management and collaboration among tribes, cities, state agencies and local governments on Clear Lake watershed issues.

Terry Logsdon, the county's chief climate resiliency officer and tribal liaison, told the board that the 2024 state law (AB 1284) encourages the California Natural Resources Agency to enter into co-management agreements with federally recognized tribes and that the draft before the board reflects years of meetings with tribes and agency representatives. Logsdon said the agenda packet omitted the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians from a signature appendix; staff distributed corrected copies at the meeting.

The nut of the proposal is to create a forum for joint planning and grant coordination, not to transfer decision-making authority. "This is a nonbinding agreement," Logsdon said, adding that any party may withdraw and that "nothing in this agreement extinguishes any such rights, responsibilities, or authorities." County counsel also flagged and corrected citation errors in the draft prior to the vote.

Several supervisors asked why Yolo County Flood Control was not included in the signatory list; one supervisor said the district holds water rights above Rumsey and operates the dam. Logsdon said staff would pursue engagement with Yolo County and pass that suggestion along to state contacts. Other board members pressed for assurance that the MOU would not cede county authority: staff pointed to a section stating that parties "each retain all rights, responsibilities, and authorities provided for by law."

After a brief motion to approve the document as amended, the board authorized County Administrative Officer Susan Parker to sign the county's copy. When the board later sat as the Lake County Watershed Protection District, it approved a corresponding motion authorizing the district director to sign. One supervisor had earlier recorded an abstention and later explained she had concerns about potential implications, including the absence of Yolo County and whether any provisions could enable monitoring of private wells.

The agreement, as approved, is nonbinding and includes a requirement that parties meet at least annually in good faith. Staff said a signing ceremony is being planned in Lake County for Sept. 11, with time and place to be announced.

The board recorded the action as an approval with amendments and said staff should follow up to invite additional stakeholders and incorporate minor corrections.

The board moved on to subsequent agenda items; the MOU will be filed with the clerk as amended and the county and watershed district will coordinate next steps for outreach and the ceremonial signing.