Seven tribal governments, state officials, and Lake County leaders met at Big Valley Rancheria on September 11, 2026,to sign a landmark environmental pact. the Clear Lake Watershed and Chi-co Agreement establishes a formal partnership to help restore California's largest lake.
A shift from colonial management to Pomo stewardship
The Clear Lake Watershed and Chi-co Agreement represents a significant shift in how California's largest lake is governed. For generations, the Pomo people practiced stewardship over these waters, a relationship that was interrupted by colonial-era practices. The ceremony at Big Valley Rancheria, which featured the rhythmic Xabatin "Big Lake" feather dancers, signaled a return to these ancient roots.
According to the report, this new agreement grants seven tribal governments a formal seat at the table alongside state and Lake County officials to plan restoration and protect water quality. This move reflects a growing trend in environmental management where indigenous knowledge is integrated with modern conservation science to manage millions of acres of land and coastal waters.
Safeguarding the endemic chi fish and holy white sturgeon
The restoration efforts outlined in the agreement focus on protecting unique biological assets that are found nowhere else on Earth. Specifically, the partnership aims to preserve the endemic chi fish and the remaining populations of the holy white sturgeon. As the report notes, the Pomo tribes are already working with state partners to develop strategies to combat invasive species, such as:
- Invasive carp that threaten native populations.
- Goldfish that outcompete indigenous species.
- Degraded shoreline habitats that impact wildlife like bald eagles.
By prioritizing these species, the agreement seeks to restore the ecological balance that has been disrupted over recent decades through the management of the surrounding watershed.
Managing the watershed amidst the ongoing Lucas Fire
The signing ceremony at Big Valley Rancheria took place under the shadow of immediate environmental threats. At the time of the event on September 11, 2026, the Lucas Fire was actively burning and threatening to impact the region's water quality. Despite this crisis, tribal leaders and state officials proceeded with the ceremony to signal long-term resilience.
The presence of the fire serves as a stark reminder of the urgency behind the agreement, as wildfire runoff and habitat destruction pose constant risks to the Clear Lake ecosystem. The ability of the signatory groups to coordinate during an active fire event underscores the practical necessity of this formal partnership.
Will state agencies uphold the accountability demanded by Jose "Moke" Simon III?
While the agreement provides a legal framework for cooperation,several critical questions remain regarding its long-term implementation. The report highlights a demand for genuine accountability from Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians Chairman Jose "Moke" Simon III, who cautioned that signatories must "better mean it" when they put their names on such documents.
It remains to be seen how state agencies will balance their existing protocols with the newly empowered voices of the seven tribal governments. Furthermore, while Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians Chairman Flaman McCloud Jr. spoke of preserving the heritage of the chi fish, the specific timeline for reintroducing these species and the exact funding mechanisms for these massive restoration plans have not yet been fully detailed.
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