USFWS Seeking Public Comment Over Clear Lake Hitch Threatened Species Proposal
The following is courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Service seeks public comment on proposal to list Clear Lake hitch as a threatened species
Sacramento, Calif. – Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the Clear Lake hitch as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Along with the listing, the Service is proposing a 4(d) rule for activities that will have a conservation benefit for the species. Critical habitat will be proposed at a later date.
The Clear Lake hitch is a large freshwater minnow found only in Northern California’s Clear Lake watershed, including Clear Lake, Blue Lakes and Thurston Lake. The silver fish is an important species to local Tribes who call it “Chi” and historically relied on it for food. Wetland habitat loss, degradation and modification throughout the Clear Lake watershed are the leading threats to the species. Drought, poor water quality, and invasive carp and other non-native fish also contribute to the species’ decline.
“The survey data in Clear Lake has shown a decline in the hitch population over an extended period, but there’s a lot of variability in the population numbers year-to-year due to changes in environmental conditions,” said Michael Fris, field supervisor of the Service’s Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. “We will continue to look at all potential factors that could be contributing to the decline of this culturally important species and invest in projects that support the recovery of the hitch.”
The Service used the best scientific and commercial data available to evaluate the status of the fish. Data and information were reviewed on two separate populations of Clear Lake hitch within the Clear Lake watershed: one in Clear Lake and its associated tributaries and small lakes (i.e., Blue Lakes and Tule Lake), and the other in Thurston Lake and its associated tributary. While the population in Thurston Lake appears to be relatively stable, the population in Clear Lake and its tributaries are facing greater challenges related to habitat modification, water quality and invasive species . From this analysis, the Service determined that proposing the hitch as threatened was warranted. While the species is not currently at risk of extinction, populations of the hitch are likely to continue to decline, putting the species at risk for extinction in the future.
“The Service is committed to helping the Clear Lake hitch recover,” said Fris. “For nearly 20 years, we have been working with local partners and agencies to monitor the species and work collaboratively on projects that help restore habitat.”
The Service has worked diligently to support recovery efforts of the fish. Since 2005, the Service has provided more than $3.7 million in grants and other funding to the U.S. Geological Survey and local Tribes for monitoring, research and habitat restoration projects related to the Clear Lake hitch. In 2024, the Service announced a $2.5 million grant to support the Tejada Ranch Habitat Management Project. The project will clear debris dams, restore degraded stream habitat and provide sustainable fish passage from Blue Lakes to Scotts Creek. The Service is also committed to completing a conservation strategy for the hitch. The strategy identifies goals, objectives and actions that are needed to improve the species’ habitat. This strategy was developed alongside many partners, including Tribes, local organizations, and state, federal and local government agencies.
With the proposed listing, the Service also is proposing a 4(d) rule for the hitch that provides exceptions to the prohibition of take under the Endangered Species Act for activities associated with habitat management and restoration, non-native plant and animal species removal, cultural collection, fish rescues, forest fuels and fire management, and cannabis cleanup. These activities can prevent further declines in habitat conditions, preserve or improve the resiliency of the remaining populations, or only have negligible impacts to the fish.
The Service is seeking public comment on its proposal to list the Clear Lake hitch. The documents will publish in the Federal Register on January 16, 2025. The publication will open a 60-day public comment period. The Service will consider comments from all interested parties received by March 17, 2025. The proposal and information on how to submit comments can be found on www.regulations.gov by searching under docket number FWS–R8–ES–2024–0161.
