CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council has approved a memorandum of agreement with the Koi Nation of Northern California establishing programs for preserving cultural resources.

Establishment of the memorandum of agreement, or MOA – which was accepted by the council at its Aug. 28 meeting – relates to the ongoing process to update the city of Clearlake General Plan.

According to city staff, the MOA goes beyond requirements of Senate Bill 18, which mandates local governments to consult with American Indian tribes to aid in the protection of traditional tribal culture places through local land use planning.

Councilman Joey Luiz said the agreement is proactive and supports the continuous dialogue between the city and the tribal community.

“I think it's a good thing,” he said. “We live in one of the most Native American-rich areas in the county and we need to do our part to help the native community preserve that.”

According to Gary Price, contracted planner for the city of Clearlake, various local tribes were solicited with the opportunity to participate in the consultation process resulting in response from three tribes including the Koi Nation, Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians and Big Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians.

Price said Robinson Rancheria requested information on the General Plan Housing Element update and did not engage in formal consultation.

Formal consultation was entertained, however, with the Koi Nation and Big Valley. He said the city met with those tribes several times over the last few months to identify and address their concerns with the general plan update in accordance with SB 18.

“Both tribes assisted city staff in revising the cultural resources section of Chapter 10 in the Conservation Element of the Draft 2014-40 General Plan including adding new background information and policies/programs for adequate respect and consultation with area tribes,” Price said.

“We expect that with the city's approval of these revised policies and programs, as incorporated into the new General Plan, will conclude the city's and tribes' consultation process under SB 18,” Price added.

Price said the Koi Nation's request to enter into a MOA goes beyond the requirements of SB 18.

Steven Beltran, representative of the Koi Nation, provided the council with a brief tribal history, noting that Indian Island is the tribe's capitol.

“The MOA will solidify our relationship with (the city),” he said. “We are not antidevelopment. We are not here to stop anything. We are here to work with you.”

According to Price, the MOA implements many of the policies and programs identified in the revised draft cultural resources section of Chapter 10, the Conservation Element.

He said it “memorializes the city's policy of respecting the city's rich cultural heritage and provides a pro-active approach to preserving these resources by formalizing a collaborative effort” between the city and the Koi Nation for consultation on development projects received by the city for processing.

In addition, Price said the MOA provides for additional collaborative preservation work, such as developing a cultural resources management plan when funds become available.

“This MOA is what we should be doing in our community anyway, which is working together,” Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson said.

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