The State Water Resources Control Board meeting on December 18, 2024, spotlighted significant achievements in environmental conservation, particularly the efforts surrounding the Clear Lake Hitch emergency response team. Eric Ekdahl presented a Superior Accomplishment Award to the team, recognizing their rapid and effective actions to combat the extinction crisis facing the Clear Lake Hitch, a native fish species.

In December 2022, a coalition of local tribes initiated a summit that galvanized state and federal agencies to address the urgent threats to the hitch, which included drought and habitat loss. This collaborative effort led to the establishment of a dedicated team within the board, which has since implemented various measures to protect the species. Notably, Governor Newsom's executive order in March 2023 underscored the need for ongoing action to safeguard the hitch's habitat.

The team has engaged in extensive outreach, sending information to over 2,600 property owners to encourage voluntary water-saving actions and overseeing emergency regulations for groundwater management in the Clear Lake watershed. They have also conducted numerous site visits and initiated over 400 enforcement actions to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

While the award ceremony celebrated the team's accomplishments, it also highlighted the ongoing challenges. The Clear Lake Hitch emergency is far from resolved, and continued efforts will be necessary to restore the population and its habitat. The board emphasized the importance of collaboration with tribal nations and local partners as they move forward in this critical conservation work.