LAKEPORT -- Supervisors agreed Tuesday to write letters to Lake County tribes asking the tribes for input on having representation on the Clear Lake Advisory Committee so the committee can move forward.

The letters will likely ask to see whether tribes are interested in having representation on the committee, if one person could represent the four tribes and if they could choose a representative on the tribal council.

Committee chairwoman Melissa Fulton said at the meeting during previous discussions with tribal representatives, they couldn't come to an agreement on having one person represent all four tribes, as they are sovereign nations.

"I hate to see the committee at a stalemate because of one issue," Fulton said. "It's a big issue. But we need to be effective. We need to be working on the critical health of Clear Lake."

The committee came to the board in November when supervisors recommended having one person represent all tribes.

Fulton said the committee didn't have a quorum Friday and couldn't take action on the Clear Lake Restoration Act, which she considers the most important matter before the committee.

"I urge that we move forward with that," Fulton said.

Supervisor Rob Brown said he wants tribal council members on the committee but that the board should discuss the issue with tribal councils before taking action.

"We're always hearing from representatives, not members of the tribes," Brown said.

Supervisor Jeff Smith said tribes could fill in open category positions, including agriculture, environmental restoration, navigation and public access rather than having a specific position for the tribe. He said it's a matter of switching names in a committee that's concerned about the size.

Supervisor Denise Rushing said she thinks it's difficult for tribes to come up with one name.

Supervisor Jim Comstock, sitting as the chair, said Wednesday he thinks it's a "slap in the face" to tribes giving them an allotted position rather then having them apply for the specialties.

"There are some very quality people in the tribes and we would love to have them on the committee," Comstock said.

He suggested tribal members apply for the open positions.

Fulton gave the board a report on the committee, including matters concerning the quagga mussel prevention program, aquatic weed management plans, algae control, the Clear Lake Restoration Act and duplicate testing and studies.

The committee has meetings from 9 a.m. to noon every fourth Friday of the month in the County Courthouse in Lakeport or the Clearlake City Council where members of the public are welcome to join. The committee will have its next meeting Aug. 27 in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in the County Courthouse in Lakeport.