REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  March  28, 2023
CATEGORY:  Consent - Public Works-8.

SUBJECT:

Adopt a resolution recognizing the circumstances and factors that led to the June 15, 2021, proclamation of a local emergency due to drought have not been resolved and there is a need for continuation of the local drought emergency proclamation.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Al Cathey, Public Works Director, (530) 225-5661

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Al Cathey, Public Works Director

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution which recognizes that the circumstances and factors that led to the June 15, 2021, proclamation of a local emergency due to drought have not been resolved and that there is a need for continuation of the local drought emergency proclamation.

DISCUSSION

Even with the recent encouraging rain and snow, Shasta County and the Sacramento Valley continue to be in a drought. The 2022 water year was the fourth year in a row of below average to critically low rainfall in California.  It will take more than just an average to above average single year to recover fully. Shasta and Trinity Reservoirs have below average storage for this time of year. The United States Bureau of Reclamation reduced Central Valley Project water deliveries to 35% for agricultural use and 75% for municipal and industrial uses for north of delta contractors for the 2023 water year.

On April 21, 2021, the Governor issued a limited State of Emergency Proclamation, which has since been expanded to include the entire State. On June 15, 2021, the Board declared a local drought emergency and adopted Ordinance No. 757 restricting water use for the various CSAs. The Board has since periodically adopted Resolutions declaring the necessity to continue the proclamation of a local drought emergency.  On February 13, 2023, the Governor reaffirmed drought conditions still exist and the emergency declarations issued in 2021 remain in full force and effect.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board may decline to maintain the drought finding. Local water purveyors will continue managing the drought.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel approved the original proclamation of the existence of a local drought emergency (Resolution No. 2021-053) and subsequent continuation proclamations (Resolution No.’s 2021-074, 2021-093, 2021-121, 2022-005, 2022-021, 2022-041, 2022-062, 2022-086, 2022-110, 2022-129, 2022-150, and 2023-013) as to form and has approved the resolution accompanying this item as to form.  The Recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FISCAL IMPACT

Sufficient appropriations to prepare this report have been included in the Adopted Fiscal Year 2022-23 Water Agency Administration budget.