Memorandum
Date: September 14, 2021
To: The Honorable Bruno Sabatier, Chairman, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Brian L. Martin, Sheriff/Coroner/OES Director
Subject: Approve the Continuation of a Proclamation of Emergency Declaration for Drought Conditions
Executive Summary:
Pursuant to Chapter 6, Article 1 of the Lake County Code empowers the Director of Emergency Services to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when Lake County is affected by, or likely to be affected by a public calamity and the Board of Supervisors is not in session. During the existence of this local emergency, the powers, functions and duties of the Director of Emergency Services and the emergency organization of the County shall be those prescribed by state law, and by ordinance and resolutions of this County, approved by the Board of Supervisors, and by the Lake Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan, as approved by the Board of Supervisors.
On April 21, 2021, the Governor of the State of California proclaimed a State of Emergency for the Counties of Sonoma and Mendocino due to extremely low reservoir levels and drought conditions. Inasmuch, Lake County water table levels are at significantly to critically low levels and are being continuously monitored.
Based upon low water levels, the County may have to consider measures to address the water shortages. These measures may include taking steps to conserve water by practicing water conservation efforts, including, but not limited to repairing leaking plumbing, limiting non-essential watering, limiting car washing, filling bathtubs halfway or less, using high-efficient appliances, reducing shower times, only washing full loads of laundry, turning off water when brushing teeth or shaving, planting drought resistant landscaping and implementing other practices that reduce water consumption. Short or long-term solutions are costly; however, the County may be eligible for State or Federal assistance should the need arise to address drought issues if conditions persist.
Therefore, the declaration of an emergency will allow the County to qualify for funding that has been specifically set aside for drought relief purposes. Programs within the State focus on ground water management, conservation and recapture/recycle initiatives.
By declaring a local emergency, the County is taking a pro-active approach to address drought related disaster issues. In addition, with the adoption of a proclamation declaring a state of local emergency, State law requires the Board of Supervisors to review the status of the emergency at least once every 30 days.
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Recommended Action: Approve the Continuation of a Proclamation of Emergency Declaration for Drought Conditions.