Memorandum
Date: March 5, 2024
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Board of Supervisors
Subject: Approve Continuation of Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to Pervasive Tree Mortality
Executive Summary:
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection found that its aerial and group surveys in Napa and Lake County revealed widespread conifer mortality leaving trees vulnerable to insect attacks and fire damage. On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order No. 7-77, that states the ongoing drought will have significant immediate impacts on communities. In response, the Lake County Risk Reduction Authority created the Lake County Tree Mortality Task Force established to investigate and address the extensive tree mortality in the County caused primarily by wildfire, drought and insect damage.
The Lake County Tree Mortality Task Force members have attended several presentations from individuals with considerable expertise in both entomology and tree mortality, including Forest
Advisor Dr. Michael Jones, an entomologist from University of California Cooperative. The overriding message was that failure to actively address tree mortality could result in the potential loss or degradation of forest habitats and associated ecological impacts, including the impact of wildlife, water and soil. And as such, create dangerous wildfire conditions that also threaten the safety of persons and property and will likely extend beyond the capacity of public safety services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of this County.
This Resolution requests the following actions from Governor Newsom; 1) Proclaim a State of Emergency in Lake County and other afflicted areas of the State, 2) Seek designation of tree mortality areas within Lake County and other afflicted areas of the State under Section 8204 of the Agriculture Act of 2014 and seek additional Federal program support; and 3) Request a Presidential Declaration of Emergency or Major Disaster for this emergency.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☒ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Approve Continuation of Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Due to Pervasive Tree Mortality