Title
a. Proposed CEQA Action: Consider finding that the County’s approval of the Drought Resilience Plan is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as an action by a Regulatory Agency to protect both Natural Resources and the Environment pursuant to sections 15307 and 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines, and that no exceptions to these exemptions apply; and
b. Consider adoption of a resolution approving the County of Monterey Drought Resilience Plan, dated July 2026, attached to the Board Report for the Board of Supervisors’ November 17, 2026 meeting and incorporated herein by reference.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Proposed CEQA Action: Find that the approval of the Drought Resilience Plan is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as an action by a Regulatory Agency to protect both Natural Resources and the Environment pursuant to sections 15307 and 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines, and that no exceptions to these exemptions apply; and
b. Consider and adopt a resolution approving the County of Monterey Drought Resilience Plan, dated July 2026, attached to the Board Report for the Board of Supervisors’ November 17, 2026 meeting and incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY:
In September 2021, Senate Bill (SB) 552 (Hertzberg) enacted California Water Code sections 10609.50 through 10609.80. Section 10609.70 requires counties to establish a task force or other alternative process to facilitate “drought and water shortage preparedness” for state small water systems and domestic wells (Water Code, § 10609.70(a)(1), (2)). It also requires counties to develop a plan that includes a risk assessment and proposed interim and long-term solutions for potential drought and water shortage risk affecting state small water systems and domestic wells within the County’s jurisdiction to improve long-term water resilience for small water suppliers....
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