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. (Water Code, § 10609.70(b).)
In accordance with SB 552 and Water Code section 10609.70(a)(2), the County of Monterey Health Department, Environmental Health Bureau (EHB), in lieu of establishing a standing drought and water shortage task force, convened and chaired a multi-agency Drought Advisory Group for Small Water Systems and Domestic Wells (Drought Advisory Group) on July 16, 2024.
Development of the Plan involved extensive coordination among County departments, state agencies, groundwater sustainability agencies, water suppliers, nonprofit organizations, and community representatives. The Drought Advisory Group provided input on current water supply conditions and potential water shortage risks, supported communication and coordination among stakeholders, and helped identify short-term mitigation options and long-term prevention measures to address identified risks and needs. With assistance from Stantec Consulting Services Inc., provided by the California Department of Water Resources, EHB prepared the Drought Resilience Plan for consideration and adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
Adoption of the Drought Resilience Plan fulfills the County's planning obligations under SB 552 and positions the County to coordinate future drought preparedness efforts, pursue funding opportunities, and respond more effectively to water shortages affecting domestic wells and small water systems.
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with SB 552, EHB has prepared a county Drought Resilience Plan to achieve long-term improvements in water resilience for small water suppliers. In addition to requiring the development of a County Drought Resilience Plan, SB 552 also directed each county to establish a standing county drought and water shortage task force or establish an alternative process that “facilitates drought and water shortage preparedness for state small water systems and domestic wells within the county’s jurisdiction.” (Water Code, § 10609.70(a) (2)). Adoption of the Plan does not create new regulatory requirements or authorize new expenditures. Future implementation actions will be pursued as staffing, funding, and Board direction allow.
The purpose of the Drought Advisory Group is to facilitate drought and water shortage preparedness for state small water systems (five to fourteen service connections), local small water systems (two to four service connections), and single connection domestic wells within the County. Although state law does not specifically require inclusion of local small water systems, EHB included these small water systems in this drought planning effort. The Drought Advisory Group advised on the development of the draft Drought Resilience Plan. The Drought Advisory Group also created a mechanism for coordination and communication for advance planning and emergency response for drought and water shortages impacting state small and local small water systems and domestic wells.
The Drought Resilience Plan is intended to aid the County in preparing for and identifying drought and water shortage risks and identifying potential short-term response actions and long-term mitigation strategies for single connection domestic wells, local small water systems (generally two to four service connections), and state small water system (generally five to fourteen service connections). The Drought Advisory Group had the opportunity to review and comment on the draft of the Drought Resilience Plan. County staff provided opportunities for public engagement throughout the development of the Drought Resilience Plan. EHB also established a website to provide current information, meeting updates, and the draft of the Plan once ready. The Drought Advisory Group held several open meetings-Kickoff Meeting: August 22, 2024; Meeting #2: September 18, 2024; Meeting #3: January 9, 2025; and Meeting #4: March 13, 2026-to discuss the risk assessment and proposed short-term actions and long-term strategies in the proposed Drought Resilience Plan.
CEQA:
The adoption of the Drought Resilience Plan is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15307 for actions “to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment” and CEQA Guidelines section 15308 for actions “to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment.” The approval of the Plan is within these categorical exemptions based on the following findings and evidence:
The Drought Resilience Plan includes a risk assessment that identifies where water shortages associated with domestic wells, local small water systems, and state small water systems are more likely to occur due to potential physical and social vulnerabilities in the County.
Based on the risk analysis, the Drought Resilience Plan identifies potential short-term actions the County could take in the event of a water shortage emergency and potential long-term mitigation strategies and actions to reduce the vulnerability of domestic wells, local small water systems, and state small water systems to drought and water shortages.
The Plan protects natural resources and the environment by identifying actions and strategies that the County could take to mitigate or prevent water shortages for domestic wells, local small water systems, and state small water systems. Such actions and strategies include supporting water conservation measures, developing processes and programs to supply drinking water in case of an emergency water shortage, continuing to collect and communicate water quality data, coordinating with other agencies to track dry wells, and aiding domestic wells, local small water systems, and state small systems as staffing and funding allow. Many of the actions involve gathering of information and transmitting the information to the public via the EHB website. None of the proposed actions commit the County to activities having the potential for a significant adverse effect on the environment.
The exceptions to the use of categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 do not apply to the adoption of the Drought Resilience Plan. The location exception (CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2(a)) is inapplicable because it does not apply to Class 7 or Class 8 categorical exemptions. Likewise, the Drought Resilience Plan will not result in impacts to scenic highways or hazardous waste sites, and its adoption will not contribute to significant cumulative impacts because the Drought Resilience Plan is a non-binding planning document that does not commit the County to any specific project or physical change to the environment. For the same reason, there is no reasonable possibility that adoption of the Drought Resilience Plan will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. Accordingly, none of the exceptions in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 precludes reliance on the Class 7 and Class 8 categorical exemptions
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal(s) 1. Build Community Power and Partners’ Capacity to Increase Equity and Improve Health and 4. Deepen Organizational Effectiveness and Support Long-Term Sustainability. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
Other agencies included in the Drought Advisory Group are Monterey County Water Resources Agency, Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, SAFER Program Unit # 3, County of Monterey, Housing and Community Development Department, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, County of Monterey, Department of Emergency Management, Community Water Center, Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Pajaro/ Sunny Mesa Community Service District, California Water Service, Salinas Valley Region, Consulting Hydrogeologist, Water System Consultant MCSI Water Systems Management, Arroyo Seco GSA, Arroyo Seco Citizen Association, Monterey County Farm Bureau, Local Small Water System, State small water system, and Southern Monterey County Rural Coalition Lockwood.
FINANCING:
Adoption of the Plan has no direct fiscal impact and does not appropriate funding. Implementation of future actions identified in the Plan will be dependent upon available staffing, grant funding, and future Board direction.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The Drought Resilience Plan includes a risk assessment that identifies where water shortages associated with domestic wells, local small water systems, and state small water systems are more likely to occur due to potential physical and social vulnerabilities in the County and identifies potential short-term and long term actions the County could take reduce the vulnerability of domestic wells, local small water systems, and state small water systems to drought and water shortages. Such actions and strategies include supporting water conservation measures, developing processes and programs to supply drinking water in case of an emergency water shortage, continuing to collect and communicate water quality data, coordinating with other agencies to track dry wells, and providing assistance to domestic wells, local small water systems, and state small systems as staffing and funding allow.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
_X_ Well-Being and Quality of Life
_X_ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
_X_ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: Charise Walters, Management Analyst III, 755-4708
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Board Resolution
Exhibit A - County of Monterey Drought Resilience Plan
Presentation