Title
Receive a report from Office of Emergency Services on the status of drought related impacts in Monterey County and the County of Monterey's water conservation efforts.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a report from Office of Emergency Services on the status of drought related impacts in Monterey County and the County of Monterey's water conservation efforts.
SUMMARY:
This report describes the activities of various County departments and the Inter-Agency Drought Task Force in response to the current drought, provides information on the current status of the drought in Monterey County, and describes the County's efforts over the last year in regards to water conservation efforts. In addition, representatives from the Monterey County Farm Bureau and Growers-Shipper Association of Central California will present farming conservation practices overview. The National Weather Service will provide a climate forecast for the 2015 winter-summer season.
DISCUSSION:
On January 17, 2014, with California facing the driest year in recorded history, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency, and called upon all Californians to voluntarily reduce their water use by 20 percent. The Governor also established a State Drought Task Force consisting of key state agencies, led by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), to carry out advanced strategic planning efforts, provide status reports, and to work with counties and others, to identify drought related issues and assistance programs to support those impacted. Knowing that a prolonged drought could have economic and social impacts, and may impact water quality/quantity, food and agriculture Monterey County formed a multi-agency drought task force to ensure that information on water systems at risk and strategies for conservation for shared between all stakeholders.
Monterey County is still part of the 25% of the State in the most extre...
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