To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department -- Drought Task Force
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
Monthly Report from Drought Task Force (DTF)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive the report from the Drought Task Force.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100)
DISCUSSION:
In the absence of Ryan Derby, this is an update on the work of the Drought Task Force. This is a report on the activities undertaken and information received by the Drought Task Force.
The task force-initiated work on several important initiatives:
1. Resiliency Program Manager. A position is being created in the CAO’s office for the Resiliency Program Manager. The job flyer will be released soon.
2. SB552 Drought Preparedness planning for Small Water Systems and Wells. Staff of the Division of Environmental Health (DEH) and the Planning Department are coordinating the development of a Drought and Water Shortage contingency plan for State Small Water Systems and domestic wells to comply with SB552. The Drought Task Force previously recommended formation of a working group to represent various perspectives from the Humboldt community. However, to ensure access for all interested public contributors, the DTF recommends a series of public meetings with explicit invitations made to representatives from the state and other local governments, including groundwater sustainability agencies, community-based organizations, local water suppliers, and local residents, to participate.
The proposed meetings would follow upcoming educational outreach meetings offered by California Department of Water Resources designed to assist county governments in complying with the SB552 mandate.
3. Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)
Recently two locations have been identified as having reported blooms of cyanobacteria. Big Lagoon was sampled by the Big Lagoon Rancheria on Aug. 8, 2022, with the results showing high concentrations of toxins produced by cyanobacteria. DEH posted DANGER signs, warning against water contact. The Big Lagoon Rancheria is expected to re-sample before the Labor Day weekend.
The second location was reported in the South Fork Eel River near Redway. The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has shared reports of social media indicated that this bloom may have resulted in the death of a dog. DEH posted caution signage near the river, between Briceland Road and Camp Ravencliff, warning the public to be cautious of algal matts and avoid water contact in those areas. DEH staff attends a monthly coordination meeting with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board focused on the HAB.
4. Well Permitting Pilot Program. Planning and Building working with LACO Associates are in process of developing a pilot program that will develop data for geological and hydrogeological conditions for a limited area watershed in Humboldt County. This will allow development of a model that can be tested in other watersheds in an effort to develop well permitting regulations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this report.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by enforcing laws and regulations to protect residents
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
This is merely a report.
ATTACHMENTS:
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: I-2, L-1
Meeting of: July 20, 2021, and Aug. 10, 2021
File No.: 21-1004, 21-1072