To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Drought Task Force Update and Progress Towards SB 552 Compliance
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a verbal report from the Humboldt County Drought Task Force regarding the current status of drought impacts in Humboldt County and progress towards compliance with California Senate Bill 552; and
2. Dissolve 2021 Drought Task Force and authorize the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services to convene a Steering Committee for a standing Drought Task Force to meet the intent of SB 552, and to develop a Charter establishing the governing structure of the new Drought Task Force.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100), Public Health Fund (1175)
DISCUSSION:
The Humboldt County Drought Task Force was established on May 25, 2021, by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors. The task force has been directed to explore and develop potential short, medium, and long-term actions for a coordinated, county-wide response as well as track local impacts resulting from drought.
Since its creation, the Drought Task Force has met to discuss local impacts and response and mitigation strategies, providing updates to the Board of Supervisors and the community via formal reports and social and conventional media.
Though the drought in California has subsided, and significant amounts of rainfall have reduced Humboldt County's short-term risk of drought-related impacts, Senate Bill 552 (SB 552) was passed in September 2021 requiring counties to maintain a standing drought task force to facilitate drought and water shortage preparedness for state small water systems (serving 5 to 14 connections), domestic wells, and other privately supplied homes within the county's jurisdiction. Additionally, each county must also develop a plan demonstrating the potential drought and water shortage risk and propose...
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