Commissioners urge study of Williamson Act contracts as water and planning pressures mount

Commissioners discussed whether Siskiyou County should review existing Williamson Act contracts and county ordinance language to address changing water availability and evolving land‑use pressures.

One commissioner said the county is facing near‑term changes — a county drought declaration, pending AB 263 on minimum flows, irrigated‑lands fees and other regulatory costs — and asked staff to analyze whether current Williamson Act contracts remain appropriate under county rules and state statute. "Agriculture production as we know it in Siskiyou County is going to be having a face change," the commissioner said, noting potential loss of irrigation and the risk that nonrenewal of contracts could lead to subdivision or other land uses that would conflict with area plans.

The commissioner proposed objective criteria for staff review: parcels of 40 acres or greater, proof of agricultural revenue (including timber) on a five‑year average, and a suggested revenue threshold of about $100 per acre per year as a measure of meaningful agricultural use. He framed those items as discussion triggers for staff analysis rather than immediate policy changes.

Staff clarified the supervisors had directed an identification of potentially noncompliant contracts and said any supervisor action on contracts could appear at an upcoming Board meeting; staff also said it could pass the commissioner’s comments to the supervisors. Commissioners discussed timing and asked staff to consider bringing the matter back to the Planning Commission after the supervisors’ October discussion so the commission could develop formal recommendations.

No formal county action occurred at the meeting. Commissioners emphasized the topic’s significance for the county’s general plan and for maintaining viable agricultural and open‑space outcomes if irrigation availability is reduced by new minimum flow rules and fee programs.