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County outlines advisory committee, schedule for drought and low-water resiliency plan under SB 552
Summary
Community Development and Water Resources presented a timeline and a proposed advisory group of county, tribal and stakeholder representatives to draft Lake County’s drought and low-water resiliency plan required by SB 552. The process will include public and tribal input and is expected to take up to a year.
County staff presented a status update March 25 on work to prepare a drought and low-water resiliency plan under Senate Bill 552. Community Development Director Maria Turner and Water Resources Director Buona Podier described a proposed ad hoc advisory committee and a schedule of meetings to draft the plan.
Turner said the county has reorganized its existing drought task force to the Drought and Low Water Task Force and has proposed an advisory committee to meet at key milestones during the drafting process. The state law focuses on “state small water systems” and domestic wells; county staff said the advisory committee and task force will emphasize those systems while also engaging a broad set of stakeholders.
The draft advisory list includes county departments (community development, watershed protection, environmental health, public works, Office of Emergency Services and the Chief Climate Resiliency Officer), tribal representatives, CAL FIRE or county fire districts, Golden State Water/California Water where relevant, the Farm Bureau and local community associations. Stantec consultants (contractor technical staff) will provide technical assistance and draft the plan. Staff noted special districts will remain on the standing task force and will have review input but were not included in the smaller drafting ad hoc committee because of the state plan’s focus.
Turner outlined a schedule that begins with a task-force meeting in late April, a kickoff for the advisory committee in May and up to four advisory committee meetings at key drafting milestones. The county expects the work to take up to a year but said it will proceed as quickly as possible.
Board members asked for clarification about participating organizations and whether the plan would be countywide; staff said the plan’s legal reach depends on the law and that tribes may choose whether to participate. Supervisors encouraged including cities and expressed interest in ensuring representation from county fire and other water purveyors.
The presentation was informational; no action was required. Staff will proceed with scheduling advisory meetings, incorporate board feedback and engage tribes, special districts and cities as appropriate.
