Board reorganizes drought work group, establishes ad hoc committee and transfers lead to Community Development for SB 552 compliance

The Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 4 to reorganize its drought work group into the Lake County Drought and Water Shortage Task Force, establish a short-term ad hoc advisory committee to prepare a drought resiliency plan, and transfer lead-agency responsibility for the initiative to the Department of Community Development.

The actions respond to Senate Bill 552 (2021), which requires enhanced drought preparedness for small water suppliers and domestic well users. County staff said the ad hoc committee will be populated by subject-matter experts and will hold a series of meetings to draft the plan. Staff said the county had received technical assistance from the State Department of Water Resources and that consultants (Stantec) were available to support the drafting work.

Community Development Director Maria Turner told the board the department's outreach and long-range planning responsibilities align with the plan requirement and that the department will work with Water Resources and Watershed Protection staff during plan development. Supervisors directed staff to return with a proposed composition of the ad hoc committee for board review and approval.

The board's action also included a commitment to public outreach and to coordinate with special districts, municipal water providers, fire districts and tribal partners while drafting the plan. Staff said the state granted an extension on the timeline and that the county will receive approximately one year of technical assistance for plan development once it starts.