To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Water Agency
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Howard Dashiell |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
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Department Contact: |
Amber Fisette |
Phone: |
707-463-4363 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 45 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Acceptance of Presentation from EKI Environment and Water, Inc., on Development of the Mendocino County Drought Resilience Plan; and Adoption of Resolution Adopting the Mendocino County Drought Resilience Plan and Authorizing the Director of Transportation to Submit the Plan to California Department of Water Resources (Countywide)
(Sponsor: Water Agency)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Accept presentation from EKI Environment and Water, Inc., on development of the Mendocino County Drought Resilience Plan; adopt resolution adopting the Mendocino County Drought Resilience Plan and authorizing the Director of Transportation to submit the plan to California Department of Water Resources (Countywide); and authorize the Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
By Resolution 23-157 (September 12, 2023), the Board of Supervisors (BOS) authorized the Mendocino County Water Agency (MCWA) to submit a grant application to California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to implement the Mendocino County Drought Resilience Plan (DRP) Development and Drought Task Force (DTF) Participation Project. By Resolution 24-082 (May 21, 2024), the BOS approved Department of Transportation (DOT) Agreement Number (No.) 240004 / BOS Agreement No. 24-077, with EKI Environment and Water, Inc. (EKI), for consulting services for the DRP Development and DTF Participation Project. Throughout the project, the DTF has received updates on the DRP development process from staff and EKI.
Summary of Request:
Under Senate Bill (SB) 552, passed in 2021 as a result of the recent drought, each county in California is required to have a standing drought task force to facilitate drought and water shortage preparedness for state small water systems, domestic wells, and other privately supplied homes within the county’s jurisdiction. Each county must also develop a plan demonstrating the potential drought and water shortage risk and propose interim and long-term solutions for state small water systems and domestic wells within the county. The County of Mendocino has an existing drought task force (DTF) which is incorporated into the General Government Standing Committee, however, increased participation by water stakeholders was desirable. Additionally, the County needed to develop a drought resilience plan to comply with the SB 552 requirements. In February 2024, the County was awarded a grant in the amount of $124,974 from DWR’s County Drought Resilience Planning Assistance Program to assist in accomplishing these two tasks. Since that time, County staff has worked with EKI, the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), and the DTF to develop the Mendocino County DRP. In addition to extensive public outreach and engagement throughout the development of the DRP, the plan underwent a 31-day public review and comment period, which comments have been incorporated. The BOS will receive a presentation from EKI and staff providing a summary of the DRP and an overview of the development process, public comments, and how they have been addressed. MCWA requests the BOS adopt the Mendocino County DRP and authorize the Director of Transportation to submit the plan to DWR as required. A draft resolution is attached for the Board’s review and adoption.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not adopt the DRP and provide alternative direction to staff.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Prepared and Resilient County
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/departments/water-agency/drought-water-conservation/drought-resilience-plan
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): N/A |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Adopted |
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Date: May 20, 2025 |
Executed Item Type: Resolution |
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Number: 25-093 |
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