TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Supervisor Haschak and Supervisor McGourty
MEETING DATE: March 15, 2022
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Haschak
PHONE:
707-463-4441
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor McGourty
PHONE:
707-463-4441
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 1 Hour
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction to Staff Regarding Regulation of Water Extraction/Mining and Water Hauling
(Sponsors: Supervisors Haschak and McGourty)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Direct staff to implement proposals 4) Ban commercial water hauling to any destination at which the end user will be using the water for non-permitted commercial activities, 5) utilize existing law to require use permits for water extraction and amend the code to provide clarification of this existing requirement, and 6) Develop standard conditions and guidelines respecting use permits for water extraction with the input and assistance of the Planning Commission, and update the code accordingly, listed within the summary of request; bring back the remaining proposals for Board consideration in 6-12 months, once there is more information regarding the anticipated staffing levels of the Mendocino County Water Agency and its capacity to take on new programs; and affirm that the Ad Hoc will continue to take public input on the matter.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
None.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
With the drought and increased aridity as ongoing issues in Mendocino County, people are increasingly concerned about wells going dry and aquifers being excessively tapped. This concern is exacerbated by extraction and hauling of water for non-permitted cannabis grows. There are many reports of people with wells selling water that is then transported to distant locations for unpermitted usages, which may also be causing damage to roads and bridges that were not intended to handle regular traffic by heavy water trucks.
In ...
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