TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: David Morrison - Interim County Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Kendra Bowyer - Emergency Services Officer
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Continuing the State of Local Emergency Due To Drought Conditions
RECOMMENDATION
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Interim County Executive Officer, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, requests adoption of a Resolution continuing the State of Local Emergency due to drought conditions that are occurring in Napa County.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 8, 2022, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed a State of Local Emergency due to drought conditions in Napa County, pursuant to Resolution No. 2022-29. Government Code section 8630(c) requires local agencies to revisit proclamations of local emergency at least once every 60 days until the local emergency is terminated.
If adopted by the Board, the proposed Resolution will continue the State of Local Emergency due to drought conditions in Napa County, and extend the emergency powers of County officials as set forth in Resolution No. 2022-29.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Where is it budgeted? |
If costs are incurred as a result of the drought staff will return to the Board with any appropriation increases. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Ongoing drought conditions and related emergency response actions may result in future fiscal impacts to the County. Drought cycles historically last for several years |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If the resolution is not adopted the County may not be eligible for emergency response funding from the State. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: This proposed activity is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3) because the activity is not a project pursuant to section 15378, and because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment pursuant to section 15060(c)(1).
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Napa County, as well as California as a whole, experienced two consecutive years (2021-2022) of extremely dry conditions due to historically low rainfall totals. On March 8, 2022, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed a State of Local Emergency due to drought conditions in Napa County, pursuant to Resolution No. 2022-29. Government Code section 8630(c) requires local agencies to revisit proclamations of local emergency at least once every 60 days until the local emergency is terminated. During the State of Local Emergency, the powers, functions and duties of the Director of Emergency Services and the emergency organization of the County shall be those prescribed by state law, and by ordinance and resolution of Napa County.
The U.S. Drought Monitor data from the National Drought Mitigation Center no longer classifies Napa County as experiencing drought. To date, Napa has received nearly 32 inches of rain since October 1, which exceeds our normal annual rainfall for the water year. While recent atmospheric river-fueled storms have provided much-needed rainfall in Napa County, but it is too early to tell if it is enough to end the drought, particularly as it relates to the aquifer. If we do not receive any additional rainfall this year, a single normal year will not be enough to offset the groundwater losses over the past two dry years.
On May 10, 2021, the Governor issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency declaring drought in several counties, including Napa. On March 24, 2023, the Governor rolled back some drought emergency provisions implemented in 2021 due to current water conditions, though Executive Order N-5-23. However, the Governor’s office expressed “while recent storms have helped ease drought impacts, regions and communities across the state continue to experience water supply shortages, especially communities that rely on groundwater supplies that have been severely depleted in recent years.”
Continuing the State of Local Emergency maintains the County’s eligibility to receive mutual aid and other resources from the State or other local agencies. The State of Local Emergency covers the entire Napa County Operational Area, including all municipalities and special districts. Under California’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), the County will serve as the lead agency for mutual aid and coordination with these jurisdictions and the State through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. With this continuing proclamation, additional coordination at the Operational Area level will occur to help identify what actions and resources are needed to address broad community impacts, particularly to local agriculture.
Staff recommends continuing the drought State of Emergency for another 60 days, to see how much additional rain we will receive this winter/spring, and then reassess the need to continue the emergency at that time.