LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday once again extended a local emergency declaration resulting from the drought conditions.
The board first passed the state of emergency resolution March 4.
As required by law, the board has reviewed the emergency declaration every 30 days. Tuesday's extension was the sixth that the board has unanimously approved.
Lake County Office of Emergency Services Manager Marisa Chilafoe, who also chairs the county Drought Task Force that was formed this summer, took the emergency declaration extension request to the board.
With summer ending, Chilafoe said the county has had the chance to evaluate conditions from the drought standpoint.
“We're starting to see the effects, of course, of what we predicted,” she said.
“We anticipate some agriculture loss,” as well as more stress on water systems, said Chilafoe.
With Clear Lake now below zero Rumsey – the special measure used just for Clear Lake – some of the county's water districts are struggling because of where their intakes are in relation to the current water level, according to Chilafoe.
“We're also seeing an increase in water theft,” said Chilafoe.
Chilafoe's written report to the board explained that the Lake County Office of Emergency Services formed the ad hoc Drought Task Force “to closely monitor the situation and coordinate the County's response efforts, engaging other water companies, State, Tribal, and local officials in identifying solutions and promoting conservation outreach ...”
The report also said that the county is seeking state and federal assistance, “and weather forecasts are beginning to predict the drought to continue despite winter rains.”
For those reasons, “continuing the declaration of an emergency and maintaining a proactive approach to drought response is critical for maintaining the health and safety of Lake County residents and tourists, and protecting our local economy,” she wrote, adding that continuing the emergency declaration also allows the county to seek funding specifically designated for drought relief purposes, as well as other forms of assistance.
In addition to asking that the emergency declaration be continued, Chilafoe said county staff recommended that the board direct the Disaster Council to review and propose additional plans for increasing the county's response to drought-related issues.
Supervisor Jim Comstock moved to continue the proclamation, with Supervisor Jeff Smith seconding and the board voting 5-0 to approve the motion.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Supervisors approve sixth extension to emergency drought declaration
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On