Receive drought update; affirm continuing drought emergency. (No general fund impact) (Rinde/Carey/Sabatini)

Receive drought update; affirm continuing drought emergency.

	Safe Communities (Infrastructure)
	Sustainable Environment (Water)
	Flourishing Agriculture (Agricultural Preservation)
	Robust Economy (Rural Community Support)

On July  27, 2021, the Board adopted Resolution No. 21-98 proclaiming the existence of a local drought emergency.  Drought conditions have persisted since that time and the drought emergency continues. The Board received its most recent drought update at the September 28, 2021, meeting. The October update is provided below. 

Well Status Report
As of October 21, 2021, staff have confirmed 21 dry wells within unincorporated Yolo County, and are aware of a dry well report to the State of California (Department of Water Resources) that staff have been unable to confirm.  An updated map depicting the general locations of the confirmed dry wells is provided as Attachment A to this staff report. 

In addition, Yolo County Office of Emergency Services (OES) staff have continued to connect County residents to all available state and federal resources for emergency drought/drinking water assistance.  OES staff have also completed bottled water deliveries for the month of October.  400 cases of bottled water were delivered to County residents without access to potable water. 

Groundwater Conditions Update
As previously reported to the Board, the Drought Task Force consists of staff from the County's Natural Resources and OES divisions, staff from the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (YCFCWCD), and several water purveyors.  The YCFCWCD has been conducting monthly groundwater measurements since the Drought Emergency was proclaimed. The groundwater measurements for October were taken from 108 representative monitoring wells and indicated that, on average, the groundwater has recovered four (4) feet since the September readings.  This means that the groundwater level has increased by an average of four (4) feet.  A chart depicting the average depth to groundwater is provided in Attachment B to this staff report. 

On an individual basis, approximately 64% of wells are at or above their mid-September water level (53% of wells measured in September were at or above their mid-August water level).  About 36% of wells are below their mid-September water level.  The spatial distribution of recovery can be seen in Figure 2 of Attachment B. Drought Task Force staff are hopeful that the mid-August measurements are considered the 2021 fall low point and that we are now in the period of recovery and stabilization of groundwater levels.  We are also cautiously optimistic that rain is in the immediate forecast (for the weeks of October 18 and October 25).  

YCFCWCD and Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA) staff continue to make themselves available to conduct depth to water measurements and verify dry well reports received by Yolo County OES.

Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency Involvement
In response to Board direction at the August 31 and September 28, 2021, Board meetings, the YSGA has formed an Ad Hoc Drought Contingency Planning Committee to advise the YSGA Board of Directors on 1) local planning strategies; 2) appropriate management actions for drought conditions; and 3) coordination with Yolo County staff and County Supervisors for management of groundwater resources during the drought.  Additionally, the Committee intends to identify available resources to mitigate drought impacts, implement sustainability projects, and investigate whether restrictive measures are necessary.  The first Committee meeting is expected to occur the first week of November 2021.

Emergency Drought Funding (State/Federal Resources)
Natural Resources division staff and consultant staff have met with all potential applicants for available state and federal emergency drought funding programs and have met with representatives from the relevant state agencies to ensure that projects are eligible for funding.  As reported during the September 28, 2021, drought update to the Board, staff initially compiled over two dozen potential drought response projects, totaling nearly $78 million in project costs.  Since that time, staff have worked collaboratively with project proponents to gather detailed information on project specifications and anticipated costs.  Staff are currently recommending that 12 funding applications be submitted in the near (90-day) future. These 12 projects total approximately $27 million and include (not an exhaustive list): the replacement of failing wells, additional above ground water storage and associated infrastructure, installation of water meters, and wastewater recycling to reduce groundwater demand. 

Staff will continue to assist the remaining project proponents with gathering the additional information necessary to complete funding applications so that they may be considered for funding in the future (90+ to 120 days). 

Finally, on October 15, 2021, the Governor's Office announced that the State was expanding the drought emergency to include all 58 counties and authorized the use of California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funds for emergency drought response.  The State has not yet released guidelines for the use of CDAA funds however. Staff will work with the County's legislative representatives to track any updates to CDAA funding or guidelines. 
 

Staff have, and will continue to, collaborate with the YCFCWCD, the YSGA, the Water Resources Association of Yolo County, all in-county water purveyors, the general public, and state and federal agencies.