Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360].
After much of western California experienced drought conditions for the second consecutive year, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered state agencies to take immediate steps to strengthen drought resiliency.
During a speech this morning, he also called on agencies to prepare for impacts on communities, businesses and ecosystems if dry conditions extend into a third year.
The governor also proclaimed a regional drought emergency for the Russian River basin in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, where reservoirs are at historic lows after two critically dry years.
In that regard, it was felt that accelerated action may be needed to protect public health, safety and the environment.
"California faces a very familiar reality in drought conditions, and we know the importance of acting early to anticipate and mitigate the most severe impacts where possible," said Governor Newsom.
He also noted that climate change is intensifying both the frequency and severity of dry periods.
"This 'new normal' gives urgency to building drought resilience in regions across the state and preparing for what could be a prolonged drought on our doorstep," the governor added.
The governor noted that such drought conditions can lead to degradation of water quality, fallowing of productive farmland, setback of vulnerable and rural communities through loss of jobs and more lasting recoveries.
As well as significant impacts on tribal, commercial and recreational salmon fisheries, limited access to traditional fisheries, loss of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, and ecosystem impacts.
In that regard, Governor Newsom directed state agencies to partner with local districts, water districts and local utilities to make all Californians aware of the drought, and encourage actions to reduce water use by promoting the Department of Water Resources' "Save Our Water" campaign - https://saveourwater.com - and other water conservation programs.
Similarly, he directed that to continue coordination with partners across the State for the potential for prolonged drought impacts, the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Food and Agriculture will work with regional and local governments, including groundwater sustainability agencies.
This, he said, to identify watersheds, communities, public water systems and ecosystems that may require coordinated state and local actions to address problems resulting from continued drought conditions, ensure water is available, and protect people, natural resources and economic activity.
In the proclamation, Newsom said that, in order to continue partnership and coordination with California Native tribes, state agencies will commit to consult, collaborate and communicate with California Native American tribes to assist them in preparing for and responding to drought conditions on tribal lands and potential impacts to cultural and traditional resources within ancestral lands.
He added that, to prioritize drought response and preparedness resources, agencies should accelerate funding for water supply improvement, as well as funding for water supply improvement, water conservation or species conservation projects.
