Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board approve the grant application for the County Drought Resiliency Planning Grant Program through the California Department of Water Resources for grant funds up to $125,000.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 552 Requirements for Counties
Under Senate Bill 552, passed and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2021, State and local governments will share the responsibility in preparing for and acting in the case of a water shortage event. The bill outlines the new requirements for small water suppliers, county governments, State of California Department Water Resources (DWR), and the State Water Resources Control Board to implement more proactive drought planning and be better prepared for future water shortage events or dry years.
Through SB 552, the California State Legislature identified counties as the best-suited government entity to provide the needed leadership to improve water resilience for state small water systems and domestic wells. Accordingly, each county, per SB 552, is required to:
1) Establish and convene a standing drought task force to facilitate drought and water shortage preparedness for state small water systems (serving 5 to 14 connections), domestic wells, and other privately supplied homes within the county’s jurisdiction.
2) Develop a plan demonstrating the potential drought and water shortage risk and proposed interim and long-term solutions for state small water systems and domestic wells within the county.
Status of SB 552 Implementation in El Dorado County
On February 22, 2022 (item 22-0202), the Board approved El Dorado County Water Agency (EDWA) to lead this effort given their role as a countywide water resource planning agency and their past engagement in the DWR County Drought Advisory Group that developed the basis for the SB 552 legislation and participation in the development of DWR’s SB 552 implementation program.
EDWA has established and convened the required standing drought task force. The task force includes core members who are legally responsible for public water systems, state small water systems, and domestic wells and implementing the requirements of SB 552. It also includes advisory members who are relied on for information and input related to drought conditions, small water system needs, and potential response actions.
EDWA is in the process of developing the required county drought plan. The intent of the plan is to achieve meaningful and long-term improvements in water resilience for its residents by making small water suppliers and domestic wells more resilient to future drought and water shortage emergency events.
State Funding to Implement SB 552
To assist with implementation of SB 552, DWR will award up to $125,000 per county for counties that request financial assistance through their non-competitive County Drought Resiliency Planning Grant Program. The DWR County Drought Resilience Planning Grant Program is offered as a sub-program of the Small Community Drought Relief (SCDR) Program, per the allocation of the Budget Act of 2021, Section 2, Item 3860-101-0001 (a).
The purpose of this program is to provide funding for reimbursement for activities necessary to address the varied needs of counties to comply with SB 552 requirements through either financial assistance or direct technical assistance. DWR must award all funds by December 29, 2023; no applications will be accepted after that date. Furthermore, no cost-share is required.
This grant opportunity would provide sufficient funding to complete the El Dorado County Drought Resilience Plan and continue with the efforts of the County Drought and Water Shortage Task Force. Since only counties are allowed to apply for this grant, EDWA is requesting the County submit the grant application.
If grant funding is awarded, the agreement with EDWA will be brought back to the Board for approval.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to apply for the grant and use General Fund for the development of the Drought Resilience Plan and other county-related SB 552 requirements.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
February 22, 2022 - item 22-0202
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Applying for the grant will not impact the Net County Cost. Minimal staff time will be required to submit the grant application.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities - encourage and support through policy and resources to pursue local, state and federal funding opportunities to support and promote healthy communities.
CONTACT
Tara Stout - Chief Administrative Office
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