On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a regional drought emergency for the Russian River watershed in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, where reservoirs are at record lows following two exceptionally and critically dry years.
“California is facing the familiar reality of drought conditions, and we know the importance of acting early to anticipate and mitigate the most severe impacts where possible,” Governor Newsom said. “Climate change is intensifying both the frequency and the severity of dry periods. This ‘new normal’ gives urgency to building drought resilience in regions across the state and preparing for what may be a prolonged drought at our doorstep.”
Governor Gavin Newsom directed state agencies to take immediate action to bolster drought resilience and prepare for impacts on communities, businesses and ecosystems if dry conditions extend to a third year.
The United States government reported that 94% of California is in a moderate drought, and 77% of it is in severe drought. Last month, the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture declared 50 out 58 California counties as primary natural disaster areas because of drought. In addition, they said the other 8 are contiguous disaster counties.
According to the proclamation, the state and its many partners have strengthened drought resilience since the last drought including: state investments in water management systems, implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, establishment of the Safe and Affordable Fund for Equity and Resilience Program, development of the Administration's Water Resilience Portfolio, and continued water conservation by Californians whose current statewide urban water use is 16% lower than at the beginning of the last drought.
“We’ve barely been out of those drought conditions, and here we are entering back into these drought conditions,” Newsom said.
Recently, the state launched a new drought preparedness website detailing current conditions, along with the state’s response and action, current conditions, facts about the drought resilience taskforce, ways you can help, and informational resources for the public and citizens of the state.
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