HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-10627 Local Drought EmergencyRESOLUTION NO. 10627 (2015 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING A LOCAL DROUGHT
EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2014, Governor Edmund G. Brown issued the governor's
Proclamation No. 1 -17 -2014 declaring a State of Emergency to exist in California due to severe
drought conditions; and
WHEREAS, on April 26, 2014, the Governor issued an executive order to strengthen the
state's ability to manage water and habitat effectively in drought conditions and called on all
Californians to redouble their efforts to conserve water; and
WHEREAS, Water Code section 1058.5 grants the State Water Resources Control Board
the authority to adopt emergency regulations in certain drought years in order to: "prevent the
waste, unreasonable use, unreasonable method of use, or unreasonable method of diversion, of
water, to promote water recycling or water conservation, to require curtailment of diversions
when water is not available under the diverter's priority of right, or in furtherance of any of the
foregoing, to require reporting of diversion or use or the preparation of monitoring reports "; and
WHEREAS, on July 15, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted
California Code of Regulations, title 23, sections 863, 864 and 865 (the "Emergency
Regulations "), which requires, among other things, that urban water suppliers implement all
requirements and actions of the stage of its water shortage contingency plan that imposes
mandatory restrictions on outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscapes or turf with potable water;
and
WHEREAS, on March 17, 2015, the State Water Resources Control Board expanded
and extended the Emergency Regulations in response to continued drought conditions; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2015, the Governor issued an Executive Order B -29 -15 which
requires increased enforcement against water waste and mandates a 25% reduction in water use
statewide; and
WHEREAS, on May 5, 2015, in response to Executive Order B- 29 -15, the State Water
Resources Control Board adopted regulations adding additional prohibitions on the use of
potable water and mandating that the City reduce its water use by twelve percent (12 %) as
compared to 2013; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order B -29 -15 and the State Water Resources Control Board
emergency regulations will remain in effect until February 28, 2016, unless extended due to
continuing drought conditions; and
WHEREAS, as an urban water supplier, as that term is defined in Water Code Section
10617, the City of San Luis Obispo ( "City ") is subject to California Code of Regulations, title
R 10627
Resolution No. 10627 (2015 Series)
Page 2
23, section 865; and
WHEREAS, the City's water supply is composed of surface water stored in the Whale
Rock, Salinas, and Nacimiento reservoirs which are located outside of the City's limits but
within the County of San Luis Obispo. Water from these reservoirs is shared among different
public agencies and other beneficial uses; and
WHEREAS, like the rest of California, the County of San Luis Obispo is facing an
unprecedented drought resulting in significantly decreased water levels within the City's
reservoirs; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to further conserve water and to ensure adequate supplies exist
within the City's water supply system, on September 16, 2014, the City Council adopted
Resolution No. 10566 (2014 Series) limiting the outdoor irrigation of ornamental plants and turf
to comply with the State's mandates; and
WHEREAS, despite the City's water conservation efforts, the City's water supply is in
critical condition due to record dry conditions. Based on the City's Water Projection Model, as
of May 1, 2015, the City's has a projected three and a half years water supply and can be
lengthened to an estimated four and half years if the City is able to meet the State's goal of a 12
percent per capita water use reduction; and
WHEREAS, it is uncertain if drought conditions will continue through 2016 and beyond
which makes it critically necessary to further manage water consumption during the ongoing
drought to ensure that adequate water supplies are available in the long term in order to protect
the public health, safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, in order to comply with the Executive Order and Emergency Regulations,
and to ensure the City has adequate water for public health and safety, by this Resolution, the
City intends on declaring a local drought emergency and implement all requirements and actions
required in the Executive Order B -29 -15 and State Water Resources Control Board emergency
regulations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, that for the reasons set forth herein, a local drought emergency now exists throughout
the City of San Luis Obispo.
Upon motion of Vice Mayor Ashbaugh, seconded by Council Member Christianson, and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Carpenter, Christianson and Rivoire,
Vice Mayor Ashbaugh and Mayor Marx
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Resolution No. 10627 (2015 Series)
Page 3
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 2nd day of June 2015.
/'/� V/114�-
N�ay an Marx
ATTEST:
4 th on -ia;
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
(2
. hristine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo, California, this t-� �'— day of — 11 V-4- 2c. t j
&athany J.
City Clerk