Agenda Item

7.3 24-457Consideration of Draft Ordinance Repealing Urgency Ordinance 3113 Amending Ordinance 3110 Prohibiting Water Hauling to Unpermitted Cannabis Cultivation Sites

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    Margaux Kambara 7 months ago

    Supervisors,

    While the emergency nature of drought may no longer exist, persistent drought conditions in California exist according to the California Water Board’s white paper released in February. As the Board champions Vision 2028, institutionalizing the common-sense measures in both ordinances protects the well-being of residents. Before rescinding the ordinances, these measures should be in place:
    • Continue to require hydrology reports as part of the commercial cannabis cultivation permit application.
    • Ban water hauling for commercial cannabis cultivation. Cannabis is a water-intensive crop and its long-term effect on the aquifers is not known. We can’t assume that wells will continue to recharge when under a great water demand.

    The need for water hauling indicates that areas in the county don’t have adequate water supply. Taking water from one part of the county to another as a long-term solution affects groundwater supply sustainability. Hydrology reports can help the county safeguard groundwater.

    In addition, strengthening groundwater and drought management support the well-being of residents. To help guide future actions, water usage data and data on the aquifer are needed. The county’s work on the General Plan update presents the opportunity to revisit the issue of water hauling for commercial agriculture and the county’s priorities and vision. Removing the ordinances without replacement measures to safeguard groundwater threatens sustainability and resilience. Thank you for your consideration.

    Margaux Kambara
    Lake County Resident, Registered Voter
    & Property Owner