I offer the following observations and suggestions on three topics regarding the Climate Adaptation Plan.
I. Flooding. Recent extreme rainstorms brought the return of perennial flooding to Lake County. For example, parts of Scotts Valley. Yet the Climate Adaptation Plan does not have a plan to address perennial flooding that seems to be exacerbated by extreme weather and changes in our climate.
I respectfully suggest that the Climate Adaptation Plan section on flooding be revised to be less generic in its actions AND include lessons learned from recent flooding. BoS Chair and D4 Supervisor Rasmussen went to Scotts Valley last Wednesday to view the flooding situation. Last Monday, a Scotts Valley resident informed me that the locking or unlocking of gates managed by LC Water Resources Dept. may have contributed to flooding. A lesson learned could be to build robust procedural documentation and training regarding water management and flood control as a means to minimize the loss of institutional memory and turnover of experienced staff.
II. Greater Resilience and Groundwater Security
The Climate Adaptation Plan prompts proactive water security measures. South County and High Valley in District 3 are no strangers to wells going dry. Lake County’s Big Valley Groundwater Basin is subject to state monitoring. Lake County Board of Supervisors Chair Rasmussen commented a few months ago that if the County’s groundwater is not managed well, the state can step in again.
It is in Lake County’s best interest to manage its resources well, especially groundwater.
The following suggestions may get us to groundwater security and sustainability:
1. Promote smart and sustainable use of water for ag and development
2. Promote conservation, drought management, preparation for drought and use of technology to conserve water
3. Review discretionary use permit applications for smart and sustainable use of
water
a. Revise County ordinances, and regulations to make permittees accountable for water usage estimates
b. Aligning with these suggestions is the Planning Commissioners’ interest in reviewing annual reports for permitted projects for compliance with Conditions of Use.
III. Accountability, Good Management, Maximum Effectiveness
For maximum effectiveness, the CAP needs identified metrics for goals, due dates and responsible individual for the goal. This action promotes accountability and reflects good management. Without these measures, CAP is an attractive document with limited utility.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Margaux Kambara
Lake County Resident
Chair Rasmussen and Supervisors,
I offer the following observations and suggestions on three topics regarding the Climate Adaptation Plan.
I. Flooding. Recent extreme rainstorms brought the return of perennial flooding to Lake County. For example, parts of Scotts Valley. Yet the Climate Adaptation Plan does not have a plan to address perennial flooding that seems to be exacerbated by extreme weather and changes in our climate.
I respectfully suggest that the Climate Adaptation Plan section on flooding be revised to be less generic in its actions AND include lessons learned from recent flooding. BoS Chair and D4 Supervisor Rasmussen went to Scotts Valley last Wednesday to view the flooding situation. Last Monday, a Scotts Valley resident informed me that the locking or unlocking of gates managed by LC Water Resources Dept. may have contributed to flooding. A lesson learned could be to build robust procedural documentation and training regarding water management and flood control as a means to minimize the loss of institutional memory and turnover of experienced staff.
II. Greater Resilience and Groundwater Security
The Climate Adaptation Plan prompts proactive water security measures. South County and High Valley in District 3 are no strangers to wells going dry. Lake County’s Big Valley Groundwater Basin is subject to state monitoring. Lake County Board of Supervisors Chair Rasmussen commented a few months ago that if the County’s groundwater is not managed well, the state can step in again.
It is in Lake County’s best interest to manage its resources well, especially groundwater.
The following suggestions may get us to groundwater security and sustainability:
1. Promote smart and sustainable use of water for ag and development
2. Promote conservation, drought management, preparation for drought and use of technology to conserve water
3. Review discretionary use permit applications for smart and sustainable use of
water
a. Revise County ordinances, and regulations to make permittees accountable for water usage estimates
b. Aligning with these suggestions is the Planning Commissioners’ interest in reviewing annual reports for permitted projects for compliance with Conditions of Use.
III. Accountability, Good Management, Maximum Effectiveness
For maximum effectiveness, the CAP needs identified metrics for goals, due dates and responsible individual for the goal. This action promotes accountability and reflects good management. Without these measures, CAP is an attractive document with limited utility.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Margaux Kambara
Lake County Resident