Feb. 6 Watershed Council Meeting will Focus on Water Quality
The February 6, 2014 meeting of the Watershed Council will focus on water quality. We will hear from Arne Anselm, Water Quality Manager from the Ventura County Watershed Protection District (WPD), on the various water quality programs that WPD oversees. And then we will talk about the characterization of the watershed’s water quality issues in our watershed management plan.
Look for the meeting agenda and draft water quality sections of the plan next week. The February 6 meeting will be from 9:00 to 12:00 a.m. (note the later end time than previously announced) at the E.P. Foster Library Topping Room, at 651 E. Main Street, Ventura.
Governor Declares Drought Emergency Today
Today Governor Jerry Brown officially declared that California is in a drought emergency. Here is a link to an article with more info.
Yesterday Lynn Rodriguez, Project Manager of the Watersheds Coalition of Ventura County (WCVC), sent out a “Drought Response Resources” email to her WCVC list. I’ve copied her message below for those who do not receive her updates.
“As you are aware, we are experiencing historically low rainfall levels in California. State and Federal agencies, and local water suppliers are beginning to take steps to address current and projected water shortages. The dry weather is already seriously impacting farmers across California.
“Please see the attached letter from the USDA to Governor Brown designating 27 California counties as primary natural disaster areas due to drought. Ventura County is among those designated. Farm operators in these 27 counties are eligible for “certain assistance” from the Farm Service Agency.
“The links to state and federal drought websites below should be helpful to agencies in our County that are considering how to respond to drought conditions.
- Department of Water Resources’ Drought Information webpage – http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/drought/ (check out the resources at the bottom of the site, including frequently asked questions)
- State Water Board’s Dry Year Water Program webpage – http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/drought/index.shtml
- US Drought Portal – http://www.drought.gov/drought/ (updated daily)
- US Bureau of Reclamation – Policy and Program Services Drought Program – http://www.usbr.gov/drought/