Marin Declares Drought Emergency

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A historic drought has led to historic action. Amid Marin County’s worst drought in more than a century, it declared a state of emergency.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday in support of the declaration, acknowledging the imminent threat of disaster.

The declaration makes Marin eligible for California Disaster Assistance and other state funding and resources.

It also provides temporarily new authorities to aid response and recovery efforts available to the County, water suppliers, farmers, impacted businesses and residents.

Marin Water, the municipal district that served the majority of Marin County, joined the Novato-based North Marin Water District (NMWD) to update the Board on drought conditions. Both districts have declared water shortage emergencies and enacted mandatory conservation measures.

Cumulative rainfall figures are lower than they were during the historic drought of 1976-77, and water storage levels at some local reservoirs are at their lowest levels since 1984.

“You only have to drive by Nicasio Dam or Stafford Lake to see the dire conditions we are facing for water supply this year,” Board President Dennis Rodoni said.

“Drought conditions are the worst we have seen in over 140 years in Marin. Please take this drought and recommendations from the water agencies seriously.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom on May 10 expanded California’s drought emergency to 41 out of 58 counties.

Marin was not on the list, although Sonoma County – an important source of water for Marin customers – has been under a state of emergency since April 21 because of dry conditions within the Russian River watershed.

Marin Water serves more than 191,000 customers in central and southern Marin. NWMD serves a customer base of about 64,000 in and around Novato, Point Reyes Station, Olema, Bear Valley, Inverness Park, and Paradise Ranch Estates.

For localized details, see the water rules webpages for Marin Water and NMWD.

Newsom recently proposed a $5.1 billion package of immediate drought response and long-term water resilience investments to address immediate emergency needs, build regional capacity to endure drought and safeguard water supplies for communities, the economy, and the environment.