Board Declares Drought Emergency in Marin

After hearing details about Marin County’s dry conditions and water supplies, the Marin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously May 18 to declare a local emergency and acknowledge the imminent threat of disaster.

The declaration acknowledges the extent and impacts of the drought in Marin, already severely affecting dairies and ranchers in West Marin, and makes Marin eligible for California Disaster Assistance and other forms of 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 water district serving the majority of water customers in Marin County, joined with 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,” said Board President Dennis Rodoni, who, among others, represents the farmers and ranchers of West Marin. “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.”

Rodoni asked residents to support local agricultural producers who have affected by the drought as well as the pandemic. Ranchers have been importing water by truck to keep their animals alive and reducing their herds. With far less vegetation for grazing because of the drought, animals are eating imported feed shipped from other states at high costs to the ranchers.

“Drought knows no boundaries,” said Acting Agriculture Commissioner Stefan Parnay. “This is a communitywide, regional crisis.”

“Please support our local growers whenever possible,” Rodoni said. “We are trying to find sources of water to help out, but the truth is we can only wring out so much water from this dry land. We will continue to support agriculture in any way we can. While we will have plenty of water for the health and safety of our families, it so important at this time we do not waste any water.”

On May 10, Governor Gavin Newsom 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.

Bay Area Health Officers Support California Face Masking Guidance

The Association of Bay Area Health Officials, representing 12 Bay Area Health Officers and their local health jurisdictions, strongly supports the California Department of Public Health’s strategy to continue with current masking guidance until June 15, when the state will align with the CDC’s updated masking guidance.
The CDC’s updated masking guidance is grounded in evidence showing that vaccines are extremely effective in protecting vaccinated people from infection, severe illness, and death, and preventing them from spreading COVID-19 to others. Additionally, increasing vaccination in our communities helps mitigate the spread of new variants that are more likely to infect those who are unvaccinated. This helps protect people who cannot yet get vaccinated, such as children younger than 12, as well as people who may not get full benefit from the vaccine, such as people with weakened immune systems.

With almost half of California’s population over age 16 fully vaccinated, and nearly 65% having received at least one dose of vaccine, great progress has been made across the state in vaccinating eligible residents against COVID-19. However, large numbers of residents are still unvaccinated, not yet fully vaccinated, or not eligible to be vaccinated. This next month is critical to ensuring more of our residents can access vaccinations, and that businesses and other entities are able to prepare for implementation of the CDC’s updated masking guidance.

Because COVID-19 continues to circulate here and abroad, the best way for residents to protect themselves is to get vaccinated. A person is fully protected two weeks after they complete their vaccine series, which is a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

“We’re already experiencing the benefits of the vaccine, dramatically reducing the COVID-19 death rate and reducing hospitalizations in Marin County,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County’s Public Health Officer. “While 55% of our population are fully protected, we’re still vulnerable to outbreaks. These next few weeks are critical to increase our overall community immunity and help us pave a safer path toward a sense of normalcy.”
Safe, free, and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available to everyone age 12 and up. Book an appointment or find a walk-in clinic near you on GetVaccinatedMarin.org.

TOWN SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT ON PARKLET REGULATIONS

The Town of San Anselmo and the Economic Development Committee (EDC) are welcoming feedback from San Anselmo residents,  businesses, and business property owners regarding parklet regulations. As a result of Covid-19 and associated restrictions, parklets were allowed temporarily. The Town and EDC are looking for feedback on whether parklets should be allowed long-term and any other related comments or concerns.
There will be two public workshops on this issue. Both meetings will include a brief presentation by Town staff and time for public expression. Additionally, you can also fill out our survey or provide your feedback via email to DL@townofsananselmo.org.

The first meeting was the regularly scheduled EDC meeting, which will took place on May 11, 2021. The second meeting will be held on May 27, 2021. Presentation materials, zoom meeting links, the survey, and other information are available on the Town’s website: https://www.townofsananselmo.org/1476/Parklets.

Meeting 2 – May 27, 7:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87294378419
passcode: 092324
Or Telephone US: +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 872 9437 8419

San Anselmo Recreation is partnering with Marin Yoga to offer free or donation-based yoga classes every Saturday and Sunday morning from 9:30am-10:30am!! Pre-registration is required. All proceeds will benefit the Canal Alliance and the San Anselmo Recreation Department.
 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Students in grades 3rd thru 5th, come join Safe Routes to School instructors for a Bike Rodeo! A Bike Rodeo is a chalked arrangement of connected streets with roadway features that are free of motorized vehicles. It is a fun space for students to develop their confidence as they navigate streets, intersections, and crosswalks.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Take Action on Climate with Resilient Neighborhoods.

Experience the Resilient Neighborhoods unique and effective Climate Action Workshop Series with others in Marin who also care about a healthy planet. Have fun calculating your carbon footprint and taking steps to reduce it. Receive support and access to local resources to personalize your climate action plan and make your household resilient to droughts, wildfires, and power outages. You will achieve measurable results in five meetings, guaranteed! Over 1,500 people already have. Free online workshops start on June 9 and June 17. Click here to learn more and sign up.

Fire-smart Landscaping:  Maintaining Plants Along Home Exit Routes

 
Here’s a UC Marin Master Gardener fire-smart landscaping tip for May.

May is a good month to observe the health of plantings along the exit routes from your home to your vehicle.  Exits may be through doors or windows and along a path to a vehicle parked on a street, a detached garage, or a meeting place with neighbors.   Embers can ignite combustible material along your exit route, possibly preventing you from exiting your home or a fire fighter from entering your home.

• Identify the escape routes to your vehicle
• Remove or move jute door mats, wood planters and other combustible materials from your exits
• Assess the health and condition of the plants along each route
• Remove dead plant material and plant debris
• Remove vines near doors or windows
• Replace wood gates, arbors or trellises near exit routes with noncombustible material

For more information on fire-smart landscaping, visit us at http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/BASICS/FIRESMARTLANDSCAPING/

Art on the Avenue

The San Anselmo Arts Commission is proud to be sponsoring the art exhibit at 538 San Anselmo Avenue. This month features the work of artist Jon Francis and will run through the month of May.   

For more information about the Arts Commission please visit. http://sananselmoarts.org. 

Town Seeking Members to Join the Capital Programs Monitoring Committee

Capital Program Monitoring Committee – The purpose of the committee is to monitor the implementation of the Town’s capital improvement program, funded by the voter-approved Measure D one-half cent sales tax funds, as well as grant funding, Road Maintenance Fund monies, and General Fund monies. The committee’s charge is to issue an annual public report summarizing the progress of capital improvement projects funded by Measure D, as well as capital improvement projects funded by other sources of Town funding. The committee consists of seven members, representing a wide variety of the community, with a range of skills, knowledge and experience in the following areas:
 
•          Finance (preferably public finance)
•          Engineering and/or construction
•          Public relations and communication
•          Familiarity with various aspects of the San Anselmo Community
 
Two Councilmembers and two designated Town staff liaisons will serve in an advisory capacity only.  The Committee will meet as needed to review projects. There are four seats available.

 To apply, click here.

BEAR PHOTO CREDIT

Help Keep the Flower Baskets In Downtown San Anselmo

Donations are being accepted to help fund this annual community effort

The San Anselmo Beautification Committee has launched its 2021 fundraising campaign to raise funds for the annual hanging flower basket program in the downtown.

There are two ways you can contribute:

1. Donate by visiting the program's GO FUND ME PAGE, or

2.  Mail a check to:

San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 2844, San Anselmo, CA 94979
(please mark check for “baskets”)

For more information about the project, contact Nancy Altman at nnaltman@me.com