HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-036 - Santa Ana River Watershed Weather Modification Pilot Programbrs 4.19.22
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-036
A RESOLUTON OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA ANA SUPPORTING THE SANTA
ANA RIVER WATERSHED WEATHER
MODIFICATION PILOT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) was formed in
1968 as a joint power authority under California law, composed of five member
agencies, covering four (4) counties, sixty-three (63) cities, and millions of residents;
and
WHEREAS, SAWPA is responsible for developing and maintaining regional
plans, programs, and projects that will protect the Santa Ana River basin water
resources to maximize beneficial uses within the watershed in an economically and
environmentally manner; and
WHEREAS, California experienced the second driest year in recorded state
history in 2021; and
WHEREAS, California has experienced its driest January and February in
recorded history in 2022; and
WHEREAS, the recent 2012-2016 drought was exacerbated by unusual warmth
and disproportionately low Sierra Nevada snowpack levels, serving as indicators of
projected dry spells in future decades where impacts will likely be worsened by
increased heat; and
WHEREAS, the Office of the Governor has issued a series of executive orders
that seek to address drought conditions that exist in California; and
WHEREAS, due to the recurring drought conditions facing the region, SAWPA
conducted a study in 2020 on the economic and technical feasibility of implementing a
weather modification program in the Watershed to increase water supply in the region;
and
WHEREAS, the results of the study indicated the potential increases in regional
precipitation and streamflow via "cloud seeding"; and
WHEREAS, cloud seeding is a type of weather modification used to increase the
amount of precipitation that has existed in the United States since the 1940s and has
been scientifically proven to increase precipitation in both dry and wet years; and
WHEREAS, based on decades of experience, cloud seeding has been shown to
be safe for people and the environment; and
Resolution No. 2022-036
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WHEREAS, the potential environmental impacts of silver iodide have been
studied extensively and represent a negligible risk to the environment; and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Water Resources has stated that cloud
seeding is a "safe and effective means of augmenting local water supplies"; and
WHEREAS, the increased precipitation would take advantage of existing
stormwater capture infrastructure resulting in a fraction of the cost of importing water.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council hereby formally declares its support of the Santa
Ana River Watershed Weather Modification Pilot Program.
Section 2. The Executive Director of Public Works, or his or her designee, is
hereby authorized to provide one-time funding in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars
and Zero Cents ($10,000) to the SAWPA for the Weather Modification Pilot Program.
Section 3. Prior to conducting any weather modification activities, SAWPA will
obtain all necessary environmental clearance.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting
this Resolution.
ADOPTED this 171h day of May, 2022
Vicente Sarmiento
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By: do),-t� �• 10�1�+�
n MA Brandon Salvatierra
`lj_ ` Deputy City Attorney
Resolution No. 2022-036
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AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
Hernandez, Lopez. Mendoza Phan
Penaloza, Bacerra, Sarmiento (7)
None (0)
None (0)
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers None (0)
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIRGINALITY
I, DAISY GOMEZ, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2022-036 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the
City of Santa Ana on Ma 1 2022.
Date:
Daisy Gomez
Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2022-036
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