Patch.com
By Gideon Rubin
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday extended an emergency drought proclamation to include nine additional counties including San Mateo.
San Mateo was among three Bay Area counties added to the proclamation that now includes 50 of the state's 58 counties. Marin and Santa Clara counties are the others.
It's not clear what impact, if any, the declaration will have, but it gives the state expanded power including the ability to restrict the rights of some water users and the suspension of environmental regulations.
Newsom made the announcement, which included a request that all state residents voluntarily reduce consumption by 15 percent, in San Luis Obispo County near a parched Lopez Lake...
State Senator Josh Becker, who represents parts of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, issued a statement echoing Newsom's call for conservation.
"Water is a precious essential resource," Becker said.
"With San Mateo and Santa Clara counties now included in the Governor's emergency drought proclamation, we all must take steps to ensure we are conserving water and doing our utmost to further water resilience," Senator Becker said.