Sonoma County Suffering Driest February in 120 Years
SONOMA COUNTY (KCBS)— One of the largest wine producing regions in the nation is on the verge of declaring a water emergency. Last month Sonoma County was put under a federal disaster declaration, making the hard-hit grape growers and local farmers eligible for federal assistance. According to Supervisor Mike McGuire, the situation has gotten worse.
"94 percent of that range land is at a loss. Pasture land, which impacts dairy, is at a 93 percent loss. Oat-hay production is at a 100 percent loss," he said.
On Tuesday the supervisors are expected to declare a drought emergency clearing the way for additional funding from various agencies.
"Our declaration is probably more or less a formality. It doesn't kick anything in tapping into state and federal sources," said board Chairman, David Rabbitt.
Sonoma County is suffering through the driest February in 120 years.