Actions Completed for Emergency Preparedness:

The Resources Agency has developed an El Niño website on the California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES) at http://ceres.ca.gov/elnino. The website is geared for current information, forecasts and predictions, background information, maps, spatial data, past events and educational resources.

Departments of the Resources Agency have completed or are taking the following actions:

Department of Water Resources
Department of Boating and Waterways
California Energy Commission
California Conservation Corps
Department of Fish and Game
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Department of Parks and Recreation
Department of Conservation

Department of Water Resources (DWR) Actions Completed for Emergency Preparedness: DWR has worked with local Reclamation Districts, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the state Reclamation Board on levee repair issues. DWR has added almost 50 sites identified in the January 1997 floods to the telemetry network to improve flood forecasting operations. DWR conducts flood fighting classes to help equip volunteers, California Conservation Corps, local officials and Reclamation District staff with correct techniques for fighting floods and making emergency repairs to levees. DWR will have trained 900 people as flood fighters by the end of the year. Information includes how to protect homes, protect beach front areas, protect slopes, fill sandbags, elevate homes in flood-prone areas and protect levees. Actions to be Taken to Prepare for El Niño: DWR provides river forecasts, in cooperation with the National Weather Service. DWR is assisting OES in preparing media outreach during the Annual Winter Storm and Flood Preparedness Week. DWR will train public information officers in October to staff the Flood Operations Center, which is activated in Sacramento during severe storms and high water threats and can function as an interagency 24-hour Emergency Operations Center. Public Information Contact: Anita Garcia-Fante 916/653-7431

Department of Boating & Waterways (DBW) Actions Completed for Emergency Preparedness: On August 19, 1997, the DBW co-sponsored an El Niño Workshop for local agencies at Scripps Institution. The department maintains an oceanographer at Scripps to monitor weather and climate phenomenon. DBW conducted interviews with marina and reclamation district staffs to examine events associated with the January 1997 levee breaks which caused portions of marinas to be swept away and into two Delta bridges. Site visits were also made and structural calculations and drawings of affected marinas were reviewed. DBW administers an emergency loan program for storm damage of boat marinas operated by public agencies. On October 2, 1997, DBW met with representatives of the department to plan a workshop, including such agencies as the US Coast Guard, Office of Emergency Services and Department of Water Resources to develop an action plan for limiting use of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during flood conditions. Actions to be Taken to Prepare for El Niño: After DBW has finished collecting technical data from piling suppliers, design consultants, and other State agencies on the design of steel and concrete piles for use in the Delta, the department is planing to promulgate a new Pilings Manual standard. DBW will continue to coordinate the action plan for the Delta with other federal, state and local agencies. Public Information Contact: Megan Standard 916/322-1819

California Energy Commission (CEC) Actions Completed for Emergency Preparedness: The CEC has developed the Energy Shortage Contingency Plan, which coordinates energy emergency planning with state and local agencies, other states, the federal government and private industry. As part of the plan, the CEC maintains a network of public and private sector contacts to ensure that a communication system is in place in response to severe weather. In the event of an energy supply shortage or disruption due to severe weather, the CEC has developed conservation strategies which can be applied on either a voluntary or mandatory basis. The CEC has developed an Emergency Fuel Allocation Program. During a disaster, the commission will provide support to the OES by coordinating the fuel supply for emergency vehicles. The commission has also developed a program to provide emergency fuel through a priority distribution system, if market forces and voluntary conservation are unable to provide adequate fuel due to a prolonged and widespread shortage. Public Information Contact: Claudia Chandler 916-654-4989

California Conservation Corps (CCC) Actions to be Taken to Prepare for El Niño: The CCC has a strong presence in Southern California as well as the rest of the state and will provide at least 50 crews (more than 800 corpsmembers and staff) trained in floodfighting and flood recovery work to assist local, state and federal agencies across the state. Word can include levee reinforcement, sandbagging to protect home, businesses and public structures, debris removal, evacuation assistance, levee patrol and hillside stabilization. Crews are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The CCC can continue to provide trained staff to assist at Regional Emergency Operations Centers throughout the state. The CCC continues to provide corpsmembers to assist with flood channel clearance and flood prevention work. Work is currently taking place in Humbolt, Kern and Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. The CCC is exploring the possibility of participating in a video to be done by the Long Beach Fire Department, teaching residents about the proper methods of filling and using sandbags. The CCC is also exploring the possibility of holding floodfighting workshops with various cities, most likely in conjunction with the Department of Water Resources. The CCC is working to develop and have contracts in place for emergency work with local governments. CCC staff, including the Corps' Emergency Manager, have already become involved in planning meetings with various agencies, including the Department of Water Resources, the Office of Emergency Services and the Army Corps of Engineers. Public Information Contact: Susanne Levitsky 916/341-3145

Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Actions to be Taken to Prepare for El Niño: In light of the large number of notifications due to concerns for El Niño The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has continued to process streambed alteration agreements within statutory requirement. DFG is providing training for staff for mutual aid response and is continuing to repair facilities and equipment from the 1997 floods. Actions to be Taken to Prepare for El Niño: DFG El Niño preparedness includes stockpiling sand and gravel, examining hatchery operations to ensure fish can be moved from hatcheries that may be impacted by high flows or water quality problems. The fish would wither be planted or relocated to other hatcheries. DFG is training staff for mutual aid and specialized equipment and is gearing up an internal incident command. Public Information Contact: Jack Edwards 916/653-7664

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) CDF will provide hand crews, for a variety of work such as levee construction and can provide full-service response as from a fire department, including search and rescue, medical treatment, extrication, and hazardous materials cleanup. CDF has peace officers and trained crisis communicators, incident command teams, and large scale logistical and planning support.

Department of Parks and Recreation The Department of Parks and Recreation is developing a program to make its lifeguards available to assist in search and rescue. The Department of Parks and Recreation is clearing and repairing drainage systems; purchasing supplies and emergency equipment; clearing and repairing drainage systems; purchasing supplies and emergency equipment; moving portable lifeguard towers off beaches; securing campground and beach furniture; evaluating hillsides and retaining walls for potential slides; constructing berms at important beach and other locations; and winterizing historic structures.

Department of Conservation The Division of Mines and Geology responds to landslide emergencies, coordinating its response with the OES. In serious situations, the State Geologist contacts the Department director's office. Division geologists report to the OES on field reviews, local geologic conditions, specific landslide hazards, conclusions and recommendations, and provide maps. The Public Affairs Office is alerted to all significant events and contacts news media as warranted.

Public Information Contact:

Chris Chrystal
916/653-6560