California Water Drought Task Force
Gov. Jerry Brown is convening a task force to help determine whether a statewide drought declaration is warranted.
The governor on Wednesday asked staff from state water, agriculture and emergency services agencies to meet every week to help strengthen drought preparations and advise him on next steps.
While a drought has not been declared, 2014 is expected to be the third straight year with low rainfall. Reservoirs are currently at low levels, and the State Water Project in November said its initial allocation would be just 5 percent of requested deliveries in 2014.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and other state lawmakers have asked Brown and President Barack Obama to declare a drought emergency.
