Newsom lifts drought declaration for much of California, but measures remain in some areas

Amid California's lifting of the drought emergency in 19 counties, Gov. Gavin Newsom retained emergency measures in 39 counties to address ongoing impacts, emphasizing the need for a climate-resilient water system amid extreme weather swings.

Newsom pointed out that extreme weather conditions and previous droughts highlight the necessity for robust water management strategies, stating, 'As this week's weather makes clear, California and the West experience extreme weather swings that exacerbate our water challenges.'

Wade Crowfoot, California's natural resources secretary, reinforced the importance of maintaining drought-related measures in certain areas, noting, 'In some cases, the powers that we have under these orders are quite helpful to support local communities.'

California's recent wetter winters allowed for the lifting of drought emergency declarations in major urban areas, but state officials caution that ongoing drought effects persist in many regions, highlighting the mixed results of water recovery.

Read at Los Angeles Times