It was over three years ago when Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency amidst dire drought conditions. .. As of today, it means we’re en route to a drought if conditions do not change.  In 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a series of drought emergency declarations asking Californians to reduce water use voluntarily by 15%, state reservoirs to conserve water, bolster funding water conservation projects and increase difficulties for  those obtaining well drilling permits in order to procure the rights to drill.  And despite the looming shadow of La Niña, which could bring both drought and extreme storms resulting in floods this winter, last month Gov. Gavin Newsom let the drought emergency declaration expire, canceling out both drilling permit requirements and voluntary requests made to conserve water. This opens the door for a flood of well requests, which were stymied by what some may call government red tape.