The Barbed Wire - April 08, 2016

April 8, 2016
RCRC Sponsors North State Human Trafficking Summit
CAL FIRE Awards Additional SRA Fund Grants
Shasta, Oroville, and Folsom Reservoirs All Above Historic Average
Senate Begins Debate on FAA Reauthorization Bill
Bureau of Reclamation Announces Water Allocation for Central Valley Project
Senate EPW Committee Discusses Water Infrastructure Improvements
Senate Returns With House Still on Spring Break
BULLETIN BOARD
REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC Sponsors North State Human Trafficking Summit

RCRC sponsored the Human Exploitation and Trafficking (H.E.A.T.) Institute’s Regional Information Summit in Shasta County this week to gather information about local challenges, successes, and stories from representatives of the North State related to human trafficking.  Information gathered from the RCRC-sponsored Summit held in Redding on Thursday will be used to develop specific recommendations for the state to align systems and efforts to prevent human exploitation and trafficking, and support victims.  

The H.E.A.T. Institute is an innovative research-based think tank bringing together leaders from multiple state and local systems to create a unified and comprehensive system of support to respond to, and prevent, human exploitation and trafficking.  The H.E.A.T. Institute established a Blue Ribbon Commission, chaired by Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O’Malley, consisting of leaders from child welfare, education, criminal justice, health, and the nonprofit sector.  This commission is convening these Regional Information Summit’s, and will utilize the data received to release a final report containing concrete recommendations to guide policy makers, elected leaders, and local communities in developing a collaborative, comprehensive, holistic, and consistent response to the commercial sexual exploitation of children in California.

CAL FIRE Awards Additional SRA Fund Grants

On Tuesday, CAL FIRE announced the award of $3 million in grants from the State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Prevention Fund for projects around the state that target reducing the increased threat of wildfires due to the ongoing drought and significant tree mortality.  The announcement marks the second round of grants awarded since the beginning of the year to assist local fire departments and fire districts in creating projects that reduce the risk of wildfire in and around communities in the SRA, bringing the total amount of awarded SRA Fire Prevention Fund grants to $5 million.  

Funding for tree mortality and wildfire mitigation projects has been a topic of intense dialogue in Sacramento recently, with both Senate and Assembly Budget Subcommittees hearing discussions on CAL FIRE’s 2016-17 budget allocations from both the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and the SRA Fire Prevention Fund.  The Assembly Natural Resources Committee also passed Assembly Bill 2146 (Patterson) this week, which would provide a large allocation to CAL FIRE from Cap-and-Trade dollars for forest health and resilience programs on both state and federal lands while prioritizing economic growth in rural forested communities.

A list of the project grant recipients can be accessed here.

Shasta, Oroville, and Folsom Reservoirs All Above Historic Average

After four years of a severe drought in California, three of the state’s major reservoirs are above their historic average for this time of year.  Many of the other reservoirs are filling up as well, and the sierra snowpack should place a crucial role keeping water in our reservoirs throughout the dry summer months ahead.  Read More…

Further details can be accessed here.

Senate Begins Debate on FAA Reauthorization Bill

This week, the Senate began debate on H.R. 636, the legislative vehicle for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill.  The bill would provide $33.1 billion for aviation programs, and would reauthorize FAA through FY 2017.  

Leaders of both parties agreed on a deal to move forward with consideration of the bill, which also includes a vote on a Democratic package of renewable energy tax extenders to be added to the aviation bill.  On Thursday, the Senate passed two amendments to be added to the reauthorization bill dealing with airport security and passenger screening.  The Senate is expected to finish its work on the bill and proposed amendments by the end of next week.

Bureau of Reclamation Announces Water Allocation for Central Valley Project

Last Friday, the Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) announced water allocations for the Central Valley Project (CVP), the latest the annual announcement has been made.  March hydrology information was needed in order to fully inform the allocations. 

The Bureau-operated CVP will deliver 100 percent of contracted water north of the Delta.  However, water deliveries to the south still paint a grim picture of the realities of another year of drought.  The CVP will deliver only 5 percent of contracted water to farms south of the Delta this year even though precipitation and snowpack levels are very close to average thus far this year.  The Bureau again cited the concern for endangered species as well as the need to prepare for drought conditions this summer as reasons for limiting water supplies south of the Delta.  Cities are slated to receive 55 percent of their contracted amount, up from 25 percent last year.   

Senate EPW Committee Discusses Water Infrastructure Improvements

This week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee conducted a hearing on how the federal government can boost water and wastewater infrastructure.  The committee heard from local leaders, water utilities from urban and rural areas, and environmental organizations.  

The issue of water infrastructure has taken on new prominence this year as the Flint, Michigan water crisis has gained national attention.  Water infrastructure repair has been a vexing problem for Congress and water agencies, which face significant repair needs and dwindling assistance from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revolving loan funds.  The EPA estimates at least $600 billion in new funding is necessary over the next 20 years to fund water infrastructure improvements.  A recent study by the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates California's waste water needs at $30 billion and drinking water needs at $45 billion, for a combined total of $75 billion.

Congress has taken modest steps in recent years in the attempt to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs.  In the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) reauthorization of 2014 (WRRDA), Congress created a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program which set up pilot loans for public water agencies to borrow funds for up to 49 percent of certain projects that cost at least $20 million.  While some funding for WIFIA is expected in the FY17 Interior/EPA appropriations measure, prior year funding for this program has yet to materialize.  Last year's surface transportation reauthorization (FAST Act) lets public entities use tax-exempt public bonds to pay for water and sewer system work tied to federal grant or loan programs.

Senate Returns With House Still on Spring Break

This week, the Senate returned to action and will be entering a busy four-week stretch that will see a focus on FY 2017 appropriations measures and continued negotiations over moving energy reform legislation and an aid package for Flint, Michigan. 

Although both houses are unlikely to adopt a budget resolution by the required April 15th deadline, Congressional appropriators are due to get their spending bill allocations by the middle of this month – however, they already know they won't be getting much more money than last year.  The Senate has agreed to follow the overall discretionary level of $1.07 trillion for fiscal 2017 set by last year's budget deal, which would be a $3 billion increase over current spending.  The modest increase all but guarantees that most departments and agencies will be flat-funded for the coming year.  Markups have not been scheduled for any of the spending bills, but the markups could come quickly after subcommittees receive their individual allocations.  Senate GOP leaders have expressed hope to spend May, June, and July, moving individual spending bills for the first time in years.  For now, Senate Democrats are open to the GOP plan, but, similar to previous years, partisan policy riders could scuttle progress.

The House returns from its spring break recess next Tuesday, April 12, 2016.

BULLETIN BOARD

California Headwaters Partnership Initiative Webinar

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy and USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region will be co-hosting a webinar on April 26, 2016 to help attendees learn more about California Headwaters Partnership Initiative, the Watershed Improvement Program, the Resilient Lands and Waters Initiative, and other existing collaborative efforts in the California Headwaters Region.  The webinar is free, and will feature a number of speakers including Sierra Nevada Conservancy Executive Officer Jim Branham, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Deputy Regional Forester Barnie Gyant, and Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery. 

Pre-registration is required by April 25, 2016.  Capacity will be limited to 100 participants.  Registrants will be emailed a link to the webinar and conference call information prior to the webinar.

For more information, contact Liz Berger at 916-498-5901 or eaberger@fs.fed.us or Marji Feliz at 530-823-4679 or Marji.feliz@sierranevada.ca.gov.

USDA Accepting Applications for 2017 Export Market Development Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2017 funding for five export market development programs.  Applications for the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, Quality Samples Program and Emerging Markets Program will be accepted until 5 p.m. EDT on June 3, 2016.

Under the Market Access Program, USDA provides competitive, cost-share assistance to U.S. exporters and trade organizations for international marketing and promotion of U.S. commodities and products.  Under the Foreign Market Development Program, USDA partners with nonprofit agricultural trade associations to build longer-term international demand for U.S. commodities.  The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program funds projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.  The Quality Samples Program helps agricultural trade organizations provide small samples of their products to potential importers.  The Emerging Markets Program supports technical assistance activities for the promotion of U.S. farm products in emerging markets. More information about these programs can be accessed here.

SBA Small Business Workshop (El Dorado County)

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SBA Small Business Workshop (Madera County)

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REGULATORY UPDATE

Resource Management Planning: Amends existing regulations that establish the procedures used to prepare, revise, or amend land use plans pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.  Agency: U.S. Bureau of Land Management Status: Draft released for public review, comments due on April 25, 2016.  Proposed regulatory language and related documents can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: RCRC’s letter requesting an extension of the comment deadline can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org