The Barbed Wire - February 13, 2015

February 13, 2015
RCRC Leads Statewide SRS Resolution Drive
GO-Biz Hosts Regional Workshops on California Competes Tax Credit
LAO Issues Report on Implementing the 2014 Water Bond
New Water Management Planning Tool
Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Water Hearing
Drinking Water Funding Process Streamlined
Tulare and Modesto Groundwater Governance Workshops Well Attended
California Water Action Plan Implementation Report Released
State Water Board Issues Orders Impacting Senior Water Rights Diverters
Assembly Committee Focuses on Proposition 1 Implementation
Senate-Assembly Hold Joint Informational Hearing on Public Safety
SB 863 Jail Construction RFP Process Ramps Up
New Executive Order and Flood Standards to Increase Size of Floodplains and Regulatory Actions
Secretary Foxx Testifies on Surface Transportation Reauthorization
BULLETIN BOARD

RCRC Leads Statewide SRS Resolution Drive

In response to the 113th Congress’ failure to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Act of 2000 (SRS), RCRC is leading the charge on behalf of rural counties across the state to pass local resolutions urging Congress to immediately reauthorize the SRS program.  SRS funding is authorized by Congress to mitigate the impact to county governments and schools from the reduction of timber harvesting production on federal forest lands.  California’s rural communities have come to rely on SRS funding – more than $33 million statewide (annually) – to support public schools and vital road programs.  To date, 24 of California’s rural counties have adopted local resolutions which will be used as part of a multi-pronged media and advocacy strategy to build statewide support and pressure to reauthorize this critical program. 

Later this month, RCRC staff will join the RCRC Officers and federal advocates on Capitol Hill for scheduled meetings with key Congressional leadership and staff during the National Association of Counties’ Annual Legislative Conference. 

The 24 rural California counties that have adopted local resolutions over the past month include Alpine, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, and Yuba.  It is anticipated that additional counties will be adopting resolutions in the coming weeks.  These counties represent more than 54 percent of California’s federally managed land, and more than $27 million in annual SRS funding.  RCRC’s press release on the statewide SRS resolution drive can be accessed here.

GO-Biz Hosts Regional Workshops on California Competes Tax Credit

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced this week a series of workshops throughout the state on how businesses can apply for the California Competes Tax Credit.  Two workshops will be held in RCRC member counties.  Full details and registration information on the workshops can be accessed here.

LAO Issues Report on Implementing the 2014 Water Bond

This week, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) issued a 32-page 2015-16 State Budget report on “Effectively implementing the 2014 Water Bond” (Proposition 1).  The  LAO provides a series of recommendations, including ensuring funding is targeted to State-level public benefits; requiring robust cost-effectiveness criteria for project selection; consultation with technical experts when needed; requiring Departments to submit staffing plans for all bond-related activities; and, oversight of projects, programs and outcomes.  The LAO report can be accessed here.

New Water Management Planning Tool

The Department of Water Resources launched a new Water Management Planning Tool (WMPT) this week.  The WMPT is an interactive map that allows users to overlay various water management boundaries onto a map of California.  This tool is intended to support local agency efforts related to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, California Water Plan, and Integrated Regional Water Management, and serve as an informational tool for all interested parties.  The WMPT can be accessed here.

Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Water Hearing

On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review held a hearing titled Water: State and Local Funding Relationships and Drought Related Activities.  The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) provided an overview of the Governor’s proposals for bond funding and drought-related activities, followed by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) who discussed paying for water in California.  The full PPIC report titled Paying for Water in California can be accessed here.  The Administration’s approach to funding state and local water needs was presented by a panel composed of representatives of the State Water Resources Control Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Finance.  The Administration recently released the California Water Action Plan Implementation Report, which can be accessed here.  The local perspective on addressing local funding needs was provided by representatives of the Community Water Center, The Nature Conservancy, and the Sonoma County Water Agency.  The full agenda can be accessed here.  The LAO report can be accessed here.

Drinking Water Funding Process Streamlined

The State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board) Division of Financial Assistance has announced streamlining access to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), and making more projects eligible for DWSRF funding.  The DWSRF is open to community and non-profit non-community water systems, large and small, public agencies or private entities.  Funding can be awarded for planning and design as well as construction, and funding is provided in the form of 20-year loans, with extended term 30-year financing for some disadvantaged communities.  Recent interest rates have ranged from 1.5 to 3 percent, dropping as low as zero for some disadvantaged communities.  Full details on the streamlined DWSRF can be accessed here.

Tulare and Modesto Groundwater Governance Workshops Well Attended

The second and third Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) workshops - like the first in Willows in late January - were very well attended and extremely informative.  All three workshops focused primarily on the topic of governance.  Attendees were largely county, city, and water district decision-makers and key staff.  The February 04, 2015 workshop in Tulare was hosted by the Tulare County Water Commission.  The February 5 workshop in Modesto was hosted by Stanislaus County and the Turlock Irrigation District.

Tulare County Supervisor Allen Ishida opened the Tulare workshop, followed by Kate Williams of the California Water Foundation who provided an overview of the SGMA and local governance considerations.  Three case studies followed:  Kern County Supervisor David Couch and Eric Averett of the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District discussed activities taking place in the Kern County Basin;  Dave Orth with the Kings River Conservation District and Alan Weaver representing Fresno County discussed efforts in the Kings Basin; and Mark Larson from the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District and Denise England of Tulare County presented on the Kaweah Basin. 

Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa opened the Modesto workshop, followed by Kate Williams providing an overview of SGMA and local governance considerations.  Three case studies were presented in the morning:  Walt Ward representing Stanislaus County discussed efforts underway in Stanislaus County, followed by Herb Smart from the Turlock Irrigation District who presented on the Turlock Subbasin;  John Davids of the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers Groundwater Basin Association  discussed the status of efforts in the Modesto Subbasinand, Mark Hutchinson, representing San Luis Obispo County, discussed the status of efforts in the Paso Robles Subbasin.  Like the Tulare workshop, the Modesto workshop presenters and participants closed the day with comments and a question and answer period.  

All three workshops were sponsored by RCRC, the Association of California Water Agencies, CSAC, and the California Water Foundation (an initiative of the Resources Legacy Fund).  The links to the presentations can be found on the RCRC SGMA webpage, accessed here.

California Water Action Plan Implementation Report Released

This week, the Brown Administration released a report outlining activities for the next four years to implement the California Water Action Plan (Water Action Plan), released by the Governor in January 2014.  The report identifies the agencies that will undertake identified activities to accomplish the key goals contained in the Water Action Plan. 

Key Goals:

  • Make conservation a California way of life, increase regional self-reliance and integrated water management across all levels of government;
  • Achieve the co-equal goals for the Delta;
  • Protect and restore important ecosystems;
  • Manage and prepare for dry periods;
  • Expand water storage capacity and improve groundwater management;
  • Provide safe water for all communities;
  • Increase flood protection;
  • Increase operational and regulatory efficiency; and,
  • Identify sustainable and integrated financing opportunities. 

The Water Action Plan Implementation Report 2014-2018 can be accessed here.

State Water Board Issues Orders Impacting Senior Water Rights Diverters

Under a new order issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), persons claiming senior water rights in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed will be required to provide detailed information on the water rights they claim and diversions associated with those rights.  The order comes after the State Water Board received complaints from the California Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, both holding junior water rights, that some riparian and pre-1914 water right holders may be illegally diverting stored water in the Sacramento and San Joaquin watersheds and the Delta. 

The order applies to 1,061 water rights claims held by about 450 individuals in the Delta and the Sacramento and San Joaquin watersheds.  The order can be accessed here.

Assembly Committee Focuses on Proposition 1 Implementation

The Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee held an informational and oversight hearing on Proposition 1 Implementation on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.  After opening comments by the committee chair, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) presented on the background of Proposition 1, and principles moving forward.  The LAO presentation was followed by a panel featuring State agency representatives that will receive funding from Proposition 1.  The panel members represented the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Wildlife Conservation Board, and the California Water Commission. 

The final panel consisted of various stakeholders who presented recommendations for maximizing public benefits.  Stakeholders on the panel represented the California Water Foundation, the Association of California Water Agencies, the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Community Water Center, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.  Related materials can be accessed here.

Senate-Assembly Hold Joint Informational Hearing on Public Safety

This week, the Senate and Assembly Public Safety Committees, chaired by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) and Assembly Member Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) respectively, hosted a joint informational hearing on public safety and the public’s trust.  The joint informational hearing was organized in response to recent altercations between law enforcement officials and local citizens, most notably the incident in Ferguson, Missouri that lead to the shooting death of Michael Brown.  The Senate and Assembly invited top level officials from law enforcement and justice departments, research organizations and public educational institutions, civil rights organizations, and local government to provide testimony on how statewide and local data collection, policing policies, and best practices can be used to strengthen the relationship and build and promote trust and confidence between law enforcement entities and the general public. 

Several recommendations were made, including specific recommendations to mandate local governments to measure police and community relations in an effort to change law enforcement behavior and enhance the public’s trust, and mandatory crisis intervention training and development of best practices protocols.  

SB 863 Jail Construction RFP Process Ramps Up

As part of the 2015-16 State Budget Package, $500 million in lease revenue bonds was authorized through Senate Bill 863 (Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee) to address local jail construction and programming space needs.  The California Board of State and Community Corrections recently established a SB 863 Executive Steering Committee (ESC) to help guide the development of the Request for Proposal (RFP) evaluation criteria and application process for awarding the $500 million available in jail construction funding. 

The ESC has tentatively approved the draft timeline below that will need to be formally adopted at the February 26, 2015 ESC meeting.  Counties that are interested in applying for SB 863 jail construction funds are encouraged to attend and actively engage in the development of the SB 863 program.  RCRC has historically supported jail construction funding programs, and has long advocated for a dedicated funding set-aside and reduced match requirements for small counties with fewer than 200,000 in population.  During the SB 1022 ESC process, RCRC was successful at securing $100 million in dedicated funding for small counties.  RCRC will work with BSCC staff and the ESC to guide the development of the RFP process and will continue to provide updates on the SB 863 jail construction program as information becomes available. 

Tentative SB 863 Request for Proposals Timeline

January 21, 2015
February/March TBD
April TBD

Executive Steering Committee (ESC) meeting to develop elements of Request for Proposals (RFP) and proposal evaluation criteria.

April 30, 2015

Special Session BSCC meeting to initiate the emergency adoption of the Construction Regulations.

June 11, 2015

Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to take action on RFP at regularly scheduled board meeting.

June 12, 2015

BSCC releases the SB 863 RFP.

June 25, 2015

Bidders’ conference in Sacramento.

August 28, 2015

Proposals due to BSCC office by 5:00 PM.

August 28- September 11, 2015

Staff completes technical requirements review of proposals. Counties are given opportunity to correct technical deficiencies.

September 16, 2015

Raters’ training for ESC.

September 16 -October 16, 2015

ESC reviews the proposals and makes preliminary ratings.

October 21-23, 2015

Scheduled county presentations on proposals to ESC (Sacramento). ESC makes final rating and ranks proposals for funding recommendations.

October 26, 2015

Staff finalizes ESC recommendation list.

October 27, 2015

ESC recommendations mailed to counties and BSCC Board.

November 12, 2015

ESC recommendations presented to BSCC for funding action/conditional awards at a scheduled board meeting.

New Executive Order and Flood Standards to Increase Size of Floodplains and Regulatory Actions

President Obama recently issued Executive Order 13690 and a revised Flood Risk Management Standard that will increase the size and of floodplains and regulatory requirements on all federal actions in the floodplain.  Rather than rely on the 100-year floodplain historically identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on community flood insurance rate maps, federal agencies may choose one of three alternatives for defining a floodplain:  the 500-year floodplain; an additional 2- or 3-feet of freeboard above the 100-year base flood elevation; or best available climate-informed science.  Any of these approaches would expand the size of existing floodplains.  All federal actions – including studies, construction, grants, loans, loan guarantees, permits, and licenses – must avoid being located in or affecting the floodplain.  Any new or substantially improved construction must be elevated to the new standard.  The public may comment on implementation of the new standard until April 6, 2015.

Secretary Foxx Testifies on Surface Transportation Reauthorization

On February 11, 2015, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the Obama Administration’s proposal for a six-year, $478 billion reauthorization of the nation’s highway, transit, and passenger rail programs.  Several House members criticized the President’s proposal, particularly the idea of taxing overseas holdings of U.S. corporations to pay for the bill.  The Secretary admitted that the proposal would not be a permanent fix to the shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), and that a new funding source would need to be found once the six-year life of the bill expired. 

It is important to note that several proposals are beginning to emerge to provide long-term revenues to the HTF, and the concept of repatriation has gained momentum in the Senate with a bipartisan proposal to provide funding through a repatriation of off-shore corporate earnings, albeit at a much lower tax rate than what is currently proposed by the Obama Administration.  Secretary Foxx also announced during the hearing that next week he will lead a bus tour beginning in Florida and ending in Washington, D.C. to highlight the need for greater federal investment in the next surface transportation bill. 

RCRC recently submitted comments to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-Pennsylvania) and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) outlining our MAP-21 reauthorization priorities, including the need to restore dedicated funding for the High-Risk Rural Roads program and Highway Bridge Program funding for local on-system bridges.  RCRC will also be attending the upcoming National Association of Counties’ Annual Legislative Conference and has meetings scheduled with key Congressional members and staff to discuss the need for these critical rural transportation programs. 

BULLETIN BOARD

Active Transportation Program Cycle 2 Workshop

The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) announced hosting a joint Active Transportation Program (ATP) workshop with the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to collect additional input and feedback on the development of the ATP Cycle 2 Application and Award Process.  RCRC continues to weigh-in on the development of the ATP Cycle 2 Guidelines and the application and awards process with CalTrans and CTC staff, and has submitted several letters outlining key issues with ATP Cycle 1 implementation and recommendations for ATP Cycle 2.  We encourage counties that are interested in applying for ATP funding to read up on the latest ATP documents and participate in the upcoming conference call to help influence how the program is developed.  If you are interested in attending the meeting in person, please register with Ted Davini in advance as there is limited seating available.

Workshop:                           ATP Cycle 2 Application and Supporting Documents

Date/Time:                            February 25th from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM (with a lunch break from 11:30 to 12:30)

Location:                              Caltrans HQ Building (1120 N Street Sacramento, 95814) Conference Room 2116

Conference Call #:             (866) 707-4366       

Participant Passcode:      6010587

Contact Info:                        Ted Davini, ATP Program Manager916.653.4335 or ted.davini@dot.ca.gov

MacArthur Foundation Announces Safety and Justice Challenge

Yesterday, the MacArthur Foundation announced their new Safety and Justice Challenge (Challenge) in an effort to reduce incarceration in local jails.  Through the Challenge, up to 20 local jurisdictions will be selected to receive $150,000 to support an intensive six-month planning process examining local jail data, building effective partnerships, and developing a long-term plan to reduce their prison populations.  The MacArthur Foundation also plans to select 10 local jurisdictions for a second round of funding early next year of up to $2 million to implement their jail reduction plan.  Applications are due by March 31, 2015.  Information on three upcoming webinars and additional detail on the Safety and Justice Challenge can be accessed here.

CAFWD Public Safety Webinar

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DWR Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Email Distribution List

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State Water Board Salton Sea Workshop

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National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

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NACo 2015 Achievement Awards Program

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