The Barbed Wire - January 15, 2016

January 15, 2016
RCRC 2016 Reception and Installation of Officers
CA Water 2.0 – What’s Next for the California Water Plan?
Despite Recent Storms, State Reservoirs Remain Low
House Sends Water Rule Disapproval Resolution to President
Westlands Water District Settlement Introduced in Congress
BULLETIN BOARD
KEEPING UP
REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC 2016 Reception and Installation of Officers

RCRC’s Annual Reception and Installation of Officers will be held Wednesday, January 20th from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the California Room of the California Chamber of Commerce.  Full details and RSVP information can be accessed here.

CA Water 2.0 – What’s Next for the California Water Plan?

This week at CA Water 2.0 – What’s Next for the California Water Plan, a statewide briefing hosted by the Brown Administration and the Association of California Water Agencies, the Administration announced the release of the California Water Action Plan 2016 Update (CWAP).  The CWAP is the Administration’s roadmap to put California on a path of sustainable water management.  

Governor Brown spoke at some length upon a variety of topics including the complexity and interrelationships between engineered water infrastructure and the natural environment, the drought and its impact on the landscape of the State, the population of the planet as well as the State and human’s impact on the environment, and climate change and the challenges the State faces as a result.  The Governor also made a pitch for California Water Fix (the twin tunnels) stating the need to change the outdated infrastructure of the Delta system.  The full agenda and materials can be accessed here.

Common themes included the drought, the need for reliable ongoing financing, the importance of working together to accomplish common goals, and the positive impact Proposition 1 funding has had to date and will in the future on implementation of the CWAP.  

The California Water Action Plan Implementation Report 2015 Summary of Accomplishments was also released this week.

Despite Recent Storms, State Reservoirs Remain Low

Despite the recent storms, the State’s reservoirs still remain well below their total capacity, as well as below their historic average for this time of year.  For example, Folsom Lake hovers at 28 percent of capacity and only half of its historic average and Lake Shasta is only at 34 percent of total capacity.  Current conditions for selected California reservoirs can be accessed here.

House Sends Water Rule Disapproval Resolution to President

This week, the House voted 253 to 166 to approve a Congressional Review Act Resolution (S.J. Res 22) disapproving of the Obama Administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.  The Resolution will now be sent to the President since it was approved in the Senate last November by a vote of 53 to 44.  

The President is expected to veto the measure, and neither the House nor the Senate has enough votes to override his veto.  The controversial rule has been the subject of numerous unsuccessful measures in Congress to revise a rule that opponents maintain will broaden federal jurisdiction over streams, wetlands, and water infrastructure.

RCRC joined comments with a majority of other public agencies across the country opposing the potential impact of the rule on roadside ditches, storm water and water delivery systems, and irrigation.  The rule took effect last summer but has been stayed nationwide by a federal district court.  More than 30 states have filed suit against the rule, with seven cases pending in federal district courts.

Westlands Water District Settlement Introduced in Congress

On Tuesday, California House Republican Rep. David Valadao introduced a bill (H.R. 4366) to approve a controversial settlement between the nation's largest agricultural water district and the Justice Department.  H.R. 4366 would approve an agreement proposed last year to settle long-standing claims against the U.S. Department of Interior for its management of water deliveries that led to toxic irrigation runoff in California's main water delivery hub, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.  

Under the agreement, filed in September 2015 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Westlands will assume responsibility for its drainage issues and drop its suit against the Department of Interior in exchange for forgiveness of its outstanding debt from the construction of the Central Valley Project (CVP) itself – a value of about $350 million.  Westlands is also agreeing to retire at least 100,000 acres of salty farmland and reduce its contractual water deliveries from the CVP by 25 percent to 890,000 acre-feet per year, but it will receive an upgrade to a permanent contract, rather than one that has to be renewed every two years.  Rep. Valadao stated that the legislation would save taxpayers up to $3.5 billion in potential legal liabilities.  

BULLETIN BOARD

Prop 84 Implementation Grants Announced

Click here

Rural Utilities Service Announces Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Application

Click here

NACo Webinar: Making the Most of 2016 Grant Funding in Rural Counties

Click here

KEEPING UP

Anthony Rendon Selected as California Assembly Speaker

Earlier this week, California Assembly Members formally selected Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) as Speaker, cementing a decision made by the Democratic Caucus late last year.  Assembly Member Rendon will take the reins from termed-out Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) in March. 

Christine Kehoe Appointed to the California Transportation Commission

Christine Kehoe, Executive Director of the California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaboration, has been appointed to the California Transportation Commission.  Kehoe will be sworn in next week in Sacramento.

REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC members are encouraged to submit comments on regulatory matters to state and federal regulatory bodies, and to provide a copy to RCRC’s Government Affairs staff.  Click “Read More” to access information related to the current status of regulations impacting California’s rural counties.  

Proposed Exceptional Events Rule Revisions and Draft Wildfire Guidance:  Revises the Exceptional Events Rule to clarify demonstration of events such as prescribed burns and wildfires, provides guidance to air agencies on procedures.  Agency: United States Environmental Protection Agency  Status: Draft available for public comment, comment date extended to February 3, 2016.  Proposed regulatory language and related documents can be downloaded here.  RCRC Comments:  RCRC is seeking member county input.  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

Draft Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California:  Provides strategies and potential actions for the management and conservation of gray wolves in California.  Agency: California Department of Fish and Wildlife  Status: Draft available for public comment, comments due February 15, 2016.  Draft plan and related documents can be downloaded hereRCRC Comments:  RCRC is seeking member county input.  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org