The Barbed Wire - January 24, 2014

January 24, 2014
Governor Brown Delivers 2014 State of the State Address
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Designates California Ag Counties for Drought Disaster Assistance
State Water Resources Control Board Offers Extended Term Financing
Events/Notices

Governor Brown Delivers 2014 State of the State Address

On Wednesday, Governor Brown delivered his 2014 State of the State Address before the State Legislature. The Governor highlighted his commitment to paying down debt, the creation of a rainy day fund, the need to conserve water in light of the drought, and efforts to build upon his reforms to the State’s school funding and criminal justice systems. 

The full text of the Governor’s Address can be accessed here.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Designates California Ag Counties for Drought Disaster Assistance

The USDA has designated 27 of California’s 58 counties as natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by extreme drought. Of the 27, the following RCRC member counties are included:  Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, and San Benito. 

Agricultural operators in all counties designated as natural disaster areas may qualify for low interest emergency (EM) loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Counties that are contiguous to the primary disaster counties declared also qualify for USDA natural disaster assistance.

Farmers and ranchers in designated counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for the EM loan to help cover part of their actual losses. To verify the deadline for application in your area, contact your county’s FSA office, accessed here.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has conservation-related disaster assistance to protect soil, water, and habitat. Additional information can be accessed here. Small, non-farming businesses in USDA disaster-designated counties may be eligible for disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Additional information can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Analyst Nick Konovaloff at 916.447.4806 or nkonovaloff@rcrcnet.org.

State Water Resources Control Board Offers Extended Term Financing

Earlier this week, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) announced the immediate offering of extended term financing up to 30 years for all California water quality projects eligible for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program. 

“California has millions of dollars in unmet needs for clean water infrastructure projects, including pollution reduction and water recycling projects that can clean water, green our cities, and provide greater drought resistance to our precious water supplies,” said State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “This action will help make those projects more affordable for communities throughout the State.”

The availability of 30-year extended term financing to all applicants will significantly reduce water quality financing costs for California communities, and makes the program more competitive with other financing options. Ultimately, this change will result in more water quality projects being financed and completed to improve California’s waters. About 76 percent of the CWSRF funds have been used for wastewater treatment and water recycling facilities, 20 percent for wastewater collection systems, and about four percent for non-point source or estuary projects.

The State Water Board’s online application system, the Financial Assistant Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) can be accessed here. The CWSRF program has no application deadline, and no maximum funding limit. In lieu of FAAST, applications can also be completed and submitted via email, CD, or hard copy to the following:

CleanWaterSRF@waterboards.ca.gov

State Water Resources Control Board

CWSRF Marketing Unit

1001 I Street

17th Floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

The Financial Assistant Application forms can be accessed here. Additional information on the CWSRF can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at 916.447.4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.

Events/Notices

Assembly Committee Schedules Water Bond Hearing in Humboldt County

The Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife has scheduled an informational hearing in Humboldt County on the need for a 2014 Water Bond. The hearing is part of a series scheduled throughout the State to garner local perspective on the proposed 2014 Water Bond. 

The hearing information is as follows:

Friday, February 7, 2014

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Chambers

825 Fifth Street

Room 111

Eureka, CA 95501

Additional information on the proposed 2014 Water Bond and the series of hearings can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Analyst Nick Konovaloff at 916.447.4806 or nkonovaloff@rcrcnet.org.

Legislative Update: January 17 – 23, 2014
RCRC members are encouraged to share letters addressed to state and federal representatives and regulatory bodies with RCRC’s Government Affairs staff.
New Bill Introductions
 

AB 1445 (Logue): California Water Infrastructure Act of 2014.  AB 1445 would repeal the provisions of the proposed 2012 Water Bond, and if adopted by voters, authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $5,800,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance a public benefits associated with water storage projects program.

SB 834 (Wolk): Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality, and Flood Protection Act of 2014.  SB 834 would repeal the provisions of the proposed 2012 Water Bond, and if adopted by voters, authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $11,140,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance a safe drinking water and water supply reliability program.

SB 834 (Huff):  California Environmental Quality Act: Exemption:  Retooling of Manufacturing Facilities.  SB 834 would exempt from the requirements of CEQA act a project or an activity related to the retooling or alteration for manufacturing purposes of an existing manufacturing facility within its existing footprint.