The Barbed Wire - January 30, 2015

Glenn County Hosts Groundwater Workshop on Local Governance Approaches

The January 26, 2015 groundwater workshop hosted by Glenn County and the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District was both well-attended and informative.  The workshop addressed "Implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): Local Governance Approaches and Considerations."  The workshop was sponsored by RCRC, the Association of California Water Agencies, the California State Association of Counties, and the California Water Foundation (an initiative of Resources Legacy Fund). 

John Viegas, RCRC First Vice Chair and Glenn County Supervisor, provided welcoming remarks, followed by an overview of the SGMA and local governance considerations, and three case studies.  Paul Gosselin, Director of the Department of Water and Resource Conservation for Butte County described past and future efforts relating to the Butte Basin, Glenn County Supervisor Leigh McDaniel and Thad Bettner, General Manager of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District discussed the Colusa Basin, and Tim O’Halloran, General Manager of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District was joined by Cindy Tuttle, Intergovernmental Relations Manager for Yolo County to explain the status of governance in the Yolo Basin.

The Case Studies were followed by a variety of questions for the presenters.  The agenda for the workshop and the various presentations can be accessed here.

Notice for Potential for Curtailment of Water Right Diversions

Late last week, the State Water Resources Control Board (Board) issued a notice to advise water right holders that if hydrologic conditions do not significantly improve in the next several months, the Board will once again be notifying water right holders in critically dry watersheds of the requirement to limit or stop diversions of water under their water right, based on their priority.

The notice can be accessed here.

DWR Releases Draft Central Valley Flood System Conservation Strategy

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released a Draft Central Valley Flood System Conservation Strategy (Conservation Strategy) for a 60-day public review and comment period.  The Conservation Strategy is a component of the 2017 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP), and outlines a long-term approach to improve riverine and floodplain ecosystems and provides guidance on how multi-benefit projects can provide ecological benefits while protecting public safety.  

The public comment period begins January 23, 2015.  However, additional appendices are undergoing final internal DWR review.  Upon posting of all related appendices, DWR will announce a comment due date to allow a full 60-day review period for the document and all appendices.

The draft document and Appendix L can be accessed here.

Coastal Conservancy Posts Draft Proposition 1 Grant Guidelines

Late last week, the Coastal Conservancy (CC) posted their draft Proposition 1 Grant Program Guidelines for review.  The CC is slated to spend $10 million per year over the next ten years.  The Coastal Conservancy's anticipated schedule for guideline development is as follows:

January 29, 2015

Board approval to release for public comment

February 2, 2015

Submit to California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) for posting on its website for at least 30 days prior to any public meetings

Late March, 2015

Host 3 public meetings

March 26, 2015

CC Board Meeting – receive comments from CC Board

April, 2015

Revise guidelines based on comments from Board, CNRA and public

May 1, 2015

Submit to CNRA for final review and approval

June 25, 2015

CC Board considers finalizing guidelines

July 1, 2015

Post guidelines on bond accountability website and CC website

Submit to fiscal and policy committees of legislature

The draft Proposition 1 Grant Program Guidelines can be accessed here. 

Boxer and Paul Announce Bipartisan Transportation Funding Bill

Yesterday, Senators Barbara Boxer (D-California) and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) announced a proposal to reduce the corporate tax rate for repatriated earnings from 35 percent down to 6.5 percent, a move which they believe will encourage corporations to return some of the estimated $2 trillion in off-shore earnings back to the United States to fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).  This is one of several proposals that have been offered to extend the HTF beyond May 31, 2015.  The Boxer/Paul proposal is similar to a funding mechanism that President Barack Obama has endorsed.  Several other proposals to fund the HTF are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, including efforts by a joint House and Senate group announced by Senator Tom Carper (D-Delaware) to slowly phase-in an increase to the current federal gas tax.  Additional details on the Boxer/Paul transportation funding proposal can be accessed here. 

Democrat Members of the House Natural Resources Committee Announced – California’s Huffman to Have Key Role

This week, the Democrat membership was finalized, with Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona) serving as the Committee’s Ranking Member.  The House Natural Resources Committee holds jurisdiction over the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Endangered Species Act, and other issues such as forestry, mineral extraction and oceans policy.  California’s Representative Jared Huffman (D-North Coast) will hold two influential spots – serving as Ranking Member of the Water, Power and Oceans Subcommittee, and also serving as a member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee.  The Federal Lands Subcommittee, which has traditionally held jurisdiction over the U.S. Forest Service and other forest-related measures/issues, will have Representative Niki Tsongas (D-Massachusetts) as its Ranking Member.  In addition, Representative Jim Costa (D-Merced), who has long-served on the House Natural Resources Committee will serve on the Water, Power and Oceans Subcommittee, as well as on the Energy & Mineral Resources Subcommittee.

Highway Bill Talk Heats Up in Senate

In the wake of President Obama’s discussion of infrastructure investment in last week’s State of the Union Address, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held its first hearing of the year this week, with Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx testifying on reauthorization of funding for the nation’s highway and transit programs.  Funding for these programs will run out at the end of May 2015.  Senators did not commit to any specific proposals, but members on both sides of the aisle agreed that finding funding for transportation infrastructure should be one of the major priorities for the Congress this year.  

Also this week, Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) introduced legislation that would spend $1 trillion on infrastructure improvements over the next five years.  The legislation is unlikely to be taken seriously by Senate Republicans, especially considering that Senator Sanders did not give any ideas on how to fund this increased infrastructure spending.  A recent report by the Congressional Budget Office found that Congress will need to find an additional $73 billion in revenue to simply keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent for the next five years. 

SRS, ESA, Public Lands Amendments to Keystone Pipeline Bill Fail in the U.S. Senate

As the U.S. Senate considered the adoption of a measure to authorize the construction of the controversial Keystone Pipeline, amendments were offered to the bill covering a number of topics.  Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) offered amendments to extend the Secure Rural Schools Act; those amendments were never formally debated on the Senate Floor and subsequently not included in the bill.  Senate Republicans tried, but failed, to advance amendments on endangered species, national monuments, wilderness areas, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  The amendments passed with a majority of votes, but failed to garner the 60 votes necessary to be included in the bill.  

The amendment to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund failed to advance by one vote.  The endangered species vote was an attempt to remove the lesser prairie chicken in the Mid-West from the list of “threatened” species.  The national monuments amendment would have required the President to garner support of state and local governments before designating a national monument, which he is currently authorized to do without the consent of Congress.  The Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) – who was managing the bill on the Senate Floor – lost a vote on lifting interim restrictions on areas under consideration for wilderness protection.  Senator Murkowski’s amendment was hastily drafted after the White House announced its intention to ask Congress to designate 12 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness and vowed to manage the land as if it were wilderness regardless of whether Congress takes action.

Late Thursday, the Senate finally adopted the Keystone Pipeline bill despite a flurry of last-minute amendment proposals.  The authorization bill received 62 votes on the Senate Floor, which is less than the needed 67 required to over-ride a veto, which is expected from President Obama.  It is unclear on what procedural steps will occur next in order for the bill to reach President Obama’s desk; however, it is likely that no further amendments will be made.

BULLETIN BOARD

USDA Offering Grant Funding for Conservation Innovation Projects

Click here

California Financing Coordinating Committee Funding Fairs Schedule

Click here

DWR Final Guidelines and PSP for Urban Flood Risk Reduction Program

Click here

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.  

U.S. Forest Service Issues Final Policy on Over-Snow Vehicles

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has released a final policy on managing snowmobiles and other over-snow vehicles (OSV) on national forest lands through the travel management planning process.  The policy, which was first released for public comment in June 2014, implements a ruling by the Idaho District Court requiring the USFS to regulate OSV use through designations in travel management plans.  Forest supervisors will now be responsible for specifically allowing, restricting, or prohibiting OSV use on national forest system roads and trails.

RCRC’s comments on the policy can be accessed here.  The policy will be in effect February 27, 2015.  For more information, visit the U.S. Forest Service website, accessed here.

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status for West Coast Distinct Population Segment of Fisher: Proposes to list the west coast distinct population of fisher as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.   Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Status: Draft published on October 7, 2014 for a 90-day comment period, comment deadline extended to February 5, 2015.  Proposed regulation and related documents can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

Grazing Regulatory Action Project:  Develops a program to enhance the environmental benefits and mitigate water quality impacts of livestock grazing.  Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Status: Board recently completed invitation-only listening sessions with targeted stakeholders.  Initial public meetings to discuss the project are in process.  An initial draft proposal is expected in early 2015.  Information on the program can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

Use by Over-Snow Vehicles (Travel Management Rule): Implements a court decision requiring national forests to designate roads for access by over-snow vehicles.  Agency: USDA Forest Service Status: Final rule published on January 28, 2015.  The Federal Register notice, including response to comments, can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: RCRC’s comment letter can be accessed here.  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org