The Barbed Wire - January 6, 2017

January 6, 2017
RCRC Pens Letter to U.S. Senator Harris Outlining Federal Priorities for California’s Rural Counties
Public-Private Partners Host Webinar to Announce the Launch of PROTECT: Education Program Designed to Reduce Vulnerability of Human Trafficking
HCD Hosts First Regional NPLH Workshops
115th Congress Sworn In
Senate Confirmation Hearings for Trump Cabinet
Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; California Desert Conservation Area and Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
2025 Statewide Housing Needs Assessment Released
BSCC Releases SB 844 Request for Proposal
Little Hoover Commission to Review State Forest Management and Tree Mortality
Guiding Responsibility on Water Act Introduced
BULLETIN BOARD
REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC Pens Letter to U.S. Senator Harris Outlining Federal Priorities for California’s Rural Counties

SACRAMENTO, CA – January 06, 2017 – The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) issued the following correspondence to United States Senator Kamala Harris earlier today, outlining federal priorities for California's rural counties.  To view the letter, click here.

Public-Private Partners Host Webinar to Announce the Launch of PROTECT: Education Program Designed to Reduce Vulnerability of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is the world's fastest growing criminal enterprise and is an estimated $150 billion-a-year global industry.  It is a form of modern day slavery that profits from the exploitation of our most vulnerable populations.  In California, 72% of human trafficking victims are U.S. citizens, born and raised in California’s small towns and big cities. 

Join leaders from education, law enforcement, non-profit advocacy, and local government as they announce the launch of PROTECT, an education program designed to reduce the vulnerability of the state’s children to human trafficking.

For details on the upcoming webinar and media availability, click here.

HCD Hosts First Regional NPLH Workshops

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) held its first regional public meeting on the No Place Like Home (NPLH) program this week in Sacramento.  HCD staff provided a detailed overview of the Draft NPLH framing document, which sets the stage for how HCD envisions the structure, goals, outcome measures, and performance metrics of the program.  RCRC worked closely with our local government partners and HCD staff over the last several months leading up to the release of the Draft NPLH framing document, and would like to recognize them for considering our comments in advance of its release.  

While there are still outstanding technical issues that need to be carefully considered, and certain aspects of the program that we would like to see further refined, including definitions around various types of homeless populations and application rating factors, it is HCD’s intent to have the final NPLH Program guidelines completed this summer. 

RCRC will continue collaborative efforts to further address county issues throughout development of the NPLH Program Guidelines, and will engage our rural county stakeholders to provide technical guidance on key provisions moving forward.  The Draft NPLH framing paper and list of regional public workshops, including the upcoming January 11th meeting scheduled in Redding and statewide webinar on January 26th can be accessed here

115th Congress Sworn In

On January 3, 2017, the 435 Members of Congress and 100 Senators were sworn in to begin the 115th Congress.  Senator Kamala Harris replaces Senator Barbara Boxer, and there are five new California members of the House of Representatives.  There were no changes in the RCRC delegation from the last Congress.  

One of the first orders of business in Congress was the beginning procedural steps initiated this week to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a process that could take months and possibly years.

Senate Confirmation Hearings for Trump Cabinet

With the Inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump scheduled for January 20, 2017, the United States Senate has begun scheduling confirmation hearings for his nominees to serve in the Cabinet. Hearings have been scheduled the week of January 9th for the Attorney General (Senator Jeff Sessions), Department of State (Rex Tillerson), Department of Housing and Urban Development (Dr. Ben Carson), Department of Transportation (Elaine Chao), and Department of Homeland Security (General John Kelly). 

Additional hearings will be scheduled over the next two weeks, in order to ensure the Cabinet is in place as quickly as possible after January 20th.   In total, President Trump has some 4,000 political positions to fill throughout the federal government, although the majority of them do not require congressional approval.  Regardless, it is a process that will take months to complete.

Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; California Desert Conservation Area and Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

The Bureau of Land Management petitioned the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management (Assistant Secretary) to withdraw over 1.3 million acres in the California Desert National Conservation Lands from mining claim location and open to mineral entry under the US mining laws for a 20 year period.  The purpose of the withdrawal proposal is to shield the designated conservation public lands from mining to protect nationally significant landscapes with outstanding cultural, biological, and scientific values. 

The withdrawal proposal contains designated lands in Inyo, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, and Kern counties.  The Assistant Secretary approved the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) petition.   

The notice in the Federal Register temporarily segregates the lands from location and entry for a period of up to two years and provides the public the opportunity to comment on the proposed withdrawal.  The notice also initiates the process for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  Dates and locations of public meetings regarding the withdrawal proposal and scoping meetings for the EIS will be announced at least 30 days in advance of the meetings. Comments on the withdrawal proposal and EIS must be received by March 28, 2017.  A 1.6 million acres of California Desert National Conservation Lands may be considered in a phase 2 withdrawal proposal. 

Detailed information can be accessed here.

2025 Statewide Housing Needs Assessment Released

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released their Draft 2025 Statewide Housing Assessment (SHA), which seeks to provide a framework for the Legislature, agency officials, and local/regional government agencies to address the State’s housing supply needs.  The Draft SHA captures various data elements that well document California’s housing shortage issues and the impact the affordable housing gap has on specified populations.  

The Draft SHA cites that the top “key challenge” regarding housing affordability remains: demand continues to outpace supply.  Additionally, the report finds that a key barrier to development is land use planning and regulation, and includes a broad set of recommendations that calls for significant policy reforms that are of interest to counties.  HCD has scheduled a number of public workshops and a webinar to collect feedback on the Draft SHA, with the public comment period scheduled to conclude on March 4, 2017 and the final report released this summer.  The SHA and a list of upcoming public workshops, including the webinar scheduled for next week, can be accessed here.

BSCC Releases SB 844 Request for Proposal

Late last week, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) released the Senate Bill 844 Request for Proposal (RFP) for the acquisition, design and construction of adult local criminal justice facilities in California.  The RFP contains $150 million for small counties, $30 million for medium-sized counties, and $70 million for large-sized counties, and monies will be targeted to counties that have received either no previous funding or partial funding to support their local detention facility needs. 

In November 2016, RCRC submitted a letter to the BCSS urging support of the Executive Steering Committee’s RFP recommendations for local jail construction funding.

RFPs must be submitted to the BSCC by 5:00 p.m., February 28, 2017.  Additional information and the complete RFP application packet can be accessed here.

Additionally, the BSCC will hold a SB 844 Bidders Conference on January 25, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to allow counties and other interested parties an opportunity to ask questions regarding the RFP process.  

Little Hoover Commission to Review State Forest Management and Tree Mortality

The Little Hoover Commission (Commission) is conducting a review of the State’s forest management activities in light of California’s 102 million dead and dying trees from the drought-induced tree mortality epidemic.  The review, triggered by recent mortality survey numbers from the USDA Forest Service showing spreading mortality in the central and southern Sierra region as well as increasing mortality in northern areas of the State, will study the State’s overall response to the crisis.  

The Commission also plans to look at the work of the Tree Mortality Task Force and how the State plans to use the information and expertise from that effort to recover and position itself ahead of future crises.

The Little Hoover Commission is an independent state oversight agency created to improve efficiency, economy, and improved service in California’s government operations.  The Commission conducts multiple studies each year, with its most recent studies focusing on such topics as the Mental Health Services Act, occupational licensing barriers, and the Salton Sea. 

The Commission will be holding a public hearing on its forest management review on January 26, 2017 at the State Capitol, Room 437 at 9:30 a.m.  The hearing is open to members of the public, and detailed information can be accessed here.

Guiding Responsibility on Water Act Introduced

Yesterday Congress Member David Valadao (R-CA) introduced the “Guiding Responsibility on Water Act” (HR 23).  The GROW Act would restore water reliability to California communities by codifying the bipartisan Bay-Delta Accord. It also reforms federal laws – such as the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act – that have affected water delivery. 

The bill currently has 12 Republican cosponsors, including Reps. Cook, McCarthy, LaMalfa, and McClintock.  A copy of the bill text and summary can be viewed here.

BULLETIN BOARD

Sierra Nevada Conservancy Releases 2015-16 Annual Report

Click here

State Water Resources Control Board offers help with Technical Assistance for Stormwater Projects

Click here

Ten Years Later: Progress Towards Expending the 2006 Bond Funds

Click here

Funding opportunity for watershed groups

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.  

California Paint Stewardship Program 2016 Annual Report.  PaintCare has submitted their California Paint Stewardship Program 2016 Annual Report (Report) to CalRecycle.  Agency: CalRecycle Status: Report posted November 3, 2016, with public comments regarding the performance of the paint stewardship program due December 19, 2016.  CalRecycle will make a subsequent determination regarding compliance within 90 days.  RCRC Comments: Click here The Report can be accessed here.  RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

Discussion Draft 2030 Target Scoping Plan.  The Discussion Draft 2030 Target Scoping Plan (Discussion Draft) provides the framework to achieve the State’s Senate Bill 32 goal of reducing greenhouse gasses by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.  The Discussion Draft is not complete and is intended to illicit initial feedback and to help refine the approach and strategies for achieving the 2030 target.  Agency: Air Resources Board.  Status: The Discussion Draft was released on December 2, 2016, with comments due by December 16, 2017.  Release of the Proposed 2030 Target Scoping Plan is anticipated in early January 2017 for a 45-day public review and ARB hearing in Spring 2017.  The Discussion Draft can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: Click here  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org and Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

Amendments to the Portable Engine ATCM and the PERP.  Revisions to the Portable Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) and the Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program Regulation (PERP) are being proposed.  The current ATCM requires subject fleets of engines to meet a series of fleet average emission standards for diesel particulate matter (DPM).  The ATCM fleet standards became effective in 2013 and become more stringent in 2017 and 2020.  Compliance with the future fleet requirements are projected to be very difficult.  The proposed amendments include alternatives to the current fleet averages to protect public health while considering economic impacts to regulated fleets.  Agency: Air Resources Board (ARB) Status: Draft regulations are dated September 9, 2016.  A public workshop was held on November 10, 2016.  The proposed regulations are anticipated to be released in early 2017, and considered at the March 2017 ARB public meeting.  The draft regulations and additional information can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

Revised Draft Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (SLCP Strategy).  The revised Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Reduction Strategy and relevant Appendices have been released for public review and comments.  The SLCP Reduction Strategy addresses black carbon, methane, and hydroflourocarbons (HFC) emissions and lays out a range of options to reduce SLCP emissions in California, including regulations, incentives, and other market-supporting activities.  Agency: Air Resources Board.  Status: The revised SLCP Reduction Strategy and relevant Appendices was released on November 28, 2016, with comments due by January 17, 2017.  Three SLCP Strategy workshops were held the week of December 12, 2016.  The Revised Draft SLCP Reduction Strategy and Revised Draft Environmental Analysis (Appendix E) will be considered at the March 23 and 24 ARB monthly meeting.  The revised SLCP Reduction Strategy, notice of the public workshops, and related documents can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org and Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

General Plan Safety Element Review and Assessment. The proposed rule establishes a standardized review process for the Board of Forestry review of a draft element or a draft amendment to the safety element of a county or a city’s general plan that contains State Responsibility Area (SRA) or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Agency: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) Status: The proposed rule was re-published December 23, 2016, with comments due by February 7, 2017.  The Board anticipates holding a public hearing on March 8, 2017.  The proposed rule can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

Regulating Suction Dredge Mining to Protect Water Quality.  Five public workshops have been scheduled in early 2017 to solicit input on what action should be taken to protect water quality from suction dredge mining in accordance with Senate Bill 637. Agency: State Water Resources Control; Board (State Water Board)  Status:  The workshops have been scheduled in Fresno on January 17, 2017; in San Bernardino on January 18, 2017; in Orleans on January 24, 2017; in Redding on January 25, 2017; and in Sacramento on February 6, 2017.  The notice can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

Draft 2017 Update to the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP).  The CVFPP is a long-range plan for improving flood risk management in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river Basins.  The plan provides a comprehensive framework for system-wide management and flood risk reduction planning and is required to updated every five years.  This first update refines the overall near- and long-term investment needs established in the CVFPP, and includes recommendations on policies and financing that support comprehensive flood risk management actions locally, regionally, and system-wide.  Agency: Department of Water Resources. Status: The draft was released on December 30, 2016, with comments due by March 31, 2017.  Five public outreach hearings have been scheduled in February and March throughout the Central Valley.  The draft update, draft Supplemental Program EIS, and scheduled workshop details can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org