The Barbed Wire - July 24, 2015

July 24, 2015
RCRC’s 2015 Annual Meeting – Registration Open!!!
Public Comment Period Extended on California WaterFix
Drought Housing Relocation Assistance Program
Joint Agency Symposium Scheduled on Strategies for the Governor’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals
Senate Moves Forward with Highway Legislation
Senators Encourage Passage of Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Land and Water Conservation Fund
BULLETIN BOARD
REGULATORY UPDATE

RCRC’s 2015 Annual Meeting – Registration Open!!!

RCRC’s 2015 Annual Meeting will be held September 23-25 at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel in El Dorado County.  This year’s program will feature experts discussing a wide range of topics of interest to rural counties including:

  • Water in California - What the Future Holds;
  • The Hidden World of Human Trafficking in California's Rural Counties;
  • What on Earth? The Environmental Impacts of Marijuana Cultivation;
  • Bracing for the Upcoming Political Season;
  • The Future of Federal Land Payments; and,
  • From Vaccines to Vaping – How Public Health Impacts Our Daily Lives.

To register for RCRC’s 2015 Annual Meeting or to access the current program, click here.  The official registration form can be accessed here.

Public Comment Period Extended on California WaterFix

The comment period for the California WaterFix Partially Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RDEIR/SDEIS) has been extended 60 days, until October 30, 2015.  

Additionally, two public meetings will be held to provide more information on the RDEIR/SDEIS and to accept public comments.  Detailed information regarding the California WaterFix Partially Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RDEIR/SDEIS) and upcoming public meetings can be accessed here.

Drought Housing Relocation Assistance Program

The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has invited counties to submit applications as Sponsor for the Drought Housing Relocation Assistance Program.  The purpose of this program is to provide temporary assistance for persons moving from their current residence, if it lacks reasonable access to potable water resulting from the drought. 

Detailed information on the program can be accessed here.  Letter of Interest guidelines and details can be accessed here.  Letters of Interest are due August 20, 2015.

Joint Agency Symposium Scheduled on Strategies for the Governor’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

The California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the California Air Resources Board will conduct a public symposium to discuss the development of strategies to achieve Governor Brown’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals. 

This symposium will discuss strategies to secure and enhance carbon storage on natural and working lands, including farms, rangelands, forests, and wetlands throughout California.  Topics include protecting and managing land to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration rates, and opportunities to develop synergies that promote resource stewardship and contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions in other sectors.

Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, and Air Resources Board Executive Officer Richard Corey will speak at the event.  Additional representatives from these and other State agencies and the Governor’s Office may also attend and participate.

The public symposium is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2015 from 9:00 a.m – 4:00pm at CalEPA Headquarters.  Detailed directions can be accessed here.  The symposium can also be accessed via webcast, here.  Full details can be accessed here.

Senate Moves Forward with Highway Legislation

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to proceed with debate on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee’s highway, transit, and rail funding measure, known as the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act. 

While the DRIVE Act authorizes surface transportation funding for six years, the measure only identifies three years of offsets to fund the program.  Yesterday afternoon, the Senate EPW Committee released updated language to the DRIVE Act that made several amendments to the offsets used to pay for the bill, as well as providing increased money for transit, and a provision that would remedy the issue of funding locally owned on-system bridges. 

The Senate will likely work through the weekend debating various amendments that will be proposed, many of which will be unrelated to the actual transportation program, in an effort to complete its work before the end of next week to prevent a shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).  The House of Representatives recently passed a short-term extension to providing funding to the HTF through December 18, 2015.  House leadership believes this short-term extension would provide enough time for the House and Senate to reach an agreement over comprehensive tax reform to provide for a longer term reauthorization of the surface transportation program.

Senators Encourage Passage of Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Land and Water Conservation Fund

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) joined 19 of their colleagues as signatories on a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee encouraging them to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) alongside the Federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs. 

The Federal PILT program provides payments to California counties to offset losses in tax revenues due to the presence of tax-exempt federal land within their jurisdiction.  Counties use Federal PILT Funding to provide critical public safety and emergency medical services, among others.  As with LWCF, the Federal PILT program is scheduled to sunset on September 30, 2015.  RCRC will increase advocacy efforts for enactment of a long-term reauthorization of Federal PILT when Congress returns from August recess.  Earlier this year, 28 RCRC member counties passed local resolutions urging Congress to pass a long-term reauthorization of the Federal PILT program. 

BULLETIN BOARD

California Groundwater Update 2013 Webinar Scheduled for July 27, 2015

The Department of Water Resources will hold a briefing on the Sacramento River, San Francisco Bay, and South Coast Hydrologic regions on July 27 from 9:00 to 10:30.  The agenda which contains the link to register for the webinar can be accessed here.

California Water Commission WSIP Meetings Scheduled

The California Water Commission is holding a series of public meetings to provide information on the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP).  Meeting details can be accessed here.

Local Foods, Local Places Announces Technical Assistance for Sustainable Communities

Local Foods, Local Places helps communities create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant neighborhoods through the development of local food systems.  Local Foods, Local Places aims to boost economic opportunities for local farmers and businesses, improve access to healthy local food and promote childhood wellness, and create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant neighborhoods.  Communities are invited to apply for technical assistance, with applications due September 15, 2015.  Detailed information can be accessed here.

2015 DWR Preseason Flood Coordination Meeting Schedule

Click here

REGULATORY UPDATE

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funding Guidelines for Administering Agencies.  Establishes fund distribution guidance for state agencies that receive appropriations from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.  Agency: California Air Resources Board Status: Draft published for public comment, comment period extended to August 14, 2015.  Additional workshops in various cities in August.  Board consideration expected at the September 23-24 meeting.  Draft guidelines and related documents can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: Click here RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds Second Investment Plan.  Establishes 3-year spending priorities for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund monies.  Agency: California Air Resources Board Status: Draft concept paper due out for public comment by July 24, 2015, followed by workshops in various cities in August.  Board consideration expected at the September 23-24 meeting.  Draft concept paper will be made available here.  RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org