The Barbed Wire - March 21, 2014

March 21, 2014
RCRC Hosts Discussion on Sustainable Groundwater Management
Sites Reservoir Water Storage Legislation Introduced
Second Senate Groundwater Hearing Held this Month
California Transportation Commission Adopts Active Transportation Program Guidelines
U.S. Forest Service Seeks Nominations for Planning Rule Advisory Committee
U.S. Forest Service Seeks Nominations for Planning Rule Advisory Committee
House Natural Resources Committee Conducts Field Hearing on California Drought
EVENTS/NOTICES

RCRC Hosts Discussion on Sustainable Groundwater Management

This week, RCRC hosted the second joint meeting with the California Association of Counties (CSAC) and the Urban Counties Caucus (UCC) to discuss the county perspective on sustainable groundwater management with the California Water Foundation (CWF). 

Nate Beason, RCRC Chair and Nevada County Supervisor opened the meeting, which included county representatives, and participants both in person and via webinar. The primary focus of the discussion centered on a list of CWF Key Questions, which can be accessed here.

The CWF is in the process of preparing policy recommendations on groundwater management reform to be submitted  to the Brown Administration and Legislature by mid-April. The Administration has fast-tracked the issue, and stated their intent to include groundwater management reform in a State Budget trailer bill. The CWF slide presentation can be accessed here.

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

Sites Reservoir Water Storage Legislation Introduced

This week, Congressmen John Garamendi (D-CA-03) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Sacramento Valley Water Storage and Restoration Act of 2014. This legislation would authorize a feasibility study and construction of Sites Reservoir, approximately 10 miles west of Maxwell in Colusa County. 

This legislation sets a deadline for completion of the feasibility study, and if deemed feasible, authorizes construction of the storage reservoir. Additionally, this legislation creates a process by which a non-federal sponsor could develop the project.

Once completed, Sites Reservoir would provide 1.9 million acre feet of water storage capacity for Northern California, and would help residents prepare for droughts like the one currently impacting the State. This legislation was developed with local stakeholders, including the Sites Joint Powers Authority (JPA), a regional consortium of local water agencies, as well as Glenn County and Colusa County, who joined together in 2010 to advocate for the project.

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

Second Senate Groundwater Hearing Held this Month

This week, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee held a legislative hearing on groundwater. The Committee heard from various experts on groundwater challenges, focusing on difficulties and successes in managing the resource. This was the second hearing on groundwater this month. 

The hearing began with a presentation by Richard Frank, a professor of environmental practice and Director of the California Law & Policy Center at UC Davis School of Law. Mr. Frank provided an overview of California groundwater law.

Gary Bardini, Deputy Director of the Department of Water Resources (DWR), informed the committee that in April DWR plans to release a list prioritizing the groundwater basins in the state.

Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), said that the comprehensive approach to water management outlined in the Brown Administration’s California Water Action Plan (CWAP) will help preserve groundwater resources.

Other speakers at the hearing included Jay Jasperse of the Sonoma County Water Agency, Lynn Maulhardt of the United Water Conservation District & Fox Canyon, Sarge Green of California Water Institute (CSU Fresno), and Andrew Fahlund of the California Water Foundation.

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

California Transportation Commission Adopts Active Transportation Program Guidelines

This week, the California Transportation Commission adopted the Active Transportation Program (ATP) guidelines and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced the ATP Call for Projects is open from March 21, 2014, through May 21, 2014.  The ATP program consolidates several state and federal programs that support active transportation, including the Transportation Alternatives Program, Recreational Trails, and Safe Routes to Schools programs, among others.  The Call for Projects can be accessed here.

RCRC worked closely with the California State Transportation Agency, the California Department of Transportation, and other state and local transportation organizations over the past eight months to help develop the criteria and guidelines to strengthen rural counties’ ability to compete for these limited funds.  RCRC thanks all the state and local partners for providing RCRC the opportunity to weigh-in on the development of the program, and for incorporating many of the recommendations we put forth.  The final adopted version of the ATP criteria and guidelines can be accessed here.

As a reminder, the California Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Division of Local Assistance Offices, is hosting a series of local workshops for the ATP program starting in early April.  The workshops will provide technical advice and support for potential ATP applicants, partners, and district staff.  The schedule of workshops can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Analyst Randall Echevarria at 916.447.4806 or rechevarria@rcrcnet.org.

U.S. Forest Service Seeks Nominations for Planning Rule Advisory Committee

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has re-established the Federal Advisory Committee responsible for advising the Agency on the implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. The committee, also known as the Planning Rule FACA, was first established in 2012 after the updated Planning Rule was finalized by the USFS. The committee has been meeting regularly to formulate recommendations on how the Agency should proceed with updating its individual forest plans using the new rule. 

The Planning Rule FACA is comprised of 21 members that represent a wide range of stakeholders connected to the forest plan updates, including industry and other user groups, environmental organizations, conservation organizations, recreation interests, members of the scientific community, state and local elected officials, tribal representatives, and other public interests. Members on the re-established committee will continue the ongoing work of the current members.

Those interested in serving on the Planning Rule FACA must complete the USFS nomination process by April 28, 2014. Instructions on how to apply, along with all necessary forms and additional information on the committee can be found on the Planning Rule FACA, accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Regulatory Affairs Advocate Staci Heaton at 916.447.4806 or sheaton@rcrcnet.org.

U.S. Forest Service Seeks Nominations for Planning Rule Advisory Committee

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has re-established the Federal Advisory Committee responsible for advising the Agency on the implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. The committee, also known as the Planning Rule FACA, was first established in 2012 after the updated Planning Rule was finalized by the USFS. The committee has been meeting regularly to formulate recommendations on how the Agency should proceed with updating its individual forest plans using the new rule. 

The Planning Rule FACA is comprised of 21 members that represent a wide range of stakeholders connected to the forest plan updates, including industry and other user groups, environmental organizations, conservation organizations, recreation interests, members of the scientific community, state and local elected officials, tribal representatives, and other public interests. Members on the re-established committee will continue the ongoing work of the current members.

Those interested in serving on the Planning Rule FACA must complete the USFS nomination process by April 28, 2014. Instructions on how to apply, along with all necessary forms and additional information on the committee can be found on the Planning Rule FACA, accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Regulatory Affairs Advocate Staci Heaton at 916.447.4806 or sheaton@rcrcnet.org.

House Natural Resources Committee Conducts Field Hearing on California Drought

While Congress was in recess this week, the House Natural Resources Committee was in Fresno holding a field hearing on drought conditions in the San Joaquin Valley. Witnesses from local government, water districts, farmers, and private citizens urged the committee to address immediate and long-term solutions to the drought. 

Last month, the House passed legislation that would ease environmental restrictions on water delivery, but the bill stands no chance of being considered in the Senate. Senators Boxer and Feinstein have introduced drought relief legislation (S. 2016) that would provide additional funding and more flexibility within existing programs and regulations to maximize water delivery. Rep. Jim Costa (R-Fresno) has introduced similar legislation in the House (H.R. 4039).

Detailed information on the hearing, including Member and Witness Statements can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Senior Legislative Advocate Paul A. Smith at 916.447.4806 or psmith@rcrcnet.org.

EVENTS/NOTICES

2013-14 State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fee Bills Released

The 2013-14 cycle of State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fee bills are being mailed beginning this month. The bills are being mailed alphabetically by county for the 2013-14 billing period. RCRC has long opposed the imposition of a special fee on habitable structures located within the SRA. The current SRA fee was enacted in June 2011 via Assembly Bill 29X as part of the 2011-12 State Budget. 

Property owners within the SRA must pay the fee by the stated deadline (in order to avoid penalties), even if submitting a completed protest. The detailed mailing schedule can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Cyndi Hillery at 916.447.4806 or chillery@rcrcnet.org.

American River Watershed Institute Announce Forest Management and Water Symposium

The American River Watershed Institute (ARWI) has opened registration for its Fire Ecosystem Forest Management and Water Yield Symposium, scheduled for Friday May 2, 2014 at the Wildland Fire Training Center in McClellan, California. 

The event will feature discussions on fire and water management in the context of drought, severe wildfire, and climate change effects. The cost is $55 before April 18, 2014, and $85 thereafter. To register and view the preliminary agenda for the event, visit the ARWI website here.