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. 

Draft Interim Guidance to Agencies on Use of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Monies for Investments to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities: The draft describes a general approach for project categories and administering agencies on the project types that are most likely to be located within or provide benefits to disadvantaged communities.  California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) developed the CalEnviroScreen to identify a specific list of disadvantaged communities.  SB 535 (2012) requires state agencies to allocate 25 percent of GGRF monies to projects that provide benefits to disadvantaged communities.  Agency: Air Resources Board Status: Comments on this draft Interim Guidance and the alternative approaches that might be used to identify disadvantaged communities are due September 15, 2014, with the ARB consideration at their September 18, 2014 Board meeting.  RCRC Comments: RCRC is concerned that strictly using the CalEnviroScreen to identify disadvantaged communities limits rural county eligibility for GGRF monies, and will be submitting comments.  The draft Interim Guidance can be accessed here.  The Alternative Approaches to Identifying Disadvantaged Communities can be accessed hereRCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

California Carpet Stewardship Plan Annual Report: The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has submitted their annual report for review and approval.  Agency: CalRecycle Status: Report posted July 1, 2014, hearing scheduled for September 16, 2014.  RCRC Comments: CalRecycle staff found the Annual Report to be non-compliant and directs CARE to address the key issues outlined in their Request for Approval (RFA) in CARE’s Program and 2014 Annual Report.  The CalRecycle RFA report can be accessed here.  The Annual Report can be accessed hereRCRC Advocate:  Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

Preliminary Discussion Draft of Updates to the CEQA Guidelines: The preliminary discussion draft of updates to the CEQA Guidelines implement SB 743 (Steinberg, 2013) and address the evaluation of transportation impacts under CEQA.  Agency: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Status: Draft language released August 6, 2014, comments due by October 10, 2014.  RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  A copy of the preliminary discussion draft can be accessed hereRCRC Advocate:  Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org

Proposed Emergency Regulations to Adjust 2014-15 Water Quality Fees: The emergency regulations propose increases to several categories of water quality fees, including storm water and land disposal fees.  The proposal also includes, for the first time, fees for marijuana cultivation.  Agency: State Water Resources Control Board.  Status: Will be considered at the September 23, 2014 Board meeting.  Comments due by noon on September 18, 2014.  Proposed fees and related documents can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate:  Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

Endangered Species Act: Amendments; Definition of Destruction or Adverse Modification of Critical Habitat: The proposed regulation changes the definition of “Destruction or Adverse Modification of Critical Habitat” and gives more case-by-case discretion to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Status: Draft published on May 12, 2014 for a 180-day comment period, comments due on October 9, 2014. The 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

Regulations Governing Designation of Critical Habitat Under Section 4 of the ESA, 50 CFR 424:  The proposed regulation modifies the procedures for designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act, and could expand critical habitat for a species to areas that are not currently inhabited by that species.  Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service Status: Draft published on May 12, 2014 for a 180-day comment period, comments due on October 9, 2014.  The proposed regulation and related documents can be accessed hereRCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties.  RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org

Definition of “Waters of the United States” Under the Clean Water Act: The proposal changes the definition of “Waters of the United States” in the Clean Water Act and expands federal jurisdiction over waterways.  Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Status: Draft published on April 21, 2014 for a 180-day comment period, comments due October 20, 2014.  Proposed regulation and related documents can be accessed here.  RCRC Comments: Click here RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org