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.
Revised Draft Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction 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 (ARB). 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, 2017 ARB monthly meeting. The revised SLCP Reduction Strategy, notice of the public workshops, and related documents can be accessed here. RCRC Comments: Click here 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: Workshops have been scheduled in Fresno on January 17, 2017; San Bernardino on January 18, 2017; Orleans on January 24, 2017; Redding on January 25, 2017; and 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 update 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 here. RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org