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.
Intention to Review and Rescind or Revise the Clean Water Rule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are taking public comment on their review of the Clean Water Rule: Definition of “Waters of the United States,” which was finalized under the previous Administration. The review is being conducted as a result of the February, 2017 Executive Order 13132 on Federalism, issued by President Trump. The agencies are encouraging local governments to file comments on the review. Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Status: Initial comments are due by June 19, 2017. The Federal Register notice can be accessed here. RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org
Draft Climate Change Work Plan. The Climate Change Work Plan is a strategy to address climate-related issues impacting water in the Central Valley Region. The Plan will both present current and proposed efforts to respond to climate change as well as prioritize major efforts to promote climate resiliency. Agency: Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. Status: Comments on the initial draft are due by June 29, 2017. The draft Plan can be accessed here. RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org
Draft Surface Mining Operation Annual Inspections Regulations. The proposed amended regulatory language is intended to implement the improvements and updates to Public Resources Code Section 2774 based upon the statutory changes made by Assembly Bill 1142 (Grey, 2016). Agency: Department of Conservation State Mining and Geology Board Status: The draft was published April 28, 2017, with comments due by June 12, 2017. The notice and draft update can be accessed here. RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org
Draft Report Safeguarding California Plan: 2017 Update – California’s Climate Adaptation Strategy. The Safeguarding California Plan: 2017 Update identifies overarching strategies for climate change adaptation. The document outlines ongoing actions and cost-effective and achievable steps to make California more resilient to climate change across ten different policy areas: agriculture, biodiversity and habitat, forests, ocean and coast, water, emergency management, energy, land use and community development, public health, and transportation. Agency: Natural Resources Agency Status: The draft was released on May 8, 2017. Six public meetings are planned in May and June. The final version incorporating public comments is scheduled for release in July 2017. The draft update and scheduled public meeting details can be accessed here. RCRC Comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org or 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 were held in February and March 2017 throughout the Central Valley. The CVFP Board held four workshops in April and May 2017 and will be holding an additional workshop on June 9, 2017. 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