Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
 

Feel “Free” to Fish Days

Saturday, July 4th, as well as September 5, 2020, are free fishing days. While all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license on these two days. Anglers fishing for steelhead, sturgeon or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity River Systems must fill out the appropriate report card, see here.

 

Technical Assistance Available for Sustainable Transportation Equity Project Grant Dollars

The California Air Resources Board has announced an extension to their deadline to apply for Sustainable Transportation Equity Projects (STEP) Technical Assistance. Applications to receive the full scope of Technical Assistance services are due by July 15th at 5:00 p.m., while STEP applications are due no later than August 31st at 5:00 p.m. STEP is a pilot project to overcome barriers to clean transportation in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Up to $2 million is available for planning and capacity building grants, and up to $20 million is available for one to three implementation grants for clean transportation projects. See here for more information.

 

North State Drinking Water Solutions Network Webinar on July 8

The Northern California Water Association is hosting the inaugural meeting of the North State Drinking Water Solutions Network on Wednesday, July 8, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. The meeting, being held via webinar, will focus on sharing information regarding:

  • Drinking water challenges in the Sacramento River Basin
  • Updates from the State Water Board regarding new state funding and technical assistance opportunities, including the Safe & Affordable Drinking Water Fund and Administrator Policy
  • Existing non-profit technical assistance and training programs available to small water systems, schools, and others
  • Ongoing efforts by water suppliers to expand access to safe drinking water and the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition’s work to protect surface water and groundwater quality

Representatives from local government, water systems, nonprofit technical providers, landowners, and others interested in advancing drinking water solutions are invited to attend. Additional details are available here.

 

Career Opportunities

  • Tehama County Seeks Director of Public Works

Tehama County is inviting applications for the position of Director of Public Works. The application deadline is July 6, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. To apply or for more information, see the job bulletin here.

  • Colusa County Seeks Assistant Director of Public Work/Road Commissioner

The county of Colusa is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director of Public Work/Road Commissioner. The position is open until filled. Details are available here.

  • Butte County Seeks Chief Administrative Officer

Butte County is recruiting for the position of Chief Administrative Officer. The filing deadline is July 20, 2020. To apply or for more information, see the announcement here.

  • SRTA Seeks Chief Fiscal Officer

Shasta Regional Transportation Agency (SRTA) is seeking a Chief Fiscal Officer. Position details are available here. The position is open until filled. See the SRTA website for updates and submission information.

 

Amendment to the Federal 2019-20 Community Development Block Grant

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has released an amendment to the federal 2019-20 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). The NOFA applies to state CDBG non-entitlement cities and counties applying for funding under Community Development activities, Special Allocations for Economic Development, Colonia, and Native American Communities.

This amendment only affects the Economic Development (ED) set-aside and:

  • Removes the competitive process, allowing all applications, both program and project, to be reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Extends the ED program application deadline to September 15, 2020.
  • Makes other changes to program activity limits and requirements for proof of capacity, while providing more local flexibility in ED program design and implementation.

You can access the 2019-2020 CDBG NOFA amendment and links to the online application here.

 

PG&E Weekly Public Webinars on Wildfire Safety and PSPS Mitigation Efforts

PG&E is holding weekly public webinars at which it will provide information on local Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and wildfire safety efforts, including how it will make PSPS events smaller in size and shorter in duration, efforts to install new grid technology and harden electrical infrastructure, and enhanced vegetation management activities.

Webinars will take place on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Webinars have taken place for Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino,  Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba Counties. Upcoming webinars are scheduled as follows:

  • July 8 – Glenn, Tehama, and Shasta Counties (join webinar here)
  • July 15 – Alpine, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Counties (join webinar here)
  • July 22 – Merced, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties  (join webinar here)
  • July 29 – San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Kern Counties
  • August 5 – Tulare, Madera, and Fresno Counties

See a full schedule, find information to join a webinar by phone, or view past presentations here. Check back for links to future webinars.

 

COVID-Related Extensions Possible on CDBG Annual Performance Reports

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced that the State Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for non-entitlement jurisdictions requires all CDBG Recipients to submit Annual Performance Reports (APRs) documenting any activity that occurred during fiscal year 2019/2020. The reporting period covers July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. APR documents must be completed and submitted via email to CDBG.Reports@hcd.ca.gov by Friday, July 31, 2020. If the deadline can’t be met due to circumstances caused by COVID-19, please email Francisco Arnaiz outlining the reasons for requesting an extension and the date you expect to submit the report. Additional details are available in the HCD announcement here.

 

2020 Sustainable Groundwater Management Watershed Coordinator (SGMA) Grant Program

A new 2020 Sustainable Groundwater Management Watershed Coordinator (SGMA) Grant Program is being launched at the Department of Conservation. Grants are being offered for watershed coordinators in parts of the state impacted by implementation of SGMA. Information about the program can be found here. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on September 15, 2020. A solicitation and application has been posted here.

Please contact Department of Conservation watershed program staff with questions or comments via email at wcp@conservation.ca.gov or phone at (916) 324-0850.

 

RCRC Annual Meeting in Napa County Cancelled

The RCRC Annual Meeting 2020 has been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This meeting was scheduled to occur in Napa County this September. Several factors led to this difficult decision, most notably, current and future state and local government guidelines. Planning is underway to hold a future Annual Meeting in Napa – most likely in 2022 – in order to enjoy the beauty of the County as well as contribute to its economic recovery. More information on the return to Napa will be forthcoming after consideration and action by the RCRC Board of Directors.