CSAC Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee Meeting

The CSAC Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy (ANR) Committee will meet on Thursday, May 30th, 2013 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Sacramento during the CSAC Legislative Conference. In case you were debating about whether or not to attend, we’ve prepared the top three reasons why you should be there! 

Top Three Reasons to Attend the CSAC ANR Policy Committee Meeting…

Number Three: Do you miss the Williamson Act? Does your county value agriculture and natural resource conservation? Come listen to two separate proposals from Sonoma County Open Space District and the Conservation Strategies Group, both of which would seek to promote natural resource conservation and provide economic incentives for the conservation of natural & working landscapes. 

Number Two: It’s almost summertime and the 2013 fire season is already upon us. Come listen to an update from CAL Fire staff on what to expect this year as we head into the dry summer months, as well as updates on State and Federal Cooperative Fire Protection efforts and the State Responsibility Area Fees.

Number One: It’s that time of year in the State Legislature when bills are heating up and committee hearings are running long. Come listen to CSAC staff’s update on the most exciting legislative topics this session, including the pending Water Bond, Cap and Trade proposals, Solid Waste Management issues, SRA Fees and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy funding proposals. 

Other Meetings and Events you might be interested in…

Coastal Counties Regional Association Meeting – Wednesday, May 29th 2:30- 4:00 p.m.

Big Issues, Small Bites: Roundtable Discussions on Water, Cap & Trade and other Hot Topics – Wednesday, May 29th 2:30- 4:00 p.m.

CEQA Reform Policy Discussion at the Housing, Land Use & Transportation Committee – Thursday, May 30th 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Cap and Trade

AB 416 (Gordon) — Support
As Amended April 4, 2013

AB 416, by Assembly Member Rich Gordon, is currently on the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File. As you might recall, this bill would establish a competitive grant program from Cap and Trade funds for local governments to fund projects that develop and implement greenhouse gas emission reductions at the local level. The program would cover a variety of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Consideration would be given to projects that decrease water pollution; reduce the consumption of natural resources or energy; promote public-private partnerships to implement energy efficiency and clean energy projects with financing incentives for residential and commercial facilities; increase the reliability of local water supplies; increase solid waste diversion from landfills; reduce vehicle miles traveled; and, prevent the conversion of agricultural, forest, and open space lands to uses that result in higher greenhouse gas emissions. CSAC has been working with a coalition of local governments to support this effort. 

We need your help to ensure that this bill moves off the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File. While the Governor’s May Revision to the Budget includes a General Fund Loan from Cap and Trade revenues, the Legislature has not yet weighed-in on this and will likely make changes to this proposal. Please help us secure Cap and Trade revenues for local GHG emissions reduction projects by contacting Assembly Appropriations Chair Assembly Member Mike Gatto at 916-319-2043 to express your support for AB 416.

California Flood Awareness Team Seeks Counties’ Involvement for 2013 

The California Flood Preparedness Week team invites county public information professionals to get involved with the second annual California Flood Preparedness Week scheduled for November 4-9, 2013. With 1 in 5 Californians at risk of flooding and every county in the state having at least one federally declared flood disaster in the past 20 years, it is vital for counties to be involved with educating the public about flood risk.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers, CA Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the National Weather Service host a monthly conference call for team members throughout the state. This conference call focuses on developing a variety of public information tools that agencies, including counties, can utilize to meet their particular flood risk education needs. Tools include: a website, brochure, draft resolution for boards of supervisors, social media messages, and more. Counties can customize most of the tools to meet their needs – such as, revising social media messages to focus on specific types of flooding for which they are at risk. The monthly conference call and email list is critical for brainstorming ideas, planning, and sharing past experiences and new information. 

Because flooding can happen at any time, the goals of this statewide effort are increasing public awareness of flooding and improving public safety for all Californians. In order to meet these critical goals, the California Flood Preparedness Week team is seeking participation from each of California’s 58 counties.

Become a partner with us to improve flood awareness throughout California. Our next conference all is Thursday, June 6, at 1:00pm. To join the team, please send your name and contact information to Pat Clark at DWR at Patricia.Clark@water.ca.gov or call (916) 574-1249.