June 2009 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter

8/3/2019 June 2009 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter

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CALIFORNIA TODAYCALIFORNIA TODAYNews l e t t e r o f th e Pl ann ing & Conse r va t i on League PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUEPLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATIONune 2009 Volume 39, Number 2

CALIFORNIA TODAY Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation

Ten Guiding Principles for Water ReformBy: Charlotte Hodde

A diverse set of advocates are charting a new course for

water solutions in California. PCL and the Environmental

Justice Coalition for Water jointly convened an all-day Water

Summit in April. The participants endorsed 10 principles to

guide water policy reform. Clearly common goals are necessary to

produce lasting solutions to the longstanding challenges we face.

1. California must respect, and adjust to meet the natural limits ofits waters and waterways, including the limits imposed byclimate change. We must fund only those policies andself-management strategies that incorporate such limits and

shift our relationship with water, aquatic ecosystems, and our

economy toward sustainability and equity.

2. Every Californian has a right to safe, sufficient, affordable andaccessible drinking water. We must provide ready access to thisbasic human right to disadvantaged communities.

3. Californias ecosystems and the life they support have a right

to clean water and to exist and thrive, for their own benefit andthe benefit of future generations.4. California must maximize environmentally sustainable local

water self-sufficiencyin all areas of the State, especially in theface of climate change.

5. The quality and health of Californias water must beprotected and enhanced through full implementation and

enforcement of existing water quality, environmental, and land useregulations and other actions, and through new or more rigorousregulations as needed.

6. All Californians must have immediate and ready accesinformation and the decision-making processes for waInterested and involved parties should be accorded

respect and influence in decision-making, particula

with decisions affecting their communities.

7. California must institute sustainable and equit

funding to ensure cost-effective water reliability and water quasolutions for the state where cost-effective incluenvironmental and social costs. Public funding should

subsidize pollution or the wasteful use of water. Those w

use and pollute Californias waters must pay the full co

associated with those uses and impacts.

8. Groundwater and surface water management mustintegrated, and water health and protection must be addressed owatershed basis.

9. Californias actions on water must respect

needs and interests of California Tribes, including thunrecognized Tribes in the State.10. California must overhaul its existing, piecemeal water rig

policies, which already over-allocate existing water and distrirights without regard to equity. Water must be used to meet public interest through policies that give the highest priorit

basic human and ecosystem needs and promote its sustaina

and equitable use to serve the public and tribal trust into

future.

The American River


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Dear Friends,

California AffiliateNational Wildlife Federation

CALIFORNIA TODAY(ISBN 0739-8042)is the quarterly newsletter of the

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUEAND THE PCL FOUNDATION

1107 Ninth Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814

PHONE: 916-444-8726 FAX: 916-448-1789

E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] ADDRESS: http://www.pcl.org

Membership to PCL is $35 a year and includes asubscription to CALIFORNIA TODAY.

Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA.POSTMASTER: Send address changes forCALIFORNIA TODAY to the PCL Office:1107 Ninth Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814

PCLF BOARD OF TRUSTEESDAVID HIRSCH, ChairmanRALPH B. PERRY III, Vice ChairmanDANIEL S. FROST, Secretary-TreasurerCOKE HALLOWELL, TrusteeGERALD H. MERAL, Trustee

PCL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEBILL CENTER, PresidentKEVIN JOHNSON, Senior Vice PresidentLYNN SADLER, Senior Vice PresidentSAGE SWEETWOOD, President EmeritusJOHN VAN DE KAMP, President EmeritusBILL LEIMBACH, Secretary-Treasurer

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTSELISABETH BROWNJAN CHATTEN-BROWNPHYLLIS FABERRICK HAWLEYFRAN LAYTONDOUG LINNEYDAVID MOGAVEROSTEPHANIE PINCETLTERESA VILLEGASTERRY WATTBILL YEATES

ORGANIZATIONAL BOARD MEMBERSBig Sur Land TrustBreathe California, Sacramento-Emigrant TrailsCalifornia Association of Local Conservation CorpsCalifornia Oak FoundationCalifornia TroutGreenspace - The Cambria Land TrustGolden Gate Audubon SocietyThe Laguna Greenbelt, Inc.Mono Lake CommitteeMountain Lion FoundationSierra Nevada AllianceSouthern California Agricultural Land FoundationTrain Riders Association of CaliforniaThe Trust for Public Land

PCL/PCL FOUNDATION STAFFTRACI SHEEHAN, Executive DirectorTINA ANDOLINA, Legislative DirectorBARB BYRNE, Water Policy AssistantEVON CHAMBERS, Water Policy AssistantREN GUERRERO, Project Manager - Legislative Advocate

CHARLOTTE HODDE, Water Policy SpecialistDR. MONICA HUNTER, Central Coast Water Project ManagerJONAS MINTON, Senior Water Policy AdvisorJONATHAN BERNSTEIN, Administrative ManagerPAUL GILLIGAN, Sierra Nevada Americorp MemberAMBER SCHMAELING, Membership &Development CoordinatorMATT VANDER SLUIS, Global Warming Project ManagerMELANIE SCHLOTTERBECK, Grants & Outreach Consultant

As a member of PCL, I dont think I need to convince you that Califor

is entering a new normal for water as climate change impacts our Sie

snowpack and as statewide rain patterns shift. Throughout our st

groundwater aquifers are over-drafted and contaminated beyond basic u

fish populations are crashing, and our human population continues to gro

Despite this fact, our states water leaders continue to rely on 20

century tools to manage this 21st century challenge. Strong political intereare working hard to make sure that the business-as-usual approach to wa

management continues despite the huge cost to our state and taxpayers.

Thats why PCL is working to build support and reforms for bro

innovative and sustainable water policy. As part of this effort we joined with

Environmental Justice

Coalition for Water to

launch the California

Water Summit a

series of meetings

designed to bring

groups together to

organize and build the

strength necessary to

bring about the

magnitude of policy change needed.

The effort began last fall when a simple invitation for a strategy meet

struck a chord and resulted in a large gathering of more than 70 people fr

organizations all around the state. All were calling for greater coordination

a venue for strategizing and developing a new vision. From that ini

gathering, the interest in this collaborative approach has only grown, with o

100 participants now joining the effort.Weve had diverse interests represented at the Water Summit, includ

advocates from environmental, fishing, tribal, environmental justice, a

faith-based communities to share perspectives and take coordinated act

to reform California water policy. These interests are working to set a n

course in water policy. Our cover article focuses on the 10 Guiding Princip

for water reformprinciples that were developed by Summit participants.

By broadening the array of voices at the table and invoking innovat

thinking, we are working to shift the water discussion in California from

continued focus on outdated tools to a more productive discussion of effect

emergency actions. These actions will address todays needs and equ

important, more sustainable and equitable solutions to avoid a bigger crisis ameet the longer term needs of Californias people, economy and environmen

Sincerely,

Traci Sheehan

Executive Director

CALIFORNIA TODAY Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation2

Water Summit 2009


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Stop Work Order Impacts Sierra Non-ProfitsBy: Sierra Nevada Alliance

Bonds, bureaucracy, state budget -

what does that have to do with Sierra

treams, wildlife, clean water, and fire?

Well quite a bit actually, and the recent

udden freeze on bond funded projects

wakened folks in and out of the Sierra on

how connected our resources are to

ctions in Sacramento.

A survey conducted in January by the

Sierra Nevada Alliance confirmed that the

States stop work order on bond funded

ontracts (issued December 17, 2008) impacted 60% of

urveyed conservation groups in the Sierra Nevada, with

many laying off workers and contractors on critical

onservation projects. Sixty-eight groups who

esponded to the survey spanned the 400 mile-longmountain range, from Lassen County to Kern County.

Conservation groups responding consisted of land

rusts, watershed groups, resource conservation districts,

nd grassroots community groups.

Projects impacted included restoration of Sierra

headwaters that supply quality drinking water to over

65% of California. Other projects were acquiring

ritical lands to protect water, creating defensible space

rom fire, monitoring water quality, and restoring

mportant habitat. For those groups impacted, the

majority (55%) had over half their annual budgetffected. A number of groups were forced to close

he doors of their organization completely.

Sierra Nevada Alliances Yard and Garden Program

was one example of the type of work stopped. The

Program helped homeowners defend their property from

wildfire, while also reducing pollution that can runoff

heir yards into Sierra waters. Contractors who stopped

work in mid-December were working in four counties to

provide this homeowner outreach. More than 600,000

people in the Sierra live in areas CalFire classifies as veryhigh or extreme fire threat zones.

In addition, past work performed under state

ontracts has still not been reimbursed, although the

tate agencies are finally stating they will reimburse

within in the next three months. Some past invoices

owed money for work done in July 2008.

The Sierra Nevada Alliance coordinated with th

Planning and Conservation League (PCL), John McCau

and Sperry Capital to explore ways to turn bond funde

projects back on. Weekly calls kept Sierra groups up

date and kept pressure on Sacramento to reverse theactions. While it was impossible for Sierra conservatio

groups to make meetings with the Treasurers office an

legislators, PCL staff was bringing action an

information to groups around the State.

We were devastated as an organization to b

given no forewarning and then to have to stop all ou

watershed efforts immediately, explained Joa

Clayburgh, Executive Director of the Alliance. Than

goodness for PCL staff being our connection to leade

in Sacramento on this issue. They were a ray of light

a really dark time.

PCL created a weekly e-newsletter to build the coalition

and keep groups informed about the status of the bonds.


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PCL Hosts Successful Land Use Summit By: Matt Vander SluisOn June 8th, the Planning and Conservation League,Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), and theCoalition on Regional Equity (CORE) co-hosted MappingOpportunities, Choosing Directions, a land use summit forthe Sacramento metropolitan region.

The dynamics for land use advocacy in the Sacramentoregion have shifted dramatically over the past several years,primarily through new measures to address globalwarming. In 2006, AB 32 established the reduction of

greenhouse gas emissions as a central policy objectivefor the state. In 2007, SB 97 initiated a revision to theenvironmental review process to address global warming.In 2008, SB 375 modified planning processes to moreclosely link land use, transportation, and housing decisionsto address global warming. Other changes have also lefttheir imprint on the region, specifically new inclusionaryzoning ordinances, flood policies, and federal stimulus funds.

The Sacramento summit brought together many ofregions leading environmental and social jusadvocates to examine this new policy landscape, idenopportunities for effective engagement, and establish arfor collective action.

We were very fortunate to start the summit wkeynote remarks by Senate President pro Tem DarSteinberg. We also heard an update from Mike McGeevethe Sacramento Area Council of Governments on how

agency plans to approach the new regulatory environment.Summit participants were particularly interested

exploring how to effectively participate in the implementaof SB 375 and to link regional plans to local decisiOthers emphasized the need to incorporate social equconcerns more thoroughly when advancing sustainaland use policies.

We plan to hold similar summits in other regions ofstate soon.

Were pleased to announce the releasef four DVDs from the PCL and PCLoundations 2009 Annual Environmentalymposium. Those interested in particular

essions can purchase individual DVDs.ttorneys interested in receiving 4.75MCLE credits can purchase the four pack.

The four sessions recorded include thellowing:

Opening and Closing Keynotesenate President pro Tem Darrellteinberg gives a thoughtful morningddress on the economy and environment.akada Imani (Ella Baker Center) deliversn inspiring closing keynote on green jobs

nd training a new workforce.California Wildfire and CEQAhis session addresses a wide arrayf issues around wildfire, includinganning, the Wildland Urban Interface,

he California Environmental Quality Act,nd changing the way we view ourildlands.

The Brave New Water Economy:Privatization and Public AccountabilityThis session provides an in-depth look atthe attempts to privatize water in

California with particular focus on theKern Water Bank and how a failingwater system and infrastructure lead topotential privatization by public agencies.

Conservation and Land UseAgreements: Tejon Ranch Case StudyThis session focuses on the 2008agreement reached between fiveconservation organizations (includingPCL) and the Tejon Ranch Company topermanently preserve 240,000 acres

through unique conservation agreements.Visit the PCL Foundation website at:www.PCLFoundation.org/publications toorder a copy ($15) or a set of DVDs forMCLE credit ($225).

Symposium DVDs Available for MCLE CreditBy: Melanie Schlotterbeck



Two New Board Members Join the RanksBy: Amber SchmaelingThe Planning and Conservation League welcomes

two new members to its board of Directors: Miguel Lunaand John McCaull. These two new additions to the Boardbring forth extensive leadership, as well as environmentalexpertise and advocacy.

Miguel Luna is the Executive Director for UrbanSemillas and is a co-founder of Agua University,a program that teaches students about California water

issues. His experience in protecting the Los Angeles areawatersheds and his ability to inspire young leaders inenvironmental justice are just a few of the many assets hebrings to the Board.

John McCaull is a former staff member of PCL.His background includes serving as the California StateDirector at American Farmland Trust and LegislativeDirector for the National Audubon Society for nearly 10years. John has expertise on wildlife, habitat issues, as well

as agricultural land use. He now has a privpractice that offers a variety of services working renewable energy, water, and habitat.

PCL is excited to welcome both Miguel Luna and JMcCaull as they will be invaluable additions to the Boa

MiguelLunaJohnMcCau

Innovative Bills Keep Environment and Public SafBy: Tina Andolina

The Planning and Conservation League (PCL) hassponsored several innovative measures this year thatprotect Californias environment and promote publichealth. Heres a summary of a few of the key bills:

Recycled Water Bill (SB 565) authored by SenatorFran Pavley, targets the enormous untapped potential ofsafe recycled water. SB 565 ensures that Californiarecycles 50% of the water that would otherwise bedischarged to the ocean by wastewater facilities by 2030.This would result in the development of roughly twomillion acre feet of saved water by 2030, making SB 565the largest water development program in Californiasince the State Water Project of the 1960s.

Water Neutral Development Bill (AB 1408)authored by Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, allowscommunities to accommodate growth without increasedwater demand. AB 1408 would encourage the building ofhighly efficient houses, and further encouragedevelopers to take part in water conservation programsfor existing homes and businesses.

Dangerous Pesticide Reduction Bill (AB 835)authored by Assemblymember Bill Monning, calls for the

reduction of use of pesticides with high levels of volaorganic compounds (VOCs). This bill will help ensthese toxic and hazardous chemicals are not a threatour communities, environment, safety and public heal

Conservation Project Protection Bill (AB 13authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans, giagencies the ability to amend contracts and gragreements affected by the bond freeze. It protects integrity of the projects and also ensures the agreemeremain valid contracts in the eyes of the state. This is very important for conservation projects that reliant on bond funding. The four-month long stop worder derailed many projects and forced significant dein others. Without contract extensions, morganizations could not fulfill the terms of their gragreement and finish the critical work they are doing

To find a complete listing of environmental bills Phas supported this year, visit our website www.PCL.org. Find out the status of the bill, how can take action and participate in support!


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This year the California Legislature is advancing twobills to increase the percentage of clean, renewable energyused in the state to at least 33% by 2020.

Senators Simitian, Kehoe, Padilla, and Senate Presidentpro Tem Steinberg are authoring SB 14. Assemblymember

Krekorian and Assembly Speaker Bass are authoring AB 64.Current law requires 20% of electricity used by

private utilities to come from renewable sources by 2010.Both bills increase the requirement to 33% for bothprivate and publicly owned utilities, though they differ inmany other details.

Governor Schwarzenegger has been calling for a 33%mandate and the California Air Resources Board included

an expectation ofsuch a requirementin the AB 32

Scoping Plan tohelp reduce thestates greenhousegas emissions to1990 levels by

2020. Legislative leaders predicted that they would finalibill in the first 90 days of the 2009 session.

Were very excited to see both the Senate Assembly moving aggressively to pursue the 3mandate. Its good news for our environment, public hea

and our burgeoning green economy. And, asnew national survey prepared by researchers at Yale George Mason Universities shows, the country is beggfor bold action in the fight against global warming.

We also realize that much still needs to occur to ensthat the final policy is strong, effective, and freeloopholes. For example, both bills have included variexemptions that could short-circuit the program and penalties for non-compliance need to be made stroenough to keep bad actors from misbehaving.

The 33% mandate is just one of several poli

being considered to expand the use of renewable energCalifornia. While we cannot predict which of thbills will be signed into law, we do expect it to be electrifying year for fans of clean energy.

Mandate for More Renewable Power Advanciung in LegislatuBy: Matt Vander Sluis

As Californians across the state celebrated the

39th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2009, State

Treasurer Bill Lockyer made the largest impact on our

environmental community from nearly 3,000 miles away.

He sold $5.2 billion of the new Build America Bonds

(BABs). This was part of a total $6.9 billion bond

issuance, voter-approved infrastructure projects in

California. Projects included road construction and

school upgrades as well as water, environmental, and

conservation projects are in position to be funded again,

albeit temporarily.Current projections from the Department of Finance

indicates sufficient funding for all bond projects for

approximately eight to ten months, at which time

additional bond sales would again be necessary to keep

projects going. The BABs are a tool that will remain an

option for the finance team through 2010. Initiated

through the federal American Reinvestment and

Recovery Act, BABs are taxable bonds structured

to finance traditionally tax-exempt voter-appro

infrastructure projects. The remaining $1.7 bill

taxable bonds from the April sale will finance stem-

research, various housing programs, and high speed

projects.

Since Governor Schwarzenegger issued his stop w

order on December 17, 2008, effectively freezing

progress on over 5,000 bond-funded projects,

consecutive days passed before this good news came

Earth Day.

During this time of inactivity; local, regional, statewide efforts of organization blossomed through

the state. These efforts demonstrated how strong

environmental community can be when banned toget

with one common goal. Many new relationships

coalitions were formed throughout this process. Netwo

were expanded and communication enhanced. If fa

with a similar situation again, what we have learned

prepared us to handle the situation briskly and effective

California Bond Freeze is Over for NowBy: Paul Gilligan



With passage of Proposition 1Alast November, voters approvedspending nearly $10 billion toconstruct a high speed train thatwould stretch from Los Angeles to

San Francisco and Sacramento.Support for this mega-project in suchlean economic times is proof thatCalifornia is willing to invest in aclean and innovative transportationnetwork to meet future demands.However, since the election, manyHigh Speed Rail (HSR) supportersare becoming disillusioned with theprocess the HSR Authority isundertaking to plan the route.

Constructing such a vast trainsystem will require careful planningand a great deal of outreach toensure the best, most efficient train isbuilt at the least cost and with theleast environmental impact. This is atough task, but if the Authority fails

in this early planning stage to do itright, the entire system will bedoomed to fail. Instead of HighSpeed Rail for the 21st Century,Californians will be stuck paying the

bill for a Boston-like big dig.That is why PCL is teaming up

with local residents who care aboutHSR to encourage the StateLegislature to provide the neededscrutiny and oversight of theAuthority and their work. To start,PCL and 30 local residents attendedthe Senate budget subcommitteehearing in May as they deliberatedfunding for the Authority. The goalwas to send a strong message thatthe Authority needs increasedoversight and was failing in theirefforts to work with local communities.The subcommittee heard ourmessage loud and clear and committedto helping remedy the problems.

PCL is also supporting recommendations made by Legislative Analysts Office earthis year that perhaps the time come to transform the Authofrom the small study-based grthat was needed prior to the passof 1A, and create an organizatcapable of building the system. THigh Speed Rail system will be biggest construction project tstate has ever undertaken. We nto get it right from the start.

California Must Do High Speed Rail Right By: Tina Andolina

Recently PCL and NWF banded

together to help pass the largest

wilderness bill in 15 years. Altogether,

over 2 million of acres of new

wilderness were created, and 1,000

miles of rivers were designated as

Wild and Scenic. In California alone,

we protected 700,000 acres, including:

The California Desert and

Mountain Heritage Act, protecting

190,000 acres in Riverside County,

including parts of Joshua Tree

National Park, and 31 miles of wild

and scenic rivers;

The Eastern Sierra and Northern

San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act,

protecting 472,000 acres of wilderness

and 73 miles of wild and scenic rivers

near Santa Clarita and in the Eastern

Sierras, including the White Mountains

and the headwaters of the Owens

River; and

The Sequoia-Kings Canyon

National Park Wilderness Act,

protecting 85,000 new acres of the

park as wilderness, including Redwood

Mountain Grove and Californias

longest cave.

Obviously, these new protections

didnt happen by accident. They were

the result of hundreds of people like

you who came together to propose

new additions to our wilderness areas,

scenic rivers, trails, national parks and

monuments. Once these proposals

gained the support of our congressional

representatives, it took a grassroots

effort to pass them.

Our team in Washington D

made sure that these bills had heari

and moved through Congress with

picking up proposals and amendme

that would weaken the bill. NW

partnered with PCL to send out act

alerts and calls to members

California to ensure bill passage. T

House passed the bill 285 to 140!

Public lands are a fundamen

part of Americas heritage, contrib

$730 billion to our economy,

support 6.5 million jobs - or 1 in

American jobs. Protecting these

remaining wild areas in California w

help ensure that there are places

us and our children to hike, ca

explore, and find peace.

Public Lands Victory!By: Matt Little, National Wildlife Federation

A view of four tracks and the catenery syste


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Forest Stewardship Council certified paper containing50% recycled fiber with 25% post consumer waste,elemental chlorine free and printed with vegetable ink.

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CALIFORNIAPLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE

LANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION

107 9TH STREET, SUITE 360 SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

VISIT US ON THE WEB: www.PCL.org or www.PCLFoundation.org

Response to last issuespicture unanimously identified(left to right) former AssemblySpeaker Willie Brown, BillYeates (currently a PCL Boardmember) and Nat Bingham.

Richard Spotts responded and relayed how he first gotinvolved with PCL while working for Defenders of Wildlife(1978 to 1992). He now lives in St. George, Utah and wrote:

I have remained a PCL member because I know thatPCL is probably the single most effective environmental

presence in the State Capitol and faithful defender ofCalifornias incredible natural beauty and biological diversity.In addition, history has shown that California is a clear leaderamong the states in advancing positive environmental laws,programs, and innovative technologies. Therefore, evenpeople like me who donot live in Californiashould support PCL,since PCL helps keepCalifornia as theenvironmental trendsetter,

and this benefits everyonethroughout our nationand the world, as well asthe biosphere.

Can you help usidentify the PCLers andthe political action inthis archive photo? Ifso, email your answerto [email protected].

History Project Lives OnBy: Charlotte Hodde

Believe it or not, California is among the top ranstates that use the most water within the U.S. Our wsupplies have been affected by a combination of populagrowth, increased development and climate change. Wour everyday use of water is expanding, water resourcesrapidly decreasing. Low precipitation and patternsdrought along with continued excess in everyday water is sending our state and nation into a very dry future.

Did you know? Each person uses about 80-100 gallons of w

per day.1 In 2000, California alone accounted for almost 1

of all freshwater used in the United States.1

Agriculture uses 43% of the states water.2

In 2000, 22% of the nations water use for irrigawas in California.1

In 2000, Sacramento County averaged 260.9 gallof water per resident per day.3

Four percent of the worlds ocean waters have been damaged by human activity.2

With our water supply rapidly declining its importthat we conserve on both a large and small scale. The laCalifornia Water Plan Update of 2005 (http://water.ca.gexplains that we need to ensure sustainable water usetaking fundamental actions such as using water efficienprotecting water quality and supporting environmenactivities. To secure water for tomorrow we need to proand save the water we have today!

Sources: 1 www.USGS.gov2 www.Harpers.org3 www.SacBee.com

Did You Know?By: Jasmine Ketchum

Documents

June 2009 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter