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CALIFORNIA TODAY  CALIFORNIA TODAY  Newsletter of the Planning  & Conservation League     J   a   n    W    h    i    t   e PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION March 2008 Volume 38, Number 1 CALIF ORNIA TODAY • Plannin g and Conse rvati on Leagu e & PCL Found ation Governor  s Budg et Prop ose s Stat e Park Clo sure s  By: Traci Ve rardo, California State Parks Foundation On January 10, the Governor released the state’s fiscal yea r 08 -09 budge t. Chief among his solution s f or addressing the state’s budget problems is a draconian proposal to shut down 48 state parks and reduce lifeguard staffing at 16 state beaches in Santa Cruz, Orange and San Diego Counties. The 48 parks proposed for closure span the state and include 17 state parks, 17 state historic parks and museums, 3 state beaches, 9 state recreation areas and 2 state reserves. This action would have the affect of shutting down 17 perc ent of the state park system and leaving California beachgoers on their own during popular summer seasons. And fo r all of that pain, th e sta te g ains very minimal revenue savings - about $9 million - since state parks are so woefully underfunded already. This proposal will have real and immediate consequences for mil lions of Californians wh o rely on sta te parks for recreation, fitness, education, and connecting with nature and the outdoors. It will mean a decline in the management of important natural, cultural and hist oric resou rces tha t are p art o f Cali fornia ’s h isto ry and the fab ric o f our s ta te. And it will mean that our world-class state beaches will become less safe and less protected during peak seasons. The Governor’s proposal is simply unacceptable, and must be rejected. The California State P arks Foundation is working with PCL and organizations around the state to fight all park closures and recently launched the Save Our State Park s cam paign. As part of the campaign, you can make your voice heard on this important environmental assault. Visit www.SaveStateParks.org for more information. The Governor’s proposed budget had other implications too. F or example, in this budget, the already underfunded Departm ent of Fish and G ame (DFG ) sees it’s Bio dive rsity Conservation Pro gram -- DFG’s core wildlife conservation program -- cut b y 40% , seriousl y hampering important programs such as conservation planning, permitting, and endangered species conservation. Even worse, the reductions to DF G’s en forc emen t pro gram will cut 38 game wa rdens, at a loss of 10% of the ward en f orce in C alif ornia. The Governor is also recommending a fee on homeowners’ insurance policies to fund Cal Fire, the state agency responsible for combating wild fires. PCL and our other partners are pressing the Legislature to ensure that land use decisions better account for risks such as fire and flood by requiring developments in the most at-risk areas to pay a higher fee than developments in low risk areas. This ty pe of common sense policy can b e a win- win for our state, both helping to bolster the general fund and to move o ur stat e in the direction of making bett er land use and planning decisions. Other  Budget  Cuts By: Kim Delfino, Defenders of Wildlife Will Rogers State Park - Proposed to Close 

March 2008 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter

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CALIFORNIA TODAY CALIFORNIA TODAY News l e t t e r o f th e Pl ann ing  & Conse r va t i on League  

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION

March 2008 Volume 38, Number 1

CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation

Governor ’ s Budget Proposes State Park ClosureBy: Traci Verardo, California State Parks Foundation

On January 10, the Governor released the state’sfiscal year 08-09 budget. Chief among his solutions foraddressing the state’s budget problems is a draconianproposal to shut down 48 state parks and reduce lifeguardstaffing at 16 state beaches in Santa Cruz, Orange and San

Diego Counties. The 48 parks proposed for closure spanthe state and include 17 state parks, 17 state historic parksand museums, 3 state beaches, 9 state recreation areas and2 state reserves. This action would have the affect of shutting down 17 percent of the state park system andleaving California beachgoers on their own during popularsummer seasons. And for all of that pain, the state gainsvery minimal revenue savings - about $9 million - sincestate parks are so woefully underfunded already.

This proposal will have real and immediate consequencesfor millions of Californians who rely on state parks for

recreation, fitness, education, and connecting with natureand the outdoors. It will mean a decline in the managementof important natural, cultural and historic resources thatare part of California’s history and the fabric of our state.And it will mean that our world-class state beaches willbecome less safe and less protected during peak seasons.

The Governor’s proposal is simply unacceptable, andmust be rejected. The California State Parks Foundationis working with PCL and organizations around the stateto fight all park closures and recently launched the Save

Our State Parks campaign. As part of the campaign, ycan make your voice heard on this important environmenassault. Visit www.SaveStateParks.org for more informati

The Governor’s proposed budget had other implicatitoo. For example, in this budget, the already underfundeDepartment of Fish and Game (DFG) sees it’s BiodiversConservation Program -- DFG’s core wildlife conservatprogram -- cut by 40%, seriously hampering importantprograms such as conservation planning, permitting, anendangered species conservation. Even worse, the reductito DFG’s enforcement program will cut 38 game wardeat a loss of 10% of the warden force in California.

The Governor is also recommending a fee on homeown

insurance policies to fund Cal Fire, the state agencyresponsible for combating wild fires. PCL and our othepartners are pressing the Legislature to ensure that lanuse decisions better account for risks such as fire andflood by requiring developments in the most at-risk areto pay a higher fee than developments in low risk areasThis type of common sense policy can be a win-win foour state, both helping to bolster the general fund anto move our state in the direction of making better luse and planning decisions.

Other Budget CutsBy: Kim Delfino, Defenders of Wildlife

Will Rogers State Park - Proposed to Clo

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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] 

WEB 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 for CALIFORNIA 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-Treasurer COKE HALLOWELL, TrusteeGERALD H. MERAL, Trustee

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

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTSELISABETH BROWNJAN CHATTEN-BROWNPHYLLIS FABER DOROTHY GREENRICK HAWLEY FRAN LAYTONDOUG LINNEY DAVID MOGAVEROSTEPHANIE PINCETLLYNN SADLER TERESA VILLEGASTERRY WATT BILL 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 Society The 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 STAFF TRACI SHEEHAN, Executive Director TINA ANDOLINA, Legislative Director BARB BYRNE, Water Policy AssistantEVON CHAMBERS, Water Policy Assistant

RENÉ GUERRERO, Project Manager - Legislative AdvocateCHARLOTTE HODDE, Water Policy SpecialistDR. MONICA HUNTER, Central Coast Water Project Manager MINDY McINTYRE, Water Program Manager JONAS MINTON, Senior Water Policy Advisor GARY A. PATTON, General CounselGERALD PEREZ, Administrative Director JUSTIN SAYDELL, Sierra Nevada Americorp Member MATT VANDER SLUIS, Global Warming Project Manager CHRIS WARD, Database Manager MELANIE SCHLOTTERBECK, Grants & Outreach Consultant

Our 2008 Annual Symposium was titled: State of Change: HowCalifornians Can Change the World. Aptly named, it signifies that togetherwe can change not only California but the rest of the country. How will wedo this? Through the collective actions and voices of each of us in Sacramentoand in Washington D.C.

Carolina Simunovic is just one of the folks fighting a heroic battle to protect

the health of the children and the communities in the Central Valley. In 200nearly 1-in-3 children in Fresno County were diagnosed with asthma, almostwice the state average and the highest rate of any California county. And inthat same year, nearly 20% of Fresno County residents overall were diagnoswith asthma.

The activists and the network of Central Valley Air Quality Coalition(CVAQ) have made some big gains in working to turn this tide around. Lastyear they helped passed SB 719 – legislation to expand the San Joaquin ValleAir Pollution Control District so that a scientist and physician could also siton the board. While this seems like a common-sense measure and somethingeveryone could support, it wasn’t. They were up against big guns – mainly tValley’s large agricultural and oil interests, as well as their political allies whhad been successful in preventing some of the many needed reforms.

Local residents and community leaders including doctors, farmers, laborefaith leaders, and clean air activists pounded the halls of the Capitol in suppfor the bill. Many, if not most of the volunteers visiting the Capitol had nevlobbied before. And after years of work, there were tears of joy and happinwhen they witnessed the 41st vote go up on the board – a new cadre of citizlobbyists was born.

Just this past January, Carolina andCVAQ were honored at the Annual

Symposium and given an award. Therethey told the story of the long battleand the exhilarating feeling of the lastvote and the 41st light on the board. “Ididn’t even need to look up to see theboard, said PCL staffer, René Guerrero,“I could feel the energy and knew thatwe had it.”

As a member organization of theCentral Valley Air Quality Coalition, thePlanning and Conservation League was involved in pursuing this change to

San Joaquin Air Board for five years. It’s just the beginning - we will continto work and fight for communities in the Central Valley and across our stateAfter all, it’s just the first step in changing the world.

Sincerely,

Traci SheehanExecutive Director

Coke Hallowell and René Guerreropresent Carolina with the award.

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John Van de Kamp served two termsas California’s Attorney General, andduring that time, John reorganized theDepartment of Justice, creating a new“Public Rights Division.” Under hisleadership, the Attorney Generalbecame the state’s strongest and mostvisible advocate for the environment,and for the enforcement of California’senvironmental protection statutes. After leaving the Attorn

General’s Office, John not only became President of theCalifornia State Bar, but also he joined the PCL Boardof Directors There he has continued his campaign forenvironmental protection. John has just stepped down afttwo terms as PCL Board President, and his impact on PCcan hardly be overstated. All members of the Board, andthe PCL and PCLF staff, commend John Van de Kamp forhis tireless efforts. We were privileged to have him lead PCover the past two years, and are happy he will be continuion the Board of Directors – as President Emeritus!

CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation

Mono Lake Committee Continues Protection of the Lake By: Geoff McQuilkin, Mono Lake Committee

This year the Mono Lake Committee celebrates its30th anniversary-three decades of protecting MonoLake, restoring its tributary streams, and educatingcountless visitors about wise water use. Back in 1978,the year of the Committee’s founding, it seemed like a

long shot for the organization to survive even a fewyears, let alone to 2008!

The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power(DWP) began exporting water from the Mono Basinin 1941, from four of Mono Lake’s tributaries. Fortyyears of those excessive diversions completely driedup the creeks, which caused the Lake to drop 45 verticalfeet, lose half its volume, and double in salinity. Theecosystem was on the edge of collapse when DavidGaines founded the Mono Lake Committee in 1978.

The fledgling Committee, along with the AudubonSociety, made a bold move: they filed suit against DWPin a classic David vs. Goliath matchup. The Committeeargued that DWP had violated the public trust doctrine,

an ancient law that states thatall people must be able to enjoyresources like Mono Lake, not just the water rights holders.In 1983, the California SupremeCourt ruled in favor of the

Committee.In 1994, after further

litigation and extensive hearings,the California State WaterResources Control Boardannounced a decision thatwould offer a balance: DWP

would still be allowed to take some water from MonoBasin streams, but it would have to let the lake rise 18vertical feet to an ecologically sound level. In addition,DWP was ordered to restore much of the habitat

damaged along the creeks. That year, Mono Lake beganto rise.

The Committee now has 16,000 members all overthe world, many of whom visit the lake every year.Rush, Parker, Walker, and Lee Vining Creeks havewater flowing year-round underneath lush recoveringforests of willow, cottonwood, and Jeffrey pine. TheCommittee stays at the forefront of wise water policy

and land management in the Mono Basin. During thesummer months, the Committee leads tours by canoe aat the lakeshore, and hosts hundreds of inner-city LosAngeles youth during week-long camps. The CommitteMono Basin Field Station provides housing for visitingscientists and researchers, and is booked to capacityseveral years in advance.

Amidst changing political environments, increasingdevelopment pressure, and growing concerns about wasupply for Los Angeles, the Mono Lake Committee hasstood fast, continuing their mission of protection, restoratioand education on behalf of Mono Lake. And they plan stand fast for at least 30 more!

CanStockPhoto.com

The effort to rehydrate Mono Lake was successful.

Mono Lake and the Sierra.

A Tribute to John Van de Kamp

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Thanks to you, on January 12th we packed theSacramento Convention Center with a sold-out crowdfor the Planning and Conservation League’s annualEnvironmental Legislative Symposium.

Our “state of change” theme resonated throughoutthe day with hopeful messages about California’s abilityto re-invent itself and re-shape the world.

Attendees were treated to several thought-provokingkeynote speakers, including Lieutenant Governor JohnGaramendi, California Attorney General Jerry Brown,Geof Syphers of Sonoma Mountain Village, and StateSenator Darrell Steinberg.

Workshops and panels throughout the day providedconcrete strategies about how both activists and environmentalprofessionals can improve the state’s approach to the

environment.

Environmental experts like Sydney Coatsworth(EDAW) and Terry Roberts (State Clearinghouse) keattorneys abreast of the latest developments throughcontinuing legal education workshops, replete with le

background materials.This year we also more than doubled attendance a

our evening awards ceremony and banquet, at whichwe honored the Winnemem Wintu tribe, AssemblyMember Lois Wolk, Bill Center, PG&E, and the CentValley Air Quality Coalition.

Thanks to everyone who participated for making 2008 Environmental Legislative Symposium a resoundisuccess! To keep you informed about the event we’veposted the handouts and presentations on our websiteview them at: www.pcl.org/events/2008proceedings.html 

Symposium Injects Momentum into the Movement  By: Matt Vander Sluis

Some of the comments we received...

“Please convey my great appreciation to the PCL Board andstaff members for an outstanding symposium. The topics,substantive material and speakers were interesting, engagingand inspiring! I have recommended the symposium to manypeople since returning home and hope to attend next year.”

“Thanks to all the organizers for their hard work – impressive job. No glitches on the receiving end, anyway.”

“Just keep it up!”

“Sorry I had to leave early – this was great!”

“Well done, keep up the good work! Lots of variety optionin sessions, and the keynote speakers were exceptional.”

 Jo hn  Van de Kamp and Lieutenant Go vernor 

 Jo hn Garamendi s ha ke  hands af ter t he morning  keynote.

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The “Hot Topics in CEQA Litigation” (MCLE) session brought tolight some important legal issues and had great speakers too!

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Attorne y  General J err y  Brown.                                                     K

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                                  a                                  g                                                         n                                  e                                  r

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Se q u o i a Sp o n  so  r  s ($10,000+ )The Trust for Public Land

O a k Wo o d l  a n d  s S  p o n  so  r  s ($5,000 - $9,999)

Kaiser Permanente Foundation • PG&E • State WaterResources Control Board

Jo  s h u a Tr e e S  p o n  so  r  s ($2,500 - $4,999)Admail West • Breathe California Sacramento-EmigrantTrails • Calthorpe Associates • Environment Now •Metropolitan Water District • Mono Lake Committee •Monterey Bay Conservancy • Sierra Nevada Alliance •SMUD • Sonoma County Water Agency • Water forCalifornia

C a l  i  fo  r n i a Po  p  p  y Sp o n  so  r  s ($1,000 - $2,499)California Association of Local Conservation Corps •California Coastal Protection Network • CaliforniaOak/California Wildlife Foundations • Camp Lotus •Carol and Bill Leimbach • Citizens United for Resourcesand the Environment • Dangermond Group • East BayMunicipal Utility District • Gallo Winery • Iron HorseVineyards • Kenyon Yeates • Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. •Nossaman Guthner Knox & Elliott LLP • Peter Weiner •Remy, Thomas, Moose and Manley • Riverside LandConservancy • Shute, Mihaly and Weinberger LLP •Sonoma Mountain Village

G  r a  s  sl  a n d  s Sp o n  so  r  s ($500 - $999)Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo • BP • CaliforniaAssociation of Professional Scientists • Chatten-Browand Carstens • Conservation Clarity • Cynthia Hawleattorney and Richard Hawley • Far Western Anthropologi

Research Group Inc. • Inland Empire Utilities AgencyJean Driscoll • John Van de Kamp • Johnson and HansonLLP • LA Conservation Corps • Marin ConservationLeague • Mogavero Notestine Associates • NationalWildlife Federation • Phyllis Faber • RestorationResources • Rossmann and Moore LLP • Tahoe GraphicTerry Watt • Water ReUse

A c o  r n Sp o n  so  r  s ($100)California Coastal Coalition • Defenders of Wildlife •

Great Valley Center • Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch •Ella Baker Center • Laguna Canyon Foundation • SaDiego River Park Foundation • Sierra Club California

Transportation and Land Use Coalition

O t  h e  r Sp o n  so  r  s (Below $500)Environmental Section of the California State Bar •Frey Wines • MTV Environmental Consulting • Pric

Consulting

Thanks Again! 

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors 

PCL Board member T err y  W att during  the General Plan session.

                                 K            e                              i                     t                             h

                       W 

PCL Board member Doroth y  Green talksabout her new book.

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The crowd gathers for the general session and first keynote.   K  e   i   t   h   W  a  g  n  e  r

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CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation

Secretary A.G. Kawamura during

t he Sustainab le Ag pane l.

Visit our website for more information onthe Symposium including PowerPoints

and handouts: www.PCL.org 

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The recent ecosystem crash in the Bay Delta Estuaryand the growing awareness of climate change impacts onCalifornia water systems demonstrate the need for effectiveand comprehensive water policy in California. ThePlanning and Conservation League is ready to address

those challenges by influencing and advancing acomprehensive package of water legislation in 2008.

Our legislative work this session focuses on adaptingwater use to climate change, minimizing the greenhousegases generated by water use, informing land use decisions,advancing sensible groundwater policy and solving thecrisis in the Delta.

The Water Efficiency and Security Act

While California is a leader in our energy conservationpolicies, our statewide water efficiency policies are not

producing the same level of results. In fact, water demandin Northern California is growing at an alarming rate.Given our significant environmental water needs, and theimpacts of climate change, this climbing demand simply isnot sustainable.

PCL is working closely with Assemblymember PaulKrekorian (D-Burbank) to ensure that demand inCalifornia stops its upward climb, and remains neutral intothe future. This legislation will be modeled on successfulenergy policies that have kept California’s per-capitaenergy use flat since the 1970’s.

The Climate Change and Water Resources Protection Act

While scientists are learning more everyday about theimpact of climate change on California’s water resources,this critical information is left out of many state andregional water management plans. PCL co-sponsoredAB 224 (Wolk) last session, which would require existinginformation on climate change to be incorporated intoimportant water planning documents.

While AB 224 garnered significant support fromenvironmental organizations and water agencies alike, itfailed to pass the Senate Appropriations committee lastyear. Fortunately, Assemblymember Wolk (D-Davis) iscommitted to this issue and has re-introduced this bill thisyear.

Ensuring water is incorporated into land use decisions

Senator Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) successfully authoredSB 221, the “show me the water” bill in 2001. That legislationrequired that secure water supplies be identified for alldevelopments over 500 units, prior to approval of those

developments. This year, PCL is working with SenatorKuehl to review the effectiveness of SB 221, and perhapto update the bill for 2008.

Working Toward a Sustainable Bay-DeltaThe recent listing of the longfin smelt under the

California Endangered Species Act demonstrates, onceagain, that the current management of the Delta and itwater resources is simply unsustainable.

PCL is closely following several legislative efforts thseek to implement new, more sustainable governance anmanagement policies for the Delta. In particular, PCL wfollow legislation introduced by working with SenatorMike Machado (D-Stockton), Assemblymember Lois W(D-Davis), and Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). We working with these legislators to ensure that the Deltaecosystem, community and watershed are protected andrestored.

Advancing Sensible Groundwater Policy

Groundwater policy has always been an important acontentious issue in California. Millions of Californiansrely on groundwater for a portion or all of their watersupplies. Yet, we do not have accurate information abouthe quality or amount of our groundwater resources inmany regions of the state.

PCL working with Assemblymember Anna Caballe(D-Salinas) on legislation that will give direction to ourexisting groundwater task force so that sensible policysolutions to California’s pressing groundwater problemcan be identified and implemented in a timely manner.

Together with our strong authors, PCL intends totransform California water policy for California’s futureWe will keep you posted as these bills move through thlegislature.

PCL Confronts Big Water Challenges With Water Solutions PackagBy: Tina Andolina and Mindy McIntyre

New developments bring additional demands for water.   i   S   t  o  c   k   P   h  o   t  o .  c  o  m

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The PCL Foundation recentlylaunched a new series of day-longworkshops scheduled in communitiesfrom Eureka to San Diego. Theseworkshops help the public understand

the California Environmental QualityAct (CEQA) process and participateeffectively in the decisions that impactthe public’s health and the environment.

These workshops are based uponthe Community Guide to CEQA ,authored by PCL Board Memberand CEQA attorney Bill Yeates.The Guide allows readers to clearlyunderstand the entire CEQA processand provides a backdrop for publicparticipation in a local and statewidecontext. The revised Guide and thecorresponding workshops include aspecial focus on global warming, thesubsequent issues facing California,and the potential remedial affects

through the utilization of the CEQAprocess.

If you are interested in learningthe ins and outs of CEQA, this is agreat opportunity for you to become

knowledgeable about the processand the venues in which the publiccan participate. Be ready with yourquestions and be ready to networkwith others interested in thismonumental law geared towardspublic participation and state agencyaccountability. People attending theworkshop will participate in aninformative presentation and receivea copy of the Community Guide to the CEQA and other helpful materials.

To register for a CEQA workshopor order the Community Guide to CEQA , visit www.PCLFoundation.org .

CEQA Workshops Scheduled Around the State By: Justin Saydell

The Sacramento CEQA Workshop last Novem

As you may know, National Wildlife Federation is alarge umbrella organization that includes a diversity of conservation interests. Since our founding in 1936, NWFhas had a very close relationship with hunters and anglers,who started the conservation movement in response tothreats to wildlife and their habitats. Today, NWF continuesto partner with these groups to make a difference for wildlife.

Last year, our hunter/angler affiliates passed a resolutionasking NWF to join them to protect against the greatestwildlife threat of this century: climate change. Sportsmenand women across the country are seeing impacts ranging

from more intense droughts and floods, increased fires,and changes in wildlife numbers, habitats and migrationpatterns. In response, we have created opportunities forhunters and anglers across the country to make a difference.

First, we have a letter before Congress asking them topass legislation that will reduce carbon emissions 80% by2050, as well as create a source of state funding to helpwildlife survive the impacts. This letter has garneredunprecedented support among the hunting and fishingcommunity. Currently, close to 600 traditional sportsmen

organizations have joined us on the letter, including theCalifornia Sportfishing Protection Alliance, CoastsideFishing Club, Grasslands District Duck Hunting ClubsCalifornia Trout, Federation of Fly Fishers, TroutUnlimited, and Izaak Walton League! If you’d like tolearn more about this effort, or see the webpage we havcreated specifically for hunters and anglers who care abclimate change, check out: www.TargetGlobalWarming.or

Also, in collaboration with PCL and our sportsmenpartners, we are writing a report on the impacts of climchange on California resources and habitats critical to

wildlife. The report will be used to spread awareness othe issues among hunting and fishing communities inCalifornia, and will call for local, state, and federal actioto solve the problem. Stay tuned as we plan to release report with PCL in March.

As we reach out to new partners, we create a strongcommunity to effect change. Thank you for all yourefforts to include hunters and anglers in the fight forcommon sense solutions to climate change!

Photo by: John &Karen Hollingsw

Hunters and Anglers Taking Action on Climate Change By: Matt Little, National Wildlife Federation

Workshop ScheduleMarch 1 Diamond BarApril 5 Monterey BayMay 17 Santa ClaritaJune SacramentoJuly Tulare County

For more information or toschedule a workshop in your area,contact Justin Saydell by phone at916-313-4506 or by email at

 [email protected] .

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For generations to come

Thoughtful estate planning includes considering:

• Your own financial future and retirement

• Your family’s financial security

• A safe and healthy environment for future generati

To receive free information about how thoughtful

estate planning can benefit you, your family and the

environment, please call Traci Sheehan at 916-313-4

or contact her by email at [email protected] .

30% post-consumer waste; processedchlorine free and printed in soy ink

PERIODICAL

POSTAGE

PAID

SACRAMENT

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 

Rita Singer worked for the Department of WaterResources from 1978 until her retirement in 2001. Shehad no plans to retire. To some, it appeared that shewould work “forever.” And she almost got her way - herretirement came at the age of 85, and only after a suddenstroke and illness.

Rita graduated from law school in 1938 and at thattime she was one of only two women to graduate in thatclass. In the 1960s she was a lawyer for the Department of Interior Office of the Solicitor. “Dealing with engineers inthose days was a learning experience,” Rita once said.

“They didn’t think a ‘lady lawyer’ could understand arcaneconcepts.”

Beginning in the 1970s, in her role as a lawyer forDWR, Rita worked on a variety of issues including theBay Delta and water law.

She was known for her tenacity and her ability to callit just like she saw it.

Rita was an advocate for both the environment andwomen’s rights – she was a director of the League of Conservation Voters and president of the SacramentoChapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Rita’s love for the environment lives on today, as a“Legacy Supporter” for PCL. If you are interested innaming PCL as a beneficiary to your estate let us know.

Rita Singer 1915-2005 By: Traci Sheehan

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