May 12, 2022

May 4, 2022

Democrats in the California released their budget priorities, which includes the CSAC supported request for Dam Safety funding. The water and drought provisions within the package proposes $7.5 billion in state and federal funds to build a climate resilient water system including:

The AENR Committee was pleased to have Senator Bill Dodd kick off our AENR Committee meeting. Senator Dodd has been active in the wildfire, insurance and regional planning areas for the past several years. The Senator focused his presentation on his work to establish voluntary regional funding mechanisms to support climate adaptation work and dedicating a funding stream to provide insurance for prescribed and cultural fire preservation.=

The Forest Service just announced that it will be distributing $238 million to counties under the Secure Rural Schools program, with California’s counties set to receive nearly $30 million from that pot (up from almost $25 million last year). The program was reauthorized for two years as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

April 14, 2022

CSAC is seeking feedback from counties on two bills in the agriculture, environment, and natural resources portfolio. Please send your feedback to Catherine Freeman (cfreeman@counties.org) and Ada Waelder (awaelder@counties.org) by April 8, 2022.

The deadline for the Legislature to introduce new bills has passed and it is a banner year for cannabis legislation. Over the next several months CSAC will continue to keep counties apprised as cannabis legislation moves through the legislative process. For now, CSAC is seeking feedback on the following measures:

The Legislature is in full swing following February’s bill introduction deadline. While many bills are still being amended, below are a few items in the agriculture, environment, and natural resources portfolio that are of particular interest to counties. In addition are several bills that CSAC would greatly appreciate county feedback on.

Hot Bills

This week, the Newsom Administration released their draft of a statewide Extreme Heat Action Plan, aimed at better protecting communities during high heat events.

January 6, 2022

The SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program application is now open! Applications are due by February 1, 2022. This one-time, non-competitive grant program will provide $57 million to assist local governments in the implementation of SB 1383 requirements for organic waste diversion. Funding is available to cities, counties, cities and counties, Regional or Joint Powers Authorities, and special districts directly responsible for solid waste collection services.

Governor Newsom met the October 10 deadline to take action on measures approved by the Legislature and delivered to his desk. To keep counties informed of new laws that impact them, CSAC will be publishing a series of articles to spotlight those laws in each policy area. This week, the Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources policy area provides information on new laws affecting drought, wildfire and waste management and hazardous waste.

The new laws listed below become effective January 1, 2022 unless otherwise noted.

November 18, 2021

CalRecycle is seeking public comment on their proposed criteria for their SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant Program for 2021-22. A total of $60 million will be made available to local governments for a wide variety of eligible activities including collection, education and outreach, edible food recovery, capacity planning, procurement, record keeping, and enforcement. This is a non-competitive grant opportunity.

November 10, 2021

Notice of Funding Opportunity

The CA Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has announced the 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

October 21, 2021

The Governor announced this week that additional counties would be added to the drought State of Emergency, which officially places all 58 California counties under drought emergency. The new counties include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, and Ventura.

October 12 Update- This event has been postponed to early 2022.

September 30, 2021

State, federal, and local emergency managers, and policymakers are invited to join Cal OES on November 3, 2021, for a Zoom conference to discuss the current status of hazard mitigation policy and action in California, and the critical next steps needed to ensure a safer future for all of California. 

September 16, 2021

Both chambers of the Legislature adjourned before 9 p.m. last Friday night, bringing an end to the 2021 session. Following is an update on major bills of interest or concern for the Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources policy area that are now among the 800+ bills awaiting action by Governor Gavin Newsom. CSAC staff will continue to monitor and advocate for County priorities during the signing period, which ends October 10, 2021.

Awaiting Governor’s Action

September 2, 2021

August 27, 2021

The California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) is extending the deadline for the CFSC County Coordinators Grant Application by one month, until Thursday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. to help accommodate counties currently struggling with the impacts of this season’s wildfires. Even with the extension, the CFSC is making every effort to keep the grant process on track and provide prompt payment. The grant activity period is anticipated to begin November 1.

August 26, 2021

This week, California secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the Dixie and River fires, currently burning in Lassen, Nevada, Placer, and Plumas counties. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration opens the door for a wide range of federal assistance programs to assist state and local governments in responding to and recovering from natural disasters.

August 19, 2021

In response to a request from CSAC and local government partners, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and Department of Water Resources (DWR) are hosting a webinar to increase awareness of available funding for emergency drought response.

August 5, 2021

July 29, 2021