June 2009 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter
Content
PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE
PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION
CALIFORNIA TODAY
Newsletter of the Planning & Conservation League
June 2009
Volume 39, Number 2
The American River
CanStockPhoto.com
Ten Guiding Principles for Water Reform
By: 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 of its waters and waterways, including the limits imposed by climate change. We must fund only those policies and self-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 and accessible drinking water. We must provide ready access to this basic human right to disadvantaged communities. 3. California’s ecosystems and the life they support have a right to clean water and to exist and thrive, for their own benefit and the benefit of future generations. 4. California must maximize environmentally sustainable local water self-sufficiency in all areas of the State, especially in the face of climate change. 5. The quality and health of California’s water must be protected and enhanced through full implementation and enforcement of existing water quality, environmental, and land use regulations and other actions, and through new or more rigorous regulations as needed.
6. All Californians must have immediate and ready access to information and the decision-making processes for water. Interested and involved parties should be accorded full respect and influence in decision-making, particularly with decisions affecting their communities. 7. California must institute sustainable and equitable funding to ensure cost-effective water reliability and water quality solutions for the state where “cost-effective” includes environmental and social costs. Public funding should not subsidize pollution or the wasteful use of water. Those who use and pollute California’s waters must pay the full costs associated with those uses and impacts. 8. Groundwater and surface water management must be integrated, and water health and protection must be addressed on a watershed basis. 9. California’s actions on water must respect the needs and interests of California Tribes, including those unrecognized Tribes in the State. 10. California must overhaul its existing, piecemeal water rights policies, which already over-allocate existing water and distribute rights without regard to equity. Water must be used to meet the public interest through policies that give the highest priority to basic human and ecosystem needs and promote its sustainable and equitable use to serve the public and tribal trust into the future.
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
Dear Friends,
CALIFORNIA TODAY (ISBN 0739-8042) is the quarterly newsletter of the PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE AND 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 a subscription 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 TRUSTEES
DAVID HIRSCH, Chairman RALPH B. PERRY III, Vice Chairman DANIEL S. FROST, Secretary-Treasurer COKE HALLOWELL, Trustee GERALD H. MERAL, Trustee
PCL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
BILL CENTER, President KEVIN JOHNSON, Senior Vice President LYNN SADLER, Senior Vice President SAGE SWEETWOOD, President Emeritus JOHN VAN DE KAMP, President Emeritus BILL LEIMBACH, Secretary-Treasurer
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
ELISABETH BROWN JAN CHATTEN-BROWN PHYLLIS FABER RICK HAWLEY FRAN LAYTON DOUG LINNEY DAVID MOGAVERO STEPHANIE PINCETL TERESA VILLEGAS TERRY WATT BILL YEATES
ORGANIZATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS
Big Sur Land Trust Breathe California, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails California Association of Local Conservation Corps California Oak Foundation California Trout Greenspace - The Cambria Land Trust Golden Gate Audubon Society The Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. Mono Lake Committee Mountain Lion Foundation Sierra Nevada Alliance Southern California Agricultural Land Foundation Train Riders Association of California The Trust for Public Land
PCL/PCL FOUNDATION STAFF
TRACI SHEEHAN, Executive Director TINA ANDOLINA, Legislative Director BARB BYRNE, Water Policy Assistant EVON CHAMBERS, Water Policy Assistant RENÉ GUERRERO, Project Manager - Legislative Advocate CHARLOTTE HODDE, Water Policy Specialist DR. MONICA HUNTER, Central Coast Water Project Manager JONAS MINTON, Senior Water Policy Advisor JONATHAN BERNSTEIN, Administrative Manager PAUL GILLIGAN, Sierra Nevada Americorp Member AMBER SCHMAELING, Membership & Development Coordinator MATT VANDER SLUIS, Global Warming Project Manager MELANIE SCHLOTTERBECK, Grants & Outreach Consultant
As a member of PCL, I don’t think I need to convince you that California is entering a “new normal” for water as climate change impacts our Sierra snowpack and as statewide rain patterns shift. Throughout our state, groundwater aquifers are over-drafted and contaminated beyond basic use, fish populations are crashing, and our human population continues to grow. Despite this fact, our state’s water leaders continue to rely on 20th century tools to manage this 21st century challenge. Strong political interests are working hard to make sure that the business-as-usual approach to water management continues despite the huge cost to our state and taxpayers. That’s why PCL is working to build support and reforms for broad, innovative and sustainable water policy. As part of this effort we joined with the 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 Water Summit 2009 strength necessary to bring about the magnitude of policy change needed. The effort began last fall when a simple invitation for a strategy meeting struck a chord and resulted in a large gathering of more than 70 people from organizations all around the state. All were calling for greater coordination and a venue for strategizing and developing a new vision. From that initial gathering, the interest in this collaborative approach has only grown, with over 100 participants now joining the effort. We’ve had diverse interests represented at the Water Summit, including advocates from environmental, fishing, tribal, environmental justice, and faith-based communities to share perspectives and take coordinated action to reform California water policy. These interests are working to set a new course in water policy. Our cover article focuses on the 10 Guiding Principles for water reform—principles that were developed by Summit participants. By broadening the array of voices at the table and invoking innovative thinking, we are working to shift the water discussion in California from a continued focus on outdated tools to a more productive discussion of effective emergency actions. These actions will address today’s needs and equally important, more sustainable and equitable solutions to avoid a bigger crisis and meet the longer term needs of California’s people, economy and environment. Sincerely, Traci Sheehan Executive Director
California Affiliate National Wildlife Federation
2
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
PCL
Stop Work Order Impacts Sierra Non-Profits
By: Sierra Nevada Alliance
Bonds, bureaucracy, state budget what does that have to do with Sierra streams, wildlife, clean water, and fire? Well quite a bit actually, and the recent sudden freeze on bond funded projects awakened folks in and out of the Sierra on how connected our resources are to actions in Sacramento. A survey conducted in January by the Sierra Nevada Alliance confirmed that the State’s stop work order on bond funded contracts (issued December 17, 2008) impacted 60% of surveyed conservation groups in the Sierra Nevada, with many laying off workers and contractors on critical conservation projects. Sixty-eight groups who responded to the survey spanned the 400 mile-long mountain range, from Lassen County to Kern County. Conservation groups responding consisted of land trusts, watershed groups, resource conservation districts, and grassroots community groups. Projects impacted included restoration of Sierra headwaters that supply quality drinking water to over 65% of California. Other projects were acquiring critical lands to protect water, creating defensible space from fire, monitoring water quality, and restoring important habitat. For those groups impacted, the majority (55%) had over half their annual budget affected. A number of groups were forced to close the doors of their organization completely. Sierra Nevada Alliance’s 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 their 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 very high or extreme fire threat zones. In addition, past work performed under state contracts has still not been reimbursed, although the state 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 the Planning and Conservation League (PCL), John McCaull and Sperry Capital to explore ways to turn bond funded projects back on. Weekly calls kept Sierra groups up to date and kept pressure on Sacramento to reverse their actions. While it was impossible for Sierra conservation groups to make meetings with the Treasurer’s office and legislators, PCL staff was bringing action and information to groups around the State. “We were devastated as an organization to be given no forewarning and then to have to stop all our watershed efforts immediately,” explained Joan Clayburgh, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Thank goodness for PCL staff being our connection to leaders in Sacramento on this issue. They were a ray of light in a really dark time.”
PCL created a weekly e-newsletter to build the coalition and keep groups informed about the status of the bonds.
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
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CanStockPhoto.com
Symposium DVDs Available for MCLE Credit
By: Melanie Schlotterbeck
We’re pleased to announce the release of four DVDs from the PCL and PCL Foundation’s 2009 Annual Environmental Symposium. Those interested in particular sessions can purchase individual DVDs. Attorneys interested in receiving 4.75 MCLE credits can purchase the four pack. The four sessions recorded include the following: Opening and Closing Keynotes Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg gives a thoughtful morning address on the economy and environment. Jakada Imani (Ella Baker Center) delivers an inspiring closing keynote on green jobs and training a new workforce. California Wildfire and CEQA This session addresses a wide array of issues around wildfire, including planning, the Wildland Urban Interface, the California Environmental Quality Act, and changing the way we view our wildlands.
The Brave New Water Economy: Privatization and Public Accountability This session provides an in-depth look at the attempts to privatize water in California with particular focus on the Kern Water Bank and how a failing water system and infrastructure lead to potential privatization by public agencies. Conservation and Land Use Agreements: Tejon Ranch Case Study This session focuses on the 2008 agreement reached between five conservation organizations (including PCL) and the Tejon Ranch Company to permanently preserve 240,000 acres through unique conservation agreements. Visit the PCL Foundation website at: www.PCLFoundation.org/publications to order a copy ($15) or a set of DVDs for MCLE credit ($225).
PCL Hosts Successful Land Use Summit
By: Matt Vander Sluis
On June 8th, the Planning and Conservation League, Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), and the Coalition on Regional Equity (CORE) co-hosted “Mapping Opportunities, Choosing Directions,” a land use summit for the Sacramento metropolitan region. The dynamics for land use advocacy in the Sacramento region have shifted dramatically over the past several years, primarily through new measures to address global warming. In 2006, AB 32 established the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as a central policy objective for the state. In 2007, SB 97 initiated a revision to the environmental review process to address global warming. In 2008, SB 375 modified planning processes to more closely link land use, transportation, and housing decisions to address global warming. Other changes have also left their imprint on the region, specifically new inclusionary zoning ordinances, flood policies, and federal stimulus funds.
The Sacramento summit brought together many of the region’s leading environmental and social justice advocates to examine this new policy landscape, identify opportunities for effective engagement, and establish areas for collective action. We were very fortunate to start the summit with keynote remarks by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. We also heard an update from Mike McGeever of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments on how his agency plans to approach the new regulatory environment. Summit participants were particularly interested in exploring how to effectively participate in the implementation of SB 375 and to link regional plans to local decisions. Others emphasized the need to incorporate social equity concerns more thoroughly when advancing sustainable land use policies. We plan to hold similar summits in other regions of the state soon.
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CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
Innovative Bills Keep Environment and Public Safe
By: Tina Andolina
The Planning and Conservation League (PCL) has sponsored several innovative measures this year that protect California’s environment and promote public health. Here’s a summary of a few of the key bills: Recycled Water Bill (SB 565) authored by Senator Fran Pavley, targets the enormous untapped potential of safe recycled water. SB 565 ensures that California recycles 50% of the water that would otherwise be discharged to the ocean by wastewater facilities by 2030. This would result in the development of roughly two million acre feet of saved water by 2030, making SB 565 the largest water development program in California since the State Water Project of the 1960’s. Water Neutral Development Bill (AB 1408) authored by Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, allows communities to accommodate growth without increased water demand. AB 1408 would encourage the building of highly efficient houses, and further encourage developers to take part in water conservation programs for 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 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This bill will help ensure these toxic and hazardous chemicals are not a threat to our communities, environment, safety and public health. Conservation Project Protection Bill (AB 1364) authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans, gives agencies the ability to amend contracts and grant agreements affected by the bond freeze. It protects the integrity of the projects and also ensures the agreements remain valid contracts in the eyes of the state. This bill is very important for conservation projects that are reliant on bond funding. The four-month long stop work order derailed many projects and forced significant delays in others. Without contract extensions, many organizations could not fulfill the terms of their grant agreement and finish the critical work they are doing. To find a complete listing of environmental bills PCL has supported this year, visit our website at www.PCL.org. Find out the status of the bill, how you can take action and participate in support!
Two New Board Members Join the Ranks
By: Amber Schmaeling
The Planning and Conservation League welcomes two new members to its board of Directors: Miguel Luna and John McCaull. These two new additions to the Board bring forth extensive leadership, as well as environmental expertise and advocacy. Miguel Luna is the Executive Director for Urban Semillas and is a co-founder of “Agua University,” a program that teaches students about California water issues. His experience in protecting the Los Angeles area watersheds and his ability to inspire young leaders in environmental justice are just a few of the many assets he brings to the Board. John McCaull is a former staff member of PCL. His background includes serving as the California State Director at American Farmland Trust and Legislative Director for the National Audubon Society for nearly 10 years. John has expertise on wildlife, habitat issues, as well
as agricultural land use. He now has a private practice that offers a variety of services working on renewable energy, water, and habitat. PCL is excited to welcome both Miguel Luna and John McCaull as they will be invaluable additions to the Board.
Miguel Luna John McCaull
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
5
Mandate for More Renewable Power Advanciung in Legislature
By: Matt Vander Sluis
CanStockPhoto.com
This year the California Legislature is advancing two bills to increase the percentage of clean, renewable energy used in the state to at least 33% by 2020. Senators Simitian, Kehoe, Padilla, and Senate President pro 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 both private and publicly owned utilities, though they differ in many other details. Governor Schwarzenegger has been calling for a 33% mandate and the California Air Resources Board included an expectation of such a requirement in the AB 32 Scoping Plan to help reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by
2020. Legislative leaders predicted that they would finalize a bill in the first 90 days of the 2009 session. We’re very excited to see both the Senate and Assembly moving aggressively to pursue the 33% mandate. It’s good news for our environment, public health, and our burgeoning green economy. And, as a new national survey prepared by researchers at Yale and George Mason Universities shows, the country is begging for bold action in the fight against global warming. We also realize that much still needs to occur to ensure that the final policy is strong, effective, and free of loopholes. For example, both bills have included various exemptions that could short-circuit the program and the penalties for non-compliance need to be made strong enough to keep bad actors from misbehaving. The 33% mandate is just one of several policies being considered to expand the use of renewable energy in California. While we cannot predict which of these bills will be signed into law, we do expect it to be an electrifying year for fans of clean energy.
California Bond Freeze is Over for Now
By: Paul Gilligan
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-approved infrastructure projects. The remaining $1.7 billion taxable bonds from the April sale will finance stem-cell research, various housing programs, and high speed rail projects. Since Governor Schwarzenegger issued his stop work order on December 17, 2008, effectively freezing all progress on over 5,000 bond-funded projects, 127 consecutive days passed before this good news came on Earth Day. During this time of inactivity; local, regional, and statewide efforts of organization blossomed throughout the state. These efforts demonstrated how strong the environmental community can be when banned together with one common goal. Many new relationships and coalitions were formed throughout this process. Networks were expanded and communication enhanced. If faced with a similar situation again, what we have learned has prepared us to handle the situation briskly and effectively.
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CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
California Must Do High Speed Rail Right
By: Tina Andolina
With passage of Proposition 1A last November, voters approved spending nearly $10 billion to construct a high speed train that would stretch from Los Angeles to San Francisco and Sacramento. Support for this mega-project in such lean economic times is proof that California is willing to invest in a clean and innovative transportation network to meet future demands. However, since the election, many High Speed Rail (HSR) supporters are becoming disillusioned with the process the HSR Authority is undertaking to plan the route. Constructing such a vast train system will require careful planning and a great deal of outreach to ensure the best, most efficient train is built at the least cost and with the least environmental impact. This is a tough task, but if the Authority fails
in this early planning stage to do it right, the entire system will be doomed to fail. Instead of High Speed 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 about HSR to encourage the State Legislature to provide the needed scrutiny and oversight of the Authority and their work. To start, PCL and 30 local residents attended the Senate budget subcommittee hearing in May as they deliberated funding for the Authority. The goal was to send a strong message that the Authority needs increased oversight and was failing in their efforts to work with local communities. The subcommittee heard our message loud and clear and committed to helping remedy the problems.
A view of four tracks and the catenery system.
PCL is also supporting the recommendations made by the Legislative Analyst’s Office earlier this year that perhaps the time had come to transform the Authority from the small study-based group that was needed prior to the passage of 1A, and create an organization capable of building the system. The High Speed Rail system will be the biggest construction project this state has ever undertaken. We need to get it right from the start.
Public Lands Victory!
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
By: Matt Little, National Wildlife Federation
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 California’s longest cave. Obviously, these new protections didn’t 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.C. made sure that these bills had hearings and moved through Congress without picking up proposals and amendments that would weaken the bill. NWF partnered with PCL to send out action alerts and calls to members in California to ensure bill passage. The House passed the bill 285 to 140! Public lands are a fundamental part of America’s heritage, contribute $730 billion to our economy, and support 6.5 million jobs - or 1 in 20 American jobs. Protecting these last remaining wild areas in California will help ensure that there are places for us and our children to hike, camp, explore, and find peace.
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
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From the CAHSR EIR/EIS
PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION
1107 9TH STREET, SUITE 360 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA
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VISIT US ON THE WEB: www.PCL.org or www.PCLFoundation.org
History Project Lives On
By: Charlotte Hodde
Did You Know?
By: Jasmine Ketchum
Response to last issue’s picture unanimously identified (left to right) former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Bill Yeates (currently a PCL Board member) and Nat Bingham. Richard Spotts responded and relayed how he first got involved 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 that PCL is probably the single most effective environmental presence in the State Capitol and faithful defender of California’s incredible natural beauty and biological diversity. In addition, history has shown that California is a clear leader among the states in advancing positive environmental laws, programs, and innovative technologies. Therefore, even people like me who do not live in California should support PCL, since PCL helps keep California as the environmental trendsetter, and this benefits everyone throughout our nation and the world, as well as the biosphere.” Can you help us identify the PCL’ers and the political action in this archive photo? If so, email your answer to [email protected].
Believe it or not, California is among the top ranked states that use the most water within the U.S. Our water supplies have been affected by a combination of population growth, increased development and climate change. While our everyday use of water is expanding, water resources are rapidly decreasing. Low precipitation and patterns of drought along with continued excess in everyday water use is sending our state and nation into a very dry future. Did you know? • Each person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day.1 • In 2000, California alone accounted for almost 11% of all freshwater used in the United States.1 • Agriculture uses 43% of the state’s water.2 • In 2000, 22% of the nation’s water use for irrigation was in California.1 • In 2000, Sacramento County averaged 260.9 gallons of water per resident per day.3 • Four percent of the world’s ocean waters have not been damaged by human activity.2 With our water supply rapidly declining it’s important that we conserve on both a large and small scale. The latest California Water Plan Update of 2005 (http://water.ca.gov) explains that we need to ensure sustainable water use by taking fundamental actions such as using water efficiently, protecting water quality and supporting environmental activities. To secure water for tomorrow we need to protect and save the water we have today! Sources: 1 www.USGS.gov 2 www.Harpers.org 3 www.SacBee.com
PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION
CALIFORNIA TODAY
Newsletter of the Planning & Conservation League
June 2009
Volume 39, Number 2
The American River
CanStockPhoto.com
Ten Guiding Principles for Water Reform
By: 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 of its waters and waterways, including the limits imposed by climate change. We must fund only those policies and self-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 and accessible drinking water. We must provide ready access to this basic human right to disadvantaged communities. 3. California’s ecosystems and the life they support have a right to clean water and to exist and thrive, for their own benefit and the benefit of future generations. 4. California must maximize environmentally sustainable local water self-sufficiency in all areas of the State, especially in the face of climate change. 5. The quality and health of California’s water must be protected and enhanced through full implementation and enforcement of existing water quality, environmental, and land use regulations and other actions, and through new or more rigorous regulations as needed.
6. All Californians must have immediate and ready access to information and the decision-making processes for water. Interested and involved parties should be accorded full respect and influence in decision-making, particularly with decisions affecting their communities. 7. California must institute sustainable and equitable funding to ensure cost-effective water reliability and water quality solutions for the state where “cost-effective” includes environmental and social costs. Public funding should not subsidize pollution or the wasteful use of water. Those who use and pollute California’s waters must pay the full costs associated with those uses and impacts. 8. Groundwater and surface water management must be integrated, and water health and protection must be addressed on a watershed basis. 9. California’s actions on water must respect the needs and interests of California Tribes, including those unrecognized Tribes in the State. 10. California must overhaul its existing, piecemeal water rights policies, which already over-allocate existing water and distribute rights without regard to equity. Water must be used to meet the public interest through policies that give the highest priority to basic human and ecosystem needs and promote its sustainable and equitable use to serve the public and tribal trust into the future.
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
Dear Friends,
CALIFORNIA TODAY (ISBN 0739-8042) is the quarterly newsletter of the PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE AND 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 a subscription 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 TRUSTEES
DAVID HIRSCH, Chairman RALPH B. PERRY III, Vice Chairman DANIEL S. FROST, Secretary-Treasurer COKE HALLOWELL, Trustee GERALD H. MERAL, Trustee
PCL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
BILL CENTER, President KEVIN JOHNSON, Senior Vice President LYNN SADLER, Senior Vice President SAGE SWEETWOOD, President Emeritus JOHN VAN DE KAMP, President Emeritus BILL LEIMBACH, Secretary-Treasurer
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
ELISABETH BROWN JAN CHATTEN-BROWN PHYLLIS FABER RICK HAWLEY FRAN LAYTON DOUG LINNEY DAVID MOGAVERO STEPHANIE PINCETL TERESA VILLEGAS TERRY WATT BILL YEATES
ORGANIZATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS
Big Sur Land Trust Breathe California, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails California Association of Local Conservation Corps California Oak Foundation California Trout Greenspace - The Cambria Land Trust Golden Gate Audubon Society The Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. Mono Lake Committee Mountain Lion Foundation Sierra Nevada Alliance Southern California Agricultural Land Foundation Train Riders Association of California The Trust for Public Land
PCL/PCL FOUNDATION STAFF
TRACI SHEEHAN, Executive Director TINA ANDOLINA, Legislative Director BARB BYRNE, Water Policy Assistant EVON CHAMBERS, Water Policy Assistant RENÉ GUERRERO, Project Manager - Legislative Advocate CHARLOTTE HODDE, Water Policy Specialist DR. MONICA HUNTER, Central Coast Water Project Manager JONAS MINTON, Senior Water Policy Advisor JONATHAN BERNSTEIN, Administrative Manager PAUL GILLIGAN, Sierra Nevada Americorp Member AMBER SCHMAELING, Membership & Development Coordinator MATT VANDER SLUIS, Global Warming Project Manager MELANIE SCHLOTTERBECK, Grants & Outreach Consultant
As a member of PCL, I don’t think I need to convince you that California is entering a “new normal” for water as climate change impacts our Sierra snowpack and as statewide rain patterns shift. Throughout our state, groundwater aquifers are over-drafted and contaminated beyond basic use, fish populations are crashing, and our human population continues to grow. Despite this fact, our state’s water leaders continue to rely on 20th century tools to manage this 21st century challenge. Strong political interests are working hard to make sure that the business-as-usual approach to water management continues despite the huge cost to our state and taxpayers. That’s why PCL is working to build support and reforms for broad, innovative and sustainable water policy. As part of this effort we joined with the 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 Water Summit 2009 strength necessary to bring about the magnitude of policy change needed. The effort began last fall when a simple invitation for a strategy meeting struck a chord and resulted in a large gathering of more than 70 people from organizations all around the state. All were calling for greater coordination and a venue for strategizing and developing a new vision. From that initial gathering, the interest in this collaborative approach has only grown, with over 100 participants now joining the effort. We’ve had diverse interests represented at the Water Summit, including advocates from environmental, fishing, tribal, environmental justice, and faith-based communities to share perspectives and take coordinated action to reform California water policy. These interests are working to set a new course in water policy. Our cover article focuses on the 10 Guiding Principles for water reform—principles that were developed by Summit participants. By broadening the array of voices at the table and invoking innovative thinking, we are working to shift the water discussion in California from a continued focus on outdated tools to a more productive discussion of effective emergency actions. These actions will address today’s needs and equally important, more sustainable and equitable solutions to avoid a bigger crisis and meet the longer term needs of California’s people, economy and environment. Sincerely, Traci Sheehan Executive Director
California Affiliate National Wildlife Federation
2
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
PCL
Stop Work Order Impacts Sierra Non-Profits
By: Sierra Nevada Alliance
Bonds, bureaucracy, state budget what does that have to do with Sierra streams, wildlife, clean water, and fire? Well quite a bit actually, and the recent sudden freeze on bond funded projects awakened folks in and out of the Sierra on how connected our resources are to actions in Sacramento. A survey conducted in January by the Sierra Nevada Alliance confirmed that the State’s stop work order on bond funded contracts (issued December 17, 2008) impacted 60% of surveyed conservation groups in the Sierra Nevada, with many laying off workers and contractors on critical conservation projects. Sixty-eight groups who responded to the survey spanned the 400 mile-long mountain range, from Lassen County to Kern County. Conservation groups responding consisted of land trusts, watershed groups, resource conservation districts, and grassroots community groups. Projects impacted included restoration of Sierra headwaters that supply quality drinking water to over 65% of California. Other projects were acquiring critical lands to protect water, creating defensible space from fire, monitoring water quality, and restoring important habitat. For those groups impacted, the majority (55%) had over half their annual budget affected. A number of groups were forced to close the doors of their organization completely. Sierra Nevada Alliance’s 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 their 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 very high or extreme fire threat zones. In addition, past work performed under state contracts has still not been reimbursed, although the state 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 the Planning and Conservation League (PCL), John McCaull and Sperry Capital to explore ways to turn bond funded projects back on. Weekly calls kept Sierra groups up to date and kept pressure on Sacramento to reverse their actions. While it was impossible for Sierra conservation groups to make meetings with the Treasurer’s office and legislators, PCL staff was bringing action and information to groups around the State. “We were devastated as an organization to be given no forewarning and then to have to stop all our watershed efforts immediately,” explained Joan Clayburgh, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Thank goodness for PCL staff being our connection to leaders in Sacramento on this issue. They were a ray of light in a really dark time.”
PCL created a weekly e-newsletter to build the coalition and keep groups informed about the status of the bonds.
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
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CanStockPhoto.com
Symposium DVDs Available for MCLE Credit
By: Melanie Schlotterbeck
We’re pleased to announce the release of four DVDs from the PCL and PCL Foundation’s 2009 Annual Environmental Symposium. Those interested in particular sessions can purchase individual DVDs. Attorneys interested in receiving 4.75 MCLE credits can purchase the four pack. The four sessions recorded include the following: Opening and Closing Keynotes Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg gives a thoughtful morning address on the economy and environment. Jakada Imani (Ella Baker Center) delivers an inspiring closing keynote on green jobs and training a new workforce. California Wildfire and CEQA This session addresses a wide array of issues around wildfire, including planning, the Wildland Urban Interface, the California Environmental Quality Act, and changing the way we view our wildlands.
The Brave New Water Economy: Privatization and Public Accountability This session provides an in-depth look at the attempts to privatize water in California with particular focus on the Kern Water Bank and how a failing water system and infrastructure lead to potential privatization by public agencies. Conservation and Land Use Agreements: Tejon Ranch Case Study This session focuses on the 2008 agreement reached between five conservation organizations (including PCL) and the Tejon Ranch Company to permanently preserve 240,000 acres through unique conservation agreements. Visit the PCL Foundation website at: www.PCLFoundation.org/publications to order a copy ($15) or a set of DVDs for MCLE credit ($225).
PCL Hosts Successful Land Use Summit
By: Matt Vander Sluis
On June 8th, the Planning and Conservation League, Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), and the Coalition on Regional Equity (CORE) co-hosted “Mapping Opportunities, Choosing Directions,” a land use summit for the Sacramento metropolitan region. The dynamics for land use advocacy in the Sacramento region have shifted dramatically over the past several years, primarily through new measures to address global warming. In 2006, AB 32 established the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as a central policy objective for the state. In 2007, SB 97 initiated a revision to the environmental review process to address global warming. In 2008, SB 375 modified planning processes to more closely link land use, transportation, and housing decisions to address global warming. Other changes have also left their imprint on the region, specifically new inclusionary zoning ordinances, flood policies, and federal stimulus funds.
The Sacramento summit brought together many of the region’s leading environmental and social justice advocates to examine this new policy landscape, identify opportunities for effective engagement, and establish areas for collective action. We were very fortunate to start the summit with keynote remarks by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. We also heard an update from Mike McGeever of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments on how his agency plans to approach the new regulatory environment. Summit participants were particularly interested in exploring how to effectively participate in the implementation of SB 375 and to link regional plans to local decisions. Others emphasized the need to incorporate social equity concerns more thoroughly when advancing sustainable land use policies. We plan to hold similar summits in other regions of the state soon.
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CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
Innovative Bills Keep Environment and Public Safe
By: Tina Andolina
The Planning and Conservation League (PCL) has sponsored several innovative measures this year that protect California’s environment and promote public health. Here’s a summary of a few of the key bills: Recycled Water Bill (SB 565) authored by Senator Fran Pavley, targets the enormous untapped potential of safe recycled water. SB 565 ensures that California recycles 50% of the water that would otherwise be discharged to the ocean by wastewater facilities by 2030. This would result in the development of roughly two million acre feet of saved water by 2030, making SB 565 the largest water development program in California since the State Water Project of the 1960’s. Water Neutral Development Bill (AB 1408) authored by Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, allows communities to accommodate growth without increased water demand. AB 1408 would encourage the building of highly efficient houses, and further encourage developers to take part in water conservation programs for 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 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This bill will help ensure these toxic and hazardous chemicals are not a threat to our communities, environment, safety and public health. Conservation Project Protection Bill (AB 1364) authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans, gives agencies the ability to amend contracts and grant agreements affected by the bond freeze. It protects the integrity of the projects and also ensures the agreements remain valid contracts in the eyes of the state. This bill is very important for conservation projects that are reliant on bond funding. The four-month long stop work order derailed many projects and forced significant delays in others. Without contract extensions, many organizations could not fulfill the terms of their grant agreement and finish the critical work they are doing. To find a complete listing of environmental bills PCL has supported this year, visit our website at www.PCL.org. Find out the status of the bill, how you can take action and participate in support!
Two New Board Members Join the Ranks
By: Amber Schmaeling
The Planning and Conservation League welcomes two new members to its board of Directors: Miguel Luna and John McCaull. These two new additions to the Board bring forth extensive leadership, as well as environmental expertise and advocacy. Miguel Luna is the Executive Director for Urban Semillas and is a co-founder of “Agua University,” a program that teaches students about California water issues. His experience in protecting the Los Angeles area watersheds and his ability to inspire young leaders in environmental justice are just a few of the many assets he brings to the Board. John McCaull is a former staff member of PCL. His background includes serving as the California State Director at American Farmland Trust and Legislative Director for the National Audubon Society for nearly 10 years. John has expertise on wildlife, habitat issues, as well
as agricultural land use. He now has a private practice that offers a variety of services working on renewable energy, water, and habitat. PCL is excited to welcome both Miguel Luna and John McCaull as they will be invaluable additions to the Board.
Miguel Luna John McCaull
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
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Mandate for More Renewable Power Advanciung in Legislature
By: Matt Vander Sluis
CanStockPhoto.com
This year the California Legislature is advancing two bills to increase the percentage of clean, renewable energy used in the state to at least 33% by 2020. Senators Simitian, Kehoe, Padilla, and Senate President pro 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 both private and publicly owned utilities, though they differ in many other details. Governor Schwarzenegger has been calling for a 33% mandate and the California Air Resources Board included an expectation of such a requirement in the AB 32 Scoping Plan to help reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by
2020. Legislative leaders predicted that they would finalize a bill in the first 90 days of the 2009 session. We’re very excited to see both the Senate and Assembly moving aggressively to pursue the 33% mandate. It’s good news for our environment, public health, and our burgeoning green economy. And, as a new national survey prepared by researchers at Yale and George Mason Universities shows, the country is begging for bold action in the fight against global warming. We also realize that much still needs to occur to ensure that the final policy is strong, effective, and free of loopholes. For example, both bills have included various exemptions that could short-circuit the program and the penalties for non-compliance need to be made strong enough to keep bad actors from misbehaving. The 33% mandate is just one of several policies being considered to expand the use of renewable energy in California. While we cannot predict which of these bills will be signed into law, we do expect it to be an electrifying year for fans of clean energy.
California Bond Freeze is Over for Now
By: Paul Gilligan
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-approved infrastructure projects. The remaining $1.7 billion taxable bonds from the April sale will finance stem-cell research, various housing programs, and high speed rail projects. Since Governor Schwarzenegger issued his stop work order on December 17, 2008, effectively freezing all progress on over 5,000 bond-funded projects, 127 consecutive days passed before this good news came on Earth Day. During this time of inactivity; local, regional, and statewide efforts of organization blossomed throughout the state. These efforts demonstrated how strong the environmental community can be when banned together with one common goal. Many new relationships and coalitions were formed throughout this process. Networks were expanded and communication enhanced. If faced with a similar situation again, what we have learned has prepared us to handle the situation briskly and effectively.
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CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
California Must Do High Speed Rail Right
By: Tina Andolina
With passage of Proposition 1A last November, voters approved spending nearly $10 billion to construct a high speed train that would stretch from Los Angeles to San Francisco and Sacramento. Support for this mega-project in such lean economic times is proof that California is willing to invest in a clean and innovative transportation network to meet future demands. However, since the election, many High Speed Rail (HSR) supporters are becoming disillusioned with the process the HSR Authority is undertaking to plan the route. Constructing such a vast train system will require careful planning and a great deal of outreach to ensure the best, most efficient train is built at the least cost and with the least environmental impact. This is a tough task, but if the Authority fails
in this early planning stage to do it right, the entire system will be doomed to fail. Instead of High Speed 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 about HSR to encourage the State Legislature to provide the needed scrutiny and oversight of the Authority and their work. To start, PCL and 30 local residents attended the Senate budget subcommittee hearing in May as they deliberated funding for the Authority. The goal was to send a strong message that the Authority needs increased oversight and was failing in their efforts to work with local communities. The subcommittee heard our message loud and clear and committed to helping remedy the problems.
A view of four tracks and the catenery system.
PCL is also supporting the recommendations made by the Legislative Analyst’s Office earlier this year that perhaps the time had come to transform the Authority from the small study-based group that was needed prior to the passage of 1A, and create an organization capable of building the system. The High Speed Rail system will be the biggest construction project this state has ever undertaken. We need to get it right from the start.
Public Lands Victory!
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
By: Matt Little, National Wildlife Federation
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 California’s longest cave. Obviously, these new protections didn’t 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.C. made sure that these bills had hearings and moved through Congress without picking up proposals and amendments that would weaken the bill. NWF partnered with PCL to send out action alerts and calls to members in California to ensure bill passage. The House passed the bill 285 to 140! Public lands are a fundamental part of America’s heritage, contribute $730 billion to our economy, and support 6.5 million jobs - or 1 in 20 American jobs. Protecting these last remaining wild areas in California will help ensure that there are places for us and our children to hike, camp, explore, and find peace.
CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation
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From the CAHSR EIR/EIS
PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION
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VISIT US ON THE WEB: www.PCL.org or www.PCLFoundation.org
History Project Lives On
By: Charlotte Hodde
Did You Know?
By: Jasmine Ketchum
Response to last issue’s picture unanimously identified (left to right) former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Bill Yeates (currently a PCL Board member) and Nat Bingham. Richard Spotts responded and relayed how he first got involved 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 that PCL is probably the single most effective environmental presence in the State Capitol and faithful defender of California’s incredible natural beauty and biological diversity. In addition, history has shown that California is a clear leader among the states in advancing positive environmental laws, programs, and innovative technologies. Therefore, even people like me who do not live in California should support PCL, since PCL helps keep California as the environmental trendsetter, and this benefits everyone throughout our nation and the world, as well as the biosphere.” Can you help us identify the PCL’ers and the political action in this archive photo? If so, email your answer to [email protected].
Believe it or not, California is among the top ranked states that use the most water within the U.S. Our water supplies have been affected by a combination of population growth, increased development and climate change. While our everyday use of water is expanding, water resources are rapidly decreasing. Low precipitation and patterns of drought along with continued excess in everyday water use is sending our state and nation into a very dry future. Did you know? • Each person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day.1 • In 2000, California alone accounted for almost 11% of all freshwater used in the United States.1 • Agriculture uses 43% of the state’s water.2 • In 2000, 22% of the nation’s water use for irrigation was in California.1 • In 2000, Sacramento County averaged 260.9 gallons of water per resident per day.3 • Four percent of the world’s ocean waters have not been damaged by human activity.2 With our water supply rapidly declining it’s important that we conserve on both a large and small scale. The latest California Water Plan Update of 2005 (http://water.ca.gov) explains that we need to ensure sustainable water use by taking fundamental actions such as using water efficiently, protecting water quality and supporting environmental activities. To secure water for tomorrow we need to protect and save the water we have today! Sources: 1 www.USGS.gov 2 www.Harpers.org 3 www.SacBee.com
