Statewide Water Bond Hearings Announced
The Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife has scheduled additional informational hearings throughout the State to garner the local perspective on the proposed 2014 Water Bond.
The March hearings will be held as follows:
March 6th: San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chambers (Stockton); 1:00 p.m.
March 14th: Monterey Park City Hall Council Chambers (Monterey Park); time TBD
Detailed information on the proposed Water Bond and the series of statewide hearings can be accessed here.
For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Analyst Nick Konovaloff at 916.447.4806 or nkonovaloff@rcrcnet.org.
Bay Delta Conservation Plan Comment Period Extended
Late last week, lead State and federal agencies extended the public comment period for the Draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) and the Draft Environmental Impact Review/Environmental Impacts Statement (EIR/EIS) by 60 days. The review period now totals 180 days, closing June 13, 2014.
This extension allows the public additional time to review and comment on the public draft documents, which can be accessed here. Comments must be received electronically or postmarked on or before June 13, 2014 to be considered. Detailed submission instructions can be accessed here.
For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at 916.447.4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.
USFS Planning Rule FACA to Meet Next Week in Sacramento
The National Forest Land Management Planning Rule Federal Advisory Committee (FACA) is scheduled to meet at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento March 5 – 7, 2014. The FACA was formed in 2012 to advise the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service on how to best implement the Planning Rule, and is comprised of 21 representatives from industry and user groups; environmental organizations; conservation organizations; recreation interests; members of the scientific community; State, County, or local elected officials (or designee); Tribal representatives; and other public interests.
The FACA will be holding a special afternoon session on Wednesday, March 5 to dialog with USFS Region 5 stakeholders on the forest plan updates in progress in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. RCRC staff will represent its members at the meeting, and members of the public are welcome to attend the entire meeting either in person or by Webinar. Detailed information about the FACA, as well as the agenda and instructions on how to sign up for the Webinar can be accessed here.
For additional information, please contact RCRC Regulatory Affairs Advocate Staci Heaton at 916.447.4806 or sheaton@rcrcnet.org.
Temperance Flat Draft Feasibility Report Released for Public Comment
The Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) has released a Draft Feasibility Report on the Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation that examines the potential to construct a new dam and reservoir on the upper San Joaquin River. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared later this year for formal public review and comment.
The location of the potential site of the dam at Temperance Flat is about 25 miles northeast of Fresno. The dam and reservoir would be 665 feet high with a capacity of 1.33 million acre-feet. Written comments are due before midnight Monday, April 21, 2014. The Bureau press release with additional details can be accessed here.
For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at 916.447.4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.