A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.
GSNR to Revise DEIR to Reflect a Reduced-Scale Forest Resiliency Project
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) released a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for its proposed forest resiliency project for a 90-day public review and comment period, which closed on January 20, 2025. Since that time, GSNR staff have been diligently analyzing the more than 5,500 public comments received.
Based on this input, and current biomass market conditions, on June 25, 2025, the GSNR Board directed staff to develop and analyze a reduced-scale project that focuses on domestic rather than international usage of the sourced wood material and produces wood chips instead of wood pellets. Rather than targeting overseas energy producers, the project would explore emerging domestic demand for wood chips in California and adjacent areas that are forecasted to arise for sustainable energy applications and alternative wood products.
“By supplying biomass domestically to emerging green industries in sustainable fuel production and innovative wood products, GSNR’s reduced-scale project not only increases forest resiliency, but directly supports sustainable biomass use innovation in accordance with state and federal goals,” said GSNR President Patrick Blacklock. “With these revisions, GSNR maintains its ongoing commitment to build wildfire and forest resilience in California and spur economic opportunities in rural communities.”
GSNR is currently revising the previously released DEIR to reflect these project changes and anticipates recirculating the revised report, with an updated evaluation of potential environmental impacts in early 2026. Once completed, the final EIR will then be presented to the Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Board, the lead agency for the project, for final certification.
The full analysis of alternatives considered by the GSNR Board is available in the June Board meeting agenda packet. See full press release here. For further information, contact RCRC Communications Director Carolyn Jhajj.
GSCA Submits Round Two Proposals for the Federal Fund Account Last Mile Program
In response to the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) extension of the Round Two application deadline for the Federal Fund Account (FFA) Last Mile Program —from April 29 to June 2, 2025, GSCA took action to finalize and submit comprehensive broadband infrastructure proposals on behalf of all four eligible member counties: Calaveras, Monterey, Inyo, and Trinity.
Building on its success in securing Round One awards, GSCA worked closely with local stakeholders and technical partners to ensure each application aligned with community needs and CPUC requirements. As the CPUC prepares to announce Round Two awards in August or September 2025, GSCA continues to lay the groundwork for potential project implementation, leveraging its experience, partnerships, and planning efforts to maximize the impact of any forthcoming funding.
For further information, contact RCRC Chief Economic Development Officer Barbara Hayes.