The Barbed Wire - August 2, 2019

Register for RCRC’s 2019 Annual Meeting in El Dorado County!!!

Have you registered for RCRC’s 2019 Annual Meeting?  This year’s conference will be held September 25-27 at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel in El Dorado County.  This year’s program will feature experts discussing a wide range of topics on critical issues shaping California’s future.  Read More…

RCRC First Vice Chair Presents at 2nd National Drought Forum

On Tuesday, RCRC First Vice Chair Daron McDaniel (Merced) testified before the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2^nd National Drought Forum in Washington, D.C.  Supervisor McDaniel discussed the California drought of 2012-2016 and its lasting impacts on the local ecosystem, agricultural economy, and the state's groundwater aquifers. 

Supervisor McDaniel advocated for a more dynamic approach and focus on environmental and ecosystem management, citing the importance of a coordinated effort amongst all stakeholders.  Supervisor McDaniel’s presentation can be accessed here.

After the NOAA Forum, Supervisor McDaniel and RCRC staff spent the rest of their time on Capitol Hill advocating on behalf of rural California’s water priorities.  RCRC met with the offices of Senator Kamala Harris (D-California) and Representatives TJ Cox (D-Kings), Jim Costa (D-Fresno), and Josh Harder (D-Turlock).  RCRC staff also met with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Washington, D.C. office and Chad Rupe, Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service.  RCRC provided policymakers with a rural county perspective on national issues such as water supply and rural broadband.

Golden State Finance Authority Recognized for $725,000 Grant to Victims of 2018 Camp Fire

On Wednesday, representatives from Butte County and the Town of Paradise announced receipt of a $725,000 grant from RCRC affiliate Golden State Finance Authority to help assist victims of the 2018 Camp Fire at the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce Party-in-the-Park.  The $725,000 grant, comprised of $250,000 allocated to Butte County and $475,000 allocated to the Town of Paradise, will be used to fund incentives to residents whom lost their homes and are rebuilding a comparable or replacement resident within unincorporated communities of Butte County or the Town of Paradise.  Read More...

Wildfire Legislation

This week, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Steve Daines (R-Montana) issued a joint statement announcing their bipartisan effort on a legislative proposal to promote the removal of dead, dying, and hazardous trees on federal forest lands.  

According to the press release, the bill will support “the removal of woody biomass and dead and dying trees, accelerate post-fire restoration and reforestation, and expedite targeted treatments of dangerously dense forested areas where wildfires are most likely to start.”  According to Katie Schoettler, a spokeswoman for Senator Daines, the bill would also address the environmental lawsuits that block or delay logging projects on federal land.  Senators Feinstein and Daines plan to introduce their bill after Congress returns from its August recess in September and committed to work with members on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation.

Highway Bill

This week, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) introduced a transportation bill that would reauthorize critical surface transportation programs and raise federal funding for highway infrastructure by 27 percent.  The bill would reauthorize spending for $287 million from the Highway Trust Fund that would be used for road and bridge maintenance, repair, and construction. 

The bill passed the Senate EPW Committee in a markup later in the week, but must also go through the Senate Finance and Commerce Committees before it receives a vote on the Senate Floor.  The bill includes $4.9 billion in funds over five years for programs that improve infrastructure resiliency to natural disasters such as wild fires and other extreme weather events.  For more information, a summary from the Senate EPW Committee can be accessed here.

BULLETIN BOARD

Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.

Shasta County Seeks County Executive Officer

Live, Work, and Play in Beautiful Shasta County.  Located at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley, nestled between Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen, Shasta County covers over 3,800+ square miles of rivers, lakes, mountains, State Parks, and National Forests. Easily one of the most picturesque counties in all of California, Shasta County, population 180,000, has an economy based on agriculture, tourism, timber, medical services, and retail businesses. Shasta County has a wealth of resources in a business friendly atmosphere promoting thriving industries.

Click here

United Policyholders Hosts Free Roadmap to Recovery Insurance Claims Webinars

United Policyholders will be hosting another free webinar series with insurance expert and UP staff member Sandy Watts.  During the webinar, Sandy will answer questions and address frequently encountered insurance problems, including discussion of recent legislature that may affect claims.

Webinars will be held on two evenings in August on the following dates; each will last for one hour.

• August 6, 2019, 6:00 pm
• August 13, 2019, 6:00 pm

Please click on the date you're interested in to register for the webinar. (You can register for both webinars if you like, but there may be duplicate information.)

THE RURAL RUNDOWN PODCAST

The Rural Rundown discusses the legislative and regulatory issues impacting California’s rural counties, featuring commentary and interviews from individuals committed to improving the quality of life in rural California. 

The Rural Rundown can be accessed here.