The Barbed Wire - November 5, 2021

Board of Forestry Update

This week the Board of Forestry (BOF) readopted the current Fire Safe Regulations that went into effect July 27, 2020 through the emergency rulemaking process. This is the second readoption of the regulations. This readoption makes no changes to the text and merely keeps the current rules in place for an additional seven months. The existing rules are set to expire December 8, 2021. Administrative agencies may only readopt emergency regulations twice, giving the BOF seven months to complete a formal rulemaking to make the current regulations, or a modified version, permanent.

The existing Fire Safe Regulations, established by the first emergency rulemaking in 2020, exempts the construction Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and the specified reconstruction of dwellings lost due to wildfire, from the requirements of the Fire Safe Regulations. 

The BOF has been in the process of making significant changes to the existing Fire Safe Regulations since early 2020, however, the Board has been unable to find consensus on those rules, receiving significant opposition from environmental groups, local governments and developers on the detrimental effects of the proposed changes. The BOF noticed the proposed permanent rules with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on April 23, 2021 and has one year from that date to submit the final rulemaking package to OAL. The current draft of the proposed permanent rulemaking can be found on the BOFs Proposed Rule Packages webpage. During the formal comment period RCRC submitted two comprehensive comment letters outlining the adverse effects of the proposal on member counties. 

At the BOF meeting this week the Board also announced the appointment of the Board’s new Executive Officer, Edith Hannigan. Edith has been the Land Use Planning Program Manager at the Board for the last eight years and the staff lead for the Fire Safe Regulations. The past Executive Officer, Matt Dias, announced his resignation in June of this year and is now the President/CEO for Calforests, an advocacy organization for the forestry industry.  

Please contact Tracy Rhine, RCRC Senior Legislative Affairs Advocate, for further information.

CalRecycle Announces Availability of Grants for Local Edible Food Recovery Programs

On Thursday, CalRecycle announced the availability of nearly $5 million in grants for local governments, nonprofit organizations, solid waste facilities, public schools, and tribes to support new and expanded edible food recovery and food waste prevention projects.

Under new organic waste regulations, local governments must significantly increase edible food recovery and develop food waste prevention and recovery programs.  In this year’s budget, the Legislature appropriated nearly $200 million to CalRecycle to support organic waste and solid waste recovery programs, including $5 million for this grant.

This new competitive grant program will provide $150,000 to $250,000 per grant award for:

• Food Recovery Projects. Projects that result in food that would otherwise be destined for landfills, being recovered and distributed to people. 
• Food Waste Prevention Projects. Projects that prevent food waste from being generated and becoming waste that is normally destined for landfills. Examples include:
  • Modernizing production and handling practices to prevent and reduce food preparation waste
  • Identifying and modifying ordering practices that result in measurable decreases in food waste.
  • Creating and expanding education and outreach programs that result in quantifiable reductions in food waste.

Applications are due December 16, 2021 and awards are anticipated to be announced in February 2022.  Importantly, applicants must have an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing and Practices (EPPP) Policy in place by January 20, 2022.

CalRecycle is expected to announce other competitive grant programs in the very near future, as well as allocations of $60 million to local governments to help implement SB 1383 organic waste regulations.

For more information, click here. Please contact John Kennedy, RCRC Legislative Advocate, with any questions.

Easing Requirements on Farm Vehicles

On Tuesday, Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) introduced the Covered Farm Vehicle Modernization Act, which aims to help farmers by easing requirements to allow them to use personal trucks and vehicles to move products across state lines.  Specifically, the bill expands and modernizes the exemptions for “Covered Farm Vehicles” and removes extra regulatory red tape regarding Department of Transportation registration and fuel tax licensing requirements.

HUD Disaster Funding Allocated

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the allocation of more than $2 billion in Disaster Recovery and Mitigation funds that were appropriated as part of the “Disaster Recovery” funds in the September 30th continuing resolution.  This allocation is being made to 10 states covering 15 separate major disasters that occurred calendar year 2020.  For California, the state is due to receive $231,203,000 for two wildfire disasters that occurred between August and November 2020. 

Infrastructure/Reconciliation Update

On Wednesday, House Democrats filed a revised version of their Build Back Better (BBB) reconciliation bill with the House Rules Committee and are expected to hold a vote on both the BBB and the $1.2 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package sometime on Friday.  House Democrats’ latest version of their nearly $2 trillion BBB budget reconciliation bill would add paid family and medical leave benefits and other programs dropped from the previous iteration, while trimming the duration of some clean energy incentives.

Links to the revised bill text and a section-by-section summary from the House Budget Committee for the BBB:

• Revised bill text from November 3 (Rules Committee Print 117-18)
• Revised section-by-section summary of the bill (from House Budget Committee)
• Comparison of last week’s bill and this version

If the BBB passes, it will then go onto the Senate where Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough and her staff will scrub it to see if it comports with the Byrd Rule, which controls the reconciliation process.  There will be a vote-a-rama with Senate Republicans getting the chance to offer hundreds, maybe thousands of amendments. Then Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will work to get it across the finish line for final passage. And after that, it will return to the House once again for a final round of negotiations between House Democrats.

BULLETIN BOARD

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

 

CPUC To Host 2 Public Meetings on PG&E’s Safety Practices

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has announced two upcoming public workshops concerning PG&E’s safety practices. 

PG&E Enhanced Oversight Enforcement Process, Corrective Action Plan, and Enhanced Vegetation Management Public Workshop
DATE:          Monday, November 8, 2021
TIME:           9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
WHERE:      Remote Access Only

To view the workshop go to http://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
To make public comments or ask questions, dial 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 7218384#.

PG&E Safety Update Public Briefing to CPUC and Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety 
DATE:           Wednesday, November 10, 2021
TIME:            1:00 p.m.
WHERE:        Remote Access Only

To view the workshop, go to http://www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
To make public comments or ask questions, dial 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 1767567#

 

Career Opportunities

• Glenn County Part-Time Employment Opportunity

Glenn County Planning and Community Development Services Agency is looking for part-time help in the Water Resources Division. To see if this is a good fit for you or someone you know, review the job posting here.  Applications are due Friday, November 12, 2021 by 5:00 P.M. For more information, visit the Glenn County Personnel website here.

• Madera County Seeks Division Director of General Services

Madera County invites applications for the position of Division Director of General Services. The Division Director will direct, plan, organize, and coordinate multiple functional areas of the General Services Division of County Administration. The position closes November 16, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. For additional information, see the job bulletin here.

• Tehama County Seeks Chief Administrator

Tehama County is seeking a Chief Administrator who will proactively and energetically serve as a leader in carrying out Board policies, and who will be creative in bringing forth options to solve problems. The position closes November 30, 2021 at 5 p.m. View the recruitment flyer, and for more information click here.

• Yolo Land Trust Seeks Development and Outreach Coordinator

The Yolo Land Trust is recruiting for a Development & Outreach Coordinator to join its small, but mighty team. The position is responsible for the planning, coordination, and operation of the Yolo Land Trust’s development and communication programs; serves as the lead staff for the Land Trust’s community and fundraising events and for the digital communications about the organization; and provides administrative support as needed. For additional information or to apply, view the job announcement here. This position is open until filled.

 

California Air Resources Board Offers Webinars on Regulatory Compliance Training

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is offering a variety of training webinars for regulatory compliance on issues affecting public fleets such as Off-Road Regulations, Truck and Bus Rules, and Diesel Truck Rules. 

The In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation (Off-Road Regulation) requires fleet owners to report to CARB, label their off-road vehicles, and reduce emissions from older equipment.  This course provides detailed information to help fleet owners understand and comply with the Off-Road Regulation: 

Date:        December 9, 2021
Time:        1:00 p.m.
Webinar:   Register

The Compliance Overview: Truck & Bus Rule, Off-Road Regulation, and Portable Equipment course include the following topics:

Truck and Bus Regulation:

• Regulation Applicability
• Engine Model Year Schedule
• Exemptions & Extensions
• How to Report for Regulation Flexibilities
• Broker and Dispatcher Requirements
• DMV Registration

Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP):

• Regulation Applicability
• Program Updates

Advanced Clean Truck (ACT)

• Manufacturers ZEV Sales Requirements
• One-Time Reporting
• Future ZEV Rules

In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation:

• Regulation Applicability
• Requirements Currently in Effect
• Future Compliance Deadlines

Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) & Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM):

• PERP Eligibility
• Program Requirements
• ATCM Program & Updates
• Enforcement & Inspections

Date:        December 16, 2021
Time:        1:00 p.m.
Webinar:   Register

CARB is also offering a new course to provide an overview of several new programs and they associated regulations that will help the state reach carbon neutrality:

Date:        November 9, 2021 (Date change: previously November 11)
Time:        1:00 p.m.
Webinar:   Register

 

GO-Biz Cannabis Equity Grants Available for Eligible Local Jurisdictions

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has announced $35 million is available in FY 2021-22 for eligible cities and counties to promote equity and eliminate barriers to populations and communities that were disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. Local jurisdictions can be awarded up to $75,000 for assistance on cannabis equity program development, or up to $7 million for cannabis equity program applicants and licensees to gain entry to the state’s regulated cannabis marketplace. Grant applications must be received by December 13, 2021 and will be awarded no later than March 15, 2022. For more information on this grant and how to apply, see here. 

 

FEMA Announces Application Period for 2021 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began accepting applications on September 30, 2021 for $1.16 billion in FY 2021 Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants, providing localities the opportunity to receive Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) pre-disaster mitigation grants. These grants recognize the growing hazards of extreme weather events and the need for risk mitigation activities to promote climate adaptation and resilience. The financial assistance through the BRIC program may fund state and local government pre-disaster capability and capacity building activities, mitigation projects, and cover management costs.

FEMA informational webinars can be accessed here, and more information can be viewed here or at www.grants.gov. The FEMA application period closes on January 28, 2022. 

 

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox. 

KEEPING UP

Margaret Mohr, of Cameron Park, has been appointed Deputy Director of Communications at the California Department of Water Resources. Mohr has been Communications Director at VELOZ since 2020. She was Deputy General Manager of Business Development at the California Exposition and State Fair from 2017 to 2020, Chief Marketing Officer at e.Republic from 2010 to 2016 and Vice President of Marketing and Promotion at ABC10, Gannett Broadcasting from 2000 to 2010. Mohr was Director of Marketing and Promotions at KVUE24, Gannett Broadcasting from 1995 to 2000. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $136,560. Mohr is a Democrat.

 

Sydney Tanimoto, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed Chief of Legislative Affairs, Operations at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Tanimoto has been Principal Program Budget Analyst III at the California Department of Finance since 2019, where she has served in several positions since 2016, including Finance Budget Analyst and Staff Finance Budget Analyst. She was Staff Services Analyst at the California Department of Social Services from 2015 to 2016 and a Graduate Student Intern at the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Behavioral Health from 2014 to 2015. Tanimoto earned a Master of Public Policy degree in Social Policy from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $134,508. Tanimoto is a Democrat.