Bill of the Week: SB 989 (Dahle) – Sierra Nevada Conservancy

RCRC has expressed support for Senate Bill 989, authored by Senator Brian Dahle (D-Lassen). SB 989 would modify areas listed under the definitions of the Sierra Nevada Region and subregions of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC).

Specifically, SB 989 would alter the boundaries of the SNC to read “…and up to the southern boundary of the Pit River watershed where Bear Creek Mountain Road and Dry Creek Road intersect; the southern boundary of the Pit River watershed; the western boundary of the upper Sacramento watershed; on the north by the boundary of the upper Sacramento, McCloud, and Pit River watersheds in the County of Siskiyou.” RCRC believes expanding the boundaries of areas within the SNC would further strengthen ongoing efforts that support improved environmental, economic, and social well-being in the rural Sierra region.

RCRC’s support of this legislation comports with the desire of Siskiyou County and Trinity County. In December, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution in support of legislative efforts to adjust the boundaries of the SNC in this manner. Following the introduction of SB 989, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors also submitted a letter of support noting that the areas, as defined in SB 989, to be included in the SNC are among the areas most significantly prone to high severity wildfires due to ongoing drought, tree mortality, low snowpack, and a century of fire suppression.

Created by bi-partisan legislation and signed into law in 2004, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy provides grants and technical assistance for eligible projects within its boundaries. The projects support forest health, land conservation, resilient Sierra Nevada communities, and vibrant recreation and tourism. Inclusion in the SNC region would provide needed support for Sierra Nevada forests and watersheds, including those impacted by the Carr, Delta, and Hirz Fires of 2018.

The measure was approved by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee last week. RCRC’s letter of support can be accessed here. For more information, please contact Mary-Ann Warmerdam, RCRC Senior Legislative Advocate, at (916) 447-4806 or mwarmerdam@rcrcnet.org.