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

 

State Air Board Launches Smoke Spotter App

On Wednesday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) launched the Smoke Spotter app, a new, first-of-its-kind application to help California residents know when a prescribed fire is happening in their area so that they can prepare for the associated smoke impacts. The app provides information to help educate the public on prescribed fire, its positive impacts on forest resilience and how to prepare for the related smoke, including:

  • Location, size, and burn status;

  • 24-hour statewide smoke forecasts;

  • Personalized alerts that notify users when a prescribed fire will be burning nearby (notifications can be set for multiple locations);

  • Current Air Quality Index (AQI) data to help users make health-based decisions; and,

  • Additional information on prescribed fire, its benefits, and how users can protect themselves from smoke.

The app is part of the state’s overall strategy to improve the health and resilience of California’s forests and wildlands, and will be integrated with the work of the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force to encourage increased use of prescribed fire to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The app is available for download in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. For more information, see CARB’s announcement here.

 

California Opportunity Zone Site Updates

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) released a comprehensive update to the California Opportunity Zone site.  The new site features a multitude of funding opportunities, resources, best practices, and tools to support economic and business development in economically-distressed communities. For a list of site updates, see here.

 

CSAC and RCRC Redistricting Webinar Series Now Available for Viewing

This spring, CSAC and RCRC teamed up to bring you a 2021 Redistricting Webinar Series, breaking down all you need to know about redistricting for your county.Participants received insights beneficial for developing an effective timeline, gathering public input, methods of line drawing, understanding the legal requirements, and so much more. View the recorded presentations and download the slides here.

 

Alpine County Seeks Assistant Auditor-Controller

The County of Alpine is seeking an Assistant Auditor-Controller.  The position is open until filled. To apply or for additional information, visit the Alpine County website here.

 

Forest Stewardship Workshop

The University of California Cooperative Extension is offering training opportunities to help landowners develop sustainable plans to improve and protect their forest lands.

  • Online every Tuesday, (6-7:30pm) starting June 1, 2021 through July 27, 2021, and in-person, Saturday, June 26th in Sonoma County

For more information, see here.

 

State Water Board Awarding O&M Grants To Disadvantaged Public Drinking Water Systems

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is soliciting letters of interest from public agencies, public water systems or nonprofit organizations to award a total of $27.5 million from uncommitted Proposition 68 funds for disadvantaged communities (DACs) treatment of contaminated groundwater. Specifically, operations and maintenance (O&M) costs are eligible for DAC water systems over a period of three to five years, including (but not limited to) permitting, monitoring and reporting, chemicals, and/or plant operator labor. Letters of interest are due to the SWRCB’s Division of Financial Assistance by July 12, 2021. For more information, see here.

 

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.