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

 

Save the Date - June 28: Visit California Hosts Discussion of Next Steps in Tourism Recovery

The Legislature and Governor Newsom are finalizing details for stimulus funding for Visit California’s marketing program in the fiscal year beginning July 1. In keeping with the original bill authored by Sen. Mike McGuire, Visit California has formed a “Calling All Californians” Tourism Task Force that will provide feedback to ensure advertising stays on the air throughout the summer and into next year. The task force’s input will help inform the Marketing Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors as they consider the marketing plan.
 
On June 28, Visit California will host an industrywide conference call “Dreaming On: California Tourism Update” to report details of the board’s actions on marketing plans to accelerate recovery and provide an opportunity to respond to questions. 

When the pandemic emerged last spring, Visit California hosted a call to discuss the crisis and its impact on the tourism industry. More than 1,200 called in. The June 28 call comes at a far more hopeful time. The stimulus marketing plans are critically important, and I encourage all industry partners and their business associates to dial in.

Register today to join the call on June 28 at 2 p.m.
 

State Launches Listening Sessions Seeking Input to Develop Drinking Water Well Principles and Strategies

As part of the April 21, 2021 Executive Drought Proclamation, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, is advancing the development of principles and strategies related to groundwater management and drinking water well impacts. The State is hosting Listening Sessions to gather your input for this effort. All perspectives are welcome and interested parties are encouraged to attend. 

The Executive Proclamation identifies Item #11: 
“To ensure the potential impacts of drought on communities are anticipated and proactively addressed, the Department of Water Resources, in coordination with the Water Board, shall develop groundwater management principles and strategies to monitor, analyze, and minimize impacts to drinking water wells.”

Three identical Listening Sessions will be hosted on:

June 29 Listening Session – Noon to 1:30pm
Webinar Full

June 29 Listening Session – 5:00pm to 6:15pm 
REGISTER HERE

June 30 Listening Session – Noon to 1:30pm
REGISTER HERE

If you are not able to attend a Listening Session and would like to provide input, comments may be sent via email. For more information on this effort, or to provide comments, please contact: sgmps@water.ca.gov. Additional public input opportunities will occur once draft principles and strategies are available for public review. 

 

State Water Resources Control Board Public Meeting on Potential Drought Actions for Shasta River and Scott River Watersheds 

On Thursday, July 1, 2021, State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) staff will hold a public meeting to provide information and solicit input on a potential drought actions a that could be implemented to address water shortage in the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds during the ongoing drought. For additional details, see here.

Date: Thursday, July 1, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Click here to join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 939 2483 1232
Passcode: 571112

 

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 Wednesday, (6-7:30pm) starting August 4, 2021 through September 29, 2021, and in-person Saturday, August 28th in Tuolumne 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.