Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
California Water Commission Public Workshops to Explore Well-Managed Groundwater Trading Programs
The California Water Commission, in support of Water Resilience Portfolio Action 3.6, will hold public workshops to explore ways that the State can support in-basin, locally-led groundwater trading programs that ensure protections for communities, small- and medium-size farms, and the environment. The public is encouraged to share their ideas and concerns on groundwater trading at one or more of these scheduled workshops:
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2021
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Register here
Date: Friday, October 29, 2021
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Register here
View Agenda
For more information, call (916) 873-5774 or email cwc@cwc.ca.gov
The Commission will gather information and test assumptions at the workshops regarding opportunities and concerns around groundwater trading; potential impacts to ecosystems, farms, and communities; and an appropriate state role in groundwater trading. The Commission hopes to hear from diverse participants about how groundwater trading could impact or benefit them.
The Commission will use the information gathered at these workshops to help formulate a policy paper with a set of conclusions around how to shape well-managed groundwater trading programs with appropriate safeguards for vulnerable water users. The Commission’s work will outline next steps the State could take to advance well-managed groundwater trading. The draft paper will be available for public comment before it is finalized in early 2022. For more information on the workshops and the Commission’s work on groundwater trading programs, visit cwc.ca.gov/Programs-and-Topics.
UC ANR Continues Intense Hiring Efforts
UC ANR is continuing intense hiring efforts to meet current and future needs. Thanks to the increased 2021-22 state funding, eight more UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Advisor positions are now released for recruitment. The recruitments are being staged to avoid overwhelming the Human Resources department. To date 28 UCCE positions have been released over the past three months. The full list is posted and kept updated on the 2021 Release of UCCE Positions web page. There is also a table of the overall staged process.
VP Humiston plans to announce additional UCCE positions in mid-November and an additional 70 or so positions in late winter/spring 2022. The new position-proposal development process is underway. People across the ANR network have begun meeting and having conversations about priority proposals to meet current and future needs. More about this process is available on the 2021 Call for Positions web page.
Current UC ANR job listings are available here.
Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Summit Postponed to 2022
The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Policy Summit, previously scheduled for November 3, 2021, has been postponed to early 2022. For the latest information, continue to visit the Cal OES, Mitigation Planning website.
Career Opportunity - 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.
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.
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: October 26, 2021
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
Date: November 9, 2021 (Date change: previously November 11)
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
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.