Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
Webinar on Community Economic Resilience Fund, Hosted by RCRC
RCRC will host an informational webinar on the Community Economic Resilience Fund featuring Labor and Workforce Development Agency Undersecretary, Stewart Knox, and Mary Collins, from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The webinar will be held on Thursday, January 13th via Zoom from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information, contact RCRC Deputy Economic Development Officer, Bob Burris.
Join webinar
Webinar - Establishing a County "Ag Pass" or Livestock Pass" Program
On Thursday, January 20th, join this virtual workshop detailing how county officials can establish a county “Ag Pass” or “Livestock Pass” program.
The workshop is sponsored by University of California Cooperative Extension with support from groups that have previously implemented successful Ag/Livestock Pass programs. The workshop will:
- address details of how to set up a functioning program;
- discuss common challenges
- describe considerations for harmonizing existing programs with AB 1103; and
- provide case studies of successful efforts across California.
For more information, see the workshop flyer here.
Date: Thursday, January 20, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Click to Register
County Capitol Displays Must Be Removed by January 14, 2022
The Department of General Services (DGS) is giving counties until January 14, 2022 to remove the contents of the county display windows in the Capitol before the Annex is demolished. Please coordinate removal of your items by reaching out to Theresa Smith at DGS.
Career Opportunities
- NCTC Seeks Deputy Executive Director - Nevada County Transportation Commission (NCTC) is seeking a Deputy Executive Director. Applications must be submitted to nctc@nccn.net by 4:00 p.m. on January 21, 2022. For additional details, see here.
- UC Cooperative Extension Broadband Seeks Broadband Deployment/Utilization Advisor (2 positions) - UC Cooperative Extension is hiring for two Broadband Deployment/Utilization Advisor positions. The Broadband Deployment/Utilization Advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program around the intersection of rural broadband access and utilization and associated economic and community development opportunities.
- Location: Butte County See here for details.
- Location: Bishop, Inyo County See here for details.
To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by February 18, 2022 – (open until filled)
CDFA Accepting Concept Proposals for 2022 Fertilizer Research and Education Program Grant Cycle
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is now accepting concept proposals for the 2022 grant cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds research that advances fertilization practices and minimizes environmental impacts of fertilizing materials.
Applicants are invited to submit two-page concept proposals to FREP by Friday, January 28, 2022. Concepts submitted should be aligned with at least one of the identified priority research areas. For details, see the CDFA Grant Program webpage here. For more information, please send email inquiries to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov.
Broadband Funding Resource Guide Now Available for Golden State Connect Authority
An overview of various federal and state funding programs for broadband is now available on the Golden State Connect Authority website under the “Resources” section and will be updated periodically.
2022 Dates for California Air Resources Board 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 New Programs and Regulations course covers the requirements of existing regulations and then CARB's new regulatory programs that will eventually be in effect. The goals for this class are to cover the proposed program elements and elicit participation in the regulatory process.
Date: February 3, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
Date: March 31, 2022
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: January 27, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
Date: March 17, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
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: February 17, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
CAL FIRE Accepting Applications for Fire Prevention Grant Programs
CAL FIRE is currently accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Fire Prevention Grant Program. The program provides funding for fuel reduction, wildfire planning, and public education. For more information, visit the Fire Prevention Grants Program webpage or view the procedural guide, available here. Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on February 9, 2022.
Caltrans Clean California Grant Program Now Open
The Newsom Administration has announced nearly $300 million in Clean California grants are now available. California cities, counties, transit agencies, tribal governments, and other governmental entities are encouraged to submit proposals of up to $5 million to beautify their communities and address trash and debris. Caltrans will award approximately 200 grants to create hundreds of sustainable, green beautification and litter abatement projects statewide. The department will match local investments and address the needs of more severely underserved communities.The grant application period closes February 1, 2022, and Caltrans will announce the grant recipients on March 1, 2022. Award recipients must complete their project by June 30, 2024. Program guidelines and application documents are available here.
Coastal Conservancy Announces RFP Wildfire Resilience Projects
The Coastal Conservancy is pleased to announce its Wildfire Resilience Program Request for Proposals. The Wildfire Resilience Program supports local partners to develop and implement projects that improve ecological health of natural lands and reduce the risk of catastrophic fire. The program will fund grants for on-the-ground activities to restore the health and increase resilience of California forests, grasslands, and natural lands to wildfire; and planning and capacity building to increase wildfire resilience in California for projects in coastal and bay area counties. The Conservancy's Wildfire Resilience Program recently hosted a webinar to provide an overview of this funding proposal and answer questions. The recorded webinar will be made available on the Wildfire Resilience Program webpage.
Pre-proposals are due by 5pm on January 14, 2022 for project approved by May 2022. Prospective applicants are encouraged to request a pre-application consultation with Conservancy staff. Submit pre-proposals, request pre-application consultation, or ask application questions by emailing wildfire.resilience@scc.ca.gov. For additional details or to view the full RFP, visit the Coastal Conservancy website here.
CDFA Accepting Applications for Water Efficiency Technical Assistance Program
CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) is accepting applications for a new competitive grant program, the Water Efficiency Technical Assistance program (WETA).
The Budget Act of 2021 allocated $5 million to support technical assistance for water efficiency and nutrient management for California farmers and ranchers. Resource conservation districts, non-profit organizations, University of California, California State University campuses, California community colleges, and California and federally-recognized tribes are eligible to receive funding to provide technical assistance. Supported activities include one-on-one assistance, on-site pump and irrigation system evaluations, and training in irrigation efficiency and nutrient management.
Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in on-farm irrigation water and energy use efficiency standards as well as on-farm nutrient management. Lead applicants are encouraged to partner with groundwater sustainability agencies, irrigation districts, and/or water quality coalitions to address local concerns and utilize existing outreach networks.
Visit the CDFA OEFI technical assistance website to review the application materials. Applications will be accepted through January 19, 2022 by 5 PM, Pacific Time. Late applications will not be accepted.