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

 

Northern Sacramento Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Project Submittal Form Now Available Online

In May, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) released the Proposition 1, Round 2 Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) to fund Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) projects. View the Proposal Solicitation Package, Guidelines, and additional details on the DWR website here. Up to $1.2 Million is available in the Northern Sacramento Valley Integrated Regional Water Management (NSV IRWM) region and another $1.1 million is available to the Mountain Counties Funding Area portion of the region. The NSV wants to know if your project is ready to receive funding. The application is due February 1, 2023 and projects will be considered for inclusion in the funding application by the NSV TAC in September and by the NSV Board in October. To have a project considered for funding by the NSV, please contact your County representative by September 2, 2022 and provide a brief project description and estimated project budget. Eligible projects are listed in the Guidelines document on pages 11-13. An online version of the NSV IRWM 2022 Project Submittal Form application is now available here.

NSV County Representatives
Christina Buck, Butte County contact
Lisa Hunter, Glenn County contact
Justin Jenson, Tehama County contact
Vacant, Colusa County contact
Guadalupe Rivera, Sutter County contact 
Charleen Beard, Shasta County contact

 

Farm Bill Listening Sessions

CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture), in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, California Natural Resources Agency and Cal EPA (California Environmental Protection Agency), is leading listening sessions with all farm bill stakeholders to inform California’s priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.
 
The 2023 Farm Bill is an opportunity for California farmers and ranchers to influence national agricultural policy to maximize the benefits for all Californians – from farmers and ranchers to consumers.  Although California agriculture traditionally leads the country in production value and sustainable agriculture, we are currently facing a wide range of challenges and your input on farm bill programs and policies is more important than ever.

For more information, farm bill resources, and the option to submit comments online, visit the CDFA website here.

Calendar of Upcoming Listening Sessions
(see flyer here)

Live Only
September 7, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Urban Tilth (North Richmond Farm)
323 Brookside Drive
Richmond, CA 94801

 

Career Opportunities

  • Alpine County has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Alpine County Counsel Services. The county is accepting proposals to retain, by contract, a qualified attorney(s) or law firm for the provision of needed legal services.  View the full RFP here. Closing Date: September 16, 2022 at Noon.

  • Maxwell Irrigation District (MID), located in Colusa County is in search of a General Manager. The position requires oversight of operations as well as coordination of business activities with local, state and federal agencies for their 6,300 acre CVP Settlement Contract district.  Candidates should be capable of supervising and working with both administrative and operational staff, both in the office and in the field. The Manager reports to, and takes direction from, the MID Board of Directors.  A Bachelor’s degree in agriculture business management, business administration, irrigation engineering or other related majors is preferred, but experience in lieu of the full educational requirement will be considered.  Base salary will range from $70k and up, dependent upon education and experience.  Those interested in the full job listing and a packet of District information should email a request to kathleen@maxwellirrigationdistrict.com or call 530-438-2773.

  • Yolo County is seeking a Chief Budget Official. Applications must be submitted no later than September 12, 2022. For additional information and a detailed job announcement, see here.

 

Upcoming Preparation and Scoping Meetings for the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Partnership Master Plan Program Environmental Impact Report

The Central Valley Flood Protection Board is holding public meetings to receive comments on the scope and content of the Master Plan PEIR. These meetings are intended to help inform responsible and trustee agencies, landowners, Native American Tribes, other interested parties, and state, federal, and local agencies about the YBCS Master Plan PEIR. The Central Valley Flood Protection Board is seeking input on additional topics or impacts that should be analyzed in the PEIR, and alternatives that might reduce environmental impacts. The agenda is available here.

Online Meeting
Date: August 31, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM    
Join via Webex:  https://cadwr.webex.com/meet/CVFPB  
Or join via phone at: 1-844-517-1271 (access code: 1328038250).

In-Person Meeting
Date: August 31, 2022
Time: 6:00 PM
West Sacramento Community Center    
1075 West Capitol Avenue  
West Sacramento, CA 95691 

 

Reminder: Counties Must File Secure Rural Schools Election Allocation Paperwork by September 30th

As a reminder, counties must file Secure Rural Schools (SRS) election allocation paperwork by September 30, even if the intent is to keep the percentages as they are. Counties that do not file SRS election allocation paperwork by the deadline will go to the default allocations as laid out under the statute. For more information on SRS election allocations, the USDA training slideshow and webinar recording are available here. 

 

DWR Multi-Lingual Dry Well Public Outreach Material Templates for Counties, Local Agencies to be ‘Well Prepared’

On June 6, 2022, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released two dry well tools to help Californians be Well Prepared for the continuing drought conditions. Counties, local water agencies, groundwater sustainability agencies, and well owners should use these tools for drought-related decision-making and local emergency response (for more information, please see resources below). To support counties and local agencies with their outreach and communication with well owners regarding dry well emergency assistance, DWR has developed public outreach material templates that are available for download, local customization, and immediate use.

  • The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley has developed outreach materials for the following ten counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Los Angeles Counties.

These materials can also be found by clicking the Resources button on DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System website, under the Public Outreach Materials section. Please contact sgmps@water.ca.gov with any questions. To find more information about the State’s Drought Response and Assistance, please visit drought.ca.gov.

 

Upcoming Workshop on County Drought Plan for Domestic Wells and State Small Water Systems (SB 552), Guidebook Development

On August 31st, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is hosting the second of four virtual workshops to inform and solicit input from stakeholders on the development of a guidebook to support the preparation of County Drought Plans which focus on state small water systems and domestic wells as required under SB 552. During this webinar, DWR will review portions of the draft guidebook covering key content related to:

(1) Establishing a county drought and water shortage task force
(2) Conducting a drought risk assessment
(3) Plan development for emergency and interim drinking water solutions

The webinar is intended for County Office of Emergency Services, County Environmental Health Programs, County Planners, other county programs and other interested parties. 

Date: August 31, 2022
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Register Here

Additional information, is available on the DWR website here.
 

Institute for Local Government Launches New Digital Planning Commissioner Handbook & Regional Trainings

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) recently released an updated version of their Planning Commissioners Handbook. This handbook is designed to support planning commissioners, their staff, and other officials interested in land use and planning; to help local officials understand the planning process; and provide a glimpse of some potential planning challenges commissioners may experience during their terms. The handbook describes the major terms, plans, and policies that make up the framework of local planning, as well as typical stakeholders in the process and the basics of reviewing applications for development.

In conjunction with this release, ILG is hosting regional training sessions for planning commissioners. These interactive sessions will take place in person at various locations throughout the state and will cover topics such as the role of a planning commission, how to work effectively with staff and the governing board, effective community engagement, CEQA basics, required planning documents, and local and regional planning challenges and opportunities. Each session will give participants the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and fellow planning commissioners to hear best practices, emerging trends, and lessons learned. All sessions are FREE but space is limited and registration is required. Find a full schedule and register here.

Los Angeles County, September 12, 2022 – TRAINING AT CAPACITY

 

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.