march 2010 california today, planning and conservation league newsletter

8/3/2019 March 2010 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter

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CALIFORNIA TODAYCALIFORNIA TODAYNews l e t t e r o f th e Pl ann ing & Conse r va t i on League PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUEPLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATIONMarch 2010 Volume 40, Number 1

San Clemente Dam to Come DownBy: Dr. Monica Hunter

The Signing Ceremon

The State of California recently announced its plansto join with NOAA Fisheries and the California AmericanWater Company (CalAm) to tear down San ClementeDam in a jointly conducted project that is expected to becompleted by 2016. The decision to remove the dam wasthe best solution to remedy the threat posed by theseismically weak structure. It was endorsed through a

Memorandum of Understanding, bringing the keyparties together to conduct a collaborative project thatwill have many important benefits, including:

Permanently removing the public safety risk of theSan Clemente Dam, which is estimated to hold 2.6million cubic yards of sediment, that currentlythreatens 1,500 homes and other buildings in theCarmel Valley in Monterey County;

Aiding in the recovery of threatened CentralCoast steelhead trout, by removing the existingfish ladder and providing unimpaired access toover 25 miles of spawning and rearing habitat;

Restoring the natural sediment regime, reducingchannel incision, and improving habitat forsteelhead trout in the lower river basin;

Reducing beach erosion that now contributes todestabilization of homes, roads, and infrastructure;and,

Re-establishing a healthy connection between thelower Carmel River and the watershed above SanClemente Dam.

The dam was first determined to be seismically win the early 1990s by the Department of WaResources. Since then CalAm has completed thEnvironmental Impact Reports in order to explalternative projects, ultimately leading to the decisionremove the dam structure altogether. The projselected will sequester the sediment in the mainstem

the river and re-route the flow of the river through San Clemente Creek and reconnect with the mainstema 450 channel. This engineered solution has breviewed by key agencies and all agree this promisesmeet important goals to protect public safety as welensure a healthy watershed ecosystem.

PCLF has played an important role in working joinwith the Carmel River Watershed Conservancycomplete a watershed study of the impacts of the dstructure. This PCLF project was funded by the SWater Resources Control Board. The study provistate agencies as well as community members wfurther proof of the long-term problems associated wthe dam and impacts to steelhead due to contindegradation of the lower river watershed. PCLFseeking new grant support to continue our workassure that community stakeholders stay informed involved as the project moves ahead. To learn mabout this effort, contact Dr. Monica Hunter [email protected].

CALIFORNIA TODAY Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation


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Dear Friends,

California AffiliateNational Wildlife Federation

CALIFORNIA TODAY(ISBN 0739-8042)is the quarterly newsletter of the

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUEAND THE PCL FOUNDATION

1107 Ninth Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814

PHONE: 916-444-8726 FAX: 916-448-1789

E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

WEB ADDRESS:http://www.pcl.org

Membership to PCL is $35 a year and includes a

subscription to CALIFORNIA TODAY.

Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA and at

other additional offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes for

CALIFORNIA TODAY to the PCL Office:

1107 Ninth Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814

PCLF BOARD OF TRUSTEESDAVID HIRSCH, Chairman

RALPH B. PERRY III, Vice Chairman

DANIEL S. FROST, Secretary-Treasurer

COKE HALLOWELL, Trustee

GERALD H. MERAL, Trustee

PCL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEBILL CENTER, President

KEVIN JOHNSON, Senior Vice President

LYNN SADLER, Secretary-Treasurer

SAGE SWEETWOOD, President Emeritus

JOHN VAN DE KAMP, President Emeritus

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTSELISABETH BROWN

JAN CHATTEN-BROWN

PHYLLIS FABER

RICK HAWLEY

FRAN LAYTON

DOUG LINNEY

DAVID MOGAVERO

STEPHANIE PINCETL

TERESA VILLEGAS

TERRY WATT

BILL YEATES

ORGANIZATIONAL BOARD MEMBERSBig Sur Land TrustBreathe California, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails

California Association of Local Conservation Corps

California Oak Foundation

California Trout

Greenspace - The Cambria Land Trust

Golden Gate Audubon Society

The Laguna Greenbelt, Inc.

Mono Lake Committee

Mountain Lion Foundation

Sierra Nevada Alliance

Southern California Agricultural Land Foundation

Train Riders Association of California

The Trust for Public Land

PCL/PCL FOUNDATION STAFFTRACI SHEEHAN, Executive Director

TINA ANDOLINA, Legislative Director

EVON CHAMBERS, Water Policy Assistant

CHARLOTTE HODDE, Water Policy Specialist

DR. MONICA HUNTER, Central Coast Water Project Manager

JONAS MINTON, Senior Water Policy AdvisorJONATHAN BERNSTEIN, Administrative Manager

MIGUEL LUNA, Water Policy Consultant

DAVID MAURIER, Water Policy Analyst

AMBER SCHMAELING, Membership & Development Coordinator

MATT VANDER SLUIS, Global Warming Project Manager

MELANIE SCHLOTTERBECK, Grants & Outreach Consultant

California has been a leader in implementing policies that protect puhealth and our vital natural resources. Recently, some of our best environmenprinciples that have made California so attractive have come under attack. Tthreats the League is focusing on this year are the water bond slated for November election, and the potential rollback of the California EnvironmenQuality Act (CEQA).

Last fall, the Legislature passed a package of water bills culminating imassive $11 billion water bond. Unfortunately, this bond would fund mdestructive dams on Californias free flowing rivers and funnel taxpayer doll

to corporate interests looking to capitaon Californias water crisis. That is why League, along with our partners, launched a campaign to defeat this measuWhile this bond is not the right solutsomething needs to be done to improve hwe provide clean drinking water to Californians and protect our critical natu

resources. Therefore, the League has issued a new report titled Eight AffordaWater Solutions for California. The report outlines how we can more effectivuse existing water supplies and it promotes innovative solutions to increwater supply. Read more on page 3 of this issue.

Weve also witnessed massive new attacks on Californias premenvironmental law, CEQA. The Legislature and Governor set the stage for when they exempted a new NFLstadium in the City of Industry fromany environmental review. Now, morebig-money interests are trying to get the

same special treatment. The Governorhas proposed allowing 125 favoredprojects over the next five years to avoidany kind of judicial oversight of theirenvironmental impacts. This means thatfor these projects there will be zero accountability for their environmenhazards and no way for local residents to meaningfully participate in decisions that directly affect their communities. Again, the League is buildincampaign to defeat these proposals. Read more on page 6.

With your continued support to the League and your steadfast commitmto protecting the environment, we can succeed. Learn how you can beco

involved in these efforts by visiting our website at www.PCL.org.

Sincerely,

Traci SheehanExecutive Director

CALIFORNIA TODAY Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation2


3/8CALIFORNIA TODAY Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation

For more than two years, state park advocates havewatched the Sacramento budget process play overtpolitical games with our world-class state park system.In 2008, a then-astonishing proposal to close 48 stateparks was floated, only to be beaten back by park

advocates under California State Parks Foundations(CSPF) Save Our State Parks Campaign - a campaign thatPCL supported. In 2009, the ante was upped when theGovernor proposed to close 220 of our 279 state parks.Instead, employees were furloughed and major servicereduction plans were implemented that have many parksclosed more often than they are open. This year, creativefinancing for state parks comes in the form of a proposaltying the future of state parks to offshore oil drilling offthe Santa Barbara Coast.

Enough is enough. Its clear that the powers that bein Sacramento arent riding to the rescue for state parks.Were taking our case to the people; along with supportfrom PCL and other conservation organizations, CSPF isleading the charge for the State Parks & WildlifeConservation Trust Fund Act, an initiative planned forthe November 2010 ballot. The initiative trulyrepresents that rare win-win: by asking Californians topay $18 once a year on their vehicle license fees,

Californians receive thebenefit of a well-fundedstate park system thatwill not see its doorsshut, and even better,

they will receive freeday-use access to allCalifornia state parksand beaches. With current entrance fees as high as per day for some parks, this is a great deal, indeed! Wspending the winter and early spring hitting the streto collect signatures, generate organizational endorsemeand help lay the foundation for a successful campaign this

If you havent already signed a petition to get initiative on the ballot - do so today! Volunteers are

in virtually every corner of the state collecting vosignatures. Want to do even more? Join our armyvolunteers and collect signatures in your area! Wellcollecting until mid-April, and your help is definitneeded! Has your organization endorsed the initiayet? Whether youre a statewide environmental groregional conservation entity, or even a local service groor club, we need your support!

Learn more at www.YesforStateParks.com.

A Beacon ofHope for State Parks &WildlifeConservatioBy: Traci Verardo-Torres, California State Parks Foundation

Three challenging realities affect decisions about themanagement of Californias water resources: the financialcrisis, the collapse of critical fisheries, and a changing anduncertain hydrology. First, California must resolve a $19.9billion budget deficit this year, a 10% unemployment rate,and state revenues that continue to fall. Second, the risk ofmass extinctions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta hasled to a complete ban on commercial salmon fishing for twoconsecutive years and restrictions on water diversions.Lastly, Californias reduced snowpack and runoff havealready decreased water supplies.

Under these circumstances, water managers arestruggling to accommodate growth and secure reliable waterwithout untenable rate increases. The most pressing waterproblems in California have not been resolved for decades,mired in political inflexibility and parochial conflict.Nonetheless, these uncertain economic and environmentaltimes call for new ideas and innovative solutions. Therefore,the Planning and Conservation League has developed an

affordable eight-point program that moves us closerhealthy fisheries and safe drinking water for existing future residents.The program includes:

1. Spending existing funds first for safe drinkwater and watershed restoration;

2. Developing public health standards for additiosafe uses of recycled water;

3. Adopting and enforcing updated flow and wquality standards for the states major waterways

4. Analyzing the potential of a smaller tunnelconvey some water around the Bay-Delta estuary

5. Implementing water-neutral developments;6. Beginning the conversion of drainage-impa

lands in the San Joaquin Valley to solar generatio7. Creating stable funding for healthy and cl

headwaters; and,8. Advancing a smaller, affordable water bond o

when the economy recovers.Visit www.PCL.orgto read the report in full.

The League

s Affordable Water PlanBy: Charlotte Hodde


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2010 Symposium - Inspiring and InformativeBy: Melanie Schlotterbeck

On January 30th, over 300 business leaders, politicians,activists, attorneys, planners, and students convened inSacramento for the 2010 PCL-PCLF EnvironmentalLegislative Symposium. Senator Alan Lowenthal presented a

riveting opening keynote focused on the CaliforniaEnvironmental Quality Act and the current threats to dismantlethis important environmental protection. Throughout the dayparticipants chose from several policy sessions, How To...workshops, and legal courses, of which, several were standingroom only. Curt Johansen from Triad Communities, LP gave aninspiring closing keynote on his sustainable development inNapa that focuses on three Es: economy, environment, andequity. The awards ceremony was hosted during lunch to honorsix environmental heroes: Assembly Member Pedro Nava, Bill

Yeates, Mother Lode Chapter of the Sierra Club, Debbie Davis,Martha Davis, and Small Business California.Environmental Business of the YearSymposium Highlights

One of our goals is to provide relevant timely information to our participants. In meetthat goal, weve posted all the presentations handouts on our website for the public to viewdownload. Go to the Symposium Proceedingsthe PCL website: www.PCL.org.

Some of the comments we received...

Thank you for Lois Wolk and Alan Lowenthal! Thiyears symposium demonstrated a stronger concern fothe environment.

It was great hearing the high school students talk aboutheir involvement in water conservation.

Great Central Valley Land Use session.

It was great to hear so many different perspectives.

The event was well-run and organized, needed morchairs!

SenatorLowenthalwith

PCLsTinaAndolina,

TraciSheehan,andBillC

enter.

Sponsortablesprovidedinformationtoattendees.

Aaron

Guzman

AhsanAwan

ThemorningcrowdawaitingSenatorLowenthalskeynotepresentation.

A a r o n

G u z m a n

TheGreenJobsP

anelwith(l-r)Raf

ael Aguilera,

ArthurHaubensto

ck,HankRyan,an

dTimRainey.

AaronGuzman

SusanSherryandCarolWithamdoanactivitytoFindCommonGround,whilePhyllisFaberwatches.



GOLD SPONSORS ($5,000+)Kenyon-Yeates LLP

SILVER SPONSORS ($2,500+)Camp Lotus Chatten-Brown & Carstens Metropolitan Water District PG&E Water forCalifornia

BRONZE SPONSORS ($1,000+)Bill Leimbach California Association of LocalConservation Corps Citizens United for Resources andthe Environment DMB Associates East Bay MunicipalUtility District Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. Linda & ByronSher Mogavero Notestine & Associates Phyllis Faber Rossmann and Moore LLP Shute, Mihaly &Weinberger LLP Sonoma County Water Agency SunPower Terry Watt

EMERGING SPONSORS ($500+)

Adams, Broadwell, Joseph & Cardozo Carole & PeterClum Community Conservancy International Conservation Clarity Inland Empire Utilities Agency John Van de Kamp M.R. Wolfe & Associates P.C. Marin Conservation League National WildlifeFederation Tejon Ranch Company

NON-PROFIT SPONSORS ($250+)Breathe California, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails California Interfaith Power & Light California NativePlant Society California StateParks Foundation California Transit Association California WildlifeFoundation/California Oaks Defenders of Wildlife Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch Friends, Artists, and

Neighbors of Elkhorn Slough Friends of Harbors,Beaches & Parks Friends of the Swainsons Hawk Green LA Coalition GreenInfo Network Greenspace - The Cambria Land Trust Los AngelesConservation Corps San Diego River Park FoundationThe Sierra Fund Valley Land Alliance

OTHER SPONSORSAhsan Awan, All Access Image Barefoot Winery California Association of Professional Scientists Clover Valley Foundation Environmental Law Sectionthe California State Bar Senator Pat Wiggins Sierr

Office Supply & Printing Vern Goehring

...your generosity made this event possible.

Thank You to Our Sponsors...

AwardWinnerDe

bbieDavisbroug

htup

studentsfromAg

uaUniversityand

othersto

receivetheaward

forEnvironmen

talJustice

Advocate.

AaronGuzman

DavidMogavero,ScottMcKeown,KenSmokoska,andNevadaCityMayorReinetteSenumdiscussTransitionTowns.

Lunchofferedtimetomingleandmeetnewpeople.E

ric

Hard

ing

CurtJohansenexpl

ainshowtoincorpor

ate

environmentalpolic

iesintoadevelopme

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There was plenty of time to catch up with

friends.

AaronG

uzman


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Be Out There connects familiesto the outdoors to raise healthier kidsand inspire a life-long appreciation ofwildlife and nature.Americas First Indoor Generation

Todays children are the firstgeneration ever to grow up isolatedfrom nature. Outdoor time for kidshas decreased by more than 50%,while the average time spent insideplugged in to electronic media hasstretched to more than six hours perday. Most parents feel it is vital forchildren to spend time outdoors, butadmit that their own children spend

significantly less time outside thanthey themselves did as children.Were only beginning to understandAmericas first indoor generation andthe effects that being plugged inhas on children.

Simple Solution: Be Out There

Media and technology are thenew norm in our lives and the lives ofour children. As a healthy counterbalanceto this growing trend, NationalWildlife Federation is launching BeOut There, a national initiative toraise public awareness about theindoor generation. It providespractical tools for millions of familiesto make outdoor time a part of theirdaily activities. By helping childrenre-discover the wonders of nature,we can set them on the path towardimproved physical, mental, and

emotional well-being.Join the Movement

Be Out There (www.BeOutThere.org)is an innovative public education andpolicy effort to engage Americansacross the country in spending more

time outdoors. National WildFederation is interested in joinfamilies, educators, health practitioncorporate leaders, policy leadcommunity partners, and the mein its campaign. In addition to positive health impacts, NatioWildlife Federation hopes to in

an appreciation and commitmentprotect wildlife for the generationcome.

For more information contCourtney Sullivan at sullivanc@nwf.(206) 285-8707 x108.

Be Out ThereInitiativeBy: Courtney Sullivan, National Wildlife Federation

Under the guise of helping to

plug the current budget hole,Governor Schwarzenegger hasproposed a dangerous new policythat would undermine the ability ofcommunity members to participate indecisions that determine how theirneighborhoods grow. The proposedpolicy would also allow newdevelopments to be built without thebenefit of adequate planning and

accountability. Four identical billsrecently have been introduced toenact the Governors proposal:ABX8 37 (Calderon & Nestande),AB 1805 (Calderon & Nestande),SBX8 42 (Correa & Cogdill), andSB 1010 (Correa & Cogdill).

If these bills are passed, theSecretary of the Business,Transportation, and Housing

Administration could select 25

projects each year for the next fiveyears and grant them judicialimmunity from the CaliforniaEnvironmental Quality Act (CEQA).That means that local communities,cities, and counties would not be ableto ensure that the environmentalreview process, encoded in CEQA, isconducted according to the law forany of the 125 projects.

Eliminating the ability to enforceCalifornias premier public health andenvironmental law could lead to newpolluting power plants and wastefacilities located next to schools andneighborhoods. It would eliminatethe ability of communities to holddevelopers accountable for theimpacts a new project has on air andwater quality, traffic congestion,

noise, and open space. It wouldn

good for small businesses either; process of selecting the 125 projwould likely be very political, wwell-connected developers winnout over smaller competitors.

For the past four decadcommunity involvement in environmental review process improved new developments and quality of life by reducing impact

public health and the environmThe Governors proposal to alnew developments to avoid puscrutiny provided through CEwill close local residents out ofplanning process and erCalifornias legacy of environmenprotection.

Learn more by contacting TAndolina at [email protected].

Public Participation and Smart Planning ThreatenedBy: Tina Andolina



When it comes to protecting the environment, greatthings happen when we work together. Thats why thePlanning and Conservation League is proud to bepartnering with the National Wildlife Federation tosupport the nation-wide Teaming With Wildlife coalition

here in California. Comprised of more than 6,200organizations from all 50 states, Teaming With Wildlifehas been a vocal advocate for securing increased state andfederal funding for wildlife conservation, outdoorrecreation, and conservation education. This partnershipreally works. Since its inception in 1994, the coalition hashelped secure over $485 million for state wildlife agenciesand their partners to conduct critical conservationplanning and carry out high priority wildlifeconservation projects.

Late last year, the coalition scored another important

victory. Our concentrated efforts helped convinceCongress to increase federal funding for the State andTribal Wildlife Grants Program by $15 million over lastyears level, bringing the total funding for 2010 grants to$90 million. We also helped reduce the non-federal

match requirement from 50% to 35%, a change that wsave state fish and wildlife agencies millions in requimatching funds.

The coalition is also working hard to ensure tfederal and state climate policies include investments

safeguard our natural resources from the effects of glowarming. These investments are critical for sevreasons. First, our natural resources are increasinunable to provide essential environmental services clean drinking water, clean air, and healthy soil becausthe damaging effects of global warming. Second, fawith budget cuts and changing environmental conditionatural resource agencies are struggling to provwildlife and their habitats with the protection tdeserve. And third, as a matter of fairness, todgeneration should be addressing the damage t

greenhouse gas emissions are causing rather than passon the problem to its children.

Please join the Teaming With Wildlife coalition help protect our countrys rich natural heritage. Signtoday by contacting PCL or by visiting www.Teaming.c

Teaming With Wildlife -- APartnership that WorksBy: Matt Vander Sluis

In 2006 California enacted the Global WarmingSolutions Act (AB 32), landmark legislation tostrengthen Californias clean energy economy and reducethe greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.As the major provisions of the law are implementedstarting in 2012, our state will experience a majortransformation - transitioning away from our stalled-out,pollution-laden economy toward healthier air, a moresustainable prosperity based on new green jobs, lessdependence on foreign fossil fuel providers, and morevibrant, walkable communities.

That is, however, if we can protect the law from agrowing wave of political attacks. Over the last two yearsseveral state legislators on the political fringe havepromoted legislation to weaken or suspendimplementation of AB 32. We partnered with our alliesin the legislature, the business community, and otherpublic interest organizations to stop this legislation fromgaining traction. As the economic climate worsened,AB 32s opponents increased their rhetoric and expanded

their assault. In early 2010, a handful of individusubmitted ballot measures to suspend AB 32, aimfor the November 2010 election. Rumors have recensurfaced that out-of-state oil companies have stepforward to pay for signature gatherers and fund campapropaganda.

These attacks are particularly troublesobecause they threaten to derail the lone bright starCalifornias otherwise cloudy economic sky - our stagrowing clean technology sector. Want to see ncompanies creating cleaner cars and more transportatoptions? Hoping for new businesses that retrofit buildings to cut our energy bills? If these bameasures are passed, the promise of these new jobs industries evaporate.

Californians needs to expose these efforts for wthey are - a desperate push to keep us wedded to Big while other countries dominate in the new clean eneeconomy. If youre ready to make your voice hecontact PCL to find out what you can do.

Californias Landmark Climate Legislation --Under AttackBy: Matt Vander Sluis


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Forest Stewardship Council certified paper containing50% recycled fiber with 25% post consumer waste,elemental chlorine free and printed with vegetable ink.

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUELANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION

107 9TH STREET, SUITE 360 SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

VISIT US ON THE WEB: www.PCL.org or www.PCLFoundation.org

Even after some thoughtful,and sometimes funny, responses-- neither our readers, nor thePlanning and ConservationLeague or PCLF boards wereable to identify the followingphotographs origin or exacttime. However it seems likely that the picture was takenin the mid 1970s at a loggers rally to protest therequirement for CEQA review for Timber Harvest Plans.

Can you help us identify what is happening in thisphotograph (see below) and approximately when it wastaken? If so, please e-mail your response to:[email protected].

PCL History ProjectBy: Evon Chambers

Coastal and marine scientists, and representatifrom industry, government, and the public are convenin September to identify best approaches to remedslate of issues impacting coastal and marine resourTop issues include: reducing impacts from land-bapollutants and trash transported through urban rural stormwater runoff, and reducing wastewaeffluent discharged directly to coastal streams and ocean.

Californias coastal economy is linked to ocean-dependindustries including recreational activities at Californ400 beaches visited by more than 450 million tourand residents each year.1 Check this out:

Polluted urban and rural runoff is one ofleading causes of poor coastal water qualitythe state.2

Some of the states most popular vacatbeaches issue 72-hour advisories, including beclosures, following a rain storm of 0.2 to propublic health.1

Many coastal counties are burdened with cobeach and creek clean-up, yet marine debriincreasing along the Pacific Coast and in North Pacific Gyre, which is estimated to cont3.5 million tons of plastic debris.3

Join PCLand others in September 7-10 at the Califoand the World Ocean Conference to discuss important issfacing our coastal and marine resources.

1 Natural Resources Defense Council, Testing the Waters 2009: A GuiWater Quality at Vacation Beaches.

2 State Water Resources Control Board, Report on the Federal Clean WatSection 305b, August 2003.

3 West Coast GovernorsAgreement on Ocean Health, September 18, 2006.

California s CoastlinesBy: Dr. Monica Hunter

march 2010 california today, planning and conservation league newsletter

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