The PCL Insider: News From The Capitol

ROLLING TO VICTORY IN THE NEW YEAR: GOOD NEWS FROM THE CALIFORNIA DELTA

Dreading the return of those Sisyphean environmental struggles after a relaxing winter vacation? Here's some uplifting news about community action in California that's bound to make the push a little easier this morning.

Just nine months after its first public meeting, the new Stockton-based grassroots organization "Restore the Delta" has caught the attention of California Congressional delegates, marking the group's rise as a potent political force.

Shortly before the holidays, Congressman-elect Jerry McNerney and Congressman George Miller met with representatives from Restore the Delta for an in-depth discussion of the future of this 738,000 acre region east of the San Francisco Bay Area.

"We were very pleased that Congressman-elect McNerney agreed to set aside a substantial amount of time during a busy period to hear from the coalition," explains PCL's Jonas Minton. "When Congressman Miller personally asked to join the discussion we were thrilled. It's a very inspiring time for those who care about the Delta."

The lawmakers hailed the formation of the group as a milestone in protection of the Delta, an area known for its divisive politics, in addition to its crashing aquatic ecosystem and aging levees.

"Both Congressman Miller and Congressman-elect McNerney were surprised by the diversity of our coalition which includes Delta farmers, cultural leaders, members of the faith community, hunters and fishermen, recreation enthusiasts, business leaders and environmentalists. They saw the power of a community to put aside its differences and come together to protect its waterway commons," notes Restore the Delta Campaign Coordinator Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla.

During the meeting, Congressman Miller described the California Delta as a "sacrifice area" for other regions of the state and called for a shift from defensive action to an offensive strategy.

That call to action resonates with Restore the Delta members who are currently fighting several uphill battles, including the California Department of Water Resources' SDIP plan to increase harmful water exports and a crumbling, under-funded levee system. Increased exports could drive endangered fish populations into extinction and the failure of Delta levees from an earthquake or storm threatens to permanently flood the freshwater tidal estuary with salty ocean water, impacting the local ecology and economy. 

PCL has played a critical role in the formation of Restore the Delta and continues to provide support and advice to the fledgling organization. Former PCL staff member and Stockton resident Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla became the organization's first paid employee last fall and PCL staff member Matt Vander Sluis serves on the steering committee.

With the Restore the Delta membership growing daily, the future looks bright for the broad-based group and their campaign for a "fishable, drinkable, swimmable, farmable Delta." That's the sort of news that makes it a happy new year indeed!

Read more about Restore the Delta in the Stockton Record.
Visit www.restorethedelta.org

CHECK OUT "NEW PARTNERS FOR SMART GROWTH" CONFERENCE IN LOS ANGELES, FEBRUARY 8-10

PCL members and supporters know that California needs fundamental land use reform. Current development patterns are a major contributor to global warming and generate the air pollution that is causing a public health crisis in the Central Valley. This "dumb growth" is destroying our prime farmlands and best wildlife habitat, too. By curtailing dysfunctional, sprawling development through better land use policies we can cure many of our state's most challenging environmental problems and benefit both public and environmental health.

If you want to find out how to fight back against dumb growth, plan to attend the "New Partners for Smart Growth" conference in Los Angeles from February 8th through 10th. This annual event is presented by the Local Government Commission and proudly co-sponsored by PCL.

The New Partners conference brings together everyone necessary to make Smart Growth a reality in our communities: planners, engineers, developers, financiers, economists, elected officials, community activists, public health experts, fire chiefs, and government regulators - even Smart Growth opponents. And it's one of the few conferences where attendees can be sure that they will pick up new ideas they can really use.

New Partners for Smart Growth
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel
Los Angeles, CA
February 8-10.

Registration deadline: January 26
Fees for late registration
Group and non-profit discounts available

Click here more information on the "New Partners for Smart Growth" conference.

See you there!