PCL Insider: News from the Capitol

BILLION IN BONDS FOR DUMB DAMS: CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THREATENS WATER BOND INITIATIVE

While the State of California faces a multi-billion dollar deficit, the California Chamber of Commerce has decided to go to the voters with a proposal for a multi-billion dollar taxpayer-subsidized dam building boondoggle.

Yesterday, the Chamber officially submitted four versions of a water bond ballot initiative to the Attorney General, each totaling about $11.7 billion, and each including over $3 billion for construction of dams. If any one of these initiatives is approved, California's taxpayers would be committed to paying over $700 million in tax dollars per year to pay off this new debt.

According to their press release, the Chamber would pursue one of their initiatives if the Legislature fails to produce a water bond in time for the February or June 2008 statewide ballots.

The Legislature has been unable to agree on a water bond, primarily due to conflicting views on the use of taxpayer funds for dam projects. Some legislators have demanded that billions of public dollars be granted to specific dam projects, even though those projects clearly lack public benefit. In particular, these legislators are demanding that the State continuously appropriate billions of dollars for these dam projects, stripping the legislature of any oversight authority. Many others, including Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, have insisted that bond funds should be allocated to the most competitive water supply projects, and that the Legislature should retain the authority to appropriate funding each year, rather than sign a blank check for projects that don't pencil out. Apparently, the pro-dam contingent is concerned that their favorite dam will not fare well against cost-effective water management strategies or public oversight of state funding.

If the Legislature can't resolve its differences, the Chamber would likely gather the required signatures for one of its four proposals in order to qualify it for the November 2008 ballot. At that point, it would be up to the voters to decide whether to dedicate billions of dollars to projects that no one else, not even the potential water recipients, are willing to pay for.

Stay tuned for more!

TO PUBLIC TRUST OR NOT TO PUBLIC TRUST: STATE WATER BOARD ADVANCES DELTA REVIEW

On Tuesday, the State Water Resources Control Board approved an important resolution that could significantly help efforts to restore the Bay Delta Estuary by advancing the Board's review of whether the current use and method of export of Delta water is consistent with the public trust doctrine.

After hearing testimony from a broad array of stakeholders who recommended everything from "drop the resolution" to "why didn't you do this ten years ago?" and board member discussions that lasted well into the evening, the Board voted to approve a slightly edited version of the original resolution that we reported on last week.

PCL applauds the Board for taking a proactive step toward fulfilling their responsibility to balance the ecosystem health of the Delta and the water supply needs of the State. The Delta Debate could use more such leadership. PCL and other environmental groups have committed to work with the Board to ensure the public trust review is advanced.

Keep an eye out for future hearings on these issues. Visit the SWRCB to sign up for official e-mail notices (click the box next to "Bay Delta Notices").

PCL'S FOUNDATION CEQA WORKSHOP SERIES UNDERWAY – SIGN UP TODAY!

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is California's premier environmental law, giving ordinary individuals the power to affect decisions about activities that could degrade public health and damage the environment. Want to know how CEQA can work for your community? You're in luck!

The PCL Foundation is partnering with local groups throughout the state to present our popular CEQA workshops, featuring our updated "Community Guide to CEQA." We'll review the fundamentals of CEQA, identify the key legal obligations of public agencies, and provide helpful tips on how to make sure those obligations are met. Our new workshop also highlights how CEQA can aid local residents in helping to fight global warming and to improve local resiliency to those global warming impacts that are emerging or unavoidable.

Our latest series of workshops began last month in Sacramento to a packed house and rave reviews. We're now scheduling workshops for each month throughout 2008 beginning with the Central Valley and the Central Coast:

Saturday, January 26, 2008 -- Merced -- Register Now!

Saturday, February 9, 2008 -- San Luis Obispo -- Register Now!

For more information, or to request a workshop in your community, please contact René Guerrero at 916-313-4508, or rguerrero@pcl.org.

SENATORS, LT. GOVERNORS, CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICERS, OH MY – WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE PCL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATIVE SYMPOSIUM!

Join us in the Emerald City of Sacramento on January 12th for the PCL Environmental Legislative Symposium and Banquet where you'll get to hear these fabulous keynote speakers!

Lt. Governor John Garamendi, speaking on land use planning, the recent wildfires in California, and the link to global warming.

Gary Patton, PCL's Executive Director, discussing practical solutions to California's water management crisis.

Geof Syphers, Chief Sustainability Officer with Codding Enterprises, on Sonoma Mountain Village, the first North American sustainable development to be included under the prestigious One Planet Communities program.

Senator Darrell Steinberg, who will inspire us during the banquet to protect our natural resources for generations to come.

And don't miss the Symposium's full day of "How To" and environmental policy sessions, including:

"Where the Conflict Occurs: The Built Environment v. Open Space,"
This panel will discuss some of the tools available to maintain the biological health and integrity of our natural lands, while making sure people are taken care of as well. Panelists include: Lynn Sadler (Mountain Lion Foundation), Tom Curry (UC Riverside), and Joe Monaco (Dudek Consulting).

"Creating a Sustainable Delta: A Strategic Vision or Pipe Dream?"
Join one of the state's foremost authorities on the Delta, Phil Isenberg, to learn about the new vision for the Delta – a vision that includes sustainable uses and realistic water exports.

December 12th is the last day to take advantage of our early bird discounted registration rates for PCL's annual Environmental Legislative Symposium.