september 2011 california today, planning and conservation league newsletter

8/3/2019 September 2011 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter

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High Speed Rail on the Right Track?By: Jena Price

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 FOUNDATION

September 2011 Volume 41, Number 3

The Legislative session is over for the 2011 year, andCalifornias largest infrastructure project in its history stilldoesnt have someone at the helm. A topic of discussionfor years, the debate around high speed rail (HSR) has beenheating up for months. The fate of high speed rail nowseems to rest with Governor Jerry Brown, whose actions

suggest he plans to take a leadership role on the project.Once considered the way of the future for Californiamass transportation, HSR has proven to be nothing if notchallenging. Since Prop. 1A passed in 2008, allocating$9.95B in bonds for a bullet train carrying passengers fromSan Francisco to Los Angeles, problems with the projecthave mounted, from an ever increasing price tag anddisagreements over track alignments to questions aboutthe HSR Authoritys governance.

The Planning and Conservation League is a leadingvoice advocating for high speed rail to be done right. PCL

was a strong supporter of Senator Alan LowenthalsSB 517, which would have taken a first-step towardsproviding much-needed governance and accountabilitythat has been lacking from the High Speed Rail Authorityto date. This bill, along with similar legislation authoredby Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, were turned intotwo year bills in the Legislature. This delay likely came atthe request of the Governor, which leads us to believe thatthe Administration has its own plans for addressingoversight of the HSR project.

In addition to our focus on project governance, PCLalso advocating for:

routing that will maximize ridership whileminimizing impacts to the environment, farmlanand local communities;

a financing plan that is realistic and makes sense

the people of California, and a fully transparent process that allows formeaningful public involvement in the project.

PCL will be working with impacted communitiesreviewing the recently released Draft Environmental ImpReport for the proposed first segments of the project inCentral Valley. PCL has also been engaged in discussiwith representatives from the Authority to try to address problems that have plagued the agency thus far, includingfailure to produce a sound business plan or ridership stuand its contentious track alignment choices.

While not explicitly stating his intention to drive HSR engine, Governor Brown has taken several stsuggesting that is the case. Notably, at a recent speech dura visit to Fresno to discuss job creation, Brown remarkedwould like to be part of the group that gets America to thbig again regarding high speed rail. We may have to wuntil next years legislative session until we know Governors intentions surrounding high speed rail, and Plooks forward to working with his Administration to msure high speed rail is done right for California.

CALIFORNIA TODAY Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation

Rail alignments may cut through Central Valley farm


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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 901, Sacramento, CA 95814

PHONE: 916-822-5631 FAX: 916-822-5650

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 901, Sacramento, CA 95814

PCLF BOARD OF TRUSTEESDAVID HIRSCH, Chairman

RALPH B. PERRY III, Vice Chairman

DANIEL S. FROST, Secretary-Treasurer

COKE HALLOWELL, Trustee

GARY PATTON, Trustee

PCL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEBILL CENTER, President

KEVIN JOHNSON, Senior Vice President

DAVID MOGAVERO, 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

TERESA VILLEGAS

TERRY WATT

BILL YEATES

ORGANIZATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

Big Sur Land TrustBreathe California, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails

California Association of Local Conservation Corps

California Wildlife Foundation / California Oaks

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 STAFFAND CONSULTANTSBRUCE REZNIK, Executive Director

JONATHAN BERNSTEIN, Administrative Manager

EVON CHAMBERS, Water Policy Assistant

DR. MONICA HUNTER, Central Coast Water Project Manager

JONAS MINTON, Senior Water Policy Advisor

JENA PRICE, Global Warming Program CoordinatorMELANIE SCHLOTTERBECK, Grants & Outreach Consultant

DANA SHOKES, Database Coordinator

It has been five months since I took over the reigns of the Planning Conservation League and PCL Foundation. I have learned a lot in that tiespecially after having survived my first legislative session.

Thanks to all of you, weremain at the center of debate

in the Capitol surrounding theenvironmental issues facingCalifornia. PCL and PCLFhave been sought out bynon-profits, elected and agencyofficials, and communityleaders for our expertise onwater, land use, and CEQAissues. There is a great teamassembled here, and I have been heartened by the widespread community suppthat allows us to continue being a leader on key environmental issues fac

California.That said, there remains much room for improvement and much of my there has been spent working with the staff and board to strengthen foundation for PCL and PCLF: undertaking a comprehensive strategic planneffort; forging relationships that will position the League and Foundation as go-to group in Sacramento on Californias most critical environmental issuand putting in place the operational and governance systems needed to runeffective organization. While not the most exciting part of my job, these stare essential for PCL and PCLF to thrive over the long haul.

We are also refocusing on the policy work that makes the League Foundation so essential for California. We continue fighting to protect

publics right to engage in community planning through CEQA; advocating foHigh Speed Rail project that will put Californians to work while protecting environment and local communities; and promoting locally-based water, luse, and energy policies that are sustainable environmentally and economical

It is an exciting time for PCL and PCLF, and we look forward to being at center of a statewide dialogue on how we can make California stronger healthier than ever!

Sincerely,

Bruce ReznikExecutive Director

CALIFORNIA TODAY Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation2


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Controversial CEQA Reforms Approved by LegislatureBy: Evon Chambers

Fast Facts1970The year then Governor Ronald

Reagan signed into law the CaliforEnvironmental Quality Act (CEQA)

30,000-34,000The number negative declarations,the most minimal environmental

review required by CEQA, produceby city and county lead agencies

statewide in 1990.

1600-1800The number of full EnvironmentalImpact Reports prepared over thatsame time period.

1 of 354The number of those 30,000+

projects that underwent any type oenvironmental review that wereactually taken to court.

7 & 1The number of days before the endsession that SB 292 and AB 900were, respectively, introduced as

CEQA streamlining bills.

1The number of websites the PCL

Foundation maintains celebratingCEQA (http://calheroes.com).

Source:An April 2005 report from the independent PublPolicy Institute of California that compiled the mcomplete data set of projects and reviewed forrelevant statistics.

The Planning and ConservationLeague, together with Sierra ClubCalifornia, Coalition for Clean Air,Clean Water Action, and a host ofenvironmental, environmental

justice, and community groupsfrom throughout California, triedunsuccessfully to stave off threebills that will weaken protectionsof the California EnvironmentalQuality Act (CEQA).

SB 226, SB 292, and AB 900, alleither introduced or dramaticallyamended in the last 36 hours of thelegislative session, passed theLegislature on its final day ofsession. SB 226 will exempt fromCEQA certain green, urban projectswith inadequate definitions forurban and green. PCL fears thebill could allow sprawl or otherimpactful projects without adequateenvironmental review. AB 900streamlines CEQAs judicial reviewrequirements, potentially limitingthe publics voice in challenging

projects. And SB 292 providesspecial treatment under the law foran influential developer (AEG)seeking to build a downtown LosAngeles football stadium.

California must take necessarysteps to promote green projects inCalifornia, putting people back towork, and transforming the Stateinto a leader in sustainabledevelopment. But these 11th-hour

efforts, while well-intentioned, wereill-conceived. They attack importantprotections of CEQA that havegiven communities a voice in thedevelopment process for more thanfour decades. Job creation waspivotal in these efforts, but it remainsunclear as to whether these measureswere needed to, or will in fact, createmore jobs for Californians.

Moreover, the measures werehastily crafted and not well thought-out; a point made by Senator SamBlakeslee (R-15th District) beforevoting against AB 900. Thatlegislations shortcomings were

acknowledged by Senate PresidentPro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-6thDistrict) who agreed that clean-uplegislation will be introduced nextyear to address its flaws. In additionto denying legislators with final billlanguage before they voted, therushed process also deprived thepublic from having meaningful input.

PCL would like to thank themany organizations and individuals

who stood strong against thisprocess, and the legislators, likeSenator Noreen Evans (D-2ndDistrict) and Assemblymember

Jared Huffman (D-6th District)who spoke up for good governanceand for environmental andcommunity protection.

PCL will continue to work withits partners, the Legislature, andlocal communities to ensure thatprojects developed pursuant to thesenewly legislated and streamlinedprocesses will protect ourenvironment and public welfare. Wewill continue to advocate for CEQAto remain a strong environmental billof rightsfor all Californians.


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The landmark California Global Warming SolutionsAct of 2006 (AB 32) positions California as a globalleader in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissionswithin the most environmentally derogating sectors. Inaddition to emission reductions, AB 32s language

addresses the importance of protecting the mostdisadvantaged populations, but makes no reference toparticular programs and or funding mechanisms to reachthose goals. Senate Bill 535 helps fulfill the commitmentsmade by our state in AB 32 to create a path towards aclean energy future for all of California, including ourmost disadvantaged communities.

Currently, the California Air Resources Board(CARB) is authorized to collect revenues from regulatedGHG emitters through a market-based mechanism. Asdirected by AB 32, revenues collected would be depositedinto the Air Pollution Control Fund. The monies in thefund are available to the Board for the purposes ofcarrying out its duties. SB 535 will require a minimum of10% of those revenues to be directed towards the mostenvironmentally and economically disadvantagedcommunities to fund projects that mitigate direct health,or environmental, impacts of climate change. AB 32already recognizes the disproportionate impacts climatechange will have, such as higher rates of respiratoryillness, hospitalizations, and premature death, on

disadvantaged and low-income communities inCalifornia. SB 535 ensures that California takes steps toaddress climate change while also investing in theneighborhoods that continue to suffer from higher levelsof pollution and who are least able to confront theexpected impacts of the climate change crisis. SB 535 isnow a two year bill.

SB 535 is a win-win for California! It will reducegreenhouse gas emissions, help disadvantagedneighborhoods, and create green collar jobs. I amworking with our supporters in what has been a multi-

year effort to protect our most vulnerable communities.These supporters include: the Planning and ConservationLeague, Coalition for Clean Air, Ella Baker Center,National Association for the Advancement of ColoredPeople, Greenlining Institute, California EnvironmentalJustice Alliance, and the Natural Resources DefenseCouncil.

____________________

Senator Kevin de Len represents the22nd District including all or parts of theCity of Los Angeles, Alhambra, East Los

Angeles, Florence-Graham, Maywood, SanMarino, South Pasadena, Vernon, andWalnut Park. He is the Senate DemocraticCaucus Chair and is a member of the

following committees: Elections andConstitutional Amendments; Energy, Utilities Communications; Governmental Organization; Health; Rand the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.

Reducing Emmissions While Improving LivesBy: Senator Kevin de Len

Quick Update on SB 375The Sustainable Communities Planning Act was

passed in 2008 to link land use, transportation, andhousing. Each regions Metropolitan PlanningOrganization (MPO) is required to write a SustainabCommunities Strategy (SCS) to demonstrate how itwill reduce vehicle miles traveled and therefore itsgreenhouse gas emissions. So far, San Diego is theonly MPO to submit a draft SCS. Feedback to the SDiego plan has been negative, with critics noting theSCS is highway-oriented and would actually increasper capita GHG emissions after 2020.

Orange County and the Gateway Cities, bothsub-regions of the Southern California Associationof Governments (SCAG) have submitted their sub-regional SCS to be folded into SCAGs regional plan

The various MPOs around state will be workingcomplete their documents in the coming months. PCencourages you to get involved by participating in thpreparation of the document in your region to ensubetter communities for all Californians.



Join the Planning and Conservation League (PCL)and PCL Foundation for their annual environmentallegislative symposium on Saturday, January 28, 2012 atthe Sacramento Convention Center.

The event features legislators, agency officials, andexperts discussing the leading environmental issuesfacing California, such as: whats next for SB 375;community-based water and energy solutions; whetherthe states High Speed Rail project is on the right track;the threat and reality of regulatory reform; and how tobuild non-traditional partnerships and be effectiveadvocates in the Capitol, to name a few.

This years event theme is Think Small: Local Solutionsto Protect our Environment, Strengthen our Communities, and

Rebuild our Economy. While we often focus on bigsolutions--peripheral canals, industrial scale renewablesor regional desalination facilities--to solve Californiasproblems, much can, should, and must be done at the locallevel. That is why this year we are encouraging everyoneto THINK small, focusing on how community-basedapproaches can create good jobs, thriving communities,and ensure a healthy environment that all Californianscan enjoy.

Save the Date - Saturday, January 28, 2012By: Melanie Schlotterbeck

Sponsorship Opportunities

The League and Foundation recently launched 2012 Symposium Sponsorship drive. This is ychance to showcase your organization or business wlike-minded participants. This well-attended evprovides sponsors with many benefits and opportunifor success. We have incorporated additional beneand will be highlighting our sponsors via social menetworks.

Times are tough and we understand that budgetmay be difficult. We now allow for monthly installmeif that makes sponsoring easier. To set up installment plan as a sponsor of the 2012 Symposicontact Melanie Schlotterbeck at 714-779-7561 oremail at: [email protected].

Learn more about the sponsor levels and benefitsour website (www.PCL.org).

Registration

Registration is now open. Your Symposiumregistration fee covers the continental breakfast, lunch,refreshments, and all Symposium materials.

Fee Schedule Bought BoughtTicket Type Before 12/1 After 12/1Member $110 $140Government $120 $150General $150 $180CLE $250 $280Student $50 $65

Those purchasing a government, general, student orCLE conference pass will receive a complimentary PCLmembership. Please know that registering for this eventas a member does NOT include a membership renewal.

If your membership is current with PCL, yourmember discount code will be printed near the mailinglabel of this and the December issue of California Today.Note: Our early bird registration will end December 1st (onemonth earlier than previous years).

Symposium Snapshot

Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012Venue: Sacramento Convention CenterTime: 8:15 - 9 AM Check-in

9 - 5 PM SymposiumRoom Block: The Citizen Hotel $104 per night

Reservations must be made by January


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After months of attempted compromise and areturned budget proposal, Democrats used the newpower of simple majority vote to pass a state budget withno Republicans voting in favor of the measures. Thebudget, which was signed by Governor Brown June 30th,

closed the states $26.6 billion deficit. Before signinghowever, the Governor used his powers to line-item vetonearly $23.8 million more towards transportation andeducation programs.

The spending cap, pension reforms, and regulatchanges the GOP were seeking, were nowhere tofound in this budget plan. And while it doesnt inclany new taxes, there is $450 million to be cut frunspecified areas in health care. The current budget re

heavily on $4 billion in new revenues which, should it happen in the coming months, will almost certainly rein further cuts to universities, public schools, and heaand human service programs.

During his campaign, Governor Brown promised to increase or extend taxes without a vote of the peoGetting that initiative on the ballot would have requitwo more Republican votes in each house--somethinghad been working hard on for six months to attain butshort. In an effort to increase revenue, Brown origin

held hope that he could extend temporary increasessales and income taxes for the next five years. With last of those tax increases expired, Democrats must ndecide what tax increases can be allowed givenpopulation that is less than excited about extensions.

Democratic Budget Gets Signed and PassedBy: Jena Price

If you have a passion for California politics andthe environment, then you probably have heard the nameByron Sher. Mr. Sher served in the California Legislaturefor 24 years; in the Senate from 1996 to 2004, and beforethat, the Assembly between 1980 and 1996. During histime in the Legislature, Sher was known as a steadfastenvironmental champion. He masterfully crafted ahandful of Californias, and ultimately the nations,fundamental environmental laws.

These pivotal and vital laws include safeguards to

quality of Californias water and air, as well as legislationgeared towards reducing garbage going to landfills, thepromotion of recycling and renewable energy, and thepreservation of our forests.

Shers influential mark was left on the quality of ourwater and air when the Groundwater Protection Act(1983), California Clean Air Act (1988), and theCalifornia Safe Drinking Water Act (1989) were signedinto law. In an effort to reduce solid waste going intolandfills, Sher made it his mission to change the throw-

away culture in thestate. He successfullyauthored the SolidWaste Act of 1989that required all jurisdictions to reducethe amount of solidwaste going to landfills.

Sher also workedon energy conservation

and renewable energylegislation and heplayed a key role in saving old growth redwood forewith the passage of the Headwater Forest Act in 200

Continuing to tread the path of environmenadvocacy and stewardship, Byron Sher joined the Leagboard in 2006. Since then he has been a wealthknowledge and inspiration to our organization. Thank for your continued leadership on the board and steadsupport of the League and its environmental work!

Board Member Highlight: Byron SherBy: Evon Chambers



On September 9, the California Legislature wrapped-upthe 2011 legislative session. In the final weeks and days ofthe session, both houses acted on dozens of bills that willimpact our environment. While PCL was critical oflegislation aimed at circumventing the California

Environmental Quality Act (see page 3), the Legislature alsosent to the Governors desk bills that will provide criticalprotections for childrens health, improve drinking watersupplies for disadvantaged communities, and diversifyCalifornias water supplies. These bills are now on GovernorBrowns desk, and he will determine whether or not theybecome law.

A handful of bills aimed at reducing Californiasoverreliance on water from the Sacramento-San JoaquinDelta estuary, by improving local water supplies, made it

through the Legislature. These include legislation to removebarriers to the installation of rain barrels, clarification tograywater reuse building standards, mapping of primegroundwater recharge areas, and bills designed to helpensure all Californians have access to safe, reliable,

and affordable drinkingwater.

The Legislature alsopassed legislation thatprohibits the sale, trade

or possession of sharkfins in California; votedto protect drinkingwater, and NativeAmerican sacred sites by stopping the approval construction of a new landfill at Gregory Canyon in Diego County; and banned the use of the chemical bispheA (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups, making California11th state in the nation to ban BPA.

Unfortunately, other good bills failed to make it ou

the Legislature, such as legislation that would phase Styrofoam food containers by 2016. Californians shockinthrow away 300,000 tons of Styrofoam annually. Luckily, bill will have a second chance in the second year of this tyear session.

Legislative Session A Mixed BagBy: Evon Chambers

On June 15, 2011 the National Wildlife Federation

hosted Voices for Wildlife in celebration of theorganizations 75th anniversary at the Beverly WilshireFour Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. The entertainingevening highlighted NWFs achievements over threequarters of a century and raised awareness and funds tosupport its programs in California. The event was madepossible with a generous donation from the Grace C.Harrison Trust and was awarded the EnvironmentalMedia Associations coveted Green Seal for the manyenvironmentally conscious efforts taken to produce theevent.

The night was hosted by comedian and TVpersonality Annabelle Gurwitch (Wasted, Dinner and aMovie). Three hundred donors joined celebrity attendeesincluding: Chevy Chase, Rachel Hunter, AmberLancaster, Marco Regil, and Frances Fisher. The 2011Wildlife Hero honorees included Academy Award-winning producer Lawrence Bender ( An InconvenientTruth, Goodwill Hunting, Pulp Fiction), CNN hostAnderson Cooper, actor Alyssa Milano, and

photographer and business leader Howard Ru

(Anderson Cooper and Alyssa Milano accepted by vidNWF presented two $10,000 scholarships to outstandteens Alec Loorz and Jordan Howard for thaccomplishments in educating and empowering thpeers and adults to take action on the climate crisis greening Americas schools.

Renowned animal expertJack Hanna brought the realstars of the evening: a six-foot alligator, fox, grey wolf,cougar, a bald eagle, andother wildlife that NWFworks to protect. Theevening concluded whenHanna was surprised byChevy Chase and NWFwith a Wildlife Hero awardand honored for all hiscontributions to NWF andwildlife conservation.

Noteworthy NWF NewsBy: Les Welsh, National Wildlife Federation


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Forest Stewardship Council certified paper containing55% recycled fiber with 35% post consumer waste,elemental chlorine free and printed with vegetable ink.

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUELANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION

107 9TH STREET, SUITE 901 SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

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

It seems we haveofficially stumped ourmembers with the lastPCL History Projectphoto. Without receivingany responses, I begana little investigation ofmy own. I was unableto identify the individuals in the photograph, but I wasable to identify the situation. The picture was taken in1975 at one of the Planning and Conservation LeagueFoundations numerous California Land Use Task Forcework sessions.

Perhaps we can have better luck this time! Can youidentify the situation or people in this editions picture?Show off your knowledge of PCLs greenroots andenvironmental history! Email your response to EvonChambers at [email protected].

PCL History ProjectBy: Evon Chambers

Parnter Program HighlightBy: Melanie Schlotterbeck

In July, we debuted our new Partner Progrwhere our supporters can opt-in to receive a membership with one of our partner organizatiwhen they become or renew their membership with League.

With this program, we hope to highlight someour regional partners and allow you to become engawith our allies. Partners are one important reason are so effective at improving the environment quality of life for all Californians. Watch for detailsour website (www.PCL.org), by mail, and by email opt-in for a FREE membership to a group youd likget to know.

Our fall partners include:

OCTOBER

PARTNER

NOVEMBER

PARTNER

SEPTEMBER

PARTNER

september 2011 california today, planning and conservation league newsletter

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