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Environment and Natural Resources Publications

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Report

Budget Status of State Water Project

February 21, 2007 - We recommend that funding for the State Water Project (SWP), the state’s main water conveyance system connecting Northern and Southern California, be brought "on budget." This is because SWP’s current off-budget status makes it difficult for the Legislature to comprehensively address the state’s water policy issues, particularly in light of SWP’s increasing fiscal and programmatic ties to other state on-budget programs, such as the CALFED Bay-Delta Program.

Report

Flood Management Issues

February 21, 2007 - The budget reflects a major infusion of funding, mostly from bond funds, for flood management. We make a number of recommendations to ensure that a systematic approach is used to complete improvements and repairs to the state’s Central Valley flood control system, including requiring the Department of Water Resources to provide a plan for independent review and oversight of its flood-related capital outlay projects.

Report

Resources Bonds

February 21, 2007 - The budget proposes over $2.3 billion in bond funding for various resources programs, most of which comes from two resources bonds approved by voters in November 2006. The state would spend substantially higher bond amounts than in the current year, particularly for flood management. To ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the new bonds, we recommend that the Legislature set funding priorities to guide new programs created by the bonds; establish appropriate cost-sharing arrangements; ensure related programs are coordinated; and exercise oversight by holding hearings, establishing reporting requirements, and controlling administrative costs. review infrastructure

Report

Analysis of the 2007-08 Budget Bill, Resources Chapter

February 21, 2007 - Analysis of the 2007-08 Budget Bill, Resources Chapter

Handout

Proposition 87: The Clean Alternative Energy Act

September 11, 2006 - Presented to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Hon. Martha Escutia, Chair Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Hon. Mike Machado, Chair Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee Hon. Lloyd Levine, Chair Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Hon. Johan Klehs, Chair Assembly Natural Resources Hon. Loni Hancock, Chair

Handout

Proposition 84 The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006

August 8, 2006 - Presented to Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water Hon. Sheila James Kuehl, Chair and Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife Hon. Lois Wolk, Chair

Handout

Environmental License Plate Fund

May 23, 2006 - Presented to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Handout

Funding Flood Control

May 15, 2006 - Presented to Senate Governmental Organization Committee

Report

Strengthening Public Safety of Waste Facilities and Surface Mines: Financial Assurances

April 26, 2006 - The state has long recognized its responsibility to protect the general health and safety of the people of California. To protect Californians from hazards posed by waste facilities and surface mines, the state’s environmental regulatory agencies require financial assurances from the owners/operators of these facilities-evidence that these parties have the financial capacity to restore public resources that they degrade. This report details California’s existing financial assurance requirements, examines shortcomings with the current financial assurance system, and recommends improvements. Adoption of our recommendations should decrease the likelihood that financial assurances will fail to serve their public purpose, thereby reducing the state’s exposure to significant financial risk in the future.

Handout

The Governor's Climate Change Initiative (Assembly)

April 4, 2006 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3

Handout

The Governor's Climate Change Initiative (Senate)

April 3, 2006 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2

Handout

2006-07 Overview: Resources and Environmental Protection

March 22, 2006 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources

Handout

2006-07 Budget Overview: Resources and Environmental Protection

March 6, 2006 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2

Report

Beverage Container Recycling

February 23, 2006 - As the state’s beverage container recycling rates persist below statutory targets, the balance in the Beverage Container Recycling Fund continues to swell. We recommend that the Legislature consider options to reduce the fund balance, both by reducing monies that flow into the fund and by increasing monies that flow out of the fund to support activities intended to increase the rate of recycling.

Report

Ensuring Access to Telecommunications Services

February 23, 2006 - The California Public Utilities Commission administers several programs designed to subsidize telecommunications services in order to ensure universal access to these services. One of these is the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) program, which provides discounts to schools, libraries, public hospitals and clinics, and community-based organizations (CBOs). While most of the eligible schools and libraries participate in the program, many eligible CBOs and public hospitals and clinics do not. We provide options to increase participation in the program by eligible entities.

Environment and Natural Resources Staff

Helen Kerstein
(916) 319-8364
Forestry, Parks, and High Speed Rail
 
Sonja Petek
(916) 319-8340
Water, Coastal Development, and Fish and Wildlife
 
Frank Jimenez
(916) 319-8324
Highways and Roads, Recycling, Agriculture, and Toxics
 
Luke Koushmaro
(916) 319-8355
Mass Transportation, Traffic Enforcement, Statewide Planning and Infrastructure
 
Sarah Cornett
(916) 319-8329
Air Quality, Energy, and Climate Change
 
Rachel Ehlers
(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation