Environment and Natural Resources Publications
To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
CALFED Bay-Delta Program: At A Funding Crossroads
February 18, 2004 - The CALFED Bay-Delta Program—with a projected $6 billion funding gap—is at a funding crossroads. To date, the state has been the biggest funding contributor by far to the program, with federal and local governments and water users lagging in their support. We recommend a funding framework for CALFED that applies the beneficiary pays principle, including a fee on water users that take water from the Bay-Delta system.
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment History, Programs, and LAO Perspectives
- Format:
April 23, 2003 - Handout presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3
2003-04 Budget Overview: Proposition 50 Bond Expenditures and the CALFED Bay-Delta Program
- Format:
April 3, 2003 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2
Funding for Natural Resources And Environmental Protection Programs
- Format:
March 27, 2003 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources; Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee; Assembly Natural Resources Committee Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
LAO Recommendations for Funding Fire Protection and Timber Harvest Plan Review and Enforcement
- Format:
March 26, 2003 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 On Resources
Department of Pesticide Regulation: History, Programs, and LAO Issues
- Format:
March 20, 2003 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3, Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, on March 20th 2003.
Resources and Environmental Protection
- Format:
March 5, 2003 - Hearing Handout presented to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources
A Framework for Financing Natural Community Conservation Planning
- Format:
February 25, 2003 - Presented to the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
Fire Protection Fees
February 19, 2003 - We recommend enactment of legislation to fund one-half of the proposed General Fund budget for fire protection on state responsibility areas by imposing fees on property owners who benefit from these services. This would result in a savings of about $170 million to the General Fund.
Coordinating State Agency Representation Before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
February 19, 2003 - The current organization of the state's energy agencies, including the structure of the state's representation before FERC, should be evaluated after key decisions have been made that will dictate what the future structure of the state's electricity market will itself look like. For the interim, we recommend ways the Legislature can ensure coordination among the multiple agencies appearing before FERC.
Oversight of Electricity Contract Settlement Funds
February 19, 2003 - The state has received cash and assets from settlements resulting from the renegotiation of energy contracts entered into by the state during the "energy crisis." Future settlements are also likely. We recommend that the Legislature hold hearings to consider uses for the settlement funds.
Timber Harvest Fees
February 19, 2003 - $170 million savings if property owners who benefit from state fire protection services pay $6 per acre in order to offset one-half of the state's proposed General Fund costs to provide fire protection services largely to private landowners.
Resource Assessments: Improving Effectiveness and Creating Savings
February 19, 2003 - A number of departments engage in resource assessment activities intended to determine the condition of natural resources in the state. We review several such activities and identify opportunities for funding shifts and program reductions, some of which will create savings. We also discuss opportunities to increase the value of the information collected.
Proposition 50 Water-Related Proposals Need Better Definition
February 19, 2003 - Various budget proposals to expend Proposition 50 bond funds for water-related activities lack sufficient detail to justify approval. We recommend that the funding instead be put in legislation that defines the programs and guides their implementation.
Environment and Natural Resources Staff
- Ross Brown
- (916) 319-8345
- Air Quality, Energy, Recycling, and Climate Change
- Helen Kerstein
- (916) 319-8364
- Forestry, Parks, and High Speed Rail
- Frank Jimenez
- (916) 319-8324
- Highways and Roads, Agriculture, and Toxics
- Eunice Roh
- (916) 319-8327
- Mass Transportation, Traffic Enforcement, Statewide Infrastructure
- Rachel Ehlers
- (916) 319-8330
- Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation