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Environment and Natural Resources Publications

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Report

Improving Coastal Access And Development Mitigation

January 19, 2005 - The Legislature has made protection of and access to California's 1,100 miles of coastline a statewide priority. While the California Coastal Commission has made progress toward protecting California's coastline, certain of the commission's permitting practices have temporarily reduced, and may permanently reduce, the public's access to the coast. The Coastal Commission's mitigation strategies include owners offering to dedicate (OTD) portions of their property to public use as a condition of receiving a coastal development permit. We make a number of recommendations focused on encouraging more upfront mitigation of coastal development, finding a more appropriate funding source for mitigation, and shortening the timeframes for acceptance and opening of OTDs.

Letter

LAO Review of Proposed Hearst Ranch Conservation Transaction

August 6, 2004 - In a letter to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee dated August 3, 2004, we raise a number of significant concerns about the proposed allocation of state bond and other funds for a conservation-related transaction concerning the Hearst Ranch property in San Luis Obispo County. In particular, we find that the level of resource protection provided by the transaction needs strengthening and greater certainty. We make recommendations to improve the state's oversight of the enforcement of the terms of the transaction to ensure that the state's significant investment is adequately protected in perpetuity.

Report

Proposition 50 Resources Bond: Funding Eligibility of Private Water Companies

May 14, 2004 - The implementation of the Proposition 50 resources bond has raised the issue of whether private water companies should be eligible for these funds. We identify several legal, tax, and policy issues for legislative consideration in evaluating this issue. We recommend that the Legislature declare its policy position on this matter. Our review concludes that the broad public purpose of Proposition 50 bond funds would be served by including private entities as eligible recipients of such funds.

Handout

Governor's 2004-05 Budget Proposal: Resources Bonds

April 29, 2004 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on April 29, 2004

Handout

2004-05 Budget Overview: Resources and Environmental Protection

March 18, 2004 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee Number 2.

Report

California Teleconnect Fund: An Assessment

February 18, 2004 - The Governor's budget proposes a significant reduction in expenditures for the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) program, which provides discounts on telephone service and other advanced telecommunication services that provide access to the Internet (such as digital subscriber line [commonly referred to as DSL] services) to schools, libraries, and qualifying hospitals and community-based organizations. While we have concerns regarding the operation of the current program, we find this underfunding to be contrary to legislative direction. To address this, we recommend the California Public Utilities Commission report at budget hearings on the projected funding requirements of the program in the budget year. Furthermore, if the CTF program requires additional funding in 2004-05, we identify options for the Legislature to consider to provide additional funding for the program.

Report

State Park Services: Potential for Increased Private Sector Partnership

February 18, 2004 - We find other park jurisdictions contract with the private sector for the delivery of types of services not contracted out by the Department of Parks and Recreation. We recommend a pilot program to further explore the pros and cons, as well as the costs and benefits, of expanding these public-private partnering activities in state parks.

Report

Governor’s Resources Bond Expenditure Proposal

February 18, 2004 - The Governor has deferred the submittal of most of his resources bond expenditure proposals to later in the spring, leaving major gaps in programs traditionally funded from bond funds. We provide a framework to assist the Legislature in evaluating the forthcoming bond proposals; this includes ensuring that the Governor’s proposals reflect legislative priorities for bond funding.

Report

California Power Authority: Where Now?

February 18, 2004 - The budget proposes eliminating the California Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority (CPA). Although CPA has been unable to fulfill its core mission to finance new power plants, this has largely been due to market conditions. Given significant uncertainties regarding the adequacy of the state’s energy supply to meet future demand, we think retaining some of CPA’s functions (either within or outside CPA) has merit

Report

Timber Harvest Fee Proposal Should Go Further

February 18, 2004 - The budget proposes to impose a new fee on timber owners to partially cover the costs incurred by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDFFP) in its review and enforcement of timber harvest plans (THPs) beginning in the current year. While this is a step in the right direction, we recommend the enactment of fee legislation that would go further by fully funding the costs of CDFFP and all other state agencies with THP review responsibilities.

Report

State’s Approach to Flood Management Should Be More Strategic

February 18, 2004 - Development in and around floodplains has contributed to increased losses due to floods, but the state’s efforts to improve floodplain management have been reduced significantly in recent years. We recommend reducing the state’s share of funding for certain flood control projects to better reflect the local benefit from these projects. This would create future savings that could be used to make more strategic flood management investments and benefit the General Fund.

Report

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.

Report

Analysis of the 2004-05 Budget Bill, Resources Chapter

February 18, 2004 - Analysis of the 2004-05 Budget Bill, Resources Chapter

Handout

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment History, Programs, and LAO Perspectives

April 23, 2003 - Handout presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3

Handout

2003-04 Budget Overview: Proposition 50 Bond Expenditures and the CALFED Bay-Delta Program

April 3, 2003 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2

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