Staff
Helen Kerstein
(916) 319-8364
Air Quality, Energy, Climate Change, 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, and Toxics
Rachel Ehlers
(916) 319-8330
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Environment and Transportation


Publications

Environment and Natural Resources

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



Report

Watershed Assessment Initiative

February 17, 2000 - Watershed assessments could be useful for improving regulatory and habitat restoration efforts. However, we find that the proposed assessment of North Coast watersheds will not achieve these goals.


Report

Legislative Oversight of Resources Programs

February 17, 2000 - Departments within the Resources and Environmental Protection Agencies have generally disregarded legislative directive to provide program and expenditure information. We recommend that the Legislature withhold action on the budgets of the Secretaries for Resources and Environmental Protection (Cal-EPA) pending submittal of previously requested supplemental reports by the agencies.


Report

Fiscal Challenge From Three Major Lawsuits

February 17, 2000 - California faces a very positive budgetary environment, but three legal challenges--Special Education. Property Tax Shift, and Smog Impact Fees--pose some fiscal concern.


Report

Analysis of the 2000-01 Budget Bill, Resources Chapter

February 17, 2000 - Analysis of the 2000-01 Budget Bill, Resources Chapter


Report

The Role of Water Transfers in Meeting California's Water Needs

September 8, 1999 - If water transfers are to help the state meet its water needs, we think that the Legislature should address a number of issues, including impediments to transfers and stakeholder concerns about potential negative impacts of transfers on "third parties." Statutory policy on water transfers should be clarified and made more consistent.


Report

(1) Tahoe-Area Development Lawsuits Could Have Far-Reaching Impacts, and (2) Economic and Revenue Developments

August 23, 1999 - Four significant lawsuits concerning the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) either recently have been resolved or are proceeding toward resolution. The outcome of these cases could have important consequences for land-use regulation in the Lake Tahoe area. Further, since the cases concern provisions of the U.S. Constitution, they could affect land-use regulation across the country. (Cal Update)


Report

Opportunities and Challenges for the State The Headwaters Forest

May 4, 1999 - We recommend that the Legislature take several steps toward clarifying its intent as regards the management of the Headwaters property and the enforcement of the conservation plan on the Pacific Lumber Company's remaining property.


Report

Analysis of the 1999-00 Budget Bill, Resources Chapter

February 16, 1999 - Analysis of the 1999-00 Budget Bill, Resources Chapter


Report

Improvements Needed in Clean Water Enforcement

February 16, 1999 - Improvements Needed in Clean Water Enforcement


Report

Significant Maintenance Backlog Negatively Impacts Department's Service

February 16, 1999 - Significant Maintenance Backlog Negatively Impacts Department's Service


Report

Beverage Container Recycling Program

February 16, 1999 - Beverage Container Recycling Program


Report

State Regulation of Petroleum Pipelines Still Evolving

February 16, 1999 - State Regulation of Petroleum Pipelines Still Evolving


Report

Smog Check Program - An Overview

February 16, 1999 - Smog Check Program - An Overview


Report

State Superfund Reauthorization: Expediting Hazardous Substance Site Cleanups

January 12, 1999 - State Superfund Reauthorization: Expediting Hazardous Substance Site Cleanups


Report

Oil Pipeline Spills: The Avila Beach and Guadalupe Experience

December 8, 1998 - (Cal Update)