Environment and Natural Resources Publications

The Salton Sea: A Status Update

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August 29, 2018 - The Salton Sea is California’s largest inland lake, located in Riverside and Imperial Counties. In this report, we discuss the changing conditions in and around the Sea, their statewide importance, and the Legislature’s role in overseeing projects to reduce potential negative effects on public health and wildlife.

Overview of Wildfire-Related Funding

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July 25, 2018 - Presented to: Conference Committee on SB 901

Overview of State Bond Debt

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June 27, 2018 - Presented to: Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water

Initiative Statute: Establishes New Standards for Confinement of Certain Farm Animals; Bans Sale of Certain Noncomplying Products.

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June 19, 2018 - Presented to Senate Committee on Agriculture and Assembly Committee on Agriculture

Overview of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard

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June 19, 2018 - Presented to Assembly Select Committee on California’s Energy Future

Initiative Statute: Authorizes Bonds to Fund Projects for Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water Conveyance, and Groundwater Sustainability and Storage

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June 12, 2018 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 On Resources and Transportation

Resources and Transportation Overview

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May 31, 2018 - To be presented to: 2018-19 Budget Conference Committee.

Cap-and-Trade Extension: Issues for Legislative Oversight

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May 24, 2018 - Presented to Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Salton Sea Management: Overview and Update

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May 8, 2018 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Improving California's Forest and Watershed Management

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April 4, 2018 - This report consists of five sections. First, we review the importance of and benefits provided by California’s forests. Second, we provide information regarding how forests are managed in California, including ownership, state and federal policies and programs, and funding. Third, we review the current conditions of forests and watersheds across the state, including the concerning implications and recent consequences of those conditions, as well as the actions that would be needed to make improvements. Fourth, in the findings section, we highlight shortcomings in how the state manages its forests and watersheds. Fifth, we offer recommendations for actions the Legislature could take to improve forest and watershed management in California.

The 2018-19 Budget: California Department of Food and Agriculture

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March 28, 2018 - In this analysis, we assess two proposals in the Governor’s 2018-19 budget related to: (1) the Bee Safe Program, and (2) Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention. In addition, we briefly review the Governor’s safe and affordable drinking water proposal—for which CDFA would play an administrative role.

Overview of the Beverage Container Recycling Program

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March 7, 2018 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

Overview of California’s Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Program

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March 7, 2018 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

The 2018-19 Budget: Fire Recovery Proposals

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March 1, 2018 - The Governor’s budget assumes $760 million in additional General Fund will be needed in 2017‑18 for response and recovery associated with the 2017 fires in Northern and Southern California, $388 million of which will be reimbursed by the federal government in 2018‑19. For 2018‑19, the Governor proposes a total of $35 million from the General Fund for recovery costs associated the fires in Northern California, such as related to rebuilding public infrastructure and backfilling local tax revenue losses. While we do not raise specific concerns about the administration’s funding requests, we recommend that the Legislature direct the administration to report at budget hearings on the proposed funding and submit formal proposals for any future budget-year funding requests. We also recommend that the Legislature consider its priorities for allocating assistance to local governments affected by disasters and longer-term strategies for reducing future wildfire risk, such as strategies to improve forest health.

Correction (3/12/18): When this post was originally published, Figure 1 displayed the wrong graph. The correct graph is now in place.

2018-19 Fire Response and Recovery

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March 1, 2018 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review