June 17, 2015
ACWA-Sponsored Bill on CEQA Noticing Set for Next Hearing on July 1
Support Letters Needed This Week for Senate Environmental Quality Committee
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee is set to hear ACWA-sponsored AB 291 on July 1. The legislation, co-sponsored by the McGeorge School of Law Legislative and Public Policy Clinic, would streamline current noticing requirements for multi-county water projects.
Authored by Assembly Member Jose Medina (D-Riverside), AB 291, as amended June 10, would require local agencies to submit a CEQA notice of determination to the Office of Planning and Research for posting on the CEQAnet website. Local agencies also would be required to file the notice with the county clerk in their home county and send a copy by certified mail to each county affected by the water project.
These provisions will significantly reduce confusion and administrative burdens under current CEQA notification requirements for projects, such as water transfers, that can address pressing water needs during droughts.
ACWA and the McGeorge School of Law Legislative and Public Policy Clinic are requesting that member agencies submit letters of support to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee no later than noon Friday, June 19. Members are encouraged to provide examples in their letters of how AB 291 could directly help them move forward with projects that address ongoing drought shortages, such as water transfers and water supply projects. A sample letter is available here.
TAKE ACTION NOW
Please edit and send the sample letter to members of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. (Names and fax numbers provided below.) Please be sure to edit the sections of the letter referencing your agency name and add information within the body of the letter explaining how your local agency would benefit from AB 291. A list of committee members is also provided below for your reference.
A copy of your final letter should also be sent to ACWA by fax at (916) 325-4927 or email to mariem@acwa.com.
Questions about AB 291 may be directed to ACWA Legislative Advocate Whitnie Wiley at whitniew@acwa.com.
Members of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee
Senator Bob Wieckowski (Chair)
Fax: (916) 651-4910
Senator Ted Gaines (Vice Chair)
Fax: (916) 651-4901
Senator Patricia C. Bates
Fax: (916) 651-4936
Senator Jerry Hill
Fax: (916) 651-4913
Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson
Fax: (916) 651-4919
Senator Mark Leno
Fax: (916) 651-4911
Senator Fran Pavley
Fax: (916) 651-4927
Joanne Roy, Consultant, Senate Environmental Quality Committee
Fax: (916) 322-3519
Morgan Branch, Consultant, Senate Republican Caucus
Fax (916) 414-3681
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