May 20, 2022 is Watershed Day With Your Legislator

This is an opportunity to visit with your state assembly member and/or your state senator in their local district offices to provide them with an update on issues and successes in your watershed. 

We suggest calling their office a few weeks ahead to schedule an appointment for a brief meeting. Or, better yet, invite your legislator to visit a restoration site or unique feature that will bolster their awareness of positive stories in your community.

CWN will provide assistance to community-based NGO’s with contact information for making appointments with legislators, framing the dialogue, and building credibility for future collaboration efforts.

More info.

March 2019 Watershed Highlight of the Month

Learn about the Watershed Stewards Program, a special program of the California Conservation Corps, in partnership with Americorps.

California Watershed Coalition 2017 Action Items

Representatives from most of the California Watershed Coalition members met in Berkeley on October 6, 2017 to discuss current issues facing our organizations. The following issues and positions from three of the discussion topics were addressed:

1) Secure a reasonable and consistent reimbursement rate for NGOs and local entities under state grant programs for administrative costs, overhead and indirect rates.

Action: Water climate and parks bonds should include language for appropriate overhead recovery and other admin costs similar to the federal approach.

2) Funding opportunities for watershed or technical assistance in state programs.

Action: Coalition members are urged to send letters to the Natural Resources Agency to fund watershed and community-focused technical assistance.

3) Support the CA Dept of Conservation to fund watershed restoration and coordinator programs with Cap and Trade funds.

Action: Coalition members are urged to consider letters to legislators, the Natural Resources Agency and the CA Air Resources Board in support.

CWN Policy Goals for 2016-2018

(Above) Senators Lois Wolk and Fran Pavley receiving their “Watershed Champions” awards from CWN President Michael Wellborn at "Watershed Day at the Capitol" on April 27th.

Following the success of Watershed Day at the Capitol on on April 27th, we have refined our focus on key policy issues for the coming 18 months.
Our five major policy issues include:

1. Passage of a parks bond for the 2018 ballot (currently AB 2444, Garcia);
2. Obtaining budget line items for revitalized Urban Streams, Rivers & Parkways and Riverine Stewardship programs;
3. Continue to pursue legislative corrections for consistent indirect cost (overhead) allowances and advance payment authority to community-based non-profit groups; 
4. Updating language for a revitalized resource (watershed) coordinator program; and
5. Revising the fiscal structure for achieving dependable funding for multi-benefit stormwater projects such as The Council for Watershed Health's Elmer Avenue project in Southern California (perhaps similar to the proposed AB 1362, Gordon).

We will be working with our partner organizations, the Legislature and the Administration (primarily the Natural Resources Agency and the State Water Resources Control Board) to engage on these common-sense and cost-efficient programs and policies.

In regards to a Parks Bond being on the 2018 ballot, CWN supports these provisions in particular:

• $100 million for the river parkways program
• $100 million for the LA River
• $20 million for the urban streams restoration program
• $20 million for the Riverine Stewardship program
• $100 million for the Strategic Growth Council to develop climate adaptation plans
• $150 million to the Wildlife Conservation Board to expand wildlife corridors
• $30 million to the Department of Forestry for urban forestry

Past Bond Act Allocations to Statewide Grant Programs

Propostions 12 and 13, 1999-2000

• $35 million Urban Streams Restoration Program
• $35 million River Parkways grants
• $185 million River Protection grants
• $ 2.5 million CCC resource conservation projects

Propostions  40 and 50, 2002-2003

• $57 million for Integrated Watershed Management Planning and implementation
• $46.4 million for watershed restoration projects
• $100 million to River Parkways grant program

Propostion 84, 2006

• $62 million for river parkways
• $10 million for watershed coordinators
• $18 million Urban Streams Restoration Program
• $90 million urban greening plans
• $90 million urban greening projects
• $45 million to CCC resource conservation and restoration projects

Healthy Communities Toolkit

Download a copy of the Healthy Communities Toolkit, the latest publication from Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks that covers planning and financial tools to create healthy communities. It is complete with five case stories of jurisdictions already using these important tools. Check it out!