march 2009 california today, planning and conservation league newsletter

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CALIFORNIA TODAY  CALIFORNIA TODAY  Newsletter of the Planning  & Conservation League     C    h    i   n   o    H    i    l    l   s    S    t   a    t   e    P   a   r    k  ,    D   r  .    J   e    f    f    H   a   n   s   e   n PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION March 2009 Volume 39, Number 1 CALIF ORNIA TODAY • Plannin g and Conse rvati on Leagu e & PCL Found ation  Left in the Dark:California's Neglected Communities  By: René Guer rer o For better or for worse, land use decisions have a significant impact on public health and the environment. The Planning and Conservation League (PCL) is educating decision makers about this important linkage and bringing about reform to our state’s policy to better ensure the heal th and wel l being of Calif ornia’s res iden ts . To promote local and statewide land use policies that distribute the benef its of land use de cisio ns and protect human health and the environment, the League and the PCL Foundation hav e embarked on new programs. These include providing training throughout the state on how to use California laws to assess and prevent or mitigate the negativ e environmental and public health impacts from land use decisions. W e will also work with affected communities to create and support sustainability policies that explicitly take into account environmental and public health concerns. In order to ensure that all California communities are able to realize their full potential as healthy, livable, and economically viable places, PCL has joined PolicyLink, the California R ural Legal A ssistance F oundation and th e Center on Race Poverty and the Environment to adopt legislation. The legislation encourages investment in unincorporated communities and addresses the complex legal, financial and political barriers that contribute to regional inequity and infrastructure deficits within disadvantaged unincorporated communities. In Califo rnia, hundre ds of uninc orpora ted commun ities , commonly referred to as the urban fringe or rural enclaves, lack basic infrastructure for health, safety, water, trans porta tion , and educ ati on. Milli ons of Calif ornians live in these urban and rural unincorporated communities where they suffer from severe unemployment, abject poverty and need essential infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, street lights, storm drains, parks, safe housing, clean drinking water, and adequate sewer service. There are more than 200 such communities in the San Joaqui n V alley alone. Many of these communities are politically isolated islands , surrounded by the city limi ts of medi um to large- size d cities or loc ate d in irregular settlements within a county’s jurisdiction. Often times, unincorporated communities compete with other similar areas for political influence and resources. While county go vernments dedica te their capacity to deliver state authorized programs and services, they may neglect their governmental role to serve these unincorporated communities. If you would li ke t o learn more about how th e collaborati on is tackling this issue or to share your experiences of living in an unincorporated community , please contact René Guerrero, Program Manager for Public Health and the Environment at 916-313-4508 or by email at [email protected] . See how the Bond Freeze Impacts Parks, pg. 3 

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Page 1: March 2009 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter

8/3/2019 March 2009 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/march-2009-california-today-planning-and-conservation-league-newsletter 1/8

CALIFORNIA TODAY CALIFORNIA TODAY News l e t t e r o f th e Pl ann ing  & Conse r va t i on League  

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION

March 2009 Volume 39, Number 1

CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation

Left in the Dark:California's Neglected CommunitiesBy: René Guerrero

For better or for worse, land use decisions have a

significant impact on public health and the environment.

The Planning and Conservation League (PCL) is educating

decision makers about this important linkage and bringing

about reform to our state’s policy to better ensure the

health and well being of California’s residents.

To promote local and statewide land use policies thatdistribute the benefits of land use decisions and protect

human health and the environment, the League and the

PCL Foundation have embarked on new programs. These

include providing training throughout the state on how to

use California laws to assess and prevent or mitigate the

negative environmental and public health impacts from

land use decisions. We will also work with affected

communities to create and support sustainability policies

that explicitly take into account environmental and public

health concerns.In order to ensure that all California communities are

able to realize their full potential as healthy, livable, and

economically viable places, PCL has joined PolicyLink,

the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation and the

Center on Race Poverty and the Environment to adopt

legislation. The legislation encourages investment in

unincorporated communities and addresses the complex

legal, financial and political barriers that contribute to

regional inequity and infrastructure deficits within

disadvantaged unincorporated communities.

In California, hundreds of unincorporated communit

commonly referred to as the urban fringe or rural

enclaves, lack basic infrastructure for health, safety, wate

transportation, and education. Millions of Californians

live in these urban and rural unincorporated communiti

where they suffer from severe unemployment, abject

poverty and need essential infrastructure such as streetsidewalks, street lights, storm drains, parks, safe housin

clean drinking water, and adequate sewer service.

There are more than 200 such communities in the

San Joaquin Valley alone. Many of these communities

are politically isolated islands, surrounded by the city

limits of medium to large-sized cities or located

in irregular settlements within a county’s jurisdiction.

Often times, unincorporated communities compete

with other similar areas for political influence and

resources. While county governments dedicate theircapacity to deliver state authorized programs and servic

they may neglect their governmental role to serve these

unincorporated communities.

If you would like to learn more about how the

collaboration is tackling this issue or to share your

experiences of living in an unincorporated community,

please contact René Guerrero, Program Manager for

Public Health and the Environment at 916-313-4508

or by email at [email protected] .

See how the Bond Freeze Impacts Parks, pg. 3 

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Dear Friends,

California AffiliateNational Wildlife Federation

CALIFORNIA TODAY (ISBN 0739-8042)is the quarterly newsletter of the

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUEAND THE PCL FOUNDATION

1107 Ninth Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814

PHONE: 916-444-8726 FAX: 916-448-1789

E-MAIL ADDRESS:  [email protected] 

WEB ADDRESS: http://www.pcl.org 

Membership to PCL is $35 a year and includes asubscription to CALIFORNIA TODAY.

Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA.POSTMASTER: Send address changes for CALIFORNIA TODAY to the PCL Office:1107 Ninth Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814

PCLF BOARD OF TRUSTEESDAVID HIRSCH, ChairmanRALPH B. PERRY III, Vice ChairmanDANIEL S. FROST, Secretary-Treasurer COKE HALLOWELL, TrusteeGERALD H. MERAL, Trustee

PCL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEBILL CENTER, PresidentKEVIN JOHNSON, Senior Vice PresidentLYNN SADLER, Senior Vice PresidentSAGE SWEETWOOD, President EmeritusJOHN VAN DE KAMP, President EmeritusBILL LEIMBACH, Secretary-Treasurer 

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTSELISABETH BROWNJAN CHATTEN-BROWNPHYLLIS FABER RICK HAWLEY FRAN LAYTONDOUG LINNEY DAVID MOGAVEROSTEPHANIE PINCETLTERESA VILLEGASTERRY WATT BILL YEATES

ORGANIZATIONAL BOARD MEMBERSBig Sur Land TrustBreathe California, Sacramento-Emigrant TrailsCalifornia Association of Local Conservation CorpsCalifornia Oak FoundationCalifornia TroutGreenspace - The Cambria Land TrustGolden Gate Audubon Society The Laguna Greenbelt, Inc.Mono Lake CommitteeMountain Lion FoundationSierra Nevada AllianceSouthern California Agricultural Land FoundationTrain Riders Association of CaliforniaThe Trust for Public Land

PCL/PCL FOUNDATION STAFF TRACI SHEEHAN, Executive Director TINA ANDOLINA, Legislative Director BARB BYRNE, Water Policy AssistantEVON CHAMBERS, Water Policy AssistantRENÉ GUERRERO, Project Manager - Legislative Advocate

CHARLOTTE HODDE, Water Policy SpecialistDR. MONICA HUNTER, Central Coast Water Project Manager MINDY McINTYRE, Water Program Manager JONAS MINTON, Senior Water Policy Advisor JONATHAN BERNSTEIN, Administrative Manager PAUL GILLIGAN, Sierra Nevada Americorp Member AMBER SCHMAELING, Membership &Development Coordinator MATT VANDER SLUIS, Global Warming Project Manager MELANIE SCHLOTTERBECK, Grants & Outreach Consultant

On February 7th, over 50 of our friends and

supporters gathered for an evening reception to kick-off 

the annual Legislative Symposium. At that party we

celebrated both PCL’s past and future. Our 44-year

legacy as the “citizen lobbyist” for California’s

environment in Sacramento is a story of one

grassroots campaign after another linking localcommunities to decision makers in the State Capitol.

For the event, we created a timeline and scrapbook

of over four decades of acres saved, transit lines laid,

species protected, partnerships born, and communities

empowered to protect environmental equality and

public health.

This project is more than a reflection on the past; it’s a reminder of 

what we are capable of in the future. As such, it was a perfect kick-off to ou

annual Symposium. The message of this year’s event was clear - if we want

build momentum for real change in California, then we need many friends, ol

and new. And to provide effective leadership and a strong voice on critical

issues, we need your leadership and your voice.

As you already know, we currently face some pretty challenging question

and at the same time were are poised for some momentous opportunities.

The economic crisis, California’s frozen bond funding, green jobs for our

state, global warming, a green economy - these are issues that we all care

about. That is why PCL is working to pull together a “league” of diverse

interests from all around the state. New and old friends, activists and memb

groups will work on these issues.

PCL also recently welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors

Esther Feldman and Michael Picker. While both are new to the PCL Board,their work has benefited both the environment and our organization. While

working for PCL, Esther was instrumental in the writing, campaign and

passage of the $776 million Parks and Wildlife Act (Prop. 70) led by PCL in

1988, the first major park bond to be placed on the state ballot through the

citizen’s initiative process. Michael has 30 years of experience in policy

development, local and state government administration, grassroots policy

campaigns, coalition building, community organizing, non-profit managemen

and press relations. Welcome to Esther and Michael!

Sincerely,

Traci Sheehan

Executive Director

CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation2

Our Website Got a Face Lift - Check it Out! 

Please visit our new and improved website at www.PCLFoundation.org .Our goal is to make information easily accessible and available to you! Please

send any comments you may have to: [email protected] .

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Bond Freeze Impacts California Conservation Projects By: Paul Gilligan

On December 17, 2008, the state shut down important

conservation and restoration projects funded by California

park bonds. Two months later the Legislature passed a

revised budget, yet the bond-freeze continues. Across the

state, environmental groups have been forced to let go of 

staff or close the doors completely. “It’s ironic in a timewhen stimulating the economy through ‘shovel ready’ green

obs is all the buzz, our legislators just ripped the green

shovels out of ‘shovel happening’ projects,” said Joan

Clayburgh, Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada

Alliance, one of many organizations forced to make cuts.

This map demonstrates the effect the bond freeze has

had on environmental projects across the state supported

voter approved bond measures, Propositions 12, 13, 40, 5

and 84. Data for the tables below came from the Californ

Department of Finance. The impact goes far beyond theshort term as these projects and funding collectively impro

air and water quality, land use decisions, wildlife survival

scenic regions, and an overall quality of life for all of us.

Learn more at: http://StopWorkImpact.ning.com .

1 2 3

4 5 6 7

8 9

10 11 12 13

23 - Sacramento (73 - $52 M)

24 - El Dorado (83 - $25.7 M)

25 - Solano (43 - $20.6 M)

26 - Amador (15 - $2.4 M)

27 - Alpine (6 - $0.69 M)

28 - Marin (60 - $18.3 M)29 - Contra Costa (62 - $29.8 M)

30 - San Joaquin (25 - $12.2 M)

31 - Calaveras (12 - $0.75 M)

32 - Tuolumne (15 - $12.3 M)

33 - San Francisco (49 - $27.7 M)

34 - San Mateo (45 - $17.6 M)

35 - Santa Cruz (48 - $41.2 M)

36 - Alameda (77 - $45.4 M)

37 - Santa Clara (57 - $24.5 M)

38 - Stanislaus (21 - $8.3 M)

39 - Merced (17 - $11.8 M)

40 - Mariposa (21 - $2.6 M)

41 - Mono (21 - $2.4 M)42 - Monterey (63 - $30.5 M)

43 - San Benito (2 - $1.7 M)

44 - Fresno (84 - $32.4 M)

45 - Madera (18 - $11.8 M)

46 - Kings (5 - $1.7 M)

47 - Tulare (51 - $14.5 M)

48 - Inyo (13 - $1.9 M)

49 - San Luis Obispo (43 - $65.2 M)

50 - Kern (50 - $57.8 M)

51 - San Bernardino (50 - $30.8

52 - Santa Barbara (51 - $23

53 - Ventura (52 - $32.2

54 - Los Angeles

(546 - $280.4 M)

55 - Orange (110 - $70

56 - Riverside (75 - $66.

57 - San Diego (162 - $91

58 - Imperial (18 - $25.1

TOTAL: 2,806 proje

$1,483 M

14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 2223

24

25 262829 30

31 32

27

1 - Del Norte (26 - $12.1 M)

2 - Siskiyou (26 - $17.7 M)

3 - Modoc (18 - $3.9 M)

4 - Humboldt (58 - $25.8 M)

5 - Trinity (12 - $0.98 M)

6 - Shasta (37 - $10.3 M)7 - Lassen (19 - $1.5 M)

8 - Tehama (33 - $27 M)

9 - Plumas (30 - $9.1 M)

10 - Mendocino (53 - $21 M)

11 - Glenn (16 - $5 M)

12 - Butte (35 - $15.4 M)

13 - Sierra (13 - $4.9 M)

14 - Lake (10 - $3.1 M)

15 - Colusa (13 - $1.6 M)

16 - Sutter (14 - $22.4 M)

17 - Yuba (7 - $0.38 M)

18 - Nevada (26 - $12.9 M)

19 - Placer (67 - $24.9 M)20 - Sonoma (68 - $31.9 M)

21 - Napa (45 - $22.8 M)

22 - Yolo (37 - $15.1 M)34

36

3738

39

40

41

42 4335

44

45

46 47 48

49 50 51

52 53 54

55 56

57 58

33

PROJECT IMPACTS AND AMOUNT BY COUNTY

Central Coastal (5 - $11.4 M)Coastal (23 - $16.7 M)

Delta (19 - $45.3 M)Inland Empire (6 - $8 M)Northern California (8 - $2 M)Northern Coastal (14 - $10.2 M)Sacramento Valley (17 - $17.1 M)Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

(8 - $25.1 M)San Joaquin Valley (14 - $3.2 M)San Francisco Bay (45 - $74.9 M)Sierra Nevada (60 - $12.3 M)Southern Coastal (34 - $63.8 M)

TOTAL: 253 projects$290.2 M

MULTI-COUNTY PROJECTS

Map numbers correspond to counties. Each county

includes the number of frozen projects and amount

of funding halted (M = million). Note: each project

is only listed once regardless of table or category.

Statewide (98 - $227.4 M)Undetermined (114 - $273.6 M)

TOTAL: 212 projects$501 M

MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS

GRAND TOTAL: 3,271 projects - $2,274 M

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SymposiumEnergizes Audience Toward SustainabilitBy: Matt Vander Sluis

Some of the comments we received...

“It was an incredible opportunity to network and explore.We learned about developing an online community, managinga multi-faceted issue campaign, and heard from top expertsin their fields. The symposium is truly an education on keyenvironmental issues and building community coalitions.”

“My favorite PCL conference of the last four I’ve attended!”

“Loved the Tejon Ranch panel!”

“Darrell Steinberg - provocative on budget.”

“I liked hearing about the work of the awardees and hearingthem speak - inspiring.”

Ca l  Fire C hief  Kate Dargan and PC L Board

 Member Ke vin  Jo hnson  kept t he audience

engaged wit h t he wi ldf ire pane l.

Activists, agency representatives, attorneys, planners, students, legislative staand business leaders packed the general session room for exceptional keynote

Thanks to Keith Wagner for providing all the event photos.

PCL Leg islativ e Director T ina Andolina, Board President BillCenter, Executiv e Director T raci Sheehan with SenatePresident  pro T em Darrell Steinberg  af ter his ke y note address.

N etworking  time during  lunch allowed f orold f riends and new f riends to meet!

The PCL and PCL Foundation’s 2009 Symposiumon Saturday, February 7th was a tremendous successwith a total attendance of over 300. The program wasfull of up-to-the-minute information on top environmental

issues, including the state budget freeze, the federalrecovery package, and the current water crisis.The Symposium featured 33 panelists and speakers,

including state environmental agency leaders, environmentaladvocates, elected officials and business leaders. Theevent also featured three engaging keynote presentationsand an awards banquet in the evening.

To kick-off the Symposium, Senate President proTem Darrell Steinberg discussed the state’s economiccrisis and outlined opportunities to address the educational,economic, and environmental needs of the state by

incorporating green job training into middle and highschool curricula.

Jakada Imani, Executive Director of the Ella BakCenter for Human Rights, laid out a compelling case building a green workforce that can revitalize and sustafamilies, communities, and the environment.

At the banquet, State Senator Fran Pavley sharedrecent successes in environmental legislation and herpriorities for the 2009 legislative session.

Key environmental leaders were recognized durinan evening awards ceremony to celebrate their achievemenDescriptions and photos of each award winner areavailable on our website.

Thanks to everyone who participated for making 2009 Symposium a resounding success! We’ve posted handouts and presentations on our website as well.Materials can be viewed at:

www.PCL.org/events/2009proceedings.html 

CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation4

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O a k Wo o d l  a n d  s S  p o n  so  r  s ($5,000 - $9,999)Waste Management • Pacific Gas & Electric

Jo  s h u a Tr e e S  p o n  so  r  s ($2,500 - $4,999)

Water for California • Chatten-Brown & Cartsens LLP

C a l  i  fo  r n i a Po  p  p  y S  p o n  so  r  s ($1,000 - $2,499)Camp Lotus • Conservation Clarity • DMB Associates •East Bay Municipal Utility District • Laguna Greenbelt,Inc. • Linda and Byron Sher Family Fund • MetropolitanWater District • Phyllis Faber • Rossmann and MooreLLP • Shute Mihaly & Weinberger LLP

G  r a  s  sl  a n d  s Sp o n  so  r  s ($500 - $999)Adams, Broadwell, Joseph & Cardozo • AFSCME Local2428 • California Trout • Conservation Corps North

Bay • Far Western Anthropological Research Group •Golden Gate Audubon • Holland and Knight • InlandEmpire Utilities Agency • John Van de Kamp • KenyonYeates LLP • LA Conservation Corps • MarinConservation League • National Parks ConservationAssociation • National Wildlife Federation • RobertErickson • Tahoe Graphics • Terry Watt

O t  h e  r Sp o n  so  r  s (Below $500)California State Parks Foundation • Environmental LSection of the California State Bar • GreenInfoNetwork • MTV Environmental Consulting • TheSierra Fund • Senator Pat Wiggins

A c o  r n Sp o n  so  r  s ($125)Breathe California, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails •California Interfaith Power & Light • Clover ValleyFoundation • Defenders of Wildlife • Ebbetts PassForest Watch • Friends of Harbors, Beaches and ParksFriends of the Swainson’s Hawk • Mariposans For thEnvironment and Responsible Government • Revivethe San Joaquin • San Diego River Park Foundation •San Joaquin Valley Leadership Forum • Save MountDiablo • Sierra Nevada Alliance • Valley Land Alliance

Thanks Again! 

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors 

PC L Board member Gary Patton in a

animated discussion wit h  Margie Kay a

 Lisa Dobbins of  Monterey County.T he ev er-ins piring  J akadaImani during  his af ternoonke y note address.

Bob Stine discusses the Conservation and Land UseAgreement for Tejon Ranch during an MCLE session

with Richard Taylor and PCL Board member Terry Watt. Former PC L Board President

recei ved a singing te legram,

ba l loons and a ca ke f or  his

birt hday f rom  his wif e!

Visit our website for more information on the

Symposium including PowerPoints and handouts:

www.PCL.org/events/2009proceedings.html 

Award winners Stephanie Taylor (Green L.A.), MiguelLuna, and Elva Yañez with certificates presented byAlana Yañez of Assemblymember de León’s office.

CALIFORNIA TODAY • Planning and Conservation League & PCL Foundation

Senator Pav le y  announces her priorities and the env ironmentalchalleng es of  2009.

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In December, the California Air Resources Board(CARB) approved the Scoping Plan for AB 32, the GlobalWarming Solutions Act of 2006. The approved plan laysout an ambitious array of actions to reduce California’sgreenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020.

Measures in the Plan include expansion of our renewableenergy goals, cleaner cars, and greater energy efficiency inour homes and businesses. Many of these actions willbring other benefits to California, from cleaner air andwater to cost savings and job creation.

Before approving the Plan, CARB made severalsubstantive improvements based upon recommendationsfrom environmental organizations including the Planningand Conservation League. However, while the Board’sapproval marks an important step forward in the fightagainst global warming, the Plan still stumbles in several

areas.According to the Plan, polluting companies may reap

windfall profits, while receiving financially valuable pollutionallowances for free. At a time when our state is strugglingto make sure bus drivers and teachers get paid, it doesn’tmake sense to provide new subsidies to our worst polluters.

We’re also disappointed that, despite a loud outcryfrom the environmental community, many localgovernments, health advocates, and progressive developers,the plan does not include a stronger commitment to

addressing California’s sprawling growth patterns.Recent studies have shown that better land use decisionin California could result in a reduction of greenhouse

emissions on the order of 11-14 million metric tons(MMT) by 2020. Unfortunately, CARB board memberschose a conservative 5 MMT target until a specialcommittee explores the issue in greater detail in 2009.

We’ll continue to work with CARB, the Legislaturand communities across California to make sure that weachieve our low carbon future in an effective, fair manneand that tomorrow’s land use patterns enable us to meeour emission reduction goals and build healthy, sustainacommunities.

California Approves Landmark Climate Plan,Flaws RemaiBy: Matt Vander Sluis

Sprawling land use patterns contribute significantly to global warm     C   a   n     S    t   o   c     k     P     h   o    t   o .   c   o   m

After months of work, the

PCL Foundation is proud to

announce the launch of the

Sierra Nevada Grassroots

Directory. The document

explores issues prevalent in

each of the 23 California and

Nevada counties found in the

Sierra Nevada Mountain

Range. The entire directory

has been posted on the PCL

Foundation website www.PCLFoundation.org .This online resources is a living document that will

be regularly updated with new organizations. If we

missed listing an organization, please let us know by

sending an email to: [email protected] .

Directory for Sierra Complete By: Melanie Schlotterbeck 

     C   a   n   s    t   o   c     k     P     h   o    t   o .   c   o   m

131 Years Later... Change NeedeBy: Tina Andolina

In February, PCL co-sponsored a meeting to discu

the viability of calling a constitutional convention to

re-examine how our state government operates. If th

past year’s budget crisis has taught us anything, it is

that the system is broken. Something must change.

The question is how we accomplish that change.

To kick off that discussion, PCL joined more than

300 others at a standing room only summit to explorethe pros and cons of calling a constitutional conventi

The last constitutional convention in California was

held 131 years ago. A lot has changed since then. Th

overwhelming sentiment in the room, including from

many business leaders and locally elected officials,

was that a convention would offer the best hope to

comprehensively reform state government to make it

once again work for the people. Learn more at:

www.BayAreaCouncil.org/takeaction_ccc.php 

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Barack Obama is in office and if you’re like me, you are pretty excitedabout the direction we’re headed.As you already know, the Presidentis serious about global warming

and the House and Senate havemajorities more inclined to protectthe environment. Despite the laggingeconomy, 2009 is the year when theUnited States must take action andshow the world that we are leaderson global warming.

According to scientists, thislegislation must reduce carbonemissions 80% by 2050 to avoid theworst case scenario. We need to passthis legislation before the internationalcommunity meets this fall to discussa new treaty! This legislation willgenerate an unprecedented source of funding through the auctioning of pollution credits to industry, andthere are many interests fighting forthese funds. National WildlifeFederation is working to represent asmall, but growing voice for wildlife

and natural resources that must“adapt” to our rapidly changingecosystems. State wildlife managers,like California’s Department of Fishand Game, are working hard to

figure out what projects must beprioritized in a changing climate,and they will need much morefunding than currently provided.Nationwide, natural resources fundingcould exceed $100 billion, but onlyif constituents like you ask for it.

We need your help.Please write or call your member

of Congress and ask him or her tobe a real leader and demand a globalwarming bill that gets at least 20%reductions by 2020, 80% reductionsby 2050, and includes significantfunding for natural resources.Senator Boxer and CongressmanWaxman are especially importantin this process, since they Chair thecommittees that will move thesebills through Congress.

Also, if you represent anorganization that has an interest inatural resources funding, pleaseconsider asking your group to joiCalifornia’s “Teaming with WildlCoalition. This group is quicklybecoming the voice for naturalresources funding to combat climchange, and they are looking fornew members. Please visit:www.Teaming.com/action to join anread more, or contact Matt VandeSluis, California’s non-profit contafor Teaming, at [email protected] .

California Natural Resource Funding in National Climate Bills By: Matt Little, National Wildlife Federation

At the PCL and PCL Foundation 2009 Symposium,

longtime environmental leaders went on the record

about the Planning and Conservation League’s legacy.

Through audio recordings, League members shared

some of the significant landmarks that put PCL on the

map of California’s history. One highlight included

PCL’s initiative to preserve the Zero Emission Vehicle

option before the California Air Resources Board that

was later highlighted in the documentary “Who

Killed the Electric Car?” Additionally, PCL sponsored

the state’s first-ever volunteer signature gathering

campaign to pass a $776 million park bond, Proposition

70.

It was clear from these stories that since its

beginning, PCL has attracted members because they

see the League as a responsive, agile, and effective

environmental force in the state.

Members Contribute to the PCL History Project  By: Charlotte Hodde

Can you help us identify the individuals in this historic

PCL photo? If so, email your answer to [email protected]

Page 8: March 2009 California Today, PLanning and Conservation League Newsletter

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for generations to come

Thoughtful estate planning includes considering:

• Your own financial future and retirement

• Your family’s financial security

• A safe and healthy environment for future generati

To receive free information about how thoughtful

estate planning can benefit you, your family and the

environment, please call Traci Sheehan at 916-313-4

or contact her by email at [email protected] .

30% post-consumer waste; processedchlorine free and printed in soy ink

PERIODICALSPOSTAGE

PAIDSACRAMENTCALIFORNIA

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE

LANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION

107 9TH STREET, SUITE 360 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

 VISIT US ON THE WEB: www.PCL.org  or  www.PCLFoundation.org 

Jo Smith was a loyal and active PCL member formany years. She will be remembered as a passionateenvironmentalist, naturalist, and advocate who careddeeply about the Sacramento community.

Jo was active in many groups including the AudubonSociety, the American River Parkway Foundation, Savethe American River Association and the SacramentoTree Foundation. She was the founding member of the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and co-founder of theSacramento Urban Creeks Council. She was also amember of the League of Women Voters for over 50

years and served on its Board of Directors.“She had a critical mind and a critical eye, but she

never spoke critically,” said Alta Tura, President of theSacramento Urban Creeks Council.

Remembering Jo Smith By: Traci Sheehan

Protecting all the unique gems California, no matter how sma

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION

Long-time Planning and Conservation League (PCL)board member Dorothy Green died on October 13, 2008

of melanoma. She was a steadfast supporter of theLeague and always advocated for California’s wise wateruse and water policy.

In her honor, the PCL Foundation has establishedthe Dorothy Green Fellowship. The Fellow will conductresearch and public outreach on California water issues.Our goal is to have our first Fellow begin in the Fall of 2009. The position will be available to a college studentor recent graduate.

We encourage you to provide a tax deductible gift tosupport this position. To make a donation online go to:

www.PCLFoundation.org/donate  or call 916-313-4517.

DorothyGreenFellowship By: Melanie Schlotterbeck