BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Recommended Positions on Federal Legislation: S 731 (Feinstein) and HR 1738 (Garamendi)-Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Establishment Act (Continued from May 23, 2017).
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt positions of “Support” on S 731 (Feinstein) and HR 1738 (Garamendi)-Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Establishment Act.
Body
SUMMARY:
S 731 (Feinstein) and HR 1738 (Garamendi)-Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Establishment Act
Recommendation: Support
Priority Recommendation: 2
This legislation would establish the Delta estuary as a National Heritage Area (NHA) to be managed by the Delta Protection Commission (Commission). The goal of the Commission is to ensure orderly, balanced conservation and development of Delta land resources and improved flood protection.
The bill authorizes $10 million in federal assistance over 15 years to provide matching grants to implement the locally developed Heritage Area management plan to promote environmental stewardship, heritage conservation, and economic development projects throughout the Delta. The federal share of the total cost of any activity under this Act is not to exceed 50 percent.
The bill would have no effect on water rights, water contracts or property rights and create no new regulatory authority or burden on local government or private citizens.
Response to Board Question Regarding Funding Amounts
During the May 23, 2017 Board meeting, a question was asked about whether the bill allocates specific funding amounts or funding percentages within the three project categories (environmental stewardship, heritage conservation, and economic development). The bill author’s office has indicated that there are no specific allocations or percentages assigned in the bill language. They clarified that if the bill passes, the Commission would first develop a Heritage Area management plan, at which time specifics such as percentage allocations among various grant categories would be considered.
Status:
S 731 was introduced on March 27, 2017, and referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. HR 1738 was introduced on March 27, 2017, and referred to the House Natural Resources Committee and on April 4, 2017, it was referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Importance to the District:
Staff recommends a “Support” position on these bills.
The District has a strong interest in ensuring the Delta is environmentally healthy and stable. This bill would secure additional federal resources to ensure our interest is met. The bill will have no effect on water rights or water contracts and creates no new regulatory authority or burden on local government.
The District supported a previous version of this Act in the last Congressional session.
Pros
• Designation as an NHA will allow for additional federal resources to be provided.
• NHA designation is likely to increase public education about the Delta, thus building a constituency of persons interested in preserving, protecting, and enhancing the Delta.
Cons:
• None identified at this time.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have a potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Rachael Gibson, 408-630-2884