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Home My WebLink AboutCA Oaks Wildlife Foundation BUTTE C(3l.JTti➢"fTY AD BI" IS°C`RAI"¢C N NOV 11216 ` O1'v(7VIf,[j,:',C:`.AC.d'Rt N[R �, 1d C'%I,..Ili a.tCvcs";,VIVIt F"OUP40,41ION VON,VH. U II'f11eN IANVII DLL IJ 011NlDA�Ifl1p+,tkBkC, "all/Winter 2016. Greetings: The California Oaks program of California Wildlife Foundation publishes materials to assist agencies, businesses, and community groups protect oak woodlands and oak forested lands. We enclose the Fall/Winter newsletter, which reports on oak issues we are engaged in and announces the formation of California flaks Coalition. (California Oaks Coalition's primary objective is to keep oaks standing because of their critical role in sequestering carbon, maintaining healthy watersheds, and providing sustainable wildlife habitat. The net result following the destruction of oak woodlands is, at best, many years of lost ecosystem services. flak seedlings, while essential, cannot replace mature trees for up to one hundred years. We invite you to subscribe to our electronic newsletter, if you do not already. You can sign up at www.californiaoaks.org or by sending an email to oakstaff oacalifomiaoaks.org. Conserving oak resources is a good investment in California's future. Sincerely, ct Cobb Angela Moskow Executive flflicer California flaks Information Network Manager 510-763-0282. Enclosure ME {.14s San Lu 'I' s Obispo County Responds to Oak Woodlands Clear-cut with Urqenc,y Measures The San Luis Obispo County The image on the left is Board of Supervisors passed, two from Google Maps of the jLtstin Vineyards property urgency ordinances in response to in Paso Robles in 2015. At the public outcry after the photo- right is the same property graphs to the right—showing before photographed by Matt and after the devastation resulting l'—d-011. (These images originally appeared in the o -7 from clear-cuts of oak trees at Justin Paso Robles Dail y.Nevvs.) Vineyards—went viral. These ordi- nances took immediate effect when We'veriever seen anything of this scale and ma�ynitude...I looked down and said, "Whoa, they were passed on July 15, and what is happening here?"It was startling....I'm a property-ri�yhts person, but if you don't do govern activities on unincorporated something, there won't be an),property to protect. Matt Trevisan of Linne Calodo Cellars, lands outside of the county's coastal quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle. zone.Originally in place for 45-days, the ordinances were extended ata that are diseased or that need to be required for more than 25%. The meeting of the Board of Supervisors removed for emergency purposes Board of Supervisors voted unani- held on August 16. Janet Cobb, are exempted fromthe regulation, mously to extend the ordinance Executive Officer of California The ordinance allows removal of up, until April 2017. Wildlife Foundation/California to 5%of native tree canopy on lands The second urgency ordinance Oaks (CWF/CO), testified along used for agricultural operations. strengthens the approval process with more than 20 local community 'Canopy--both before and after oak leaders in favor of the tree ordinance removal operations—is measured for the construction of agricultural and the need for permanent protec- by the county's aerial photography. water storage ponds and reservoirs. tions. Sites under an easement that "pro- It was, enacted in response to vides for the management of Native concerns raised by Justin's neigh- 11-ic tree ordinance limits the cutting Trees or Oak Woodland pursuant to boring well owners regarding and removal of various species of a management plan" are exempt potential impacts to their water oak trees—Blue oak (Quercus doug- from the ordinance. A minor use supplies by the construction of the lasii), Coast live oak(Quercus agrifo- permit is,required for the removal of reservoir pictured above.The Board lia), Interior live oak (Quercus wish- up to 10% of native tree canopy. . of Supervisors voted unanimously zenii), Valley oak Quercus lobata), conditional use permit is required to extend the ordinance until May and Black oak (Quercus kelloggii) for removal of more than 10%, and 20,17- as well as other native trees. Trees an Environmental Impact Report is 01110 / .%./1/.. /'/; .//////,///// //li.�,J i�,/: ://fir /!%/rq%//' //�/✓//ff%%/// /�/, /l /�i / /1,/,>///.�/, �/ /. Ui�r r� ✓ �r �v // .��/ ��r ,r��/%//u rur% � �l .r ri ?�1ii�//��1;/�/ylUl,rin��ju,d///rr «,i� /r�r �!/,h 4;/�C/y%/9.�, �//rr�/�r///l/�um6l ly, r,�/✓, �/�/ J /r. ��11. j�r .J�/� �. . /� L.(,n,/r ✓ /A.,(r ,rlfi,.r/ !./ /�,;,6,ii ��i,...rn/a/ra ��i �/// California Oaks Coalition is a statewide network organized to address issues in 48 counties where oaks play a critical wild- life habitat role and are essential in sustaining healthy watersheds. California Invasive Plant Council; California dative Plant Society; Californians for Western Wilderness; Clover Valley Foundation; Endangered Habitats League; Environ- mental Water Caucus;Forests Forever;Friends of the Richmond Hills;Friends of Spencevi:lle;Napa County Water,Forest and Oak Woodland Protection Committee;Northern California Regional land Trust;Planning and.Conservation League- Sacramento Tree Foundation;Sierra Club Placer County;and Tejon Ranch Conservancy are among the groups partnering with California Oaks to conserve oak-forested lands for future generations. The four areas of support being developed are 1) research and advocacy updates (housed at Arww.californiaoaks.org); 2) information to be disseminated via the media to educate and engage the public; 3)tools for navigating planning processes and educating opinion leaders; and 4) materials to inform local,regional, and state governmental agencies of opportuni- ties for and benefitsof protecting oak woodlands, California Oaks Coalition has teamed up with Friends of the Richmond Hills in support of the Richmond Hills Initiative, an effort to protect 4304 acres in Contra Costa County's El Sobra:nte "Valley from development. If enacted,this measure will amend the Richmond General Plan by limiting development and land use in the Rich- mond hills to protect public health and safety, natural qualities, and open areas. Forests Forever is helping to qualify the initiative as part of the organization's support for local efforts to save oak woodlands and wildlife habitat, (Both Forests Forever and Friends of the Richmond Hills are members of the California Oaks Coalition.) Visit https:Ilsavetherichinondhills.org/to learn how you can be engaged. The San Gabriel Valley Task Force of the Angeles Sierra Club is fighting to protect 41.4 acres in Glendora from a luxury home development that would remove 176 mature oaks and other-tree and chaparral scrub species.The land is in the San Gabriel Mountains,between Glendora.Wilderness Park and the Blue Bird Ranch Conservancy. The area includes several species and communities listed by the state or federal government as endangered,threatened.,of special concern,or sensi- tive, including the Coastal California.gnatcatcher, cactus wren, and the three-leaved brodiacea, Bobcats, mountain lions, black bears, ringtail cats, and foxes live in these wild lands'. A number of land conservancies have expressed interest in purchasing the property;if the owner will sell at current market value,with the goal of extending preserved and protected parklands in an area with very few parcels of remaining open space. 'llie San Gabriel "bask Force sent extensive feedback on the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the project. All told, 40 organizations, tribes, agencies, and individuals, including the California Department of Fish and. Wildlife,. the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians/ Ki h Nation, and California Wildlife Foundation/California Oaks raised concerns'about the proposed development. Uie city's Planning Director expects the final Environmental Impact Report will be released in a few months. 0- 2 ' I! ///r/,//r//rr,ir//Jr /,//�/,.ri / y,ya/,l�/i.1., /r,//'/ r/,r//„/..11-r/i✓y y/i.. r/i / .a.. r, f r W .ufim:!. I // ,�f�1!�/lli�/�/y�/�///�i/ifi.,;i��iy/,��/ii/l//f/��i///�i�✓i�r//%��,,��/ ��i/ii/,,,/,r1 p �II , /,/ii,/�/// /J.�/!,////%/r'//��/l 1////,/�rill///d� r/f��✓, / // rl/e/D, / /// "",. Fire is a natural part of the environment, about as important as rain and sunshine, (Dr. Harold Biswell, fire ecologist with the University of California r School of Forestry)' �r Low intensity fires are generally beneficial for California's oaks.The absence of summer surface fires is considered to be a factor—alongside grazing—in poor seedling regeneration for deciduous oaks.' Fire exclusion can encourage coni- fer encroachment, which lowers black oak vigor and increases fuel loads and l!,/ thus may lead to more damaging fires.' A surface fire (prescribed or wildfire) produces, much less carbon dioxide than a lire that consumes all the trees, A stand that is not burned for as long time has a large buildup of fuel, making it more susceptible to a more intensive fire. California wildfires have burned Fuel accut ulation from a century of fire-suppression, combined with over l�alf.a million ages in 2016. drought, disease, and longer fire seasons has proven to be a lethal mix for Climate change is altering California's forests. The 2015 CWF/CCS .Fire in the Oak Wild Lanes newsletter t� observes the potential for a fire that is bigger, hotter; more damaging, and what the "ecologically appro- uncontrollable increases each year as the seasons progress,"Author registered Nevert fire regimes will sfu, Professional Forester Tom Gaman addressed what this means for California's Nevertheless,h feless, when successful, primary old growth resource. He pointed out that while some species such as such dare management soof , will blue and canyon live oaks are very susceptible to fire, black oaks and scrub produce stands of older; larger oaks survive by sprouting from.the roots and stems. trees whose long-term carbon. storage can outweigh the Current fire regimes are also complicating the state's efforts to lower green- short-term emissions. (Patrick house gas emissions. A research team that studied aboveground live carbon Gonzalez, Ph.D., Principal stock changes in California wild land ecosystems—defined as lands that are Climate Change Scientist, non-urban and non-agricultural—estimated losses from ecosystems to be as National Park Service, much as 5-7% of state carbon emissions between 2001 and 2010. Wildfires Department of Environmen- account for the majority of carbon stock loss during the study period.' tal Science, Policy, and Man- agement, University of Cali- The important role of oak woodlands and oak forested lands in carbon fornia, Berkeley, quoted by sequestration—see Oaks 2040: Carbon Resources in California Oak Woodlands, John Upton in an online downloadable from the resources section of www.californiaoaks.org—gains Climate Central story about greater urgency with 2016 emerging as the hottest year on record. As we adapt the carbon stock study pub- to our changing climate we will need to restore fire regimes while balancing air lisped in April 2015.) duality considerations and concerns of property owners at the wild land urban interface. 'Carle, D.,bitroduction to Fire in California,University of California Press,2008, 2Pavlick, l3„Muick,P.,Johnson,S.,Popper,M. Oaks of California.Cachuma Press and California Oak Foundation, ➢9)1,rev.2006. 3Carle, C7.,Ilai& `Gonzalez,P,Prattles,J.,Collins,B.,Robards,T,Saah,D.Aboveground live carbon stock changes of California wildland ecosystems,2001- 2010,Forest Ecology and Management 348 (2015)68-77. 3 � / r r !✓ / � � F /,, 1, �, ///c/., ,//!/ �/ % i.,r ,r lJ.,rf �✓,2/....6 Je 0 / i �/ J l �/,.,r ./ % �/.. P � .,!„ /1 (�, l�f / hrr... Ia//�iii/liar/��//,/�//fr��/,,,,,lilt✓//�//�i/�/Iliiirr,.,��//i,.r%/�r///,/„/,/// ,/�/o iii,,(/fir/%!%1��/,�/�///�rl„ir�/i/.r//,,�/-,Jlr1i/��/, .rr�,�,G��/��/f„ic El Dorado County is updating the biological resources policies and implementation measures in its General plan, as well as the county's Oak Resources Management Plan, formerly named Oak Woodlands Management plan. An estimated 246,808 acres of oak woodlands grow below 4,000 feet of elevation in El Doi-ado County,with 200,929 acres subject to county regulations, according to a draft Biological Resources policy Update and Oak Resources Management plan Environmental Impact Report (hereafter referred to as the DEIR) (Chapter 5, page 1 ), Tl-le DEIR states that up to 147,146 acres of oak woodlands could be lost,with 138,704 of those acres not subject to any mitigation requirements (Chapter 11, page 10). This includes up to 132,281 acres of oak woodlands that could be destroyed because of expanded agricultural activities in the county. Conversions of oak woodlands on agricultural land are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CE+ A) protections for oak woodlands enacted by passage of Senate Bill 1334 (Kuehl) of 2004. Activists have long battled El Dorado County to protect its vital oak woodlands, and the fight continues. California Oaks joined a 2008 challenge of the county and the Board of Supervisors by Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation and Il Dorado County Taxpayers for Quality Growth,arguing that the county withdraw approval of the Oak Wood- lands Management flan (OWMP) and oak ordinance and follow CEQA, the county General plan, and the provi- sions of a prior settlement. The decision also enjoined the county from utilizing one of two mitigation measures in approving development projects in oak woodland habitat until an OWMP is adopted in conformance with appli- cable law. 'Ihe Court ruled to uphold the Board of Supervisor's action to adopt the plan on February 2, 2010. That decision was over-ruled by the Court of Appeals, which directed the county to prepare an Environmental Impact Report for the OWMP, The OWMP was rescinded on September 4, 2012 and its implementing ordinance was rescinded on September 11, 2012. Most recently, comments were prepared in response to the aforementioned DEIR, which was released for public input on June 30,2016. California Wildlife Foundation/California Oaks submitted a letter focused on the inadequa- cies of the proposed Biological Resources Policy Update and. Calc Resources Management Plan to feasibly and proportionally mitigate direct loss of sequestered carbon and failure of the plan to analyze or feasibly and propor- tionally mitigate the forseeable indirect carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and black carbon emission effects due to removed biogas decomposition or combustion. The California Oaks Coalition encouraged its members and others to submit comments as well, and provided a template letter and instructions. Over 90 individuals, organiza- tions, and agencies submitted strong objections to the DEIR issued in June. This includes a letter on behalf of the Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation,the El Dorado Chapter of the California Native plant Society,and the Maidu Group of the Sierra. Club by the Law Offices of Michael W Graf. Their letter argues that the General Plan is weakened by the county's abandonment of an.Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan,which would identify.and establish important habitat for r wildlife refuge and movement. "The letter also points to the need for mitigation measures for impacts to oak woodlands to be part of a coordinated strategy of protecting important habi- tat. Elder Creek Ecological Preserve submitted comments as Irl f did ,'Sierra Club Placer Group, which recently joined the Cali- fornia Oaks Coalition, El Dorado Ranch, arra American River Conservancy Story continues on page . property near the Costarnnes River in El Dorado County. Photograph courtesy of Tripp Mikich @ 2016 4 It is anticipated that the Planning Commission will hold a hearing later this year on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Stay tuned over the holidays to react about the opportunity to comment on the EIR r ✓ / r / � . / G/ r r,r , � �L r r /..../ / :- irr ..,/ / ,. �. // //,,/ / /. „/, rr, // .moi / /r ,r ../ / r.✓ ,. .,,.,. ,,. / r.../,. i r l r. /„/ r 1. r/ ✓r/i//.. ,. ,.,rr r. ..r ,,, r ,rI r/, / / /r r r r / / r/ l / � / r r ✓ r:/r, r ,✓ ,,, r- ... , r ,.. ,,,,r.. ,/, i-.r;l.,,�o ,. ., r,! .r�� ri/✓////,/�/i/, ../r/,,.�/ �r%�//., // .11l��„r/ !/r/. / / .,..r ,r, /,...,/+.: r a. /r, f.. i, r�/✓f/ C� r��,., �f rr ../....rlf//. ��r,/i. ...o / , r r /r~ / ! /,,,,r,!�/ ,i ,., ✓ / l s, . , ri ,,,a r,,r//i1 Ir�rr, ✓ . rr / ��i it 1fliil /:, �.r.. ;, r. ,o., -,,. / .,� ,li.. // / rr ;1((. -,.ra G ✓.,,r. ./p.//i. %/ f..// rr. / ,1,1//j a / rn I i s „r/ ,,,r f/,/✓,} , i // ,<r,c ,,, r r l r /, r, r r r ar, i /, i,. �a d, /, / /. / // r / 1 i, / � i ,, ri/�! ✓ r r li/ /, J r, /, /r, ,,/ rr/r( �/ r �i ✓r, r /. r r. /-. r r I 0, ,rr I i 4.r s. /,d r „ ,ri / �/r.. „,.✓ r ,, I/ r i lir/,/r/�/,,,,�1.,�%a///�//P�///�///�J �Ga�,/�/i,/�/�i/u;i.�r„rrli�iri/�r/r.��/r /1/✓�,�� :,�i�f�/��lil//��1 Abundant, clean,fresh water depends on forested hillsides, stream buffers, and sustainable use of our water, We're deal- ing with the harsh realities of a mega-drought and record-breaking temperatures. This is the challenge facing all of us in .Napa County. Threats to the quality and quantity of our diminishing water supply loom large... (Michael Marx,quoted in a film made about the Water; Forest, and Oak Woodland Protection Initiative of 2016). The Water, Forest and. Oak Woodland Protection Initiative of 2016 would have /r 7011/x/ %r i/° rr ? i111m IIf 11,' y V established water quality buffer GCDtIe's ;✓f,(r;`�i,//air,/ r�r%n/ r�J�rr/orf �f��r GOj k�r�"� rGa%�� N V'��r/,V dµi ; I, along stream R and wetlands in Napa y, County's Agricultural Watershed 'I Zoning District to prohibit tree removal within the buffer under most circum- stances. Unfortunately, the county's residents will not have the opportunity to vote on the measure in the November 2016 election. ya California Oaks Coalition member Photograph courtesy of Hummingbird Productions, Forests Forever teamed up with the LLC @Jordan Coonrad Water, Forest, and Oak Woodland Protection Committee in Napa County to qualify a November ballot measure to expand the county's oak woodlands protections. Forests Forever helped volunteers to gather 6,200 signatures, and the Napa County Registrar of Voters certified the initiative petition as having 23 percent more valid signatures than were needed. 7.uhen, a few days later, the measure stalled on a procedural technicality. The Registrar of Voters rescinded the certification and refused to place the measure on the ballot. Proponents—represented by Shute, Mihaaly & Weinberger LLP—challenged the decision in Napa County Superior Court,yet the challenge was denied.An Emergency Petition for Writ of Mandate was subsequently filed with the Court of Appeals, and then with the California.Supreme Court. California Wildlife Foundation/California Oaks joined with Forests Forever, California Native Plant Society (also a member of the California Oaks Coalition), Forests Unlimited, and Corporate Ethics International in submitting amicus letters— prepared by Remcho, Johansen &Purcell, LLP—in support of the two emergency petitions. A decision was needed by August 10th in order for the measure to appear on the November ballot. Unfortunately, the Court of Appeals denied the petition and the ,Supreme Court declined to review, A Notice of Intent for Expedited Appeal was filed on August.22. Legal counsel expects a decision by November of 2017. A favorable decision would place the measure on either the June or November 2018 ballot, and thereby allow voters to endorse or deny. Oak Woodland Protection Committee members Jim Wilson and Mike Hackett recently met with California Oaks Coalition,fully describing the hurdles and delays. Despite the disappointments, an anonymous Napa oaks advocate surnmed up the situation: Sixty-three hundred citizens are justgettr'ng alarmed up! 5 r/ 1.r./r / lr h f r. / / 9 ,/. ✓ /i,/�/r, r// / ✓ f rl � t u /r:, .rrr / / ✓- / Fishery and Land Management Plans:The California Department of Fish.and Wildlife (CDFW) completed a fishery management plan for California's spiny lobster that was adopted by the Fish and Carne Commission at its April 2016 meeting. This multi-year planning process involved representatives of the commercial and recreational fishing industries, agencies, and environmental organizations. CWF acted as fiscal and administrative manager for the project, which was supported by a grant from the Ocean Protection Council. CWF is now working with CDFW and stakeholders of the Pacific herring fishery to complete a management plan. Funding for this effort has been provided by the National.Fish and Wildlife Foundation;through.Audubon Califor- nia, thanks to funding from. Cordon and Betty Moore Foundation; and through significant in-kind contributions from.Oceana, California Ocean Science Trust, and Ocean Protection Council, Land management plans for three CDFW properties: Knoxville Wildlife Area, Carrizo Plains Ecological Deserve, and San Jacinto Wildlife Area are expected to be completed within the next year. Funding for these projects is through the Wildlife Conservation Board. Invasive Spartina: CWF,with grant funding provided by the California State Coastal Conservancy,works with numerous local agencies and private contractors to eliminate invasive cordgrass (Spartina alternif lora) in San Fran- cisco Bay, replant with native vegetation and create high tide refuge islands to benefit Ridgeway's rail and protect habitat daring high tides in the face of rising sea levels, Restoration: CWF, along with public and private partners, com- pleted a wetland restoration project at Inner Bair Island near:Redwood City. 11e restoration is part of the South. Bay Salt Pond restoration / effort by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (LJSFWS).CWF's participation in this project, along with a Pacific States Environmental Contractors, Inc., brought in: 1.3 million cubic yards of clean,tested fill at no cost to USFWS, sawing 10-15 million. Efforts are now underway to plan and li h 0 implement restoration of levees and wetlands in Alviso, Mountain View, and Ravenswood. a ea I�iFr tide r°then refuge island,Bair Island c-ornplex, new Redwood City Photograph Ca4EYb} Gavin Archbald and used courtesy „� // / /// / l /r ✓/%/, 1//J % % lf/ J, /„/ / J„ {''IGTIIfprr'71a �'at'e' U(StR,I CClr2SGrVGlttC • Climate change and drought • Over-grazing and poor land • Diseases, which include: Sudden Oak • management Death, Coldspotted Oak Borer, and Urbanization and lack of oak Shot Hole Rorer protections • Fire • Agricultural developments, • Lack of oak regeneration and • Groundwater depletion including vineyards, marijuana poor acorn crops cultivation, and clearing for � Firewood harvesting other water intensive crops Calc browsing by herbivores, gophers, and voles • Obsolete forest practice rules 0- 6 -0 i ,/1 ri,/ //i// // / r✓ 1, ///i, �J,/,/r, / / G l / / /r /„ ,�/1„rr� � �,��0%/`/I%�/r r��✓0� ,l�f�� (�� i�/��/,,,��ir/.�.,//f ✓, r,/��, r G il,rr.//rr,,,/�rr la/G/ A „./.,�/..r , ��/r�� J�/�,// I/e ri//r.//1, � r,r f/.r,G"1Ii /l, l,yr �/,YL /. �/r ✓/ J,/,1i:// �ll �/.,,r, u,�fuu/�f aL�,/ /i �rre,�l�.��;.' ,,. J /I//%/%J /r,// ,r� r, / /, r / /� /r� Jr f//✓ /I,.,, /(// //,/�U r.�f Y �/// // / �i.v% /l%� ./j (� /, rf /J//,r�%,li/ /,r// /r .r, �I! r �n�,sal I/ � rr1 err/,ro��%i �l ///„I r��„/! /,✓ nyl r l(� (, i Y�//�iG/r/ u �,rr,,./ ,,,,�.✓�/,/, /r,,,,lx/i,,.,,/✓/,//,;,;,,;,,/�/,.,a��,,r✓//(r/�/aY./,��/��f///(i//r/�/fir/r%//%/rf/�/�/l�(,///!,/i��/��//!Nr t��/�i/i�ir✓,�// Californias environment and communities received a boost when the Legislature approved Senate Bill (SB) 32 (Pavley), Assembly Bill (AB) 197 (Garcia), and SB 1383 (Lara.), summarized below. Other measures, AB 1530 (Gomez) and.AB 2772 (Burke), directed climate change revenue to benefit low income communities.. B 32 extends and builds upon the provisions of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006,Assembly Bill 32, by directing the Air Resources Board (ARB) to ensure that statewide greenhouse gas ernissions are reduced to at least 40 percent below the 1990 statewide emissions level by December 31, 2030, AB 1.97 creates a legislative oversight committee for the ARB, limits the length of time ARB members can serve before needing to be reapproved by lawmakers, and requires ARB to prioritize emission reduction rules and regula- tions that result in more protections for the state's most impacted and disadvantaged communities. Requirements include direct reductions at large stationary, mobile, and other sources of greenhouse gas emissions. AB 197 defines social costs as `pan estimate of the economic damages, including, but not limited to, changes in net agricultural productivity; impacts to public health; climate adaptation impacts, such as property damages from increased flood. risk; and changes in energy systern costs, per metric ton of greenhouse gas emission per year:' 13 1383 requires the ARB to approve and begin implementing a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCp) to achieve a reduction in methane by 0%, hydrofluorocarbon gases by 0%U, and anthropogenic black carbon (soot) by 50% below 2013 levels by 2030. 1hese reductions are considered a way to make important progress toward reducing greenhouse gases while providing health benefits through the reductions of harmful particulates in black carbon that promote cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.It is anticipated that ARB will approve the SLOP strategy later this year. Measure .A.A., the Bay Area's first-ever nine-county ballot measure, was passed in June's election. The measure, which required a cumulative two-thirds majority vote, received over 69% of the votes. This 20-year parcel tax is expected to raise $500 million for marsh restoration and improved public access along the San Francisco Bay shore- line, Marsh restoration is a climate change adaptation strategy to enhance the bay's resiliency as sea levels rise. Rev- enue will be raised, beginning July 1, 2017, through a flat tax of 12 per parcel per year throughout the region. The first Measure AA grants are scheduled to be awarded in 2018 by the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority,which was formed in 2008 by the California.Legislature. San Diego County's voters will be considering the Road Repair, Transit,Traffic Relief, Safety and Water Qual- ity Measure on this November's ballot. 1f approved by at least two-thirds of voters, Measure A well impose a new half-cent sales tax in San Diego County estimated to bring in $18 ,r billion in revenue over 40 years, including , 2 billion in funding for J wildlife conservation. 1f passed, the measure would fund conserva- tion strategies for over 100 species, including ecosystem resilience measures„ habitat corridor linkages, invasive species controls, and a science-based fuel management strategy. The funds will also be used for a series of regional transportation projects, including expanded kyr ; and increased rail service,highway upgrades,and bike and pedestrian paths. Revenue raised through Measure A would fund projects identified in the San Diego Forward Regional plan. The plan's Sustainable Corn- Photo courtesy Placer Land Trust, taken on the munities Strategy seeks to lower greenhouse gas emissions to align perinanently protected 1,778-acre Harvego with Air Resources Board targets. .Bear.diver Preserve in Placer County. W_ 7 a CAUFORNUA MUDLWE Fcw41DA110d`4 VV WVV,CALA FC)RN Wh wA)J FER)U N'0A110N.0 RG 428 13th Street,Suite ioA. tcl 510-208 4436 Oaklnd,CA 9461z fzax 310.z68.99 .S How You Can Help: California Oaks is a fund within California Wildlife Foundation, federal tax identifica- tion number 68-0234744. All contributions of cash, stocks, or bonds are tax deductible. California Oaks also works with partners to protect land and establish easements for conservation purposes. • Send a donation in support of California Wildlife Foundation/California Oaks. A donor directive form is included in this mailing and a secure donation can be made from our website: www.californiawildlife.org. • Please consider including oak conservation in your financial and estate planning efforts. • Be vigilant about threats to oak woodlands and oak forested lands in your community and email California Oaks for support on conservation projects: oakstaff@californiaoaks.org. • Sign up for the Oaks e-newsletter at www,californiaoaks.org. • Send letters in support of oak protections. The Oaks e-newsletter and Take Action page on the Oaks website provide background and template letters. Foundation/California Oaks, landowner is in bankruptcy. The Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council trustee appealed the decision in Hills For Everyone protects, in Brea and Chino Hills, Chino Hills February 2016 although the City of connects, restores, and interprets the State Park Interpretive Association, Brea did not. It is anticipated that a unique, rare, and threatened land- Hillside Open Space Education three-judge panel will hear the scape of the Puente-Chino Hills. Coalition, Puente Hills Habitat appeal in early 2017. These wildlands support a diverse Authority, and Wildlife Corridor Esperanza Hills:`ffie community array of native wildlife at the inter- Conservation Authority. Addition- group, Protect Our Homes and section of Los Angeles, Orange, ally, Hills for Everyone teams up Hills, took the lead in filing a lawsuit Riverside, and San Bernardino— with other environmental organiza- tions challenging Orange County and the Southern California's most populous to fight development threats to City of Yorba Linda in 2015 after the counties. Mountain lions hunt mule the area's remaining open space. Orange County Board of Supervi- deer in the area's mosaic of grass- Current battles include: sors unanimously approved the lands, chaparral, coastal sage, and Madrona: Hills for Everyone; Esperanza Hills development to oak and walnut woodlands. Road- Sierra Club; Friends of Harbors, build approximately 340 units on runners, California gnatcatchers, Beaches and Parks; and the Califor- over 460 acres, Hills For. Everyone; northern harriers, and other birds in nia Native Plant Society filed a California Native Plant Society; decline throughout Southern Cali- lawsuit in July 2014 challenging the Endangered Habitats League; and fornia still persist here; as do reptile approval by the Brea City Council of Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and and amphibian fauna. (See: Wayne Madrona, a hotly contested project Parks are co-petitioners in the suit. D. Spencer, Ph.D., Maintaining to develop 162 homes on 367 acres The trial for the Esperanza Hills case Ecological Connectivity Across the of ridges and hills in a fire-prone was heard in May 2016. The judge "Missing Middle" of the Puente- area next to Chino Hills State Park. found that the report's greenhouse Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor, Con- The Superior Court of California gas analysis was flawed, thus over- servation Biology Institute, 2005.) overturned the project approval in turning the Environmental Impact Hills for Everyone accomplishes November 2015. A trustee appointed Report and project approvals. much of its work through partner- by the State of Idaho has been ships with California Wildlife processing the project because the @ 2076, California Wildlife FoundationIcalifornia Oaks, Please feel free to share this newsletter and reprint after providing notice. A?'- 8 �#