The governor has signed legislation to speed up offshore wind development to help the state’s long term electricity demand and climate goals. Governor Newsom signed SB 286 this week, to expedite the offshore wind permitting process that can take 5 years. The bill aims to protect the coastal environment and fishing fleets as well as creating sustainable jobs and more. The Offshore Wind Expediting Act helps the process through the State Coastal and State Lands Commissions. The Record Bee reports environmental safeguards will remain in place and the fishing industry protected. It will become law on January 1st of 2024.
Cal Fire is lifting its burn suspension of residential outdoor burn permits starting today at noon. People with residential burn permits can now burn on permissible burn days. As per usual, agriculture burns must be inspected by Cal Fire before burning until the end of the peak fire season. Permits are available online and are for people in the State Responsibility area and it is the responsibility of the landowner to check with local fire agencies for any other permit requirements. Before you burn, call the Mendocino County Air Management District to make sure you’re permitted to burn.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors is approving the Lake County Rodeo Association to lease and buy county owned property for events. At their meeting last week the board heard the proposal. Lake County News reports the rodeo board would like to make an 86 acre parcel in north Lakeport its long term home. Equestrian trails may also be in the cards for the land, using it as a public access trail head. There was discussion on using the site to also facilitate large animal sheltering during emergencies and evacuations. The Rodeo Association will go ahead and start putting in the infrastructure for events.
Conservation advocates are pressing the state to set ambitious targets for nature-based climate solutions this week. The California Natural Resources Agency’s Expert Advisory Committee meets Thursday to unveil draft recommendations to capture and store climate-warming carbon through better management of farms, forests and wetlands. The California News Service reports plants naturally sequester carbon in their biomass and in the soil. Restoration of coastal wetlands and conservation of old-growth forests, for example, remove carbon from the air and make the state more resilient to the effects of climate change, such as drought, wildfire and flooding. The commission has until the end of the year to finalize its recommendations.
Cal OES is holding a seven-stop tour to build on the state’s earthquake early warning system, starting today in Sacramento, and tomorrow in San Francisco. A shake simulator able to duplicate a 7.0 magnitude earthquake will travel across the state giving first responders quake prep tips. The Great Shake Out tour will finish with the Great California Shake Out Day on October 19th with residents participating in an earthquake drill and practice life saving actions like drop, cover and hold on. Check out California’s Office of Emergency Services online for details.
Redwood Credit Union is ranked the healthiest credit union in the state and sixth healthiest in the nation according to a HealthScore issued by Glatt Consulting. Credit unions financial health is studied by the firm that uses metrics to calculate operational strength, asset and liability management and more. The Willits News reports Redwood Credit Union has been awarded the highest 5-star rating for nine years in a row. It’s good news for residents of Ukiah with the approval of the latest Redwood Credit Union Branch set to go ahead in the city.
The state Attorney General Rob Bonta is announcing that the large-capacity magazine ban will stay, per the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Large capacity magazines can hold over 10 rounds of ammo. The court order issued yesterday confirms California’s restrictions. AG Bonta says the ban is a key component in efforts to fight gun violence. The Ninth Circuit is arguing that the US Supreme Court Decision needs to be reevaluated on the test of the Second Amendment and its history and tradition of regulation. The release issued in KymKemp notes the court made the decision by focusing on current technology and recognizes that large capacity magazines are not protected by the Second Amendment.
The latest COVID 19 vaccine has had a rocky start, weeks after federal approval. As COVID cases increase there have been some delays reported by CVS, Walgreens, Kaiser and other medical facilities. The Bay Area News Group reports medical professionals say there is a supply issue and back orders. The vaccine is not yet available for patients under 12 yet, as adult vaccines have been the first to be distributed. Child size vaccines require different dosing and packaging. It’s been a month now, that the CDC announced the updated vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna were cleared for everyone 6 months and older by the FDA. According to the California Department of Public Health, only about 22 percent of residents have gotten the latest booster.
The California Trout group, Round Valley Indian Tribes and the Eel River Forum are presenting the early phases of a restoration and conservation plan for the river system. MendoFever reports the groups met last week and discussed the four phases to the Eel River Watershed restoration. Phase one is the planning stage and is happening now with a study on five focal species of fish and their habitat. Scientists involved in the effort set up the program goals and objectives that include removing barriers, including the Scott Dam. The next phase of the plan is prioritization including discussion of cost, engaging with landowners along the river and data gathering. Officials will also study plant health through satellite imagery for the entire watershed.
The last lens tour for the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse is set for this weekend. On Saturday the 14th, the Lightkeepers Association lighthouse lens tour will begin at 10am with the last tour of the day at 4pm. The lens and motor just got restored with the 110 year old Fresnel Lens cleaned up and shining brightly. The lighthouse on the Northern Coast raises funds through the tours to preserve the nautical beacon. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports the tours are not for the faint of heart with a half mile walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse, and steep stairs and ladders. The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse will announce their 2024 tour schedule soon.
Governor Newsom has been busy vetoing and signing new legislation. Just this week, he signed SB 362 into law. The Delete Act directs the California Privacy Protection Agency to create a tool that makes data brokers delete personal information when requested. The LA Times reports data gatherers sell people’s personal information like addresses, spending habits and employment status. There are about 500 data brokers in the state that analyze and use the information for marketing and political campaigns. The new law will make it easier to protect consumer privacy and help people get sensitive information erased from data brokers’ banks. Opponents of the bill say the legislation could have unintended consequences for small businesses.
More new legislation is on the books. Governor Newsom signed a bill that is intended to change California’s mental health policies. The signing of the bill yesterday effectively loosens rules about involuntary treatment, with some saying more people will be put into mental health facilities against their will. The Record Bee reports Newsom is expected to sign additional laws that would let voters determine how to pay for 10,000 new beds and housing, as well as funding mental health services via a tax on the rich. The growing homeless population has motivated lawmakers in dealing with mental health on a community wide scale. Through CARE Court, family, friends and behavioral health officials can petition a court to order treatment plans.
