 |
|
|
Sierra Nevada Conservancy Approves First Round of Grants
On the heels of yesterday's symposium "Climate Change in the Sierra," Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) board members met at Nevada County's Rood Center on Thursday for their regular board meeting. Applause greeted their unanimous vote to award $2,796,188 in grant funding to 48 projects located in the 22-county area of the agency's jurisdiction.
 |
| Gov. Schwarzenegger signed AB 2600, the Sierra Conservancy bill in September 2004. Photo: YubaNet |
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is the largest conservancy in the state with 25 million acres from the Oregon border to Kern County.
Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2600, sponsored by Assemblymembers Tim Leslie (R-Tahoe City) and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) on the banks of the Bear River in September 2004. The mission of the SNC: "The Sierra Nevada Conservancy initiates, encourages, and supports efforts that improve the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities and the citizens of California."
The governing board, headed by Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman, briefly discussed the outcome of the climate change symposium. "The symposium set a very high bar for discussion on climate change," Chrisman said. Board member B.J. Kirwan was impressed with the caliber of both the panelists and the audience. Suggestions for next year's symposium abounded, both from members of the SNC's board and the public, many of whom attended the event.
The Sierra Nevada license plate is still on track and various ideas for the language on the plate are being finalized. License plate holders are one way to expand the language from simply "Sierra Nevada" to include "California's Watershed," raising awareness of the fact that 60% of the state's water supply comes from the Sierra region. To pre-register for the license plate, go to www.sierralicenseplate.org/.
A final decision on permanent headquarters has been postponed until the last meeting in the current fiscal year. Discussions with interested parties within a 30-minute radius of Auburn continue, Executive Officer Jim Brenham reported.
First round of funding released
In November 2006, California voters passed Proposition 84, which included an allocation of $54 million of bond funding for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC). In January the governor proposed, and the legislature approved, $17 million in grant funds for the SNC for fiscal year 2007-08, according to the meeting documents.
Eleven projects were being recommended for funding as projects with region-wide significance. One project was recommended for funding through a sub-grant from a California Fire Safe Council Block grant.
The remaining 37 projects are located in one of the six regions of the SNC. They range from a comprehensive interpretive plan for Yosemite National Park and its surrounding communities to watershed restoration and funding for Firesafe Council projects.
The complete list of projects can be found here.
Performance reporting is a requirement for all projects after completion. In keeping with their innovative style, SNC staff suggests: Provide a description of the "wow" factor: is there anything about this project that gives you "goosebumps?"
If the many "Thank Yous" from applicants and the sustained applause after approval are any indication, the SNC is poised to enhance the "wow factor" of the Sierra significantly.
For more information about the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, go to sierranevada.ca.gov/.
Related article:
Experts Talk Turkey about Climate Change at Sierra Nevada Conservancy Symposium
|
|
|
|
