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CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR OR ASSEMBLY MEMBER! (PDF,
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AB 68 (Single-Use Bag Reduction Act)
Support California Assembly Bill 68, introduced by Assemblymember
Julia Brownley (District 41) to require large grocery and convenience
stores to charge a $0.25 fee for plastic, paper, and compostable
plastic grocery bags, the proceeds of which would be used for local
litter abatement, cleanup and prevention programs (plastic bags
for meats, fruits/vegetables are exempt). This approach would encourage
shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. A similar law in Ireland
has reduced plastic bag consumption by over 90%.
Heal
the Bay maintains an excellent Web site on the Act HERE.
HR 2454 (American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009)
Sponsored by Reps. Waxman (D-CA) and Markey
(D-MA) would establish an integrated Federal program to protect,
restore, and conserve the Nation's natural resources in the face
of climate change and ocean acidification and to provide financial
support and incentives for programs, strategies, and activities
that further these goals. This would create a funding mechanism
for the protection of critical watershed lands.
National
Wildlife Federation maintains an excellent Web site on the Act HERE.
AB 2986 (CA Clean Water Act)
AB
2986 fact sheet (PDF, 174 KB)
Update to AB 2986: Vetoed by Governor.
AB 1960
Sponsored by Assemblymember Nava (D-Santa Barbara), will
be amended to enact a comprehensive Inland Oil Spill Prevention
program by requiring effective maintenance standards and oversight
of inland oil-producing facilities. It ensures that the Department
of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources
effectively oversees the inspection, testing, maintenance and operations
of oil production facilities. The bill will be amended to enhance
the state’s oversight of inland oil production facilities,
including the ability to shut down high frequency oil spillers,
in order to better prevent expensive and environmentally damaging
oil spills.
Update to AB 1960: Signed by Governor into
law.
SB 1739
Sponsored by Senator Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to ensure first-responders
are adequately trained and prepared to take action on marine oil
spills by ensuring that routine, thorough emergency drills and practices
are taking place. The bill also makes it mandatory that oil spill
response organizations actually demonstrate, through inspections
and announced or unannounced drills, that they can deploy the response
resources outlined in their contingency plans.
Update to SB 1739: Signed by Governor into
law.
AB 2911
Sponsored by Assemblymember Wolk (D-Davis), will be amended to statutorily
enact a comprehensive Inland Oil Spill Response and Clean-up program
within OSPR, similar to what currently exists in law for marine
oil spills, and strengthen enforcement penalties for inland and
marine oil spills. The bill will also enhance the state’s
efforts to conduct search, rescue and treatment of oiled wildlife
following an oil spill.
Update to AB 2911: Passed and was signed into
law by the Governor Sept. 30, 2008.
Congress' First Override of Bush Veto Authorizes New Water Projects
Nov. 8, 2007: In its first override of a Bush veto, Congress passed the Water Resources Development Act, authorizing $23 billion in new water projects around the country. Part of the spending includes shoring up levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta—a significant source of Southern California water that could be disrupted if fragile Delta levees were to be breached during a major earthquake or because of rising sea levels. The override vote was overwhelming—79-14 in the Senate and 361-54 in the House.
Sen. Feinstein Introduces Water Quality/Supply Bill for Inland Empire
Oct. 31, 2007: Inland Empire Waterkeeper commended Sen. Dianne Feinstein for introducing a bill that would provide three water supply projects for Southern California. Two of these projects would directly benefit Inland Empire water supply and water quality. The bill would:
- Authorize $10 million for design, planning and construction of a natural treatment systems and wetlands for the Santa Ana River.
- Authorize $26 million for design, planning and construction of the Lower Chino Dairy Area desalination demonstration and reclamation project.
For more information about this bill, click here.
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