RCRC staff is requesting comments on the provisions of Assembly Bill 823 (Eggman). AB 823 would require an applicant for a project that involves the conversion of agricultural land to a permanent or long-term nonagricultural use to mitigate the identified environmental impacts associated with the conversion through the permanent protection and conservation of land suitable for agricultural use. Agricultural land is defined to mean land currently used for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity for commercial purposes, land left fallow under a crop rotational program, or land enrolled in an agricultural subsidy or set-aside program.

AB 823 also specifies certain requirements that the mitigation measures must meet, thus establishing minimum statewide mitigation standards. The text of AB 823 can be accessed here. Assembly Member Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) is the Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee.

Please send comments to RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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AB 115 (Perea) the “Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund”, bill would authorize the Department of Public Health (Department) to fund projects where multiple water systems apply for funding as a single applicant for the purpose of consolidating water systems or extending services to households relying on private wells. Additionally, the bill would authorize the Department to fund a project to benefit a disadvantaged community that is not the applying agency. The bill has passed out of the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee. RCRC position is Supportive of this bill.

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The next meeting of the Amador Calaveras Consensus Group will take place on Wednesday, March 20th, at the West Point Veterans Hall located at the corner of Highway 26 and Bald Mountain Road in West Point, CA. The meeting will begin at 9:30am.

A large part of the overall meeting will be the discussion on biomass feedstock for the Wilseyville Project.

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KQBM a Calaveras County based local community radio station has been issued a license to broadcast on 90.7 fm. The station is currently streaming on the internet and you can listen to KQMB and find out more at KQBM.org.

Supporters are holding a fundraising event this Saturday March 22 at the Pine Grove Town Hall from 7 pm to 10 pm. The funds are needed to help KQBM achieve broadcast capability over the FM airways.

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BloodSource will hold two blood drives in April to meet the Community’s need for blood and blood products. First is the Veterans Community blood drive, Monday, April 8, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. At the American Legion Hall, 11041 American Legion Drive, Sutter Creek, at the Corner of Airport & Hwy 49 followed the Next day by an Ione Community blood drive on Tuesday, April 9 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, at Evalynn Bishop Hall, 600 South Church Street/Highway 124, Ione, CA All walk-ins are welcome. The drive is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ione.

Donating blood is safe, easy and takes about an hour. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be at least 17 years old (16 with a signed BloodSource Parental consent form) and be generally healthy. There is no upper age limit for blood donations. Donors must bring a photo ID and should drink plenty of fluids before donating. Potential marrow donors can register for “Be the Match” through BloodSource. For more information about the Ione Community blood drive contact: Kristi Roots or April Gasaway call 274-4543

Participate in the Veterans or Iones Community blood drive and earn MyBloodSource rewards and redeem your rewards online for great items!

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