2014 federal legislative platform county of 2014 · and overall policy guidance by adopting a...
TRANSCRIPT
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Federal Legislative Platform2014County
San Bernardinoof
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Thelargestoftheover3,000countiesintheU.S.bygeographicareaandthe12thlargestbypopulation,SanBernardinoCountyenjoyedarobusteconomypriortothecollapseofthehousingandfinancialmarkets.Withthedecline of traditional revenue streams such as property and sales tax, theCountywasforcedtomakedifficultbudgetdecisions.Evenastheeconomyand thestate’s fiscal conditionhaveslowly started to improve,major fiscalchallenges to theCounty remain,asemployment,assessedvaluation,andrevenues remain well below their pre-recession levels, while demand forserviceshasincreased.
InorderfortheCountytocontinuetoprovidequalityservices,assistancefromthestateandcontinuedpartnershipwiththedelegationisimperative.Inthisplatform,youwillfindSanBernardinoCounty’sfederallegislativeprioritiesfor2014.
Basedonprinciplesof fiscal stability, preservationof local control, efficientservicedeliveryandoperations,andthepromotionofinter-agencycooperation,theSanBernardinoCountyBoardofSupervisorsprovidesspecificdirectionandoverallpolicyguidancebyadoptingalegislativeplatformannually.
The2014FederalLegislativePlatformwasdevelopedincoordinationwiththeBoardofSupervisors,Countydepartments,and regionalstakeholders.TheLegislativePlatformisanexpressionoftheBoard’sdirectionforcomprehensiveCountylegislativepolicyonarangeofissuesandneedsfacingtheCounty.Legislative Priorities, Legislative Positions and Policy Statements are laidout intheplatform.TheLegislativePrioritiessectiondescribestheCounty’slegislative goals and outlines the legislative agenda for the current year,whiletheLegislativePositionsandPolicyStatementsprovidegeneralpolicydirectionwhendevelopingapositiononpending legislation.Thisdocumentis broken into areas including governance, finance and operations, healthand human services, public safety and first responders, housing, land useandtransportation,floodcontrol,waterresourcesandenvironmentalquality,andcultural,educationalandrecreationalservices.Eachitemcontainsabriefbackgroundandlegislativeaction.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
RobertLovingoodFirst District Supervisor
JaniceRutherfordChairSecond District Supervisor
JamesRamosThird District Supervisor
GaryOvittViceChairFourth District Supervisor
JosieGonzalesFifth District Supervisor
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
GregoryC.Devereaux
CountyofSanBernardinoGovernmental and LegislativeAffairs
385NorthArrowheadAve.,5thFl.SanBernardino,CA92415
(909)387-4821•Phone(909)387-5430•Fax
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES •LocalControlofOntarioAirport.................................................................................................... •MovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCenturyReauthorization................................................. •PaymentinLieuofTaxesEquityandFullFunding...................................................................... •TaxExemptStatusofMuncipalBonds........................................................................................ •WaterResourceDevelopmentActReauthorization.................................................................... •WorkforceInvestmentActReauthorization................................................................................
LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS AND POLICY STATEMENTS FOR GOVERNANCE, FINANCE AND OPERATIONS EconomicDevelopmentAgency •BuyAmerica.................................................................................................................................
LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS AND POLICY STATEMENTS FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
•HealthCareAdministration............................................................................................................AgingandAdultServices •Long-TermCareMaintenanceNeeds.......................................................................................... •Long-TermCareOmbudsmanProgram.......................................................................................
ArrowheadRegionalMedicialCenter •DisproportionateShareHospitalFunding.....................................................................................
BehavioralHealth •FederalFundingforIntegratedTreatment..................................................................................... •HomelessAssistanceProgram...................................................................................................... •InstitutionsforMentalDiseaseMedicaidReimbursement............................................................ •MedicalUniversityResidencies.....................................................................................................ChildrenandFamilyServices •ExtendedFosterCareServices................................................................................................... •FosterCareServices................................................................................................................... •StreamliningChildWelfareServices............................................................................................ •SupervisonofNon-Minor-Dependents.........................................................................................
PublicHealth •FederalMedicaidAssistancePercentages................................................................................... •FederallyQualifiedHealthCenters............................................................................................... •FoodSafety................................................................................................................................... •HealthcareDisparities................................................................................................................... •HealthProfessionalShortageinMedicallyUnderservedArea/Population.................................... •SafeDrinkingWater...................................................................................................................... •VectorControl..............................................................................................................................
Table of Contents
11112
3
55
6667
7888
999101010
4
5
10
2
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
TransitionalAssistance •TemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamiliesReauthorization........................................................VeteransAffairs •DisabilityCompensationBenefits.................................................................................................. •PrescriptionsWrittenbyNon-VAPhysicians................................................................................ •VeteransAdministrationInformationSystem............................................................................... •VeteransProgram........................................................................................................................ •VAMedicalCare:MeansTesting.................................................................................................
LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS AND POLICY STATEMENTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND FIRST RESPONDERS CountyFire •PublicSafetyRegionalFireTrainingCenter................................................................................. •UnfundedFireProtectionAreas....................................................................................................ForestCare •HealthyForest...............................................................................................................................
Sheriff •Cal-IDAutomatedFingerprintIdentificationSystem..................................................................... •ScientificInvestigationsDivisionProgramFunding..................................................................... •StateCriminalAlienAssistanceProgramFunding......................................................................
LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS AND POLICY STATEMENTS FOR HOUSING, LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATIONCommunityDevelopmentandHousing •CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrant.......................................................................................... •HOMEInvestmentPartnershipProgram.......................................................................................
LandUse •CaliforniaDesertandRecreation.................................................................................................. •ManagementofFederallyDesignatedWildLands....................................................................... •MiningLawReform....................................................................................................................... •MitigationforImpactsResultingfromRenewableEnergyDevelopmentProjects........................ •NationalParksServiceAdvisoryCommissions............................................................................ •Right-of-WayAccessToandThroughFederalLand...................................................................
LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS AND POLICY STATEMENTS FOR FLOOD CONTROL, WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FloodControl •CleanWaterActAmendment...................................................................................................... •U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersLeveeVegetationPolicy............................................................ •WatersoftheUnitedStatesDefinition.........................................................................................
Table of Contents (continued)
1213
1414
161818
2021
22222325
25
272828
12
25
15
11
11
11
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Table of Contents (continued)
SolidWaste •PerchlorateContamination...........................................................................................................
LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS AND POLICY STATEMENTS FOR CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES
RegionalParks •CalicoGhostTown.......................................................................................................................APPENDIX A: •TransportationProjectsofSignificantCountyandRegionalImportance....................................APPENDIX B: •FloodControlProjectsofSignificantCountyandRegionalImportance......................................
28
33
30
29
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Legislative Priorities
ThelegislativeprioritiessectionestablishestheCounty’sgoals,andoutlinesthelegislativeagendaforthecurrentyear
LOCAL CONTROL OF ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
TheInlandEmpirehastakenatremendouseconomichitoverthepastfiveyearsasairserviceandpassengertrafficattheOntarioInternationalAirporthasplummetedtolevelsnotseensincethe1980s.Underabsenteeownership,theseveredeclineinactivityhascostourregion$400millionannuallyand8,000jobs.TheCountyandtheCityofOntarioproposestoreturntheairporttotheAirportAuthority,therebyimprovingoperationsandprotectingthelocaleconomy.
TheCountywillworkwiththeCongressionaldelegationandlocalstakeholderstoaggressivelyadvocateforlegislation,budgetorproposalsthattransferOntarioInternationalAirporttolocalcontrol.
MOVING AHEAD FOR PROGRESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY REAUTHORIzATION
MovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCentury,thefederaltransportationreauthorizationbill,wassignedintolawonJuly6,2012,afterseveralyearsofSAFETEA-LUcontinuingresolutions.Thebillisatwo-year$105billionsurfacetransportationreauthorization.
TheCountywillworkwiththeCongressionaldelegationandlocalstakeholderstoadvocatefor:1)dedicatedfundingauthorizationfornationalfreightandgoodsmovement;2)theprotectionofcurrenttransportationrevenuesandacceleratednationalinvestmentintransportationinfrastructure;and3)adedicatedfundingstreamforpreventivemaintenanceon,andreplacementofbridges.
PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES AND SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS EQUITY AND FULL FUNDING
InSanBernardinoCounty,asignificantamountoflandisoutsidethegoverningcontroloflocaljurisdictionsandmanagedbyfederalagencies.AmajorlegislativechallengeforSanBernardinoCounty,asinallwesterncounties,isthenecessityforfullfundingofPaymentinLieuofTaxes(PILT)andequityintheformulaallocation.PILTarefederalpaymentstolocalgovernmentsthathelpoffsetlossesinpropertytaxesduetonontaxablefederallandswithintheirboundaries.FullfundingforthePILTprogramandSecureRuralSchools(knownas“Forestpayments”)wasauthorizedintheTARPlegislationpassedin2008.That5-yearauthorizationexpiredwiththeFY2012payments,butwasextendedforoneyearintheFY2013AppropriationsActandlaterextendedanadditionalyearintheAgriculturalActof2014.Bothprogramsmustbeextendedbyspecificlegislationortheywillreturntostandardappropriations,which,priortoFY2008,ranatabout60%forPILTand100%forSRS.
TheCountywillworkwiththeCongressionaldelegation,othercountiesandassociationsto:1)supportlegislationthatextendsthefullfundingforthePILTandSecureRuralSchoolsprograms;2)amendthePILTformulatoprovidefundingtooffsetpropertytaxlossfromfederalacquisitions,treatingBLMacquisitionsthesameasthosemadebytheNationalParkService;3)eliminateordecreasetheeffectofthecappingofpaymentsbasedonamaximumpopulationfactorof50,000whichresultsinnopaymentsforfederalacreageinexcessofapproximately1.3millionacres;and4)opposelegislationthatwouldraisethePILTformulaabove10,000personsfromthecurrent5,000unlessthepopulationfactoriscompletelyremoved.
TAX EXEMPT STATUS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS
InSanBernardinoCounty,municipalbondshavemadepossibletheconstructionofmajorfacilitiescriticaltothewell-beingandsafetyofourresidents.TheCountytakesaconservativeapproachtodebtissuanceandfundsprojectswithcashwherefeasible,suchastherecentlycompletedstate-of-the-art,LEED-CertifiedHighDesertGovernmentCenter,whichnowhousesthePublicSafetyOperationsCenter.Therehavebeenanumberofsubstantialandcriticalprojectswherecashfundingwasnotfeasibleduetothesizeandscopeoftheprojects.Withouttax-exemptfinancing,criticalinfrastructureprojectssuchastheCounty’sArrowheadRegionalMedicalCenterandWestValleyDetentionCenterwouldhavebeendelayed,reducedinscopeorpossiblyeliminatedaltogether.
1
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
TheCountywillworkwiththeCongressionaldelegation,othercountiesandassociationstosupportlegislationorbudgetactionsthatmaintainthetax-exemptstatusofmunicipalbonds.
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT REAUTHORIzATION
TheWaterResourcesDevelopmentAct(WRDA)authorizeswaterresourcesprojectsandpoliciesfornavigation,floodcontrol,hydropower,recreation,watersupplyandemergencymanagementfortheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.WRDAhasbeentraditionallyauthorizedeverytwoyears;however,ithasnotbeenenactedintolawsince2007.
TheCountywillworkwiththeCongressionaldelegationandotherlocalagenciestosupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)createalong-terminvestmentforwaterresourcesnavigation,floodcontrolandenvironmentalrestoration;and2)prioritizefederalfundingforcountiesthathavedramaticfloodcontrolimpactsfromunmaintainedfederallands.
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT REAUTHORIzATION
TheWorkforceInvestmentAct(WIA)wassignedintolawin1998,andauthorizedforafive-yearperiodtoinducebusinessestoparticipateinthelocaldeliveryofworkforcedevelopmentservices.WIAhasnotbeenreauthorizedsince2003andhasbeenfundedbycontinuingresolutionsfromCongresspendingreauthorization.Lastyear,theCountyofSanBernardinoLocalWorkforceInvestmentBoard,whichhasamembershipmajorityofprivatebusinessrepresentativesandpublicpartners,workedtofill4,500jobopenings,provided2,400employerswithessentialservicessuchassubsidizedandon-the-jobtrainingprograms,andbusinessconsulting,layoffaversion,employeerecruitmentsandhiringassistance.
TheCountywillworkwiththeCongressionaldelegation,associationsandlocalstakeholderstosupportthereauthorizationoftheWorkforceInvestmentActtoinclude:1)continuedlocalcontrol;2)greaterengagementwithlocalareaemployerstoprovidebusinessretention,on-the-jobtraining,jobplacementservices,andoffsetbusinessclosuresthroughlayoffpreventionservices;3)continuedfundingofcareercentersandotherprogramssuchasIndividualTrainingAccountsthatprovidecustomerchoiceforoccupationaltraining,careerpathwayprogramstomeetstrategicplanninggoals,andbuildaworkforcecustomizedtomeetlocaldemandandemergingsectors;and4)continuedsupportofcareergrowthandemploymentadvancementopportunitiestomeetlocaleconomicdevelopmentneedsinaccordwiththeCountywideVision.
Legislative Priorities (continued)
2
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Governance, Finance and Operations
TheCountyofSanBernardino’smissionistoprovideservicesthatpromotethehealth,safety,well-beingandqualityoflifeforitsresidents.EffectivepartnershipsbetweentheCountyandfederalagenciesareessentialtoadequatelyfinancetheseservicesandresponsibilities.Unfortunately,asaresultofinadequatefunding,localgovernmentsstruggletomaintainservicelevels,withfewerresources.Countiesareleftwiththeoptionofreducingstaffingandcompromisingservicedelivery,orfillinggapswithlocalfunds,whichfewcountieshavetheabilitytodo.Multipleyearsoffederalfundingreductionshaveunderminedcriticalprograms.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyGovernance,FinanceandOperationslegislativepositions:
CountyOperations
•
•
CountyFinances
•
•
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatprovide:1)flexibilitytoadministerfederalprograms;2)decision-makingauthorityovertheuseoffederalfunds,includingdirectinggrantsormandatorypass-throughallocations;3)theutilizationoftechnologyandinnovationtostreamlineCountyservices;and/or4)theeliminationofunnecessary,redundant,oroverlappingrequirementsorregulationsforprogrameligibility,fundingmaintenanceofefforts,monitoring,permittingorreporting.
OpposelegislationandbudgetactionsthatwilladverselyimpactCountyoperationsby:1)erodinglocalcontrol;2)limitingtheabilitytooperateinareasonableandcosteffectivemanner;and/or3)exposingtheCountytounreasonablelitigation.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatprovide:1)adequatefundingforfederalprogramstheCountyoperates;and/or2)increasedshareoftotalfederalfundingtolocalgovernments.
Opposelegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)increaseCountyresponsibilitiesorexpenseswithoutaviable,adequateanddedicatedsourceofrevenue;and/or2)reducetheCounty’sshareoftotalfundingthroughformulaallocationsorreductions.
3
TheSurfaceTransportationAssistanceActof1982establishedtheBuyAmericarequirementsthatcertainproductsusedinfederallyfundedtransportationprojectsmustbefabricatedintheUnitedStates.WhileBuyAmericawasintendedtoprotectdomesticindustries,overthelast30yearssincetheprogramwasenacted,companiessupplyingproductsfortransportationprojectshaveundergonesignificantchanges.Asaresult,theexistingBuyAmericadefinitionhastheunintendedconsequencesofbarringUnitedStatecompaniesfromparticipatinginfederallyfundedprojectsaswellasincreasingcostordelaytolocaltransportationprojects.
EconomicDevelopmentAgency
BuyAmerica SupportlegislationoradministrativeactionsthatmodifyorwaivetheBuyAmericaprovisionstospurlocaleconomicdevelopmentandensurethatlocaltransportationprojectsareabletomoveforwardwithoutunreasonabledelays.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Health and Human Services
SanBernardinoCounty’sHumanServicesGroupadministersagingandlongtermcareservices,mentalhealthtreatment,alcoholanddrugtreatment,publichealthservices,healthcareforindigents,TemporaryAssistancetoNeedyFamilies(TANF)program,fostercare,childwelfareservices,adultprotectiveservices,In-HomeSupportiveServices(IHSS),theGeneralAssistance(GA)program,homelessservicesandservicestochildrenagedfiveandyounger.
SanBernardinoCounty’spublichospital,ArrowheadRegionalMedicalCenter(ARMC),isastate-of-the-art456-bedfacility,whichhostsa24-houremergencyroom,alevel-IItraumacenter,threefamilyhealthcenters.ARMChastheonlyburncenterintheInlandEmpireandservesasateachinghospitalwithinternsinmostmedicalandadministrativeaspectsofhealthcare.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyHealthandHumanServiceslegislativepositions:
HealthandHumanServicesFundingandOperations
•
•
HealthCareReform •
•
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)fullyfundthecostoffederalandstatemandatedhealthandhumanservicesprograms;2)providefundingformulasforservicesthatensureanequitableallocationoffederalandstatefundingandreflectcomplete,accurateandtotalcaseloadandadministrativecosts;3)promotelocalcontroloverhealthandhumanservicesprograms;4)providegreaterflexibilitytoensureprogramsaredeliveredefficientlyandinacost-effectivemanner;and/or5)holdcountiesexemptfromfiscalpenaltieswhenfederalorstategovernmentsdonotprovideadequatefunding.
Opposelegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)transferhealthandhumanserviceprogramstocountiesunlessprogramcontrolandflexibilityisalsoshiftedandadequatefederalandstatefundingtofullyfundthecostsoffederalandstatemandatesisguaranteed;2)proposefundingformulasthatadverselyimpactandimpedetheabilityoftheCountytodeliverfederalandstatemandatedhealthandhumanservices;and/or3)erodelocalcontroloftheadministrationofhealthandhumanservicesprograms.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)promoteaseamlesstransitiontofederalhealthcarereformimplementation,ensuringthatlowincomefamiliesarecoveredundertheAffordableCareAct;2)maintainand/orexpandsafetynetproviderfunding;3)provideadequatefunding,ratesandflexibility;4)prioritizeallocationandreimbursementtocountiesthathavedisproportionatelyhighlevelsofpoverty;5)promoteoutreach,educationandenrollment;6)providepatient-centered,timely,integratedandeffectivephysicalandmentalhealthandsubstanceusedisordercare;7)maintainfederalandstateprivacyandsecuritystandardswhileensuringconfidentialityandpatientsafety;8)encouragehealthylifestylesandintegrationofmentalhealthandsubstanceusedisordertreatmentserviceswithprimarycare;9)fundtechnologicaladvancestoachievehealthcarereform,especiallyasitrelatestoHealthInformationExchanges,MedicaidExpansionandCountyparticipationinstatemandateddemonstrationprojects;and/or10)provideforpartnershipsbetweenstakeholderstoachievedesiredoutcomes.
HealthCareAdministration
MedicalProfessionalWorkforce
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillincreasethenumberofqualifiedmedicalprofessionals,andprotectandenhancefundingtorecruitmedicalprofessionalsinunderservedareas.
Anadequatesupplyofwell-preparedhealthprofessionalsisessentialtoaneffectivehealthcaresysteminAmerica.AsurveybytheUniversityofMissouri-ColumbiaandtheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServicespredictsthatby2025theUnitedStateswillbe
4
Opposelegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)increaseuncompensatedhealthcarecosts;and/or2)proposefundingreductionsnotbasedonactualexperiences.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Health and Human Services
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
short35,000to44,000adultcareprimarycarephysicians.Inaddition,thePatientProtectionandAffordableCareActwillbringmanymoreindividualsintothehealthcaresysteminthenext2years.Itisimperativetohaveasufficientnumberofprimarycarephysiciansavailabletoprovidecaretothisadditionalpopulation.
ThemaintenanceallowanceforpersonalandincidentalneedsforinstitutionalizedMedicaidbeneficiarieshasremainedat$35since1985.Thisallowanceisintendedtocoverincidentalssuchasclothing,shoes,socks,undergarments,haircuts,snacksorentertainmentneeds.
AgingandAdultServices
Long-TermCareMaintenanceNeeds
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatincreasethelong-termcaremonthlymaintenanceneedlevelforMedicaidbeneficiaries.
TheLong-TermCareOmbudsmanProgramprovidesadvocacyservicesonbehalfofresidentsresidinginlicensedlong-termcarefacilitiessuchasskillednursinghomesandresidentialcarefacilities.Ombudsmenprovidearegularpresenceinalllong-termcarefacilitiesfortheelderlybymonitoringandinvestigatingqualityoflifeandqualityofcareissues.Theprogramismandatedinfederalandstatelaw.Despitebudgetcutsthathaveresultedintheremovalofallstategeneralfundmoneyfromtheprogram;statemandatesremainfortheOmbudsmanProgram.
AgingandAdultServices
Long-TermCareOmbudsmanProgram
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillprovidesustainableandnon-prejudicialfundingfortheOmbudsmanProgram,whileenhancingtherights,independence,andchoiceoflong-termcareresidents.
TheDisproportionateShareHospital(DSH)programwasintendedtorecognizethedisadvantagedfinancialsituationofhospitalsservinglow-incomepatients.TwentypercentofCountyofSanBernardinoresidentslivebelowthefederalpovertylevel.Low-incomepatientsaremorelikelytobeuninsuredorMedicaidenrollees.Hospitalsoftendonotreceivepaymentforservicesrenderedtouninsuredpatients,andMedicaidproviderpaymentratesare
ArrowheadRegionalMedicalCenter
DisproportionateShareHospitalFunding
OpposelegislativeoradministrativeactionsthatreducetheamountofDSHorMedicaidsafety-netcarepoolfunding.
5
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Health and Human Services
Thereisagreatneedforintegratedfundingtotreatmentalhealthconditionsandsubstanceusedisorders(SUD)withthatofprimaryandspecialtycare.ThereislimitedintegrationofprimarycareservicesandSUDspecialtycaresettings.Whenpresent,primarycareservicesprovidedinSUDsettingsextendbeyondmedicationmanagementandaone-timephysicalexam.
BehavioralHealth
FederalFundingforIntegratedTreatment
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatfundtheintegrationoftreatmentformentalhealth,substanceusedisorders,primaryandspecialtycareandfundingtorecruitqualifiedprimarycareprofessionalstoserveinintegratedsettings.
BehavioralHealth
HomelessAssistanceProgram
Supportlegislative,budgetandregulatoryeffortsthatwillprovideamorefocusedapproachtotheissuesofhomelessnessandprovideasystemofcarethatisinclusive,wellplanned,coordinated,evaluatedandaccessibletoallwhoarehomelessorat-riskofbecominghomeless.
HomelessnessisapersistentnationalproblemthatimpactscitiesandcommunitiesthroughoutSanBernardinoCounty.Despitea19%declineofthehomelesspopulationinSanBernardinoCountyin2013,additionalhousingassistanceprogramsarestillneeded.Morethan20%ofthehomelesspopulationoftheCountyconsistsofchildrenandyouth,and16%arehomelessveterans.Anadditional20%(primarilywomenandchildren)oftheCountypopulationareunderthepovertyline.This“at-risk”populationintheCountyofSanBernardinoposesserioussocietalandeconomicimplications.
6
generallylowerthantheratespaidbyMedicareandprivateinsurance.TheAffordableCareActincludedaprovisiontomakeaggregatereductionsinfederalMedicaidDSHallotments.
BehavioralHealth
InstitutionsforMentalDiseaseMedicaidReimbursement
SupportlegislationthatprovidesMedicaidreimbursementforpatientsinInstitutionsforMentalDiseaseandinfree-standingsettings.
Medicaidwillnotcoverindividualsbetweentheagesoftwenty-one(21)andsixty-five(65)whohaveabraindiseaseandneedscareinapsychiatrichospital.TheFederalgovernment’sInstiutionsforMentalDisease(IMD)ExclusionprohibitsMedicaidfromcoveringanytreatment(evennon-psychiatric)inStateandprivate
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Health and Human Services
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
psychiatrichospitalsandotherIMDs.Medicaid’sdenialofIMDcoverageresultsinhomelessness,incarceration,victimizationandevendeathformanypeoplewhoaresoilltheyareunabletocareforthemselves.
BehavioralHealth
MedicalUniversityResidencies
Supportlegislation,budgetactionsandregulatoryeffortsthatincreasethenumberofMedicare-supportedresidencypositionsinteachinghospitals.
Thenumberoffederallyfundedresidencyslotsinteachinghospitalshasremainedrelativelystableatabout100,000peryear.Teachinghospitalsmustworkwiththeirmedicalschoolpartnerstobalancetheseavailablepositionsandhelptrainnewgenerationsofphysicians.Aslongasthenumberoffederallyfundedresidencyslotsremainsfrozen,newmedicaleducationeffortssuchasthatrecentlylaunchedattheUniversityofCalifornia,RiversideSchoolofMedicinewillbeunabletoplaceasmanyresidentsdependentonfederalfundingasareneededtomeetthegrowingneedsoftheagingpopulationandincreasesanticipatedbytheAffordableCareAct.
ExtendedFosterCareServices
TheFederalFosteringConnectionsActof2008allowforthecontinuationofpaymentforfostercareplacementuntilage21andprovisionofservicestofacilitatesuccessfulemancipation.ManyolderfosteryouththatreceiveaidthroughtheAdoptionAssistanceProgramorFederally-FundedKinGaphaveunequalaccesstothiscontinuedplacementandsupport.Inaddition,youthadoptedorplacedinguardianshipspriortoage16areineligiblewhichcreatesadisincentivetoadopt.
ChildrenandFamilyServices
Supportlegislationandregulatoryeffortsthataligneligibilityrequirementsbetweenfederalprogramsthatserveolderfosteryouthandremovedisincentivestoadoptorcommittoguardianships.
7
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Health and Human Services
8
SupervisionofNon-Minor-Dependents
TheExtendedFosterCareprogramallowsfosteryouthtoremaininFosterCareandreceivebenefitsandservicesuntilage21.Currently,manyofthesamemandatesconcerningsupervisionofplacementstoTheExtendedFosterCareprogramallowsfosteryouthtoremaininFosterCareandreceivebenefitsandservicesuntilage21.Currently,manyofthesame
ChildrenandFamilyServices
SupportlegislationandregulatoryeffortsthataligntheprovisionsofExtendedFosterCaretotheadultstatusofthenon-minor-dependent.
FosterCareServices AidtoFamilieswithDependentChildren(AFDC),nowCalWORKs,rulesfrom1996,areusedtodetermineastate’seligibilitytoclaimfederalfundsforfostercareservices.Sinceincomeandassetsarefrozenat1996levels,therateofreimbursementisdecreasingovertime,asfamilieswithincomeoverthe1996AFDClimitsprecludestatesfromsubmittingclaimsforfederalfunds.Thisresultsinlossoffundsforfederallymandatedservices.Removingthelinkwillallowstatestosubmitclaimsforthefederallymandatedservicesofremovingchildrenfromunsafehomes,regardlessofthefamily’sincome.
ChildrenandFamilyServices
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillde-linkTitleIV-E,FosterCare,eligibilityfromthe1996AFDCincomeandassetsstandards.
StreamliningChildWelfare
Federalchildwelfarefinancingisdisproportionatelydirectedtowardfundingout-of-homefostercare.Only10%offederalfundsareavailabletoprovidecosteffectivefront-endpreventionandpost-permanencyservicestokeepchildrensafelyathomewiththeirfamilies.Currentfundingstructuresconsistofmultipleandcomplexfundingstreams-eachwiththeirownaudit,reviewanddatareportingsystems-governingseparatesetsofrequirements.Administrationoftheseseparateprogramsiscostlyintermsofstafftimeandresources.Additionally,thecurrentChildrenandFamiliesServicesReviewhaspoorlydesignedandconflictingmeasuresthatcreateunattainablemeasures.
ChildrenandFamilyServices
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatcreateasingle,dedicatedandflexiblefundingstreamforchildwelfarethatpromoteslocalcontroltodirectresourcesbasedonneedandadequatelyfundscosteffectivepreventionservices.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Health and Human Services
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
FederalMedicaidAssistancePercentages
TheFederalMedicaidAssistancePercentages(FMAP),whichisthefederalmatchrateforMedicaidassistancecosts,isdeterminedbasedonpercapitastateincomewithhighermatchratesprovidedtostateswithlowerpercapitaincomerelativetothenationalaverage.Despitetherecentincrease,California’sFMAPreturnedtothestatutoryminimumof50%inJuly2011.Historically,CaliforniahashadamongthelowestFederalMedicaidassistancefundingperrecipientofanystate.
PublicHealth Supportlegislation,budgetactionsandregulatoryeffortsthatwillraiseCalifornia’sbaseFMAP.
mandatesconcerningsupervisionofplacementstoensuresafetyofchildrenareappliedtotheseadults,suchasmonthlyvisitstotheplaceofresidence.Conductingthesevisitswhentheresidenceisadormitoryorothercommunallivingsituationcancreatebarrierstosuccessfultransitiontoadulthoodandthemaintenanceofconfidentiality.
PublicHealth FederallyQualifiedHealthCenters
Supportlegislation,budgetactionsandregulatoryeffortsthatwillincreasefundingfornewandexistingFQHCs.
Twenty-onepercentoftheCounty’spopulationisuninsured,andmorethan62%ofthepopulation(1,261,700residents)livesbelow200%oftheFederalPovertyGuidelines.FederallyQualifiedHealthCenters(FQHCs)actasa“safetynet”byprovidingprimarycare,mentalhealthanddentalservicestolow-incomeanduninsuredresidents.
PublicHealth FoodSafety Supportlegislation,budgetactionsandregulatoryeffortsthatprotectandensurenationalfoodsafety.
TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionestimatethatfoodborneillnessesintheUnitedStateswillcause3,037deaths,127,839hospitalizationsand48millionillnessesthisyear,atacostofbillionsofdollars.Significantnumbersofoutbreaksandrecalledfoodproductshaveshownthatourfoodsystemsarefragileandthatimpuritiesatanystepofproductioncanhavefarreachingpublichealthimpacts.
9
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Health and Human Services
10
HealthcareDisparities AccordingtotheAgencyforHealthcareResearchandQuality,disparitiesarealsoobservedinmostaspectsofdiseasepreventionandtreatment,includingcareformentalhealthdisordersandsubstanceuse,HIV/AIDS,cancer,diabetes,heartdisease,stroke,oralhealthconditions,maternalandchildhealth,respiratorydiseaseandendstagerenaldisease.
PublicHealth Supportlegislative,budgetactionsandregulatoryeffortsthataddresshealthcaredisparities.
PublicHealth HealthProfessionalShortageinMedicallyUnderservedArea/Population
SupportlegislativeandregulatoryeffortsthatincreaseMUA/MUPsdesignationsintheCounty.
MedicallyUnderservedArea/Populations(MUAs/MUPs)aregenerallydefinedbythefederalgovernmenttoincludeareasorpopulationgroupswithademonstratedshortageofpersonalhealthcareservices.Thisdesignationprocesswasoriginallyestablishedtoassistthefederalgovernmentinallocatingcommunityhealthcentergrantfundstoareasofgreatestneed.
PublicHealth VectorControl Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatprotectagainstinvasiveandharmfulvectors.
WiththeconstantthreatofWestNilevirusandtherecentupsurgeofinvasivespeciesinCaliforniasuchasAedesaegypti(YellowFevermosquito)andAedesalbopictus(AsianTigermosquito),vectorcontrolagenciesneedtoutilizetheirfinancialresourcestocontrolanderadicatethesethreatsratherthanperformwhatwebelieveisredundantandunnecessarymonitoring.
PublicHealth SafeDrinkingWater Supportlegislation,budgetactionsandregulatoryeffortsthatprotectandensurethesafetyoflocalwaterresources.
Providingandensuringtheavailabilityofsafedrinkingwaterisessential.Groundandsurfacewatersourcesareincreasinglyexposedtocontaminants.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
TransitionalAssistance
TemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamiliesReauthorization
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatstrengthentheTANFprogram,includingprovisionsforincreasedlocalflexibilityanddecreasedfederalpenalties.
TheTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)programexpiredonSeptember30,2010.Theprogramhasreceivedseveralextensionssincethen,buthasyettobereauthorized.TheTANFprogramshouldbereauthorizedwithadequatefunding,additionalflexibilityforstates,andacontinuedemphasisonpreparingclientsforwork,movingclientsintoemploymentandprovidingnecessarysupportiveservicestosustainemployment.TheoriginalTANFblockgrantprovidedstatestheabilitytodevelopprogramstoaddresstheindividualneedsoftheirspecificpopulations.TheCountyissupportiveoftheAmericanPublicHumanServicesAssociation(APHSA)reauthorizationproposalswhichincludeflexibility.
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Health and Human Services
11
Veterans DisabilityCompensationBenefits
Supportlegislationandregulatoryeffortsthatwillopposechangesto38U.S.C.,thatadverselyimpactdisabilitycompensationbenefits.
Undersection101(13)oftitle38,UnitedStatesCode,disability“compensation”isamonthlypaymentmadebytheDepartmentofVeteransAffairstoaveteranasaresultofaservice-connecteddisability,ortoasurvivingspouse,child,orparentofaveteranbecauseoftheservice-connecteddeathoftheveteran.TheIndividualUnemployabilitycompensationbenefitisbasedontheveteran’sinabilitytomaintaingainfulemploymentduetoservice-connecteddisabilities.Thisbenefitisintendedtocompensateveteranssolelyfortheeffectsofaservice-connecteddisability,andshouldnotbemodifiedtoincludeage,retirement,orsocioeconomicstatusaseligibilitycriteria.
Veterans PrescriptionsWrittenbyNon-VAPhysicians
SupportlegislationandregulatoryeffortsthatwillauthorizeVApharmaciestohonorprescriptionswrittenbynon-VAphysicians.
CurrentlytheVeteransAffairs(VA)healthcaresystemisonlyauthorizedtofillprescriptionswrittenbyauthorizedVAphysicians.ManyveteransdonotliveincloseproximitytoaVAfacilityand/orlackaccesstopublicorprivatetransportationthatwouldallowthemto
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Health and Human Services
12
traveltoaVAfacilityatareasonablecost,withinareasonabletimeframe.Thishardshipisespeciallypronouncedincertaingeographicareaswheretheveteranpopulationisspreadoutoversparselypopulatedareas.Allowingveteranstosubmitprescriptions,writtenbytheirlocalphysician,totheVApharmacyviamailwouldbeacostsavingstotheveteran,asitwouldeliminatetheneedforaveterantotraveltoseeaVAphysicianforthesolepurposeofreceivingauthorizationformedicationthathasalreadybeenprescribedbytheVeteran’sphysician.
Veterans VeteransAdministrationInformationSystems
accesstoVAinformationsystemswouldprovideveteranswithtimelieraccesstofederalbenefits,therebyreducingworkloadatVAcallcenters.
CountyVeteransServiceOfficers(CVSOs)arethefirstandmostfrequentlyutilizedpointofcontactforveteransandtheirfamilies.CurrentlyCVSOshavelimitedaccesstoinformationcontainedintheVeteransAffairs(VA)informationsystems.AllowingCVSOsaccesstotheVAinformationsystemswouldincreaseefficienciesaswellasreducethecurrentandincreasingbacklogofclaims.Additionally,allowingCVSOsunrestrictedaccesstoVAinformationsystemswouldprovideveteranswithtimelieraccesstofederalbenefits,therebyreducingworkloadatVAcallcenters.
Veterans VeteransPrograms Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillfullyfundthefederalresponsibilitytoprovidecomprehensiveveteransservices.
TheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs(VA)administersprogramsinareassuchashealthcare,financialassistanceandburialbenefitstoassistveteranswhohavesacrificedsomuchtoservetheircountry.Atthelocallevel,CountyVeteransServiceOfficesstrivetoassistveteransastheynavigatetheoften-frustratingprocessofsecuringclaimsandbenefitstowhichtheyareentitled,andareoftenfacedwiththedifficultyarisingfromtheincreasingneedsofagingveteransandthetimelyreceiptofbenefitsandservices.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Health and Human Services
13
Veterans VAMedicalCare:MeansTesting
SupportlegislationthatwouldeliminatetheMeansTestforveteranstoqualifyforVAmedicalcare.
TheVAusesMeansTestsasoneofthefactorsindeterminingaveteran’seligibilityforVAmedicalcare.Theseincomelimitationshaveexcludedsomeveterans,whowouldotherwisequalifyforenrollment,fromobtainingtheirprimaryhealthcarethroughtheVA.InlightoftheAffordableCareAct,veteransshouldbeallowedtoenrollandobtaintheirhealthcarethroughtheVAiftheysochoose.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
TheoverallsafetyandsecurityofresidentsoftheCountyremainsatoppriority.WithCalifornia’srecentshiftingofresponsibilityfortheincarceration,supervisionandmonitoringoflowleveloffenderstocounties,andnoguaranteedfundingmechanism,theCountywillcontinuetomonitoritscapacitytoadequatelytransitioninmatesbackintoanalreadyoverburdenedcountyrehabilitativesystemwithingivenfundingconstraints.Inaddition,inlightofrecentfiredevastation,comprehensivefireprotectionandemergencyresponseisimperativeforthesafetyoftheresidentsandpropertyoftheCounty.RegionalPublicSafetycommunicationsinteroperabilityisessentialtorespondingeffectivelytoemergenciesoccurringinandaroundtheCountyofSanBernardino.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyPublicSafetyandFirstResponderslegislativepositions.
PublicSafetyandFirstResponderFundingandOperations
•
•
DisasterPreparedness
•
Public Safety and First Responders
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)ensurethesafetyofthepublic,propertyofCountyresidents,lawenforcementandfirstresponderspersonnel;2)provideadequateresourcestodeliverservices;and/or3)providefundingforinformationtechnologyinitiativesthatimprovecoordinationbetweenmultipleagenciesatalllevelsofgovernment.
Opposelegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)reduceFederalfundingforpublicsafetyandfirstresponders;2)compromisethesafetyofthepublic,locallawenforcementorfirstresponderpersonnel;and/or3)impedethelocallawenforcementorfirstresponders’abilitytodeliverservices.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)enabletheCountytoadequatelyplanfor,respondtoandreceivereimbursementforemergencydisasters;and/or2)providecontinuedandincreasedavailablefundingtocountiesandlocalgovernmentstomitigatecostsassociatedwithhelpingcommunitiesprepare,respondandrecoverfromallfacetsofdisaster,actsofterrorism,andothercatastrophicevents.
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
14
CountyFire PublicSafetyRegionalFireTrainingCenter
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstofundtheacquisitionofastateoftheartpublicsafetyregionaltrainingcenterfacilitytoaccommodatethedidactic
SanBernardinoCounty’sFireDepartmentcurrentlyoperatestheRichardSewellTrainingCenter(RSTC)attheformerNortonAirForceBase.TheTrainingDivisionisresponsibleforsupervisingthetrainingandeducationforallsuppressionfirefightingpersonnelandisaCaliforniaStateFireTrainingCertifiedRegionalTrainingCenter.Additionally,FireDepartmentandlawenforcementpersonnelfrommanyotheragenciesthroughoutSouthernCaliforniareceivetrainingatRSTC.TheleaseforthefacilityatNortonAirBaseissettoexpirein2016.Consequently,plansforanewfacilityneedtobeconsidered.Theacquisitionofastateoftheartfacilitythatcanaccommodatemultipleclassrooms,fleetmaintenanceand
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Public Safety and First Responders
15
Morethan80percentoftheCounty’slandareaispartofthefederalestate,andassuch,doesnotcontributetothetaxbase,whiletheSanBernardinoCountyFireProtectionDistrictprovidesservicestothese“unfundedfireprotectionareas,”includingexpansiveareasoftheMojaveDesert.MajorhighwaysacrosstheselandsincludeInterstates15and40,withotherhighways,includingroutes58,62,95,127and395,alltraversingpubliclandsandrequiringpublicservicesacrosslongdistancesformajortrafficaccidents,medicalaids,firesandotheremergencies.Overrecentdecades,hundredsofthousandsofacresofprivatelandshavebeenturnedovertothefederalgovernmentaspartofacquisitionsforconservationandasmitigationforimpactstospeciesandhabitatsrequiredasaresultofdevelopment,furthererodingtheCounty’staxbaseevenasthedemandforserviceshasincreased.
CountyFire UnfundedFireProtectionAreas
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatfundstaffing,operationsandmaintenanceofCountyfiredepartmentoperationswithinfederallyownedareassuchastheInterstate15and40corridorsthroughBureauofLandManagementandNationalParklands.FundingforthisneedandactivityisadditionaljustificationforremovingfundingcapsfromthePILTprogram.Ifcapswereremoved,fundswouldbeavailabletotheCountywithoutseparatelegislativeauthorizationorappropriation.
andmanipulativefiretrainingneedsoftheregion.
services,materialmanagement,outdoortrainingactivitiestoincludetrainingtowers,live-firesimulatorswithawaterrecoverysystemandrelatedrescuepropswithalargeareasuitableforladder,ventilationandhoseevolutionsisrequired.Thisareawouldalsoincludesufficientparking,essentialtoensurethelong-termviabilityoftheprogram.Theestimatedcostofthisprojectis$18million.
WithCaliforniaexperiencingarecord-breakingdrought,thepotentialforcatastrophicwildfiresremainshigh,andsupportforresidentstoprotectlifeandproperty,whilealsoenhancingforesthealththroughfuelreduction,
ForestCare HealthyForest SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatrestorefundingfortheForestCareprogram,oranyprogramthatprovidessimilarsupport.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Public Safety and First Responders
16
Sheriff Cal-IDAFIS(AutomatedFingerprintIdentificationSystem)
SupportlegislationorbudgetactionstoenhancetheAutomatedFingerprintIdentificationSystem.
TheAutomatedFingerprintIdentificationSystem,commonlyreferredtoasAFIS,isabiometricidentificationmethodologythatusesdigitalimagingtechnologytoobtain,store,andanalyzefingerprintdata.Fingerprintsarecomparedusingmathematicalalgorithms;theamountofidentifiablepointsonafingerprint(minutia)aretakenandcomparedagainsttheminutiaofaknownfingerprint.Thecomparisonisthengivenamathematicalrating,whichafingerprintexaminerthencomparesforpositiveverification.TheRiverside/SanBernardinoCountyAFISfirstwentoperationalin1986whentheCAL-IDnetworkwasincepted.RiversideandSanBernardinocountiescombinedtocreatearegionalprogrambecausebythemselves,eachcountydidnotmeetpopulationrequirementssetforthbythestateofCalifornia.Sincethattime,RiversideandSanBernardinocountieshaveadoptedover50memberagencies.TheseagenciespayanannualfeeperresidentfortheuseofCAL-IDprograms,whichrevolvearoundtheAFIS.
remainscritical.ForestCareisaprogramdevelopedandimplementedbytheNationalForestAssociationandCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection,workingunderagrantfromtheU.S.ForestService,tohelpresidentsintheSanBernardinomountaincommunitieswithremovingtreesandvegetationfromaroundtheirhomestocreatedefensiblespace.FundingfortheprogramterminatedDecember31,2013.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Public Safety and First Responders
17
TheRiverside/SanBernardinoAFIScontainsapproximately1.45millionfingerprintrecords.Itisdesignedtoholdabout1.75millionfingerprintrecordsandisestimatedtoprovidestoragethroughtheyear2016.TheAFIShasbeenupgradedseveraltimes,themostrecentbeingacompleteoverhaulin2007,whichcostabout$2.6million.TheRiverside/SanBernardinoAFISincludestheaccesstoseveralotherAFISdatabases.Becausewesharethesamevendor,we’reabletoaccessAFIS’fromtheCaliforniaDepartmentofJustice(CAL-DOJ)andtheLasVegasMetropolitanPoliceDepartment.ThisinteroperabilityiscriticalbecauseRiverside/SanBernardinocountiescansearchpalmprints,whereothercountieswithdifferentbrandsofAFIScannot.Intotal,wecansearchover50millionfingerprintrecords.
Technologysince2007hasimprovedtenfoldandtheRiverside/SanBernardinoCAL-IDAFISisinneedofupgradingagain.Anupgradegoesbeyondsimplyexpandingstoragecapacityforfingerprintrecordsandnewhardware.Itincludesfunctionalitythatallowsfingerprintexaminerstosearchseveraldatabasesatonce,usingmultiplealgorithms,savingvaluabletime.Thisupgradeisconsideredan“active-active”system,designedforredundancythatwillbehousedinbothcounties.Redundancyisimportantforsystemmalfunctionanddisasterrecovery.IfthesysteminRiversidemalfunctions,bothcountiescanrelyonSanBernardino’ssystemuntiltheRiversidesystemrecovers.Sinceplanning,building,customization,andinstallationofasystemofoursizecantakeuptotwoyears,thetimehascometobegintheupgrade.Thecurrent
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Sheriff StateCriminalAlienAssistanceProgram
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstoprotectandincreasefundingavailabletocountiestomitigatecostsassociatedwiththeincarcerationofundocumentedaliens.
TheStateCriminalAlienAssistanceProgram(SCAAP)providesfederalpaymentstostatesandlocalitiesthatincurcorrectionalofficersalarycostsforincarceratingundocumentedcriminalalienswithatleastonefelonyortwomisdemeanorconvictionsforviolationsofstateorlocallawforatleastfourconsecutivedaysduringthereportingperiod.SCAAPisadministeredthroughtheBureauofJusticeAssistance(BJA),inconjunctionwiththeBureauofImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement(ICE)andCitizenshipandImmigrationServices,DepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS).
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Public Safety and First Responders
Sheriff ScientificInvestigationsDivisionProgram
SupportlegislationorbudgetactionsfortheScientificInvestigationsDivisionProgram.
TheSanBernardinoCountySheriff’sDepartment’sScientificInvestigationsDivision(SID)istheworkplaceof100lawenforcement,scientific,technicalandsupportpersonnel.SID’smissionistoprovideforensicsupport(criminalistics,identificationandcrimesceneinvestigation)toSheriff’sstationsanddivisions,aswellasoutsideagencies.SIDisalsohometoSheriff’sCentralProperty/EvidenceUnitandthePhotographyLaboratory.
18
costoftheupgradeis$3.7millionandexceedscurrentCAL-IDrevenuestreams.TentativeplansaretohousethesystemattheRiversideCountyDispatchCenterindowntownRiversideandtheHighDesertGovernmentCenterinHesperia.Planshavealsobeenincorporatedintothesalesagreementtoupgradehardwareastechnologyadvances.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Public Safety and First Responders
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
In2012,SanBernardinoCountyhoused2,592immigrationoffendersatacostof$11,599,942.Federalreimbursementwas$875,360.SCAAPfundingiscriticaltocostmitigationrelatedtothehousingofundocumentedaliens.
19
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Housing, Land Use and Transportation
Withovertwomillionresidentslocatedthroughoutthe20,000squaremilesofSanBernardinoCounty,housing,landuseandtransportationarevitaltothesafetyofthepublic,theregion’seconomicdevelopmentandthemovementofgoodsandservices.Areasofpolicydevelopmentincludedinthissectionconsistofhousing,communitydevelopment,regionalplanning,landuse,environmentalimpactsandtransportation.Thevariousdepartmentsinthissectionprovideservicesrangingfromhousing,planning,andenvironmentalimpactmitigationtotransportation.ForalistingoftransportationprojectsofsignificantCountyandregionalimportancepleaseseeAppendixA.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyHousing,LandUseandTransportationlegislativepositions:
Housing
•
LandUse
•
•
TransportationProjectDelivery,FundingandFinancing •
•
TransportationOperationsandInfrastructure
•
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)restore,protect,andincreasefundingtoprovideaffordablehousing;2)createeconomicinitiatives;3)provideadequatefundingtocountiestoaddresshousingandcommunitydevelopmentneeds;and/or4)provideforlocalcontrolandincreasedflexibilityinprogramadministration.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)promotelocalauthoritytoadoptorplanfororderlygrowthanddevelopment;2)increaselocalcontrolandregulatoryauthorityoverlanduse,zoning,renewableenergy,subdivisionsandannexations;3)makethepreservationoffarmlandandlandsuitableforfarmingeconomicallyfeasibleforpropertyownersandlocalgovernment;and/or4)makesamendmentstostreamlinetheNEPAprocess.
Opposelegislationthat:1)erodeslocallanduseauthority;2)usesclimatechangepolicyasavehicletorestrictorremovelocallanduseauthority;and/or3)imposesunfundedlanduseandgeneralplanrelatedmandates.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)improveprojectdeliveryandprovideadministrativeflexibility;2)protectnewordesignatedlocaltransportationfunding;and/or3)promoteorexpandalternativefinancingprograms.
Opposelegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)requireadditionalfederalreviewofprojectsthatarepredominatelyofregionalorlocalsignificance;and/or2)preemptlocalcontrolofprojects.
CommunityDevelopmentandHousing
CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrant
CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrant(CDBG)moneyprovidesdecenthousing,suitablelivingenvironments,homelessnessprevention,expandedeconomicopportunities,qualitypublicservices,andpublicfacilitiesthatprincipallyservelowandmoderate-
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstorestore,enhanceandprotectCDBGfunding.
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
20
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)mitigatetheimpactsoffreightandcongestionontheCounty’sresidents;and/or2)improvetheCounty’sabilitytomaintainitsinfrastructure.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
incomepersonsintheCountyofSanBernardino.TheCountyexperiencedareductioninfundingof21%fromFY10/11toFY13/14.PrioryearreductionsofCDBGfundinglevelshavebeenadetrimenttotheresidentsintheCountyofSanBernardinowhohavebeenimpactedthroughthereductionofmuchneededservicesandprograms.Thisprogram,alongwiththeHOMEProgram,servesasthenation’sprimaryvehiclethroughwhichlocalgovernmentsaddresshousingandcommunitydevelopmentneeds.
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Housing, Land Use and Transportation
CommunityDevelopmentandHousing
HOMEInvestmentPartnershipProgram
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstorestore,enhanceandprotectHOMEfunding.
TheHOMEInvestmentPartnershipProgramservesindividualsandhouseholdsearning80%orlessoftheareamedianincomeestablishedbyHUD,whoresidewithintheCountyofSanBernardinoHOMEConsortiumarea.Fundingisusedtoprovideaffordablehousingtolow-moderateincomehouseholdsbycreatinghousingforseniors,improvingthehousingstock,andremovingimpedimentstohousing.TheCountyexperiencedareductioninfundingof45%fromFY10/11toFY13/14.PrioryearreductionshavebeenadetrimenttotheresidentsoftheCounty’sHOMEConsortiumarea,includingtheunincorporatedareasofSanBernardinoCountyandthecooperatingcitiesofAdelanto,Barstow,BigBearLake,ChinoHills,Colton,GrandTerrace,Highland,LomaLinda,Montclair,Needles,RanchoCucamonga,Rialto,TwentyninePalms,Yucaipa,andtheTownofYuccaValley.Thisprogram,alongwiththeCDBGProgram,servesasthenation’sprimaryvehiclethroughwhichlocalgovernmentsaddresshousing.
21
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Housing, Land Use and Transportation
Supportlegislativeeffortsthat:-Designatepermanentoff-highwayvehiclerecreationalareas.-SeekfundingsupporttoupgradetheNationalTrailsHighway(OldRoute66)whichwouldassuremaintenanceofitshistoricalintegrity,andseekregulatoryrelieftostreamlinereplacementofagingbridgesalongtheRoute.-OpposecreationofNationalMonumentsbyExecutiveOrderundertheAntiquitiesAct,assuringestablishmentunderapublicprocessofCongressional(andpublic)considerationandcreation.-InanypotentialchangeofdesignationonFederallands,supportcontinuedaccesssuchthattheCountyorthestatemayexplorefordepositsofmineralmaterialsnecessaryforpresentandfuturemaintenanceofinfrastructure,includingroadsthattraversepubliclands,subjecttoapplicableregulations.
Duringthe112thCongress,CaliforniaDesertProtectionAct(CDPA)legislationwasintroducedwhichwouldestablishtwoNationalMonumentswithinSanBernardinoCounty,andaddtoexistingCongressionallydedicatedwildernessareaswithintheCounty.Itisanticipatedthatsimilarlegislationwillbeintroducedinthe113thCongress.Thelegislationwaspraisedforitseffortstoestablishpublicactivitiesandoutdoorrecreationaluseaspriorities.SpecificallyitprovidedforformaldesignationandlegislativeprotectionfortheopenOff-HighwayVehicleareaswithintheCounty,withtheexceptionofJohnsonValley.JohnsonValleywasexcludedpendingafinaldecisionontheexpansionoftheUSMarineCorpsAirGroundCombatCenteratTwentyninePalms.CongressionalactionwastakenwithPresidentialapprovalinlate2013totransferasignificantpartoftheJohnsonValleyOHVareatotheMarineCorps,clearingthewayforexpandedtrainingopportunitiesfortheMarines.However,concernswerealsoraisedregardingthepotentiallockingupofareasthatmayhavepotentialformining,energyproductionorothereconomicorrecreationaluses.Inaddition,creationofaNationalMonumentwithNationalTrailsHighwayasitscenterpiececouldleadtoincreasedtraffic,whichwouldacceleratethedeteriorationofmorethan100timbertrestlebridges,mostofwhichwerebuiltapproximately80yearsago.
22
LandUse CaliforniaDesertandRecreation
LandUse ManagementofFederallyDesignatedWildLands
TheSecretaryoftheInteriorissuedSecretarialOrder3310,whichcreatedanewcategoryoflandmanagementonBureauofLandManagement(BLM)administeredpubliclandstobedesignated“WildLands.”Inessence,theordercreatesanewroundof
SupportlegislativeeffortsthatrescindSecretarialOrder3310,andassurethatifadditionalpubliclandsareplacedintheNationalWildernessSystemthatitisdonewithdirectinputfromaffectedlocalgovernments
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Housing, Land Use and Transportation
LandUse MiningLawReform MiningactivitiesundercurrentlawremainanimportantsourceofemploymentandinvestmentwithinSanBernardinoCounty.TheCountycanill-affordanyattemptsthatwouldcurtailthoseoperationsfromcontinuingattheircurrentlevels.TheminingoflocatablemineralshasbasicallyceasedwithintheCountysincethepassageoftheCaliforniaDesertProtectionAct,butmanyimportantminesdoexist.Todate,amajorityofrareearthminingcomesfromsourcesoutsidetheUnitedStates.WhileCongressdidnotenactanymajorminingreformlegislationduringthelastCongressionalsession,successfuleffortsweremadetorequireenvironmentalconsiderationsandreclamation,essentiallyduplicatingcurrentStatemininglawsandregulations.Furthereffortscoulddecreasecurrentandfutureoperationscrucialtodomesticsecurityandtheeconomy.
OpposelegislationchangingthecurrentMiningLawof1872asamendedandlegislationthatprovidesforwithdrawalofpubliclandareasfromtheoperationofcurrentmininglaws.
23
LandUse MitigationforImpactsResultingFromRenewableEnergyDevelopmentProjects
Renewableenergyprojects,particularlylarge-scalesolardevelopment,oftentransferlargeblocksoffederallandtoprivateuse.Thisleadstotheeliminationofcurrentmultipleuseactivitiesincludingdispersedrecreation,livestock
Supportlegislativeandregulatoryeffortsthat:-Minimizeandmitigatelocalgovernmentimpactsfromthelossoftaxableanddevelopableland;-Requireaportionof
wildernessinventoryandcreatesacategoryofwildernessmanagementbyadministrativedesignationabsentCongressionaldirection,oversightorenactment.ExtendingwildernessmanagementtolandsthathavenotbeenplacedintheNationalWildernessSystembyCongresswillfurtherlimitdevelopmentandoutdoorrecreationopportunitieswithoutpublicinputorCongressionaloversightandenactment.
withfullCongressionaloversight.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Housing, Land Use and Transportation
24
grazingandgeneralpublicaccess.Impactstowildlifefromtheselarge-scaledevelopmentsaremitigatedbyavarietyofmeasures,includingtheacquisitionofprivatelandandthetransferoftheselandstogovernmentalagencies.Culturalresourcesaremitigatedthroughavoidanceorsalvageoftheparticularresource.Inonetypicalexample,approvalofalarge-scalesolarprojectinCaliforniacontainedastipulationfor2-for-1mitigationwhereconcurrently,adevelopmentinNevadawasapprovedwithnosimilarmitigationrequirementforcompensation.This“compensation”isrequiredasmitigationforthelossofdeserttortoisehabitat,aconceptbasedonanattempttopreventdevelopmentofotheracreageinlieuofanapprovaltodevelopafederalsite.ItservestoincreasethefederalestatewithintheCounty,whichalreadyhasover8millionacresoffederalland,notcountingmilitarybases.OfcriticalconcerntotheCountyisfurthererosionofthetaxbase.BecauseoftheceilingcontainedintheFederalPaymentinLieuofTaxes(PILT)Act,theCountyreceivesnooffsettingPILTpaymentforthislossofprivateland.
lease,royaltyorotherrevenuesgeneratedbyrenewableenergyprojectstobedirectedtothelocaljurisdictionswhereprojectsaresited;-Minimizeimpactsfromthelossofhistoriclanduses,toincludethededicationoracquisitionofotherareasofpubliclandtosuchactivities;-Ensurethatpermitsandleasesforsolaroranyotherkindofrenewableenergydevelopmentaremadeconsistentacrossstatelineswhentheareasareofsimilarcharacterandhabitatvalue;-Ensurethatlandacquisitionrequirementsaremadeconsistentbetweenstatesandwhenareasareofsimilarcharacterandhabitatvalue;-AmendSection6904ofthePILTActandprovidethatwhenprivatelandisacquiredanddonatedtotheadministeringfederalagency,e.g.BLM,thatpropertytaxescontinuetobepaidtotheCountyasiscurrentlydoneforacquisitionsinNationalParkunits;and-Allowretirementofgrazingallotmentsonpubliclandsasmitigationforrenewableenergyprojectsandotherpotentialdevelopment.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Housing, Land Use and Transportation
LandUse Right-of-WayAccesstoandThroughFederalLand
Supportlegislationandregulatoryeffortsthat:-Retainrights-of-wayunderR.S.2477forexistingroutes,andprovideforassertionsunderitsprovisionstoassurenon-closurebyfederallandmanagementagencies.-AdoptandimplementregulationsclarifyingitspoliciesregardingvalidexistingrightsunderR.S.2477inwhichBLM,theForestService,andParkServicewouldrecognizesuchrouteswhenassertedbylocalgovernmentsforallsuchaccessroutes.-Limitthefederallandmanagementagenciestotheexerciseofministerial
VirtuallyallpublicaccesstoandthroughpubliclandswithinthedesertandmountainregionsofSanBernardinoCountywasdevelopedandauthorizedundertheprovisionsofR.S.2477,acomponentoftheMiningLawof1866thatprovidedaccessacrosspubliclandstopromotedevelopmentoftheWest.Therewasnospecificlegislativeauthorizationperse;constructionofthe“highway”createdtheright-of-way.Unfortunately,therehasneverbeenanadjudicationofqualifyingroutes,norrecordationontheofficialtitleplatsmaintainedbytheBureauofLandManagement(BLM)forallfederallandsnationally.Overthepastdecade,therehasbeenanongoingpolicyvacuumregardingtherecognitionofsuchrights-of-way.Thisisparticularlythecasewithrespecttothemoreremote
25
LandUse NationalParkServiceAdvisoryCommissions
Supportlegislationandregulatoryactionsthatre-activatetheAdvisoryCommissionsforDeathValleyNationalPark,MojaveNationalPreserveandJoshuaTreeNationalPark,andbroadenthechartersofeachtoprovideforCommissioninputonallkindsofplanningandresourcemanagementproposalsandactions,toserveasaforumforcitizeninputonNPSprogramsandmanagementandasanadvisorybodytoseekresolutionofconflictswithintheNPSunits.
ThereisnoformalforumforcitizeninputtoNationalParkService(NPS)programs.NationalParkunitsoperateautonomouslyandindependentlyandthereiscurrentlylittleofficialcontactamongNPSleadershipandmanagementpersonnelandCountyofficials.Further,thereisnoregularcontactbetweenthepublicandNationalParkServiceleadership.ReauthorizationoftheCommissionsandbroadeningofthecharterswouldserveasspringboardforincreasedcommunicationandpartnershiponthemanyactivitiesaboutwhichtherearecommoninterests,suchasrecreationaccess,theCountytransportationsystem,economicpromotion,firemanagement,andtheCounty’scontinuinginterestwithitsinfrastructurewithinthethreeParkServiceUnits.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Housing, Land Use and Transportation
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
functionofrecordingsuchrights-of-wayforexistingrouteswhenasserted,inwhichtheywouldsimplydeterminevalidityundertheR.S.2477provisionsforroutesconstructedpriorto1976,andrecordingsuchontheofficialrecordsoftheUnitedStates.TheCountyrecognizesthatneworre-alignedroutesmustbecoveredundercurrentTitleVright-of-wayauthorizingprocedures.
andsmalleraccessroutesleadingtomines,wildlifewatersandguzzlersthatrequireperiodicmaintenance,livestockfacilities,andinformalrecreationsites.CongressrepealedR.S.2477in1976aspartoftheFederalLandPolicyandManagementAct(FLPMA).However,theyleftinplaceallrights-of-waythathadbeencreatedandrecognized(and,ineffect,granted)undertheprovisionsoftherepealedlegislation.SanBernardinoCountyhashistoricallysupportedtheretentionofrights-of-wayunderR.S.2477forexistingroutestoassurenon-closurebyfederallandmanagementagencies.
26
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Flood Control, Water Resources and Environmental Quality
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)fundtheplanning,construction,operationandmaintenanceofwatershedorfloodcontrolprojects;2)promoteenvironmentally-friendlyfloodcontrolimprovements;and/or3)mitigatestormwaterandurbanrunoff,includingrunofffromunmaintainedfederallands,intothefloodcontrolsystem.
Opposelegislationandbudgetactionsthatdiminishtheperformanceorfundingoffloodcontrolsystems.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)maintainorimproveuponthesupplyofadequatepotablewater;2)fundtreatmentorremovalofpollutantsofconcern;and/or3)ensurenationalwatersafety.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)promoteenvironmentallyandeconomicallysoundmanagementofsolidwaste;2)protectitscitizens,localindustryandenvironmentfromtheintroductionofforeignspeciesofpestsanddiseases;and/or3)assisttheCountyandlocaljurisdictionsbyremovingunnecessarybarriersandcostsassociatedwithcomplianceforenvironmentalregulations.
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
27
SanBernardinoCountyisresponsibleforthedevelopmentandmanagementofanextensivesystemofregionalfloodcontrolandwaterconservationfacilities,consistingofover1,100facilitiesincludingdams,channels,stormdrains,debris,detentionandwaterconservationbasins.ThepurposeofthesefacilitiesistointerceptandconveyfloodflowsthroughandawayfromthemajordevelopedareasoftheCounty.TheCountyprovidesemergencyservicesduringstormevents,reviewsFederalEmergencyManagementAgencyFloodInsuranceRateMapsandprovidessupporttoZoneAdvisoryCommittees.ItisapriorityoftheCountytoincreasegroundwaterrechargeservicesatfloodcontroldistrictfacilitiesinsupportofmaintainingadequatewatersuppliesforthepeopleofSanBernardinoCounty.ForalistingoffloodcontrolprojectsofsignificantCountyandregionalimportancepleaseseeAppendixB.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyFloodControl,WaterResourcesandEnvironmentalQualitylegislativepositions:
EnvironmentalQuality
•
FloodControlFundingandOperations •
•
WaterQuality
•
TheCleanWaterActwasenactedtopreventandreducethecontaminationofwater.TheResourceagencies’interpretationsofSections401and404oftheCleanWaterActhavelimitedtheabilityoflocalagenciestomaintaintheirfacilities.Floodcontroldistrictshavebeenimpactedthemostbythisnarrowinterpretation,sincetheyhavenotbeenallowedtoimplementroutinemaintenanceorcleanoutfloodcontrolandwaterspreadingfacilities.Thesefacilitiesmustbeclearedandrepairedbeforethestartofthenormalstormseason,whichbeginsOctober15th.Theconsequencesofnot
FloodControl CleanWaterActAmendment
Supportlegislativeandregulatoryeffortsthatexemptregularmaintenanceofexistingfloodcontrol,waterspreadingandotherpublicfacilitiesfromtheCleanWaterAct.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Flood Control, Water Resources and Environmental Quality
TheUSACOEvegetationpolicyallowsnotreesorshrubsonlevees,someofwhichwereincludedintheoriginalconstruction.Thispolicymaymakesenseinareasofprolongedflowsagainstthelevee,butmakesnosenseinthearidwestduetotheflashynatureofourstormevents.Resourceagenciesareopposedtotheremovalofvegetationandlocaljurisdictionsarecaughtinthemiddle.
FloodControl U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersLeveeVegetationPolicy
SupportlegislationthataddressesrevisingtheUSACOEvegetationpolicyforleveesinaridregions.
28
GroundwaterintheRialtoColtonBasiniscontaminatedwithperchlorateandotherchemicals.Therearemultipleallegedsourceareasforthiscontamination,includingtheRockets,Fireworks,andFlares(RFF)SiteontheeastsideoftheBasinandtheCounty’sMid-ValleySanitaryLandfillUnit5ExpansionPropertyandStonehurstSiteonthewestsideoftheBasin.Thesesourceareashavecreatedtwoseparateanddistinctperchlorateplumesinthebasin,knownastheEasternPlumeandWesternPlume.Understateregulatoryagencyoversight,theCountyhastakentheleadwithrespecttoaddressingtheWesternPlume.TheU.S.EPAhastakentheleadwithrespecttotheEasternPlume.TheCountysupportstheEPAlistingoftheRFFSiteanditseffortstoaddressthecontaminationintheEasternPlumearea.
SolidWaste PerchlorateCleanUp
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistthepublicentities’effortstocleanupimpactscreatedbytheexistenceofperchloratecontaminationtosoilandgroundwater.
havingthesefacilitiesreadyforthestormseasoncanresultinunnecessaryrisktolifeandproperty.
TheU.S.EPAandArmyCorpsofEngineershaveundertakenarulemakingprocessthatmayleadtoagreatlyexpandeddefinitionof“watersoftheUnitedStates,”whichinturncouldputmanyprojects,nowregulatedunderstateandlocallaws,underjurisdictionofthefederalCleanWaterAct.
FloodControl WatersoftheUnitedStatesDefinition
Opposeanyregulatoryorlegislativeactionsthatwouldexpandfederaljurisdictionintoareasofwaterqualityandsupplyalreadyeffectivelyregulatedunderstateandlocallaws.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
SanBernardinoCounty’slargegeographicalareacoversnearlyeveryrecreationalniche,fromdesertlandscapetoalpinelakes.TheCountyalsocontainsmanyinstitutionsofhighereducationandexhibitsauniqueculturalandhistoricalbackgroundthatenrichesresidentsandvisitorsalike.Areasofpolicydevelopmentincludemuseums,libraries,parksandrecreation.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyCultural,EducationalandRecreationallegislativepositions:
QualityofLife
•
•
DEPARTMENT ISSUE SUMMARY ACTION
Cultural, Educational and Recreational Services
RegionalParks SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillprovidefundingfortheCalicofacility,infrastructure,maintenance,replacement,andimprovements.
CalicoGhostTown
CalicoGhostTownandformerminingtownisagloballyrecognizedhistoricalandeducationalsitesetintheheartofSanBernardinoCounty.LocatedintheMojaveDesertnearBarstowandYermo,CalicowasdesignatedtheofficialCaliforniaStateSilverRushGhosttownin2005,andpriortoitspresentstatushadbeendesignatedaStateHistoricLandmark.Theparkdrawsasubstantialnumberofworldwidevisitorsyear-round,andcontinuallyhasasignificantlypositiveeconomicimpactonlocalcommunitiesandtheCounty.Withaginginfrastructure,however,renovationsareneededtopreservecriticalfacilitiesandmaintaintheeconomic,educational,recreational,andhistoricalvalueofthisinternationaltreasure.
29
Supportlegislation,proposalsandbudgetactionsthat:1)provideresidentswithaccesstoCountyfacilitiesthatpromoteknowledge,education,lifelonglearning,recreation/leisureandculturalenrichments;2)preserveandprotecttheconservationoftheCounty’snaturalandhistoricallandresourcesandinfrastructure;3)providefundingandincreasedgrantopportunitiesforservicesthatenhancethequalityoflifeforcountyresidents;and/or4)balanceeconomicdevelopmentandenvironmentalstewardship.
Opposelegislation,proposalsandbudgetactionsthatrequiretheprovisionsofserviceswithoutadequatefunding.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Appendix A Transportation
AlabamaStreet/Interstate10Interchange
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistinfundingthewideningandinterchangeimprovementatAlabamaStreet.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$32million.
ArrowbearDriveRealignmentandWidening
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoremoveandreplacebridge/spillway,realignandwidentheroadtoimprovetrafficsafetyandprovideeasieraccessinanemergency.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$3million.
CedarAvenue/I-10Interchange SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistinfundingthewideningandinterchangeimprovementofCedarAvenue.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$61million.
CumberlandDrive:StateHigh-way18-BaldEagleRidge
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingto,atminimum,paveatrafficlaneineachdirectionbetweenStateHighway18toanexistingpavedcul-de-sacroadwithinBaldEagleRidge.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$6million.
GlenHelenParkwayBridgeOvertheCajonWash
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructanall-weathercrossingoftheCajonWash.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$19.85million.
GroveAvenue/I-10Interchange SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatfundtheconstructionoftheGroveAvenue/I-10Interchange.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$130million.
HelendaleRoadPavingProject SupportlegislationorbudgetactionsthatwillassistwiththefundingtopaveHelendaleRoad,whichiscurrentlyadirtroadandonelaneineachdirectionwithinanexistingright-of-wayfromColusaRoad.Theprojectisestimatedtocost$14million.
30
HighDesertCorridor SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassisttheHighDesertCorridorJointPowersAuthority’soversightandadvocacyofaPublicPrivatePartnershipfortheplanning,programming,design,construction,maintenanceandoperationofamulti-purposecorridor,connectingVictorvilleandPalmdale,toincludeafreeway/expresswayforgoodsmovement,recreationalandgeneraltraffic;rightofway,design,constructionandmaintenanceforhighspeedrail;planning,programming,design,construction,maintenanceandoperationofabikeway;andplanningforrenewableenergygenerationandtransmissiontoreducecostofmaintenanceandoperationofallinfrastructure,andprovideprojectrevenuefromtransmissionlinesconnectingtothegrid,andalternativeenergyfueling.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$5billion,largelyfinancedbytheprivatesector,including$500millionoversixyearsneededfortheI-15interchange.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Appendix A Transportation
NationalTrailsHighwayBridgeReplacementProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistin100%fundingofthedesignandreplacementof129trestlebridgesonNationalTrailsHighwaywithAASHTOapprovedtimbertrestlebridges.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$52
NeedlesHighway(Project1) SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtorealignandconstructNeedlesHighway,withintheCityofNeedles,betweenInterstate40andthenortherncitylimit.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$80million.
NeedlesHighway(Project2) SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtorealignandconstructNeedlesHighway,withintheCityofNeedles,betweenInterstate40andthenortherncitylimit(whichadjoinstheFortMojaveIndianReservationboundary)toatwo-laneroadminimizinghorizontalcurvesandverticaldips,providedrainageimprovementsandaddturnpocketsatintersections.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$15million.
OroGrandeOverpass SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoimprovetheexistinggradeseparationforNationalTrailsHighwayundertheBNSFandUnionPacificrailtracksatOroGrande.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$29million.
31
PiuteWashBridgeProject Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneroadonexistingalignmentofatwo-lanepavedroadbetweenMesaLindaStreetandStateHighway138.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$35million.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneroadonexistingalignmentofatwo-lanepavedroadbetweenMesaLindaStreetandStateHighway138.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$35million.
PhelanRoad
LAMesa/NisqualliYuccaLomaCorridor
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneYuccaLomaBridgeovertheMojaveRiverintheTownofAppleValley,widenYatesRoadtofourlanesintheCountyarea,andconstructtheGreenTreeBoulevardinVictorville.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$101million.
InstitutionRoad:GlenHelenRehabilitationFacilitytoCajonBoulevard
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtocreateanall-weatheraccessroadfortheGlenHelenRehabilitationFacility,byconstructingpipes,archculvertsorotherbridgestructuresacceptabletoU.S.FishandWildlife,CAFish&WildlifeandU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$20million.
LAMesa/NisqualliYuccaLomaCorridor
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneYuccaLomaBridgeovertheMojaveRiverintheTownofAppleValley,widenYatesRoadtofourlanesintheCountyarea,andconstructtheGreenTreeBoulevardinVictorville.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$101million.
RockSpringsRoadBridgeProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneroadbridgeacrosstheMojaveRiverontheRockSpringsRoadalignment.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$30million.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Appendix A Transportation
32
StateStreet/StateRoute210toCajonBoulevard
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneroadonexistingalignmentbetweenStateRoute210andgradeseparationatCajonBoulevard.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$20million.
WildWashRoad Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatassistwithfundingtoconstructatwo-lanepavedroadfromI-15westtoHelendaleonanalignmentcurrentlyservedbyanunpavedroad.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$25million.
ShadowMountainRoad Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneroadfromNationalTrailsHighwaywesttoHelendaleRoad,includingagradeseparationattheBNSFrailroadtracksandafour-lanebridgeovertheMojaveRivertocompletethelogicalconnectiontoShadowMountainRoad.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$50million.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Appendix B Flood Control
BandicootBasinFloodProtec-tion,WaterQualityandWaterRechargeProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtomitigatetheadditionalflowsgeneratedbyupstreamdevelopmentandsafelyconveyflowstotheexistingaqueductover-crossings.Thisprojectwouldbeathree-stagephasingprojectwiththeintenttoattenuatetheflowsupstreamandminimizetheimpacttotheDepartmentofWaterResources’CaliforniaAqueduct.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$18.5million.
CableCreekFloodProtectionProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillprovideimprovementstotheleveesystematCableCreek.In2008,itwasfoundtonotmeetthefreeboardanderosionrequirementstoobtainFEMAcertification.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$20million.
CactusBasinsFloodProtection,WaterQualityandWaterRe-chargeProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingthemostimportantelementsoftheRialtoChannelsystem,CactusBasins3,4and5.ThesebasinsarecrucialduetotheincreasedrunoffconcentratedintothesystemfromtheInterstate210FreewayandtherelatedCactusChannelproject.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$33.5million.
ComprehensiveStormDrain3-5/3-8FloodProtectionProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingthefloodprotectionproject.Thissystemprotectsresidences,commercialpropertiesandmajortransportationcorridorsincludingInterstateHighway10.TheCountyFloodControlDistrictiscoordinatingwiththeCityofColtononthisproject.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$21million.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstodevelopamoreadequatecapacityinthebasinthatprovidesreducedflowsandfloodprotection.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost8.77million.
AmethystBasinFloodProtec-tion,WaterQualityandWaterConservationProject
DeerCreekBasinFloodProtec-tionProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstoexpandthebasinto310acre-feet,standardcapacityforUSACOEfacilities.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$6.2million.
DesertKnollsWashFloodPro-tectionandWaterQualityProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsforimprovementstoDesertKnollsthatwillprovidefloodprotectionandwaterqualityneededinthearea.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$30million.
ElderCreekFloodProtectionProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoreducefuturefloodeventsinElderCreek.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$5.7million.
33
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Appendix B Flood Control
MissionZanjaFloodProtection,WaterQualityandWaterCon-servationProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstodevelopaprojectalongtheMissionZanjasystem.Theprojectwillprovidefloodprotection,waterqualityimprovement,andwillallowforwaterrecharge.TheMissionZanjasystemhasbeenstudiedbytheUSACOE.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$6million.
MojaveForksDamFloodProtec-tionandWaterConservationProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsfortheengineeringandconstructionofgatesatthedamoutletanddammodificationtoincreasestoragecapacityoftheexistingdam.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$50million.
MojaveLeveePhaseIIFloodProtectionProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoextendtheMojaveRiverLeveePhaseIuptotheOroGrandeWashBoxintheHighDesertarea.Theprojectwillreducefloodpotentialinthearea.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$1.3million.
MojaveRiverFloodplainStudy SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoidentifytheextentofthefloodplainfortheMojaveRiver.Thisstudyisespeciallyneededduetochangingconditionsintheriverandrecentfloodingevents.TheMojaveRiverfloodingcanaffectmajorrailroadlinesgoingoutofstate,Interstate15Freewayandvariousutilitylines.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$4million.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionfortherepairofthewearandtearalongthechannel.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$6million.
Lytle-CajonChannelFloodPro-tectionProject
MojaveRiverFluvialGeomor-phologicStudy
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoprovideforafluvialgeomorphologicstudyoftheMojaveRiverthatidentifieswhatthehydrologyandsedimenttransportprocessesisneededtoupdatethecurrentMojaveRiverFloodplaintomaintainand,whenneeded,improveportionsoftheMojaveRiver.MaintenancePlan.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$2million.
RancheroBasinFloodProtec-tion,WaterQualityandWaterConservationProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoprovideincreasedfloodprotectiontothedevelopingHighDesert.ThepriorityfacilityforfloodprotectionisalongAntelopeWash.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$23.7million.
RialtoChannelFloodProtectionProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstoreducethepotentialformajorfloodingalongtheprojectsiteandpreservethesafetyandwell-beingofbothlifeandstructures.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$30million.
SanSevaineBasinsandSpread-ingGroundsFloodProtection,WaterQualityandWaterCon-servationStudy
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoprovideforastudytoaddresspotentialdebrisflowsthatcouldcomeoutoftheSanSevainecanyonandentertheSanSevaineSpreadingGroundsandSanSevaineBasins1-4.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$4million.
34
Lytle-CajonBasinFloodProtec-tion,WaterQualityandWaterConservationStudy
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstostudytheuseandfunctionoftheinletgateontheLytle-CajonChannelandthepotentialforadebrisbasinupstreamtohelpreducefuturedamageandmaintenanceneeds.Thestudywillfindalongtermsolutiontothechannel’smaintenanceneeds.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$4million.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Appendix B Flood Control
SanTimoteoCreekBasinsFloodProtectionProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoassistinmaintainingthebasinsofSanTimoteo.Therecentminorstormshavecompletelyfilledall18basinsandtheexacerbatedmaintenanceandoperationscostcannotbesustainedbytheCountyFloodControlDistrict.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$6million.
SandandWarmCreeksFloodProtectionProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillprovideforimprovementsthatwillreducethepotentialformajorfloodingalongtheprojectsiteandpreservethesafetyandwell-beingofbothlifeandstructures.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$3.23million.
SantaAnaRiverMainstemFloodProtectionProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillprovideinsubventionfundstoassistwithcompletingtheSantaAnaRiverMainstemFloodProtectionProject,inconjunctionwiththeUSACOEtoprovidevaluablefloodcontrolfeaturesforover3millionpeoplelivingwithintheSantaAnaRiverwatershedandfloodplain.Completionofallofthefeatureswillprovide(a)necessaryfloodprotectionwithinOrange,RiversideandSanBernardinoCounties;(b)enhancementandpreservationofmarshlandsandwetlandsforendangeredwaterfowl,fishandwildlifespecies;(c)recreationamenities;and(d)floodplainmanagementofthe30milesofSantaAnaRiverbetweenSevenOaksDamandPradoDam.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$22million.
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstoconducttheneededstudytofindsolutionstotheactualamountofdebrisproducedbytherecentstorms.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$4million.
SanTimoteoCreekBasinsFloodProtectionandWaterQualityStudy
SevenOaksDamWaterQualitySpecialStudy
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstofundafeasibilitylevelstudytoinvestigatewaterqualityissuesrelatedtoSevenOaksDamandReservoir.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$8.7million.
TwinCreekLeveeFloodProtec-tionProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoimprovetheleveesystematTwinCreeksothefacilitymaybecertifiedbutitwouldalsotakeanumberofcommercialandresidentialareasoutofafloodplain.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$2.7million.
U.S.ArmyCorpsOfEngineers-SanTimoteoLoan
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoforgivetheSanTimoteoloaninordertoprovideforthecompletionofadditionalimportantfloodprotectionprojects.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$6million.
35
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillprovidefloodprotectiontotheFontanaareaandtotheadjacentrailroadlineswiththeWestFontanaChannelFloodProtection,WaterQualityandWaterConservationProject.ThisisajointprojectbetweentheCountyFloodControlDistrictandtheCityofFontana.TheChinoBasinWatermasterandtheInlandEmpireUtilityAgencywillalsobenefitfromthisproject.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$25million.
WestFontanaChannelFloodProtection,WaterQualityandWaterRechargeProject
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs
Appendix B Flood Control
WestStateStreetStormDrainFloodProtectionProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoprovidefloodprotectiontoasystemthatconnectstotheUSACOE’sSanAntonioChannel.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$12.3million.
WildwoodCreekFloodProtec-tionandWaterQualityProject
SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoreducethepotentialfloodhazardalongthesystembetweenthebasinsandInterstateHighway10.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$6million.
WilsonCreekFloodProtectionProject
Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstoimproveabreakoutpointforfloodingalongthesystem.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$700,000.
36