Environmental spending increases under proposal

By Denis Cuff
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Posted on Tue, Jan. 11, 2005

California's environmental programs survive the governor's budget proposal with increases in general state funding to run water, park and forestry agencies.

Pollution and waste control agencies don't fare quite as well.

But those agencies under the California EPA umbrella could still add 121 jobs next budget year even if they face a 5 percent cut in general state funding.

The environment appears to be doing well for the second Schwarzenegger budget in a row, one environmental leader said.

"I'm pleased with what I'm seeing in a difficult budget year," said Bill Allayaud, state director of the Sierra Club, after scanning the proposal. "The governor has said he sees that people demand strong environmental protections. I think that's reflected in the budget."

The plan calls for funding programs to strengthen flood control levees, and adding seven employees to manage new public coastline at the Hearst Ranch and 54 state forestry workers primarily to beef up wildfire protection.

General state spending for water, forestry and wildlife agencies would increase by $200 million to $1.3 billion.

Some 73 jobs would be trimmed in those departments, boards and commissions coordinated by the California Resources Agency.

The flow of state funds into Cal EPA's pollution and waste agencies would drop by $3.8 million to $69 million.

While many environmental agencies would get more operating dollars, budget makers forecast a big drop in spending on land purchases and major environmental improvements. Those projects have been funded by voter-approved park and water bonds -- money that is nearly exhausted.

One victim of the diminishing bond money is the CalFed Bay Delta program, which aims to improve state water supplies and quality.

The governor proposes $150 million in overall state funding for CalFed, leaving the state and federal program with $258 million less from all sources than in the current budget year.

CalFed has foreseen the decline of bond money and last month adopted a plan to rely more heavily on irrigators, water districts and the federal government to pay for the program.

Contact Denis Cuff at 925-943-8267 or dcuff@cctimes.com.