Emerging Issue: The Governor's Strategic Growth Council

The Governor has proposed the creation of a “Strategic Growth Council.” This builds upon a concept that emerged last year in the Legislature: the Sustainable Communities Council.

As proposed, the Council would manage funding programs, including $90 million Urban Greening and $90 million Land Use Planning Incentives from Proposition 84, as well as a new proposed water bond.

Chaired by the Director of the Office of Planning and Research, the Council will consist of the Secretaries from four state agencies (Resources; Environmental Protection; Business, Transportation and Housing; Food and Agriculture). The five-member Council will help state agencies allocate Strategic Growth Plan money in ways that best promote efficiency, sustainability, and support the Governor's economic and environmental goals.

As proposed, the Council would:

· Award and manage grants and loans from Proposition 84 funds to support the development of sustainable communities. The Council's responsibilities will include establishing application requirements and evaluation criteria

· Coordinate the four member state agencies as they undertake infrastructure and development projects to encourage sustainable land use, protect natural resources, improve air and water quality, increase the availability of affordable housing, improve transportation, and meet the goals of the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32)

· Recommend policies to the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies that encourage sustainable development

· Collect and provide data to local governments to help them develop and plan sustainable communities. While the state has little direct say in local land-use planning, the Council will provide leadership and support for locals

This Council idea is being carried forward in Senate Bill 732 (Steinberg). We will be tracking this as it moves through the Legislature and will let you know when there is an opportunity to engage in the development or progress of this concept.

More information can be found here: Strategic Growth Plan

What is Sustainable California?

What we want to do:

Build a network that will share information and identify opportunities for individuals and organizations to constructively engage in urban sustainability policy development and funding programs in California

What we like to talk about:

Urban Greening - urban forestry, greening existing spaces and rights-of-way, community gardens, urban trails, opens spaces, river parkways, and parks

Urban Watershed Management - restoration of the natural flow of streams and rivers, increased permeable surface area, water conservation and recycling, local groundwater aquifer recharge in and adjacent to urban areas, integrated water management, stormwater management, and multiple-objective projects

Land Use Planning and Infill Development - high-density, mixed-use and infill development, walkability/bikeability, transit-oriented development, multi-use venues (e.g. open space, schools, and churches serving multiple purposes), and brownfield reclamation and development

What we hope to accomplish:

* Create opportunities for a wide range of organizations, agencies, and individuals interested in urban sustainability to participate in information sharing across the state and in different sectors

* Provide relevant, current, and interesting information regarding urban sustainability issues in California

* Identify opportunities for people to engage in urban sustainability policy and funding

* The state invests current and future state funding, including Proposition 84 funds and funding appropriated towards AB 32 (Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006) implementation, in plans and projects that drive California towards a more sustainable future

Welcome to Sustainable California

Conservation Strategy Group has initiated this new project called Sustainable California, a forum for organizations and agencies designed to share information and identify opportunities for individuals and organizations to engage in urban sustainability policy development and funding programs in California.

Conservation Strategy Group will provide email updates on what’s happening at the Capitol and identify opportunities to take action in support of urban sustainability. We have also established this online resource through which information could be shared. Our hope is that the network would evolve over time so that participating organizations would also share information with each other.