Cap-and-TradeFundingGuidelinesandWorkshops.pdfVIP

AJ2\Hasan Monthly RC Report 2014.09.30 E x E c u t i v E D i r E c t o r s M o n t h l y r E p o r t o c t o b E r 2 0 1 4 Cap-and-Trade Funding Guidelines and Workshops As previously reported, SCAG has been monitoring and reporting on the programs supported by the auction proceeds derived from the California Air Resources Board’s AB 32 Cap-and-Trade Program. Allocating an equitable share of these funds to transportation and sustainable communities implementation was a top legislative priority for the Regional Council and this was reflected in the appropriation to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) in the State Budget for FY 2014-15. These critical funding programs are expected to help local jurisdictions and SCAG’s partners implement the 2012-2035 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/ SCS). Three GGRF programs are further along than others, and I want to share the information on the following funding opportunities. 1. The Strategic Growth Council (SGC) released preliminary draft guidelines for the Cap-and-Trade Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program on Sept. 23, with comments due by Oct. 31. SGC will hold a public workshop on the draft guidelines on Monday, Oct. 27, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at SCAG’s headquarters in Los Angeles (with video-conferencing to satellite offices, as available). The draft AHSC guidelines are available at: /docs/Draft_AHSC_Guidelines_for_posting_082314.pdf. 2. SGC, in conjunction with the California Natural Resources Agency and California Department of Conservation staff have released preliminary draft guidelines for the California Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALCP), a component of the AHSC program. The draft SALCP guidelines are available at: /docs/Sustainable_Ag_Lands_Conservation_ Program_Guidelines_092214_DRAFT.pdf. 3. As part of the natural resource category of GGRF investments, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL