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BoS, Organizers, Agree On Climate Change Committee Structure

April 17, 2019 — The Board of Supervisors and grassroots organizers came to an agreement about the basic structure of the Mendocino County Climate Action Advisory Committee yesterday, but the role of the Resource Conservation District, if any, is still up for negotiation.

However, the board and organizers agreed that each of the five supervisors will get to appoint three climate action committee members. While the three main areas of concentration will be greenhouse gas reduction, carbon sequestration and storage, and climate change-related disaster preparedness, focus groups are also a big part of the plan. The focus groups are expected to come up with recommendations for the climate action committee, which in turn will advise the board at regular intervals.

Guidelines for the focus groups include holding public meetings about issues like rangeland and near-shore ecosystems, and keeping written records of decisions regarding their proposals to the climate action committee. They are expected to send these proposals to the climate action committee, the county’s ten tribes, and the Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness Committee. Ellen Drell, of the Willits Enviornmental Center, spoke about the cultural groundswell she believes will emanate from these smaller groups.

The next related item was more contentious. Megan McCluer, the executive director of the resource conservation district, presented a proposed contract for her organization to write grants, provide administrative support and develop a formal programs to meet the climate change committee’s goals. The district offered to hire a program manager, attend conferences, and collect scientific data that could be used to advocate for environmental policies, but, as a special district, it is not allowed to advocate for any political action. The total estimate for its services was $110,512 for a one-year agreement. The district’s successful track record in securing grant funding made it attractive to most of the board, but Polly Girvin, who worked on the climate change committee proposal, believes the point of the committee is advocacy.

In the end, a supervisorial climate change ad hoc committee, consisting of Supervisors John McCowan and Ted Williams, agreed to work with the citizens startup climate change committee, the resource conservation district, and county staff, to further discuss the draft scope of services presented by the district.

The vote in favor of this action was four to one, with Supervisor John Haschak dissenting.

 

Local News