2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM County of 2014 · and overall policy guidance by adopting a legislative platform annually. The 2014 Federal Legislative Platform was developed in

2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM

COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO • www.sbcounty.gov/legislativeaffairs

Federal Legislative Platform2014County

San Bernardinoof



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



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..............................................................................................................................

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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.........................................................................................

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SolidWaste •PerchlorateContamination...........................................................................................................

LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS AND POLICY STATEMENTS FOR CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES

RegionalParks •CalicoGhostTown.......................................................................................................................APPENDIX A: •TransportationProjectsofSignificantCountyandRegionalImportance....................................APPENDIX B: •FloodControlProjectsofSignificantCountyandRegionalImportance......................................

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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.

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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)

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Governance, Finance and Operations

TheCountyofSanBernardino’smissionistoprovideservicesthatpromotethehealth,safety,well-beingandqualityoflifeforitsresidents.EffectivepartnershipsbetweentheCountyandfederalagenciesareessentialtoadequatelyfinancetheseservicesandresponsibilities.Unfortunately,asaresultofinadequatefunding,localgovernmentsstruggletomaintainservicelevels,withfewerresources.Countiesareleftwiththeoptionofreducingstaffingandcompromisingservicedelivery,orfillinggapswithlocalfunds,whichfewcountieshavetheabilitytodo.Multipleyearsoffederalfundingreductionshaveunderminedcriticalprograms.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyGovernance,FinanceandOperationslegislativepositions:

CountyOperations

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CountyFinances

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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.

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TheSurfaceTransportationAssistanceActof1982establishedtheBuyAmericarequirementsthatcertainproductsusedinfederallyfundedtransportationprojectsmustbefabricatedintheUnitedStates.WhileBuyAmericawasintendedtoprotectdomesticindustries,overthelast30yearssincetheprogramwasenacted,companiessupplyingproductsfortransportationprojectshaveundergonesignificantchanges.Asaresult,theexistingBuyAmericadefinitionhastheunintendedconsequencesofbarringUnitedStatecompaniesfromparticipatinginfederallyfundedprojectsaswellasincreasingcostordelaytolocaltransportationprojects.

EconomicDevelopmentAgency

BuyAmerica SupportlegislationoradministrativeactionsthatmodifyorwaivetheBuyAmericaprovisionstospurlocaleconomicdevelopmentandensurethatlocaltransportationprojectsareabletomoveforwardwithoutunreasonabledelays.



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

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HealthCareReform •

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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

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Opposelegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)increaseuncompensatedhealthcarecosts;and/or2)proposefundingreductionsnotbasedonactualexperiences.





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.

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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.

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generallylowerthantheratespaidbyMedicareandprivateinsurance.TheAffordableCareActincludedaprovisiontomakeaggregatereductionsinfederalMedicaidDSHallotments.

BehavioralHealth

InstitutionsforMentalDiseaseMedicaidReimbursement

SupportlegislationthatprovidesMedicaidreimbursementforpatientsinInstitutionsforMentalDiseaseandinfree-standingsettings.

Medicaidwillnotcoverindividualsbetweentheagesoftwenty-one(21)andsixty-five(65)whohaveabraindiseaseandneedscareinapsychiatrichospital.TheFederalgovernment’sInstiutionsforMentalDisease(IMD)ExclusionprohibitsMedicaidfromcoveringanytreatment(evennon-psychiatric)inStateandprivate





psychiatrichospitalsandotherIMDs.Medicaid’sdenialofIMDcoverageresultsinhomelessness,incarceration,victimizationandevendeathformanypeoplewhoaresoilltheyareunabletocareforthemselves.

BehavioralHealth

MedicalUniversityResidencies

Supportlegislation,budgetactionsandregulatoryeffortsthatincreasethenumberofMedicare-supportedresidencypositionsinteachinghospitals.

Thenumberoffederallyfundedresidencyslotsinteachinghospitalshasremainedrelativelystableatabout100,000peryear.Teachinghospitalsmustworkwiththeirmedicalschoolpartnerstobalancetheseavailablepositionsandhelptrainnewgenerationsofphysicians.Aslongasthenumberoffederallyfundedresidencyslotsremainsfrozen,newmedicaleducationeffortssuchasthatrecentlylaunchedattheUniversityofCalifornia,RiversideSchoolofMedicinewillbeunabletoplaceasmanyresidentsdependentonfederalfundingasareneededtomeetthegrowingneedsoftheagingpopulationandincreasesanticipatedbytheAffordableCareAct.

ExtendedFosterCareServices

TheFederalFosteringConnectionsActof2008allowforthecontinuationofpaymentforfostercareplacementuntilage21andprovisionofservicestofacilitatesuccessfulemancipation.ManyolderfosteryouththatreceiveaidthroughtheAdoptionAssistanceProgramorFederally-FundedKinGaphaveunequalaccesstothiscontinuedplacementandsupport.Inaddition,youthadoptedorplacedinguardianshipspriortoage16areineligiblewhichcreatesadisincentivetoadopt.

ChildrenandFamilyServices

Supportlegislationandregulatoryeffortsthataligneligibilityrequirementsbetweenfederalprogramsthatserveolderfosteryouthandremovedisincentivestoadoptorcommittoguardianships.

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SupervisionofNon-Minor-Dependents

TheExtendedFosterCareprogramallowsfosteryouthtoremaininFosterCareandreceivebenefitsandservicesuntilage21.Currently,manyofthesamemandatesconcerningsupervisionofplacementstoTheExtendedFosterCareprogramallowsfosteryouthtoremaininFosterCareandreceivebenefitsandservicesuntilage21.Currently,manyofthesame


SupportlegislationandregulatoryeffortsthataligntheprovisionsofExtendedFosterCaretotheadultstatusofthenon-minor-dependent.

FosterCareServices AidtoFamilieswithDependentChildren(AFDC),nowCalWORKs,rulesfrom1996,areusedtodetermineastate’seligibilitytoclaimfederalfundsforfostercareservices.Sinceincomeandassetsarefrozenat1996levels,therateofreimbursementisdecreasingovertime,asfamilieswithincomeoverthe1996AFDClimitsprecludestatesfromsubmittingclaimsforfederalfunds.Thisresultsinlossoffundsforfederallymandatedservices.Removingthelinkwillallowstatestosubmitclaimsforthefederallymandatedservicesofremovingchildrenfromunsafehomes,regardlessofthefamily’sincome.


Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillde-linkTitleIV-E,FosterCare,eligibilityfromthe1996AFDCincomeandassetsstandards.

StreamliningChildWelfare

Federalchildwelfarefinancingisdisproportionatelydirectedtowardfundingout-of-homefostercare.Only10%offederalfundsareavailabletoprovidecosteffectivefront-endpreventionandpost-permanencyservicestokeepchildrensafelyathomewiththeirfamilies.Currentfundingstructuresconsistofmultipleandcomplexfundingstreams-eachwiththeirownaudit,reviewanddatareportingsystems-governingseparatesetsofrequirements.Administrationoftheseseparateprogramsiscostlyintermsofstafftimeandresources.Additionally,thecurrentChildrenandFamiliesServicesReviewhaspoorlydesignedandconflictingmeasuresthatcreateunattainablemeasures.


Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatcreateasingle,dedicatedandflexiblefundingstreamforchildwelfarethatpromoteslocalcontroltodirectresourcesbasedonneedandadequatelyfundscosteffectivepreventionservices.





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.

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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.



TransitionalAssistance

TemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamiliesReauthorization

SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatstrengthentheTANFprogram,includingprovisionsforincreasedlocalflexibilityanddecreasedfederalpenalties.

TheTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)programexpiredonSeptember30,2010.Theprogramhasreceivedseveralextensionssincethen,buthasyettobereauthorized.TheTANFprogramshouldbereauthorizedwithadequatefunding,additionalflexibilityforstates,andacontinuedemphasisonpreparingclientsforwork,movingclientsintoemploymentandprovidingnecessarysupportiveservicestosustainemployment.TheoriginalTANFblockgrantprovidedstatestheabilitytodevelopprogramstoaddresstheindividualneedsoftheirspecificpopulations.TheCountyissupportiveoftheAmericanPublicHumanServicesAssociation(APHSA)reauthorizationproposalswhichincludeflexibility.



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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





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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.





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Veterans VAMedicalCare:MeansTesting

SupportlegislationthatwouldeliminatetheMeansTestforveteranstoqualifyforVAmedicalcare.

TheVAusesMeansTestsasoneofthefactorsindeterminingaveteran’seligibilityforVAmedicalcare.Theseincomelimitationshaveexcludedsomeveterans,whowouldotherwisequalifyforenrollment,fromobtainingtheirprimaryhealthcarethroughtheVA.InlightoftheAffordableCareAct,veteransshouldbeallowedtoenrollandobtaintheirhealthcarethroughtheVAiftheysochoose.



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.


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CountyFire PublicSafetyRegionalFireTrainingCenter

Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstofundtheacquisitionofastateoftheartpublicsafetyregionaltrainingcenterfacilitytoaccommodatethedidactic

SanBernardinoCounty’sFireDepartmentcurrentlyoperatestheRichardSewellTrainingCenter(RSTC)attheformerNortonAirForceBase.TheTrainingDivisionisresponsibleforsupervisingthetrainingandeducationforallsuppressionfirefightingpersonnelandisaCaliforniaStateFireTrainingCertifiedRegionalTrainingCenter.Additionally,FireDepartmentandlawenforcementpersonnelfrommanyotheragenciesthroughoutSouthernCaliforniareceivetrainingatRSTC.TheleaseforthefacilityatNortonAirBaseissettoexpirein2016.Consequently,plansforanewfacilityneedtobeconsidered.Theacquisitionofastateoftheartfacilitythatcanaccommodatemultipleclassrooms,fleetmaintenanceand





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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.





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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.





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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



Sheriff StateCriminalAlienAssistanceProgram

Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstoprotectandincreasefundingavailabletocountiestomitigatecostsassociatedwiththeincarcerationofundocumentedaliens.

TheStateCriminalAlienAssistanceProgram(SCAAP)providesfederalpaymentstostatesandlocalitiesthatincurcorrectionalofficersalarycostsforincarceratingundocumentedcriminalalienswithatleastonefelonyortwomisdemeanorconvictionsforviolationsofstateorlocallawforatleastfourconsecutivedaysduringthereportingperiod.SCAAPisadministeredthroughtheBureauofJusticeAssistance(BJA),inconjunctionwiththeBureauofImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement(ICE)andCitizenshipandImmigrationServices,DepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS).



Sheriff ScientificInvestigationsDivisionProgram

SupportlegislationorbudgetactionsfortheScientificInvestigationsDivisionProgram.

TheSanBernardinoCountySheriff’sDepartment’sScientificInvestigationsDivision(SID)istheworkplaceof100lawenforcement,scientific,technicalandsupportpersonnel.SID’smissionistoprovideforensicsupport(criminalistics,identificationandcrimesceneinvestigation)toSheriff’sstationsanddivisions,aswellasoutsideagencies.SIDisalsohometoSheriff’sCentralProperty/EvidenceUnitandthePhotographyLaboratory.

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costoftheupgradeis$3.7millionandexceedscurrentCAL-IDrevenuestreams.TentativeplansaretohousethesystemattheRiversideCountyDispatchCenterindowntownRiversideandtheHighDesertGovernmentCenterinHesperia.Planshavealsobeenincorporatedintothesalesagreementtoupgradehardwareastechnologyadvances.





In2012,SanBernardinoCountyhoused2,592immigrationoffendersatacostof$11,599,942.Federalreimbursementwas$875,360.SCAAPfundingiscriticaltocostmitigationrelatedtothehousingofundocumentedaliens.

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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.


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Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthat:1)mitigatetheimpactsoffreightandcongestionontheCounty’sresidents;and/or2)improvetheCounty’sabilitytomaintainitsinfrastructure.



incomepersonsintheCountyofSanBernardino.TheCountyexperiencedareductioninfundingof21%fromFY10/11toFY13/14.PrioryearreductionsofCDBGfundinglevelshavebeenadetrimenttotheresidentsintheCountyofSanBernardinowhohavebeenimpactedthroughthereductionofmuchneededservicesandprograms.Thisprogram,alongwiththeHOMEProgram,servesasthenation’sprimaryvehiclethroughwhichlocalgovernmentsaddresshousingandcommunitydevelopmentneeds.



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.

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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.

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LandUse CaliforniaDesertandRecreation

LandUse ManagementofFederallyDesignatedWildLands

TheSecretaryoftheInteriorissuedSecretarialOrder3310,whichcreatedanewcategoryoflandmanagementonBureauofLandManagement(BLM)administeredpubliclandstobedesignated“WildLands.”Inessence,theordercreatesanewroundof

SupportlegislativeeffortsthatrescindSecretarialOrder3310,andassurethatifadditionalpubliclandsareplacedintheNationalWildernessSystemthatitisdonewithdirectinputfromaffectedlocalgovernments





LandUse MiningLawReform MiningactivitiesundercurrentlawremainanimportantsourceofemploymentandinvestmentwithinSanBernardinoCounty.TheCountycanill-affordanyattemptsthatwouldcurtailthoseoperationsfromcontinuingattheircurrentlevels.TheminingoflocatablemineralshasbasicallyceasedwithintheCountysincethepassageoftheCaliforniaDesertProtectionAct,butmanyimportantminesdoexist.Todate,amajorityofrareearthminingcomesfromsourcesoutsidetheUnitedStates.WhileCongressdidnotenactanymajorminingreformlegislationduringthelastCongressionalsession,successfuleffortsweremadetorequireenvironmentalconsiderationsandreclamation,essentiallyduplicatingcurrentStatemininglawsandregulations.Furthereffortscoulddecreasecurrentandfutureoperationscrucialtodomesticsecurityandtheeconomy.

OpposelegislationchangingthecurrentMiningLawof1872asamendedandlegislationthatprovidesforwithdrawalofpubliclandareasfromtheoperationofcurrentmininglaws.

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LandUse MitigationforImpactsResultingFromRenewableEnergyDevelopmentProjects

Renewableenergyprojects,particularlylarge-scalesolardevelopment,oftentransferlargeblocksoffederallandtoprivateuse.Thisleadstotheeliminationofcurrentmultipleuseactivitiesincludingdispersedrecreation,livestock

Supportlegislativeandregulatoryeffortsthat:-Minimizeandmitigatelocalgovernmentimpactsfromthelossoftaxableanddevelopableland;-Requireaportionof

wildernessinventoryandcreatesacategoryofwildernessmanagementbyadministrativedesignationabsentCongressionaldirection,oversightorenactment.ExtendingwildernessmanagementtolandsthathavenotbeenplacedintheNationalWildernessSystembyCongresswillfurtherlimitdevelopmentandoutdoorrecreationopportunitieswithoutpublicinputorCongressionaloversightandenactment.

withfullCongressionaloversight.





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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.





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

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LandUse NationalParkServiceAdvisoryCommissions

Supportlegislationandregulatoryactionsthatre-activatetheAdvisoryCommissionsforDeathValleyNationalPark,MojaveNationalPreserveandJoshuaTreeNationalPark,andbroadenthechartersofeachtoprovideforCommissioninputonallkindsofplanningandresourcemanagementproposalsandactions,toserveasaforumforcitizeninputonNPSprogramsandmanagementandasanadvisorybodytoseekresolutionofconflictswithintheNPSunits.

ThereisnoformalforumforcitizeninputtoNationalParkService(NPS)programs.NationalParkunitsoperateautonomouslyandindependentlyandthereiscurrentlylittleofficialcontactamongNPSleadershipandmanagementpersonnelandCountyofficials.Further,thereisnoregularcontactbetweenthepublicandNationalParkServiceleadership.ReauthorizationoftheCommissionsandbroadeningofthecharterswouldserveasspringboardforincreasedcommunicationandpartnershiponthemanyactivitiesaboutwhichtherearecommoninterests,suchasrecreationaccess,theCountytransportationsystem,economicpromotion,firemanagement,andtheCounty’scontinuinginterestwithitsinfrastructurewithinthethreeParkServiceUnits.





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.

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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.


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SanBernardinoCountyisresponsibleforthedevelopmentandmanagementofanextensivesystemofregionalfloodcontrolandwaterconservationfacilities,consistingofover1,100facilitiesincludingdams,channels,stormdrains,debris,detentionandwaterconservationbasins.ThepurposeofthesefacilitiesistointerceptandconveyfloodflowsthroughandawayfromthemajordevelopedareasoftheCounty.TheCountyprovidesemergencyservicesduringstormevents,reviewsFederalEmergencyManagementAgencyFloodInsuranceRateMapsandprovidessupporttoZoneAdvisoryCommittees.ItisapriorityoftheCountytoincreasegroundwaterrechargeservicesatfloodcontroldistrictfacilitiesinsupportofmaintainingadequatewatersuppliesforthepeopleofSanBernardinoCounty.ForalistingoffloodcontrolprojectsofsignificantCountyandregionalimportancepleaseseeAppendixB.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyFloodControl,WaterResourcesandEnvironmentalQualitylegislativepositions:

EnvironmentalQuality

•

FloodControlFundingandOperations •

•

WaterQuality

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TheCleanWaterActwasenactedtopreventandreducethecontaminationofwater.TheResourceagencies’interpretationsofSections401and404oftheCleanWaterActhavelimitedtheabilityoflocalagenciestomaintaintheirfacilities.Floodcontroldistrictshavebeenimpactedthemostbythisnarrowinterpretation,sincetheyhavenotbeenallowedtoimplementroutinemaintenanceorcleanoutfloodcontrolandwaterspreadingfacilities.Thesefacilitiesmustbeclearedandrepairedbeforethestartofthenormalstormseason,whichbeginsOctober15th.Theconsequencesofnot

FloodControl CleanWaterActAmendment

Supportlegislativeandregulatoryeffortsthatexemptregularmaintenanceofexistingfloodcontrol,waterspreadingandotherpublicfacilitiesfromtheCleanWaterAct.




Flood Control, Water Resources and Environmental Quality

TheUSACOEvegetationpolicyallowsnotreesorshrubsonlevees,someofwhichwereincludedintheoriginalconstruction.Thispolicymaymakesenseinareasofprolongedflowsagainstthelevee,butmakesnosenseinthearidwestduetotheflashynatureofourstormevents.Resourceagenciesareopposedtotheremovalofvegetationandlocaljurisdictionsarecaughtinthemiddle.

FloodControl U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersLeveeVegetationPolicy

SupportlegislationthataddressesrevisingtheUSACOEvegetationpolicyforleveesinaridregions.

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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.



SanBernardinoCounty’slargegeographicalareacoversnearlyeveryrecreationalniche,fromdesertlandscapetoalpinelakes.TheCountyalsocontainsmanyinstitutionsofhighereducationandexhibitsauniqueculturalandhistoricalbackgroundthatenrichesresidentsandvisitorsalike.Areasofpolicydevelopmentincludemuseums,libraries,parksandrecreation.ThefollowingarepriorityCountyCultural,EducationalandRecreationallegislativepositions:

QualityofLife

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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.

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Supportlegislation,proposalsandbudgetactionsthat:1)provideresidentswithaccesstoCountyfacilitiesthatpromoteknowledge,education,lifelonglearning,recreation/leisureandculturalenrichments;2)preserveandprotecttheconservationoftheCounty’snaturalandhistoricallandresourcesandinfrastructure;3)providefundingandincreasedgrantopportunitiesforservicesthatenhancethequalityoflifeforcountyresidents;and/or4)balanceeconomicdevelopmentandenvironmentalstewardship.

Opposelegislation,proposalsandbudgetactionsthatrequiretheprovisionsofserviceswithoutadequatefunding.



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.

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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.




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.

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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.




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StateStreet/StateRoute210toCajonBoulevard

Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneroadonexistingalignmentbetweenStateRoute210andgradeseparationatCajonBoulevard.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$20million.

WildWashRoad Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatassistwithfundingtoconstructatwo-lanepavedroadfromI-15westtoHelendaleonanalignmentcurrentlyservedbyanunpavedroad.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$25million.

ShadowMountainRoad Supportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillassistwithfundingtoconstructafour-laneroadfromNationalTrailsHighwaywesttoHelendaleRoad,includingagradeseparationattheBNSFrailroadtracksandafour-lanebridgeovertheMojaveRivertocompletethelogicalconnectiontoShadowMountainRoad.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$50million.



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.

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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.

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Lytle-CajonBasinFloodProtec-tion,WaterQualityandWaterConservationStudy

SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstostudytheuseandfunctionoftheinletgateontheLytle-CajonChannelandthepotentialforadebrisbasinupstreamtohelpreducefuturedamageandmaintenanceneeds.Thestudywillfindalongtermsolutiontothechannel’smaintenanceneeds.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$4million.




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.

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SupportlegislationandbudgetactionsthatwillprovidefloodprotectiontotheFontanaareaandtotheadjacentrailroadlineswiththeWestFontanaChannelFloodProtection,WaterQualityandWaterConservationProject.ThisisajointprojectbetweentheCountyFloodControlDistrictandtheCityofFontana.TheChinoBasinWatermasterandtheInlandEmpireUtilityAgencywillalsobenefitfromthisproject.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$25million.

WestFontanaChannelFloodProtection,WaterQualityandWaterRechargeProject




WestStateStreetStormDrainFloodProtectionProject

SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoprovidefloodprotectiontoasystemthatconnectstotheUSACOE’sSanAntonioChannel.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$12.3million.

WildwoodCreekFloodProtec-tionandWaterQualityProject

SupportlegislationandbudgetactionstoreducethepotentialfloodhazardalongthesystembetweenthebasinsandInterstateHighway10.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$6million.

WilsonCreekFloodProtectionProject

Supportlegislationandbudgetactionstoimproveabreakoutpointforfloodingalongthesystem.Thisprojectisestimatedtocost$700,000.

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Documents

2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM County of 2014 · and overall policy guidance by adopting a legislative platform annually. The 2014 Federal Legislative Platform was developed in