Report: Prop 45 Endangers California's Rural Communities

Rural County Representatives of California Report Cites Costs, Lack of Local Control

SACRAMENTO – Saying it “would create significant legal uncertainties that are likely to embroil local governments in additional litigation for decades to come,” a new report from the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is urging rejection of Proposition 45, the California Chamber of Commerce’s 41-page ballot initiative that would roll back state environmental protections and weaken the state’s defense against President Trump’s attack on state clean air, clean water and public health laws.

The RCRC analysis also found that:

• [Prop 45] “significantly increases preparatory work and administrative challenges for local agencies while constraining informed decision-making;”

• [Prop 45] “limits the ability for local agencies to require consideration of project alternatives;”

• “Legislative changes to the ballot measure will be virtually impossible;” and

• “Permit streamlining benefits for wildfire risk reduction projects are likely illusory.”

The full analysis, as reported by the Lassen County Times, is linked here.

“Citizens in rural California have the right to have input in the planning of major projects like data centers, projects that utilize huge amounts of groundwater, and massive new developments in high fire risk areas instead of having a one-size-fits-all process from Sacramento,” notes Candice Meneghin, executive director of the Coastal Ranches Conservancy. “Prop 45 eviscerates local control, drives up costs for taxpayers and guts the safeguards rural communities have from big, outside developers.”

The independent Legislative Analyst’s Office concluded the measure will likely cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Proposition 45 is opposed by a coalition of more than 320 groups statewide including the California Professional Firefighters, the League of Women Voters of California, and the Coalition for Clean Air.

More information is available on the No on Prop 45 campaign website.

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