In the News
House votes to designate 1.4M acres as wilderness
by Rob Hotakainen
Ignoring a veto threat, the House voted yesterday to designate nearly 1.4 million acres in California, Colorado and Washington as wilderness areas, giving them the highest level of protection possible under federal law. The bill, H.R. 2546, the "Protecting America's Wilderness Act," passed, 231-183. Democrats said the legislation would preserve some of the nation's most pristine wild lands and mark the largest wilderness protection package to pass Congress in more than a decade. "Wilderness … Continue Reading
February 12, 2020
Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Feb. 13, 2020
by Dan Sealy and David Kunhardt, Corte Madera
SMART train needs time to grow and succeed Speaking as a 90-year resident of the North Bay, I remind voters of the newly constructed Richmond-San Rafael Bridge - virtually empty in its early years. I remind voters of the new Golden Gate Bridge District ferry system between Marin and San Francisco - so sparsely ridden that closure was considered until storms temporarily closed the bridge one year, leaving the ferries as the viable connector between the counties. Now examine the above noted … Continue Reading
February 12, 2020
Everyone has a podcast now, including Rep. Dan Crenshaw
by Kathryn Lyons
If it seems like all your friends have a podcast now, just imagine how members of Congress feel. Two lawmakers have already launched one this month. No longer do you need a book club for "deep and insightful conversations." Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw has you covered with his new podcast, "Hold These Truths." The release comes a week after Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn entered the podcasting domain with "Clyburn Chronicles," which combines "lessons of the past" with "politics of the present." … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Thumbs up: A clear channel for Petaluma’s river
by THE EDITORIAL BOARD
At long last, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has committed to dredging the Petaluma River. The river, once the busiest commercial waterway in the state, is supposed to be dredged every four years to ensure safe passage for barges and other boats. But the channel hasn't been cleared since 2003. Barge traffic has fallen considerably, and many pleasure boaters have stopped visiting Petaluma because of the risk of running aground at low tide. That's a double whammy for the local economy. Rep. … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Federal Funds Allotted To ?Survey San Rafael Canal
by Bay City News, News Partner
SAN RAFAEL, CA - More than $11 million in federal funding has been allocated for river maintenance in the North Bay, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said Monday. The fiscal year 2020 Army Corps of Engineers work plan contains about $9.7 million to dredge the Petaluma River and $1.3 million for preparation work for the San Rafael Canal, Huffman said. The $1.3 million will be used for environmental coordination and compliance, plans and specifications and dredge surveys for the San Rafael … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
House to vote on amendments meant to weaken wilderness bill
by Kellie Lunney
The House will vote on a dozen amendments to a massive wilderness protection package, including a Republican measure that aims to gut a key part of the legislation. The Rules Committee last night made in order for floor debate Colorado Republican Rep. Scott Tipton's amendment to strike any wilderness designations in the state's 3rd District. The "Colorado Wilderness Act of 2019," H.R. 2546, sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), would designate as wilderness more than 600,000 acres in 32 … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
'Forgotten Harbors': $9.7M Allotted For Petaluma River Dredging
by Maggie Fusek
PETALUMA, CA - Federal funding to the tune of $9.7 million has been allotted for the long-awaited dredging of the Petaluma River, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman announced this week. The Democratic congressman from San Rafael also said Monday that $1.3 million has been set aside for preparation of the San Rafael Canal for dredging. "Local economies depend on 'forgotten harbors', like the Petaluma River and San Rafael Canal," Huffman said. "I am thrilled that we will finally be able to address the … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Feds allot $1.3M for San Rafael Canal dredging plans
by Will Houston
After years of neglect and lack of funding, the shallowing San Rafael Canal is closer to being fully dredged for the first time in more than 17 years. This week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated $1.3 million in its latest work plan this month to design the dredging of the San Rafael Creek. "The canal is a vital artery of San Rafael allowing for flood control, public safety, transportation and commerce," said Nadine Urciuoli, president of the San Rafael Channel Association and … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Boost for Petaluma River Dredging
California Representative Jared Huffman announced earlier this week that over $11 million in long-awaited federal funding has been allocated for river maintenance in the Fiscal Year 2020 Army Corps of Engineers work plan for the North Bay. Roughly $9.7 million will go to dredging the Petaluma River and $1.3 million will be allocated towards preparation work for the San Rafael Canal. Huffman, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has helped lead the congressional … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Strong fisheries management will keep seafood on Florida’s dinner tables | Opinion
by ALLEN SUSSER
The options for eating seafood are plentiful in Miami, from beach shacks to fine-dining establishments and everything in between. Equally plentiful is the seafood caught by U.S. fishermen that I and other Florida chefs are proud to serve and promote. The United States boasts some of the best managed fisheries in the world, making American seafood a preferred choice for sustainability advocates like myself and, increasingly, for consumers. But this wasn't always the case. Until the mid-1990s, … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Bay Area lawmakers seek $125M for San Francisco Bay estuary
by Will Houston
It's the largest estuary on the North America's West Coast, supporting a vast network of natural habitat and a multibillion-dollar economy, but the San Francisco Bay Estuary is not receiving the federal funding it deserves for its restoration, according to a coalition of Bay Area lawmakers. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, said despite the estuary and surrounding region generating $370 billion in annual goods and services, supporting about 3.5 million jobs, more than 100 endangered and … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
$9.7 million in federal funds arrives for long-awaited Petaluma River dredging
by YOUSEF BAIG
The Petaluma River, a tidal waterway that has seen boat traffic decline as silt piled up, will be dredged this year for the first time since 2003, rejuvenating a natural resource that for generations was the lifeblood of the community. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be allocating roughly $9.7 million this year to pay for the project, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, announced Monday. An additional $1.3 million was set aside for preliminary work to eventually dredge the San Rafael … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Humboldt Bay gets $10 million for jetty repairs
by SONIA WARAICH
Last year, emergency shoaling conditions shut down Humboldt Bay, but a big chunk of funding from the federal government should help make the infrastructure improvements needed to keep that from happening in the future. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) announced the Humboldt Bay and harbor are receiving $10,892,000 in the fiscal year 2020 Army Corps of Engineers work plan for dredging and repair work to the north and south jetties. "Local economies depend on 'forgotten … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Congressman Huffman talks politics with Willits High School students
by AURA WHITTAKER
On Monday, Feb. 3, Willits High School government and economics teacher Trish Silva-Brown welcomed United States Congressman Jared Huffman to the school for an hour-long "conversation" and Q&A with students. The visit was part of the Congressman's ongoing series of school visits throughout the second district to help expose students to congressional work and answer questions. "I'm pretty excited about your generation," said Huffman. "As your Congressman, I want to give you a chance to … Continue Reading
February 08, 2020
America needs a transformative transportation bill: It will take walking and biking to get there
by KEVIN MILLS
Our country is at a crossroads. Decade after decade, major decisions about our nation's transportation policy have been made using 1950s logic. Federal programs and priorities have evolved little since the early 1990s, while mobility needs, development patterns and technologies have rapidly shifted. We've continued to prioritize roads and highways, falling short of providing true mobility for all of America. As we stare down the 2020 deadline to reauthorize the FAST Act, the … Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Ex-Obama EPA chief expresses skepticism on carbon capture
by RACHEL FRAZIN
Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy expressed doubts Wednesday over investing in carbon capture technology, saying that focus should instead be on limiting fossil fuel extraction. "There's a lot of new creative thinking about [carbon capture and storage], but the thing we're not looking at is the fact that you extract the fossil fuels itself is a decision point of emitting significant amounts of methane," McCarthy said. "These are challenges for … Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
‘Miscarriage of justice’: California lawmakers react to Trump’s acquittal
by Kayla Galloway
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) - President Donald Trump avoided removal from office Wednesday after an impeachment vote mainly along party lines in favor of acquitting the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Lawmakers from the Bay Area and across California took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the outcome of the trial, some using harsh words to condemn the Senate vote. Sen. Kamala Harris called the vote to acquit a "miscarriage of justice." VIEW TWEET … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Jeffrey Epstein victim, undocumented immigrants on Bay Area lawmakers’ SOTU list
by Dustin Gardiner
WASHINGTON - Undocumented immigrants, a sexual assault victim of Jeffrey Epstein, an antiwar activist. Several lawmakers from the Bay Area are making undeniably political statements with the guests they've invited to attend President Trump's third State of the Union address Tuesday night. Per tradition, senators and members of the House invite guests to sit in the House gallery for the president's annual speech. Often, the guests are friends, spouses or supporters. But sometimes, their … Continue Reading
February 03, 2020
House Lawmakers Propose $2.5 Billion Over Five Years for Bike, Pedestrian Projects
by Bill Lucia
The federal government would offer up to $500 million annually in competitive grant funding for sidewalks, bikeways and other "active transportation" projects for cyclists and pedestrians, under a bill proposed by a trio of Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House. Their bill was introduced as House Democratic leaders on Wednesday unveiled a new "framework" for infrastructure investment, and as Congress works to develop a new transportation funding bill for roads and transit that would replace … Continue Reading
January 31, 2020
Lytton Pomo tribe secures Windsor reservation, begins work on development
by GUY KOVNER
A sprawling, wooded tract of land west of Windsor is now the fifth tribal reservation in Sonoma County, fulfilling the long-sought goal of the Lytton Rancheria to build homes for its members, along with a resort and winery, on land officially held in trust by the federal government. An act of Congress adopted with scant notice last month granted the Pomo tribe a 511-acre reservation, where it has long outlined a planned development with county officials, along with millions of dollars in … Continue Reading