Paying for forest health
Prop. 4 would allow state to borrow $10 billion
Volume 3, Number 18 - Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024
Published every Monday and Thursday
Perspective
MY BALLOT ARRIVED in the mail earlier this week. Like other Californians, I’m asked to consider approval of Proposition 4, a bond measure put on the Nov. 5 ballot by the state legislature.
According to the official voter guide (HERE), it would authorize $10 billion in general obligation bonds for water, wildfire prevention, and protection of communities and lands and require annual audits.
The measure has a broad coalition of support, including the California Association of Counties, League of California Cities, the California Special Districts Association and organizations representing state firefighters and park rangers.
You can see the latest list of supporters HERE, and I noticed it includes Save the Redwoods League, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Sierra Foothills Conservancy, Sierra Nevada Alliance and Sierra Club California.
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association recommends a “no” vote on Proposition 4 (HERE), stating:
This is the $10 billion “climate bond” that state politicians have long planned. California already has too much bond debt, over $78 billion outstanding as of January 1. Then $6.38 billion was added with Proposition 1 in March. Proposition 4 would add another $10 billion in bond debt to pay for climate “programs.” It’s reckless to use borrowed money, an estimated $18 billion with interest, to pay for “programs,” including salaries for all the groups that receive the money. Bond financing only makes sense for necessary projects that will last more than the 30 years it takes to repay the debt. The governor has already declared a budget emergency because the state spends more than it takes in. Spending even more “on the credit card” is a bad idea.
The “Yes on 4” fact sheet (HERE) explains why supporters want a “yes” vote,” including:
Recent California wildfires have burned over 2 million acres, affecting our quality of life and health. A UCLA study found that 10 years of wildfire smoke have caused 50,000 premature deaths and $400 billion in economic losses. YES on 4 is a major step forward, investing in proven strategies to detect, prevent, and reduce the intensity and spread of fires in every region. In 2024, we’ve seen the return of huge, damaging fires that strain our state’s capacity to respond.
• Protects communities by creating natural breaks and removing burnable brush around populated areas
• Increases forest health to reduce wildfire intensity
• Improves early detection and disaster response, deploying detection and early warning systems
• Enhances safety by upgrading available firefighting equipment, emergency communications, evacuation routes, and shelter availability
I’m voting “yes” on Proposition 4. Yes, $10 billion is a big ask. But I can’t see how we can solve some of the problems in our forests and with water without investment. If the measure is approved, it will be essential for the public to stay on top of how the money is spent to ensure that the investment addresses needs, particularly in the Sierra Nevada.
Specific allocations are explained in the “Sierras Area Fact Sheet,” (HERE), including $1.5 billion “for projects that reduce the risk of wildfires and health-harming wildfire smoke near communities, increase wildfire suppression capacity and integrate regional fire prevention activities.”
Wildfire, water & weather update
We have a cooling trend into the weekend, which is good news. A web tool (HERE) lets you see a smoke forecast for the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada. Predictive Services (HERE) continues to show very dry fuel in the Central and Southern Sierra. The California Drought Map (HERE) shows increasing “abnormally dry” areas in the state and a few areas in “moderate drought” with a growing area in “severe drought.” The best Sierra Nevada weather forecasts are at NWS Hanford, HERE, and NWS Sacramento, HERE.
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Thanks for reading!
I agree with you on Prop 4. Nobody wants to get the state in debt but some needs are too important to pennypinch about, and fire prevention and damage control are crucial. We won’t have a viable state without it!