Ecology Action in the News
Environment, economy suffer as state stalls $30 million in local projects
By Donna Jones - Sentinel staff writer
Posted: 02/05/2009 01:30:00 AM PST
A state spending freeze has ripped a $30 million hole in Central Coast environmental efforts, according to a survey released Wednesday.
Among the projects stalled while waiting for state water bonds to be released are a critically needed water-treatment plant in Davenport and flood protection along the Pajaro River in Watsonville and the Carmel River in Monterey County.
And the impact is being felt in the economy as agencies trim payrolls and programs in response.
"It's a huge amount of money that's not coming into our local economy, not coming now because state business is frozen," said Virginia Johnson, executive director of Ecology Action.
Ecology Action partnered with the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County to try to total the state water bond dollars promised for Central Coast projects but not delivered due to the budget stalemate in Sacramento.
Karen Christensen of the Resource Conservation District, which furloughed staff as the state funding dried up, said the survey of 40 governmental and nonprofit agencies provides a "snapshot," but the dollar figure is likely higher.
The survey found 24 percent of agencies had laid off staff in response and more than 60 percent had reduced staff hours. The hit to nearly a third of agencies accounts for 50 percent or more of their budget.
In some cases, projects have stopped. In others, the projects have been completed and agencies are waiting to get paid.
"All
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the little guys are carrying the costs," Christensen said.
In Watsonville, Action Pajaro Valley, a nonprofit land-use planning organization, is owed $120,000 over two years for work related to a proposed Pajaro River levee. It's a big hit for an agency that's budget this year is $255,000. Executive Director Lisa Dobbins has cut her hours 20 percent.
"We're focused on raising money to bridge the gap," she said. "We have money in the bank, but we don't know how long the state will hold back."
Johnson, of Ecology Action, has a $2.2 million pollution-prevention contract on the line. She's been able to shift the program's three full-time workers to other projects for now.
"If the contracts don't get unfrozen, we'd have to eliminate these positions," she said.
economic impact
Conducted in partnership with the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, the snapshot survey of Central Coast public agencies and departments, nonprofits and subcontractors shows the organizations are owed by the state a combined $11.78 million, and have 91 existing contracts that are frozen. The total value of frozen contracts (through June 30, 2009) is about $29.6 million.
Economic Impacts
Public sector agencies and nonprofits
n 24% have experienced staff layoffs
n 62% have reduced staff or reduced work force hours (including 24% having reduced hours by at least 40%)
n Among organizations that have responded to the funding freeze, 86% have reduced programs or services, and 52% have eliminated programs or services entirely.
n 30% are experiencing impacts to at least 50% of their total organizational budget.
Subcontractors
n 32% have experienced staff layoffs
n 72% have reduced staff or reduced workforce hours (including 27% having reduced hours by at least 40%)
Examples of Environmental Impacts
n Davenport's water-treatment facility delayed
n Fire hazard reduction projects and programs, including road improvements and watershed protection on hold
n Water-quality monitoring for domestic and agriculture water supplies halted
n Carmel River flood-control project and Carmel River Dam removal stalled
n Research on food safety and pathogen transport for agriculture held up
n Pajaro River levee upgrades in limbo
Participation
Forty organizations participated in the snapshot survey -- from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2 -- some of which included:
n Action Pajaro Valley
n Arana Gulch Watershed Alliance
n Big Sur Land Trust
n Cal Poly's Swanton Pacific Ranch
n Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition
n City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation
n City of Watsonville Public Works and Utilities
n County of Santa Cruz
n Environmental Health Services
n Stormwater Management Section of Public Works
n Road Design Section of Public Works
n Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services
n CSU Monterey Bay-Research in freshwater systems
n Ecology Action
n Regional Water Management Foundation
n Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County
n Watsonville Wetlands Watch
n Wild Farm Alliance
SOURCE: Ecology Action
Program Contact
Anna Hirst
Ecology Action
Phone: 831.426.5925 ext. 120
Fax: 831.425.1404
Email
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