Policy & Funding Resources

Following the release of the California Secretary of Natural Resources' Cutting the Green Tape Initiative's recommendations, we heard from restoration experts about what this initiative is, why it’s needed, and how it will help accelerate restoration and protect our natural resources and ecological systems.

Panelists:

• Erika Lovejoy, Accelerating Restoration Program Director, Sustainable Conservation
• Kellyx Nelson, Executive Director, San Mateo Resource Conservation District
• Jennifer Norris, Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat, California Natural Resources Agency

Moderated by Ashley Boren, Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Conservation

Meeting Goals

1. Introduce Cutting the Green Tape as one of Secretary Crowfoot’s four pillars and build shared vision for this effort.
2. Establish approach to advance this vision, including broad process and timeline.
3. Establish goals and conditions for collaboration that will result in transformational yet feasible recommendations by Earth Day to achieve permitting efficiencies and other improvements.

Table of proposed action items and associated themes, tactical approaches, durations, and guidance. Note: This document is a work in progress and will be regularly updated. Current version dated 2/12/20.

156 photos of planning activities, California landscapes, wildlife, and more. (PDF, 37.4 MB)

February 12, 2020
10:00am-3:00pm
California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento CA

Meeting Goals

1. Introduce CGT Initiative, including process and timeline, as one of Secretary Crowfoot’s 4 pillars in partnership with other state agencies.
2. Develop and identify specific recommendations, tactics, mechanisms, and next steps to advance potential actions for increasing regulatory efficiencies.
3. Obtain input on the development of a white paper, to be completed by Earth Day, that identifies actionable and achievable outcomes for increasing regulatory efficiencies for natural resource stewardship.

January 6, 2020
10:00am-3:00pm
Putah Creek Lodge, Davis CA

Meeting Goals

1. Introduce Cutting Green Tape as one of Secretary Crowfoot’s four pillars and build shared vision for this effort.
2. Establish approach to advance this vision, including broad process and timeline.
3. Establish goals and conditions for collaboration that will result in transformational yet feasible recommendations by Earth Day to achieve permitting efficiencies and other improvements.

Cutting the Green Tape

 Web Café Roundtable Meeting Agenda

March 18, 2020

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Meeting Goals

Introduce CGT Initiative, including process and timeline, as one of Secretary Crowfoot’s 4 pillars in partnership with other state agencies.   Provide input to develop specific recommendations and next steps to increase efficiencies for permitting restoration. Provide input to develop white paper that identifies actions and outcomes for increasing regulatory efficiencies for natural resource stewardship./details here.

TOGETHER Bay Area stands in partnership with government leaders to create transformational, enduring economic changes that effectively respond to the crises we face today. Green investments in infrastructure, public lands, natural resource management, and agricultural systems can retain tens of thousands of jobs in the San Francisco Bay Area, and support immediate-term jobs growth, while addressing climate change impacts, which many studies have shown would realize long-term cost savings and community resilience statewide.

TOGETHER Bay Area has conducted a simple, targeted survey of our 56 members to understand how our work currently contributes to the regional jobs market, and how retained, strategic investment in the state budget and a potential stimulus bond would support regional jobs growth, while providing multiple benefits to communities and the environment in the form of clean air, clean water, and access to nature.

Discussion materials for the March 18, 2020 virtual roundtable

The example principles and outcomes below are representative of the common language, goals, and metrics we’re beginning to develop for the Cutting Green Tape initiative white paper. As you consider the role of the white paper in accomplishing the following four goals, please review this language and think about what resonates with you; what is missing; and how would you add to these elements or revise them?