WASHINGTON DC
Thompson (D-CA) and LaMalfa (R-CA) propose Habitat Act to enroll more AG lands in CREP
Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) announced the introduction of the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act to allow the Secretary of Agriculture to enroll additional agricultural lands in the Farm Service Agency’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
CREP is a voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and safeguard ground and surface water. This Act would expand lands eligible for the program to include certain qualified wetlands for which there are habitat concerns or risks. The bill also gives incentives to farmers to engage in seasonal field flooding to manage their working croplands while supporting wetland-dependent species.
“Many wildlife species rely on wetland habitat created by California’s farmers, including our rice growers. With the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act, we can expand USDA support for our local growers, offering resources so qualified farmers can flood their fields in the off-season to both improve soil conditions and support the Pacific Flyway
ecosystem.”
“Drought is always just around the corner, and we have to make the most of the water we get to benefit farms, people, and wildlife. Even in a better water year, poor water policies hurt both farmers and wildlife,” said LaMalfa. “This bill helps protect both by supporting agriculture and the hundreds of species that rely on the Pacific Flyway. It’s a common-sense, bipartisan approach to keeping habitats intact and land productive.”
“The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a valuable tool that incentivizes producers to seasonally flood croplands, providing habitat and nutrients for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife,” said Kellis Moss, Ducks Unlimited Managing Director of Federal Affairs. “Pacific Flyway waterfowl rely on these flooded Ag lands, and the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act ensures continued availability of this vital habitat. We’re happy to see Rep. LaMalfa and Rep. Thompson introduce this legislation to support landowners and waterfowl habitat.”
“We appreciate Rep. LaMalfa and Rep. Thompson’s Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act to reward the stewardship of producers to conserve and enhance waterfowl habitat on their working lands,” said John Devney, Chief Policy Officer at Delta Waterfowl. “We look forward with continuing work on the Farm Bill and the myriad of ways we can work with private landowners to conserve, restore, and enhance duck habitat.”
“The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program incentivizes producers to seasonally flood croplands, providing habitat and nutrients for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife,” said Kellis Moss, Ducks Unlimited Managing Director of Federal Affairs. “Pacific Flyway waterfowl rely on these flooded agricultural lands, and the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act ensures continued availability of this vital habitat. We’re happy to see this important legislation support landowners and waterfowl habitat.”
“We appreciate Rep. LaMalfa and Rep. Thompson’s Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act as an additional tool to reward the stewardship of producers to conserve and enhance waterfowl habitat on their working lands,” said John Devney, Chief Policy Officer at Delta Waterfowl. “We look forward to this being part of the conversation as Congress continues working on the Farm Bill.”
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Los Angeles wildfire hazardous debris cleanup completed in record time
More than 9,000 properties were cleared of hazardous materials in less than 30 days – marking the fastest-ever debris removal effort in the nation.
In less than 30 days, federal and state crews have substantially completed wildfire hazardous debris cleanup for the Eaton and Palisades fires, as part of broader efforts to help Los Angeles firestorm survivors rebuild at a record pace.
U.S. EPA crews, working alongside state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) personnel and the U.S. Department of Defense, have reached 99% completion, with around 100 harder-to-access properties remaining. Crews have cleaned up, clearing more than 9,000 properties of hazardous materials.
Phase 1 prioritizes the removal of household hazardous waste, which was necessary to begin Phase 2 clearing of structural debris.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of hundreds of federal and state crews, the first phase of debris cleanup is coming to a close and we can turn our focus fully to structural debris removal. Under the leadership of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, crews cleaned hazardous waste from thousands of properties in less than 30 days, a record pace never seen before at this scale.
Cutting red tape
Gov. Newsom issued an executive order to streamline rebuilding of homes and businesses — suspending permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. Gov. Newsom signed an executive order streamlining rebuilding, recovery, and relief for survivors.
The Governor provided tax and mortgage relief to those impacted by the fires. California postponed the individual tax filing deadline to October 15 for Los Angeles County taxpayers. Additionally, the state extended the Jan. 31, 2025, sales and use tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County taxpayers until April 30. Gov. Newsom suspended penalties and interest on late property tax payments for a year, The Governor also worked with state– and federally-chartered banks that have committed to providing mortgage relief for survivors in certain zip codes.
Gov. Newsom is allowing homeowners who receive insurance payments for lost or damaged property to receive the interest accrued rather than lenders. The Governor is also proposing to create an over $125 million mortgage relief program to assist homeowners whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged by recent natural disasters, placing them at risk of foreclosure.
The Governor issued an executive order to make it easier to streamline construction of accessory dwelling units, allow for more temporary trailers and suspend fees for mobile home parks. Governor Newsom also issued an executive order that prohibits landlords in Los Angeles County from evicting tenants for sharing their rental with survivors displaced by the firestorms.
Mobilizing debris removal and cleanup.
The Governor also signed an executive order to allow federal hazmat crews to start cleaning up properties as a key step in getting people back to their properties safely. The Governor also issued an executive order to mitigate risk of mudslides and flooding by hastening efforts to remove debris, bolster flood defenses, and stabilize hillsides in affected areas.
Gov. Newsom expanded restrictions to protect survivors from illegal price hikes on rent, hotel and motel costs, and building materials or construction.
The Governor signed legislation providing over $2.5 billion to jumpstart recovery efforts for Los Angeles. California quickly launched CA.gov/LAfires as a single hub of information and resources to support those impacted and bolsters in-person Disaster Recovery Centers. That website features a dashboard tracking recovery efforts and a recovery services finder to help connect survivors with help. The Governor also launched LA Rises, a unified recovery initiative that brings together private sector leaders to support rebuilding efforts. Gov. Newsom announced individuals and families impacted by the fires living in certain zip codes to receive Disaster CalFresh food benefits.
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