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SACRAMENTO – California has finalized the purchase of $200 million worth of green bonds issued by the World Bank, state Treasurer John Chiang announced Thursday.
Proceeds from the sale will help the bank finance projects that meet specific criteria for low-carbon and climate-resilient growth; mitigate climate change or help people adapt to global warming.
“This is a win-win for Californians who are not only interested in safe, solid-performing investments, but want to move the needle on combating climate change,” said Chiang.
These World Bank green bonds mature on Oct. 1, 2018, and have fixed coupons that pay just over 1 percent interest. In contrast, benchmark U.S. Treasury notes with similar maturities are currently earning only 0.82 percent.
The green bonds bought by California’s Pooled Money Investment Account enjoy the highest possible AAA credit rankings from rating agencies Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.
Concurrently, the bonds also have the highest certification for “greenness” from the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research.
The investment is part of Chiang’s commitment to leveraging the state’s financial resources to both buy and sell environmentally friendly securities, when such investments meet all other requirements of state policy and law.
“My office is excited about participating in the burgeoning green bond market, but we want to do it right,” said Chiang. “We want to raise money to combat climate change and at the same time get the best possible deal for our taxpayers.”
The treasurer recently concluded a national “listening tour” to find new ways to harness the potential of green bonds to pay for critically needed, clean-energy infrastructure in California.
Chiang’s staff also is drafting a report to identify the legal, economic, attitudinal and other barriers that have prevented the U.S. green bond market from developing as fast as those in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
The report’s findings and related issues are expected to be the focus of a conference Chiang plans to hold early next year that will bring together investors, environmentalists and other thought leaders.
The California’s Pooled Money Investment Account has purchased $1.3 billion in World Bank Group green bonds since 2009.
COLUSA, Calif. – California State Park and Recreation Commission (Commission) will be holding a public meeting to discuss the future of Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area.
The public is invited to participate and give their input at this meeting, which will be held next Friday, April 29, starting at 9 a.m. at Granzella’s Banquet Hall, 457 Seventh St. in Williams.
A tour will be provided to the commissioners on Thursday, April 28, beginning at 1 p.m. The public is also invited to participate.
The tour will begin in the group picnic area of the park. Transportation will not be provided. Participants must provide their own high-clearance vehicle transportation.
Tour participants may encounter mud, insects, heat or cold, snakes and other wildland challenges, so they should come prepared. So that everyone will be able to hear public testimony, official comments will be deferred until the April 29 meeting.
Improvements to the park will be presented to the commission through a general plan/final environmental impact report (EIR).
This plan will set the stage for investments that will bring recreational boaters and anglers back to Colusa, draw more visitors and improve the area’s economic vitality.
Providing additional recreational facilities will also give Colusa residents more options for engaging in healthy outdoor recreation. The plan also includes goals and guidelines to improve management of the park’s abundant natural resources.
“Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area offers a big park experience in a small park setting,” said California State Parks’ Northern Buttes District Superintendent Eddie Guaracha. “It is a gateway to outdoor adventure all along the middle reach of the Sacramento River.”
The EIR recommends, among other things, opportunities for the following recreation and interpretive activities be expanded:
– Motorized and human-powered boating;
– Wildlife watching and nature observation;
– Trail activities such as bicycling, hiking, running and orienteering;
– Safe public access to the river, including for persons with mobility challenges;
– RV and tent camping for groups and individuals, as well as overnight lodging;
– Large and small outdoor social, interpretive and cultural events for groups and families;
– Information and facilities serving regional recreation opportunities.
The EIR is currently available for review online at www.parks.ca.gov/ColusaGP .
The general plan process revealed the public’s desire for multiple activities to be accommodated in the more developed southeast area of the park.
Additional facilities proposed in the southeast area include a new boat launching facility in partnership with the city of Colusa, and outdoor event center with interpretive/educational features.
A new RV campground is proposed outside the Sacramento River floodway. Public access to the 243-acre northern area, which was acquired in 2007, is proposed to be expanded, with dispersed parking, multiple bicycle and walking trails, a canoe/kayak launch, more fishing access points, and primitive campgrounds.
The general plan process involved the public, scientists, technical experts and land managers in documenting and understanding the park’s important natural, cultural and recreational resources, existing uses and visitor needs.
Several plan alternatives were prepared and discussed at a public workshop. Then, goals and guidelines were developed for the preferred alternative that include resource preservation and land use strategies that will best serve the public in the long term.
An analysis of the potential environmental impacts of plan implementation was conducted as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and public comment was received.
Finally, the EIR, which includes responses to comments, will be presented to the California Park and Recreation Commission for review and adoption at the April 29 meeting.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Adventist Health has entered into an agreement with Colusa Regional Medical Center in Colusa to acquire three rural health clinics.
This agreement would ensure that medical care is available to the local communities after the medical center’s imminent closure. Previously, CRMC announced it would close on April 22 due to financial struggles.
“As we work through this difficult situation in our community, we’re pleased to announce that Adventist Health will assume responsibility for our community care clinics in Arbuckle, Colusa and Williams,” said Wayne Allen, chief restructuring officer and interim chief executive officer for CRMC. “The health system will provide stability and access to health services in our region’s rural communities.”
Adventist Health operates the largest rural health network in California, with more than 15 percent of the rural health clinics in the state.
“As a faith-based organization, we are eager to share our mission of inspiring health, wholeness and hope,” said Jeff Eller, president and chief executive officer of Adventist Health’s Northern California Region.
“We have identified a sustainable solution to provide quality care to community members,” said Bob Beehler, Adventist Health’s vice president for Market Development/Mergers and Acquisitions.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Red Bluff man is in custody for a Monday night shooting in Lucerne.
Jeremy Lee Bryant, 39, was arrested early Tuesday morning for the shooting, which occurred at a home on E. Highway 20, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Rich Hinchcliff.
Hinchcliff said Bryant is charged with first-degree burglary, assault with a firearm, attempted robbery and causing great bodily injury.
It appears there may have been one other individual involved in the break-in, but so far Bryant is the only one charged in the case, said Hinchcliff.
Bryant is accused of breaking into the residence of 55-year-old Michael Arreaga, where a struggle over a firearm resulted in Arreaga being shot, Hinchcliff said.
Reports from the scene indicated Arreaga was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Also in the home at the time was Arreaga's son, Jason, said Hinchcliff.
In February Jason Arreaga was acquitted of a double homicide in a trial in Humboldt County.
Hinchcliff said Bryant was arraigned on Wednesday, with his bail set at $575,000. Barry Melton also was appointed as Bryant's attorney at that time.
Bryant is due to return to court on April 26 for appearance of counsel and entry of plea, Hinchcliff said.
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lake County Community Development Director will consider approving a GRADING PERMIT for the two-phase grading of 172 acres for a new vineyard on two parcels with a combined acreage of 371 acres.
A mitigated negative declaration is proposed for this project based on Initial Study (IS 15–13).
The project applicant is PETER MOLNAR.
The project is located at 8995 and 8997 State Highway 175, Kelseyville, CA, and further described as APNs 011-057-28 & 011-057-29.
The proposed grading permit, mitigated negative declaration, and all documents referenced in the proposed mitigated negative declaration are available for review at the Community Development Department, Lake County Courthouse, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA.
The review period for public comments on the proposed mitigated negative declaration will start on April 11, 2016 and end on May 2, 2016.
The Planner processing this application is Peggy Barthel, (707) 263-2221 or
The Community Development Director will consider approval of this project with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted to the Community Development Department by 5:00 P.M., May 2, 2016.
Should a timely request for hearing be filed, a public hearing will be held on May 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Lake County Courthouse.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Scott DeLeon, Interim Director
By: ______________________________________
Danae Bowen, Office Assistant III
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lake County Community Development Director will consider approving a GRADING PERMIT for the earthwork, grading, and erosion control for a building pad, retaining walls and a 20-space parking lot.
A mitigated negative declaration is proposed for this project based on Initial Study (IS 16–03). The project applicant is REYNOLDS SYSTEMS, INC.
The project is located at 18649 State Highway 175, Middletown, CA, and further described as APN 013-046-04.
The proposed grading permit, mitigated negative declaration, and all documents referenced in the proposed mitigated negative declaration are available for review at the Community Development Department, Lake County Courthouse, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA.
The review period for public comments on the proposed mitigated negative declaration will start on April 11, 2016 and end on May 2, 2016.
The Planner processing this application is Peggy Barthel, (707) 263-2221 or
The Community Development Director will consider approval of this project with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted to the Community Development Department by 5:00 P.M., May 2, 2016.
Should a timely request for hearing be filed, a public hearing will be held on May 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Lake County Courthouse.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Scott DeLeon, Interim Director
By: ______________________________________
Danae Bowen, Office Assistant III