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RCA staff flags federal appropriations language and state bond funds as opportunities for habitat conservation
Summary
RCA staff reported federal appropriations now include $26 million for Section 6 HCP land acquisition and congressional report language urging U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fund HCP commitments; at the state level, the governor proposed allocating $123 million from Proposition 4 bond funds to the Wildlife Conservation Board.
RCA staff updated the board Feb. 2 on state and federal budget developments that could affect habitat conservation in Western Riverside County.
"Earlier this month, the governor released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2026–27," Tyler told the board, noting the proposal totals nearly $349 billion and identifies a multi‑billion‑dollar shortfall. Tyler said the proposal includes an allocation of $123,000,000 in Proposition 4 Climate and Natural Resources bond funds to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support habitat conservation activities.
On the federal side, Tyler said a lapsed continuing resolution had led to a partial government shutdown and that Congress had moved appropriations language that continues to fund Section 6 HCP land acquisition at $26,000,000. He added that the appropriations package includes congressional report language directing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fund commitments to habitat conservation plans such as the MSHCP, and that the RCA had secured report language with assistance from Congressman Ken Calvert in prior years.
Board members praised staff's advocacy. A board member suggested expanding advocacy to increase game warden resources to address habitat degradation associated with people living unhoused along shorelines. RCA staff said they will continue to monitor the federal appropriations process and prepare the RCA's fiscal year 2027 appropriations request.
Tyler closed the update by saying staff will watch for the president's signature on fiscal 2026 appropriations and then develop the RCA's FY 2027 request.
