Proposition 4: California Climate Bond Update – August 2024
Fate of $10 Billion Climate Bond Put to California Voters this November
In late June SB 867: Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 reached a major milestone, as it passed both legislative houses and the Governor’s Office. This was thanks in part to the outreach conducted by CAMTB and 150+ supporting nonprofit advocacy organizations here in the state. Now declared Proposition 4, the legislation will be put before voters this fall for their consideration. This climate resilience bond represents the largest investment in conservation in our state’s history and is a significant milestone toward a safer and more sustainable future for California. Perhaps most notable to those who recreate on parks and public lands, $700 million for park creation and recreation, but also plenty of opportunity for recreation stakeholders to integrate recreation into wildfire, habitat restoration, and land conservation projects in the state.
SB 867: Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, garnered broad support from recreation, community, and conservation stakeholders across the state.
We express our sincere gratitude to the California Legislature and leadership who voted in support of the climate bond and thank them for their deep commitment to climate resilience, natural resource protection, and trails!
Calling All MTB, Trail, and Recreation Voters
Vote “Yes” on Prop 4: Join us in supporting this historic measure on the November Ballot!
What is in Prop 4?
Below is a summary of the natural resource funding allocated within the Bond. You can find a detailed summary of the Bond here and the final Senate Bill 867 text here. If approved by voters, Prop 4 will authorize $10 billion in state general obligation bonds for various projects to reduce climate risks and impacts including:
$700 Mil for Parks: Expand, renovate, and repair local and state parks.
The bulk of this money would support various activities that expand recreational opportunities at parks or reduce .the impacts of climate change on parks ($300 million). These activities could include adding new trails and parking areas. Some of this money would provide grants to local communities to build new parks or renovate existing parks ($200 million). The rest of this money would be used to repair state parks and provide nature education ($200 million).
$1.5 Bil for Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention: Improve the health of forests and protect communities from wildfires.
All of this money would support activities to improve the health of forests and reduce the risk of severe and destructive wildfires. This would include thinning trees in forests that are overgrown and clearing vegetation near where people live. Money would also be used for other activities, such as helping homeowners make their properties more resistant to wildfire damage.
$1.2 Bil for Land Conservation and Habitat Restoration: Protect and restore natural areas.
This money would be used to protect and restore land for the benefit of fish and wildlife. For example, it could support purchasing land to set aside so that it is not developed.
$1.2 Bil for Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Areas: Reduce the risks from sea-level rise, restore coastal areas, and protect fish.
Most of this money would pay for activities to restore coastal areas and protect them from the effects of rising sea levels ($890 million). This could include restoring wetlands so they can serve as buffers to rising sea levels. The rest ofthis money would be used to improve ocean habitats and protect fish and other marine wildlife ($310 million).
$3.8 Bil for Drought, Flood, and Water Supply: Increase the amount and quality of water available for people to use and reduce the risk of flooding.
Roughly half of this money would be for activities to increase the amount and quality ofwater available for people to use ($1.9 billion). This would include storing water so it can be used during future droughts, as well as cleaning polluted water to make it safe to drink. Money would also be used to help reduce the risk of floods, such as by repairing dams and capturing and reusing stormwater ($1.1 billion). The rest of the money would be used for various activities, such as restoring rivers and lakes.
$850 Mil for Energy Infrastructure: Support the state’s shift to more renewable sources of energy, such as offshore wind.
More than half of this money would support the development of wind turbines off the California coast ($475 million). Most of the remaining money would pay for building infrastructure such as transmission lines to carry electricity long distances ($325 million). The rest ofthe money would pay for projects to build large batteries that store electricity for when it is needed ($50 million).
$450 Mil for Extreme Heat: Reduce the effects of extreme heat on communities.
Much of this money would pay for activities focused on protecting communities from extreme heat ($200 million). These activities could include adding trees and greenspaces. Money would also support places for people to go during heatwaves or disasters ($100 million). The rest of the money would provide grants for local communities to conduct activities that provide environmental benefits, such as reducing air pollution ($150 million).
$300 Mil for Farms and Agriculture: Help farms respond to the effects of climate change and become more sustainable.
Much of this money would be used for activities that encourage farmers to improve soil health, reduce air pollution, and use less water ($105 million). This money would also support community gardens and farmers’ markets, such as by purchasing shade canopies ($60 million). The rest of this money would support a range of other activities, such as purchasing vans to transport farmworkers and conserving farmland.
