Legislature Agrees to Increase Conservancy Funding

Sacramento — A joint Legislative Conference Committee negotiating funding for resources and environmental protection announced agreement on start-up operational funding for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.

The agreement between the State Assembly and the State Senate provides $3.357 million in funding for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The amount represents a 3% increase over the Conservancy funding recommended in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2005/06 budget. Funds are for planning, staffing up to 20 positions and siting of a Sierra Conservancy headquarters, which last year's Assembly Bill 2600 required be in the Sierra Nevada.

The line-item funding for the Conservancy will be included in a full budget for presentation to the Governor.