This week I had the privilege of meeting with Realtors from around the North State and speaking at the Nevada County Association of Realtors luncheon alongside my Assembly and Senate colleagues‚ as part of the California Association of Realtors’ annual advocacy day at the Capitol.
It’s a sad fact that in today’s California‚ the dream of owning a home is out of reach for many families. Roughly four out of five families cannot afford to purchase a median‑priced home – an alarming number that should signal to everyone in the Legislature that there is work to be done to promote affordability. Things are especially difficult for first‑time buyers and young families‚ which is one reason so many of them are leaving the state.
Discussions with the Realtors centered around expanding pathways to homeownership‚ allowing families the stability and security that comes with owning a home. This can involve permitting and zoning reform‚ CEQA streamlining‚ and being very careful about any new building requirements that will further drive up construction costs.
I look forward to continuing the partnership with Realtors across the North State.
Boat Launching Streamlined at Lake Oroville
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Great news this week from the Department of Water Resources! The mandatory inspections for boats launching at Lake Oroville to screen for golden mussels have ended.
Last spring and summer‚ the alarming discovery of highly invasive golden mussels in California led the department — and several other reservoir managers — to require inspections. This was a hassle for boaters‚ but it was an important precaution to protect Oroville Dam and all the infrastructure associated with it.
Better scientific understanding of the golden mussel’s life cycle has led DWR to conclude that in Lake Oroville the water is cold enough‚ and the rise and fall of the shoreline consistent enough‚ that mussels are unlikely to become established.
Golden mussels remain a serious threat in warmer waters in the Delta and elsewhere in the state. The advice to clean‚ drain and dry your boat remains‚ and inspections might still be required elsewhere‚ so check ahead wherever you are looking to visit.
But launching into Oroville is a lot easier‚ with no more inspections and all ramps — including those closed for the past year — back open to users.
I appreciate the department’s work to review the threat and ease its rules based on science to make recreation easier. You can read DWR’s full update here.
Visiting Burney Falls? You May Need a Reservation
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McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park is a glorious and beloved spot in the North State‚ drawing both locals and distant travelers to admire the scenery and the roar of the falls at their misty base.
Unfortunately‚ in recent years Burney Falls has grown almost too popular. The surge of visitors has led to traffic jams on Highway 89 outside the entrance and at peak times made parking impossible.
As a pilot project‚ State Parks is launching a reservation system on peak days‚ starting May 15.
Friday through Sunday and on major holidays‚ advance reservations will be required for day‑use visitors. (Visitors with campsite or cabin reservations are exempt.) The limit will be in place for the peak season‚ through September. And the number of reservations will be capped.
No reservations are needed Monday through Thursday.
For more details‚ see the State Parks’ website.
This will require planning and‚ until word spreads‚ the requirement is likely to disrupt some trips. Unfortunately‚ for several years it has been clear something needs to change at Burney Falls. I hope this is an interim measure on the way to longer‑term fixes to accommodate visitors.
In the meantime‚ if you or loved ones visit the park in the coming months‚ I’d love to hear your feedback on how the system is working.
Golden State Fiber Building Broadband in Valley
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Team Dahle was honored this week to attend the groundbreaking in Hamilton City for an exciting project to bring high‑speed broadband to rural communities in Glenn County.
Golden State Fiber‚ a partnership developed by Rural County Representatives of California‚ will be running more than 40 miles of fiber between Hamilton City and Orland‚ offering fiber‑to‑the‑home Internet on an open system where multiple providers will offer packages to customers.
A later phase will extend to Willows and other communities in Glenn County‚ while a similar project will upgrade broadband service in sections of Tehama County.
As technology surges forward‚ what once seemed like a luxury can quickly become a baseline need for participating in modern society. Remote college courses‚ telemedicine appointments‚ and even DMV services all require good Internet access.
Glenn County’s is the first Golden State Fiber project to move into construction‚ and I couldn’t be more grateful for this work to invest in our rural communities.