FROM THE FIELD

Jeff Jensen, GCSAA Field Staff, Southwest Region

I hope this finds all of our Sierra Nevada GCSA members doing well and getting ready for what promises to be a busy summer of golf!

The California Legislature is still in session, and we are tracking numerous bills that could have an affect on the golf industry.

AB 363 would require the California DPR, by July 1, 2024, to publish a reevaluation of the latest science regarding the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides, as defined, on pollinating insects, aquatic ecosystems, and human health when used for the nonagricultural protection of outdoor ornamental plants, trees, and turf, and, by July 1, 2026, to adopt regulations governing that use that are necessary to protect the health of honeybees, native bees, and other pollinating insects, aquatic ecosystems, and human health.

While the California golf industry doesn’t oppose the reevaluation, we do oppose the change to the assessment protocol as well as the potential influence, interference, and timeline of the legislature on the outcome of the reevaluation. It is not the place of legislature to circumvent the established regulatory process. Comments have been filed requesting that the bill be based on a risk assessment without undue outside interference from legislature. While the drought issues have certainly eased for the upcoming summer season, water is always at the forefront of our legislative efforts. AB 460 and accompanying SB 389 would create new administrative enforcement processes that would allow the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to make binding determinations on water rights. Significantly, AB 460 in particular would grant interested parties the right to file petitions for the SWRCB to impose restrictions on water rights that could significantly limit or eliminate a diverter’s ability to exercise those rights. Collectively, both bills would undermine existing legal protections for pre-1914 and riparian water rights and result in significant changes to how California’s water rights system is administered.

Golf doesn’t have many pre-1914 water rights in the state, but we do have numerous courses that have riparian rights, and this is a bill we will be following closely. More information as well as action alerts (where warranted) will be forthcoming as the bills stall or advance through committee. For more information & updates visit https://www.gcsaa.org/advocacy/take-action.

Thank you for your continued support of GCSAA and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and follow me on Twitter @GCSAA_SW for industry updates. Best of luck with your summer golf season!

GCSAA continues work in opposition to California Air Resources Board (CARB) Small Off-Road Engine regulations (SORE regulations)

Regulations would ban the manufacture and sale of new 25hp and under gasoline powered equipment starting Jan. 1, 2024

GCSAA submitted comments and participated in a virtual hearing with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 27 concerning the waiver approval from the EPA that would be required for the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to implement the Small OffRoad Engine regulations (SORE) on Jan. 1, 2024. The regulation would ban the manufacture and sale of new 25hp and under gasoline powered equipment starting Jan. 1, 2024. The regulation is not a ban on use.

The California golf industry is an end user of many products that will be affected by the proposedamendments to CARB’s SORE regulations and the accompanying waiver approval from the EPA. Some of the products used on golf courses that may be impacted include, but are not limited to, chainsaws (<45cc), handheld grass and hedge trimmers, handheld and backpack leaf blowers, handheld pole pruners, handheld and ground supported edger’s, walk behind and riding greens mowers, select fairway mowers, hover mowers, verti-cutting and aerator units, snow blowers, trenchers, and at a later date, pressure washers and generators.

GCSAA continues work in opposition to California Air Resources Board (CARB) Small Off-Road Engine regulations (SORE regulations)

GCSAA and the California Alliance for Golf have been working in opposition to AB 1346 (Legislation introducing the ban) and the rulemaking process for the past 30 months requesting that CARB work with manufacturers, green associations, and retailers to maintain the 2024 end of sale date for zero emission residential Small Off-Road Engines (SORE) but consider extending the time period to transition to zero emission “commercial/professional grade” equipment beyond 2024 to the degree to which fears about the commercial unavailability of equipment fit for intended use were borne out.

GCSAA is asking for our members’ help as well. The EPA has a public comment period open through July 28 concerning the waiver approval. Members can access the alert at: https://www.gcsaa.org/advocacy/take-action beginning July 13. Just enter your contact information and a short comment on how the rule will affect your operation, click Send Message and the message will be sent to the EPA.

We appreciate your continued support of GCSAA and the golf industry.

If you have any questions concerning the EPA waiver process, please feel free to contact GCSAA Southwest Field Representative Jeff Jensen at jjensen@gcsaa.org or GCSAA Senior Manager of Government Affairs Michael Lee at mlee@gcsaa.org.