Assembly member Diane Papan, D- San Mateo, was named chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced in a press release on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
For Papan, it’s most important to protect natural state resources, she said.
San Mateo County is one of the most vulnerable to climate change in the state, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Risk Index.
“Since my community is of the most vulnerable in the state, I feel strongly that we are an economic engine for the state and we need to keep it churning along,” Papan said.
She said focusing on maintaining infrastructure and finding new ways to address current climate challenges will play a key role in maintaining climate resilience. While county agency One Shoreline was created to find solutions to mitigate flood risks, Papan said other parts of the state face challenges with water as a resource.
“There are other places in the state that need assistance as well. We have to ensure Southern California has enough water and that will all be in play,” Papan said.
Papan has already spearheaded two assembly bills that address equitable access to water resources, Assembly bills 755 and 753.
Papan said her commitment is equally tuned to maintaining the state parks and ensuring wildlife issues are addressed.
“Maintaining our parks is a big deal, they were highly used during the pandemic, and we realized how much upkeep it takes,” Papan said. “As the state becomes more populous and the yearning to be outdoors becomes greater, not only to prevent wildfires but it is tremendously important to the human condition to spend time outside.”
Papan said her favorite outdoor place to be is Seal Point Park in San Mateo, where she runs for exercise.
“I run the stairs there and its a real expansive view of the Bay,” Papan said. “I have solved a lot of problems working out there.”
