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40-552: The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has issued a safety advisory for any fish caught in Castaic Lake and Castaic Lagoon due to elevated levels of mercury and PCBs. The 320,000 acre⋅ft (390,000,000 m) lake, with a surface elevation of approximately 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level, is the terminus of the West Branch California Aqueduct , though some of its water comes from

80-557: A furloughed employee is not terminated. Employees under "floating status" do not render actual work and thus do not receive any salary. However an employee may only be placed on floating status for a period of not more than six months after which the employee could be retrenched or asked to report back to work. During the COVID-19 pandemic the Department of Labor and Employment issued an order allowing furloughed employees to be extended for

120-494: A highly educated and trained professional staff of about 120 individuals. The staff include toxicologists , epidemiologists , biostatisticians and physicians ; many have international reputations in their scientific fields. In fiscal year 2007–2008 OEHHA was budgeted for approximately $ 17.5 million or 1/500th of 1% the state General Fund; $ 8 million is from the general fund. Furlough A furlough ( / ˈ f ɜːr l oʊ / ; from Dutch : verlof , " leave of absence ")

160-543: A lower lagoon with a swim beach that is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend annually. This lake also offers bass fishing in the upper and lower lake year-round and float tube fishing in the lower lake. Castaic Lake was one of the main filming locations for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series. Many of the action scenes were recorded here. Castaic Lake was the starting point for The Amazing Race 26 on November 12, 2014. NBC's Fear Factor

200-918: A mandatory two-day-per-month furlough policy for the staff and faculty of the CSU system. The furloughs, intended to prevent layoffs, began in August 2009, and ended in June 2010. The 10% cut saved about $ 270 million of the CSU's $ 564 million budget deficit. During the global recession of 2009 companies such as Intel , Toyota , and Gannett implemented furloughs. In the US federal government shutdown of 2013 federal contractors such as Lockheed Martin and United Technologies considered furloughing their own employees. In 2020, retail giants, including Kohl's and Macy's , furloughed thousands of employees because of decreased sales connected to

240-548: A re-authorization of funding for the Federal Aviation Administration , and as a result, furloughed about 4,000 workers at midnight on July 22, 2011. Congress was on the verge of forcing a government shutdown on April 8, 2011 , if its plan to reduce the federal budget deficit was not resolved; such a shutdown would have caused the furlough of 800,000 out of two million civilian federal employees. The first federal government furloughs of 2013 went into effect as

280-571: A result of budget sequestration (or sequester) – the automatic spending cuts in particular categories of federal outlays. (This procedure was first used in the Gramm–Rudman–Hollings Balanced Budget Act of 1985.) The sequesters were designed to take place if the federal deficit exceeded a set of fixed deficit targets. In 2013 specifically, sequestration refers to a section of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) that

320-482: A spending bill led to a government shutdown. During the shutdown, most "non-essential" government employees were furloughed. This resulted in approximately 800,000 government workers being put on a leave beginning on October 1. Congress later unanimously voted to restore pay to the furloughed workers. Due to the government shutdown starting on December 22, 2018, approximately 350,000 federal employees were furloughed for 35 days until January 25, 2019. In September 2019

360-706: A sudden and immediate nature. Such was the case in February 2010, when a single United States Senate objection prevented emergency funding measures from being implemented. As a result, 2,000 federal workers for the Department of Transportation were immediately furloughed as of March 1, 2010. The second-longest such shutdown was December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996 , which affected all non-essential employees, shutting down many services including National Institutes of Health , visa and passport processing, parks, and many others. This happened again on October 1, 2013, and on January 19, 2018. The United States Congress failed to pass

400-529: A variety of environmental media. Traditionally OEHHA has focused on four primary areas: In recent years OEHHA has taken on new mandates to address emerging environmental issues of particular concern to the California public: OEHHA has three main divisions: The Scientific Affairs division is composed of four scientific branches that correspond to the scientific duties: State agency users of information on issues of environmental and public health include: OEHHA

440-421: A year provided there is mutual agreement between the employer and employee and for employees to look for alternative temporary work without losing their employment status with their original employer. The term furlough in employment can also refer to annual leave , long service leave or temporary layoff time off based on a company-planned schedule. For example, with a "work three weeks, off one week" schedule,

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480-476: Is a temporary cessation of paid employment that is intended to address the special needs of a company or employer; these needs may be due to economic conditions that affect a specific employer, or to those prevailing in society as a whole. Furloughs may be short-term or long-term. They are also known as temporary layoffs. In the United States, involuntary furloughs concerning federal government employees may be of

520-479: Is essential to prevent undue political influence on the evaluation of health risks. These factors are and should remain explicitly excluded from the assessment of risk. OEHHA plays a critical and unique role that allows for the separation of risk assessment and hazard evaluation from risk management with primary goal of protecting public health and the environment. OEHHA' most recognizable contributions to public and environmental health are: OEHHA's work products cover

560-503: Is funded by special funds (e.g. Proposition 65, Biomonitoring) (3) state mandates that transfer to other agencies or departments will still require funding. By an executive order from the Governor in February 2009, all state workers are on a two-day-a-month furlough , or two days off without pay, equivalent to a 10% pay cut. On May 28, 2009 Governor Schwarzenegger proposed an additional 5% pay cut for all state workers (without an adjustment to

600-579: Is the scientific adviser within CalEPA and provides the health effects assessments that assist regulatory decision makers within CalEPA, the California Department of Public Health , and other agencies and non-governmental organizations (see below). This includes assessing health and environmental risks from: In May 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed to "eliminate and transfer the functions" of OEHHA (and other agencies) as part his May Revise for

640-554: Is via Interstate 5 at exits 176A and 176B at the town of Castaic. Water from the lake is distributed throughout the northern portion of the Greater Los Angeles Area . Some water is released into Castaic Lagoon below the dam, to maintain its water level for recreation. Castic Lagoon drains into Castaic Creek, which flows south until it meets the Santa Clara River , a few miles west of Santa Clarita . Castaic Lake has

680-458: The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States . In April 2020, Disney furloughed over 100,000 employees, while almost all Disney executives kept their jobs and received bonuses. The word furlough was used until at least 1908 to describe military personnel home on leave. It was also widely used by religious groups in the twentieth century to refer to the periods when their missionaries returned to

720-528: The National Guard and the Reserves were affected. The initial furlough requirement was 176 working hours per affected employee, which was later cut to 88 hours. Due to cost-cutting measures in other areas, this furlough was further reduced to a total of 48 working hours per DoD civilian and full-time Reserve Component member. Later, on October 1, 2013, at 12:01 am EDT, Congress' inability to agree on

760-462: The Philippines , a furloughed employee is deemed to be placed on "floating status". The Labor Code , particularly Article 301, provides a legal basis for the furlough process of an employee; an employee could be furloughed if the business had a " bono fide suspension of operations" or if the said individual should fulfill a military or civic duty. The Labor Code emphasizes that the employment status of

800-614: The U.S. and over 20 other countries worldwide. On June 2, 2009 articles and editorials/opinions were published in the Los Angeles Times , Sacramento Bee , California Progress Report , SFGate and others that speak to the importance of OEHHA and further explain how cutting OEHHA would not save a significant source of funding. These timely articles coincide with the California Budget Conference Committee hearings, with public testimony, that occurred on

840-615: The United States Department of Labor issued Fact Sheet #70 governing furloughs. These rules have remained in place (as of 21 March 2020 ), but with new developments in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States , new rules and guidance could be issued at any time. The United States Department of Labor has a Coronavirus Resources page which can be consulted for the latest developments. Board members of various school districts as well as universities implemented "furlough days" in 2009. This made students pay

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880-526: The 154-square-mile (400 km) Castaic Creek watershed above the dam. Castaic Lake is bisected by the Elderberry Forebay Dam , which creates the adjacent Elderberry Forebay . The aqueduct water comes from Pyramid Lake through the Angeles Tunnel and is used to power Castaic Power Plant , a pumped-storage hydroelectric facility on the northern end of the forebay . Water is mostly powering

920-494: The 2009–2010 budget. Details about the transfer of functions including mandates, funding, staff resources, and new head agency are limited. Elimination of OEHHA will have a very minor impact on the budget problems because of several reasons: (1) OEHHA's budget is very small (1/500th of 1% of the General Fund, or 1/50,000th) compared to the state deficit; $ 8.3 million of OEHHA's budget is general fund (2) about half of OEHHA's budget

960-548: The OEHHA item, but did not say when the committee would revisit the OEHHA budget proposal. On June 15, 2009 the Budget Conference Committee voted 6-4 along party lines to approve funding OEHHA's entire budget with fee- and penalty-based special funds. The conference committee's plan will be considered by the full Assembly and Senate as part of the budget package. The final ruling on OEHHA will not be available until after

1000-485: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee (below) to keep OEHHA intact and add risk assessment and hazard evaluation functions from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control . When OEHHA's item came up, Assemblymember Nielsen requested more time to review the proposal. The committee decided to postpone the discussion and action of

1040-719: The UK on long leave. In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic , Her Majesty's Government introduced what was described as a "furlough" programme to support employers and workers. For many years the term "furlough" had been very little known in the United Kingdom, and many HR managers were not acquainted with the US "furlough" system. Formally named the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme , it funded businesses to continue paying up to 80% of employees' salary for those that would otherwise have been made unemployed. In

1080-448: The addition of Department Pesticide Regulation 's risk assessment activities, Department of Toxic Substances Control 's hazard evaluation functions, and lead roles in the children's health initiative and the Cal/EPA portion of the biomonitoring program. The main argument against the Governor's proposal is that the science performed in OEHHA should be independent of policy decisions made by

1120-441: The afternoon of June 2, 2009. On June 2, 2009 the Budget Conference Committee convened a hearing for public comment on the Governor's budget proposal. The hearing is archived on video, the testimony on behalf of OEHHA begins at 3:49:11 The supporters of OEHHA proposed and alternative to keep OEHHA intact and save $ 8.3 million, OEHHA's general fund budget. The proposal includes alternative funding sources and also expands OEHHA with

1160-586: The budget is passed by the state legislature and signed by the Governor . As of June 25, 2009, it does not appear that the Democratic budget plan will be passed. On June 10, 2009, The Senate Environmental Quality Committee voted to recommend that OEHHA be kept intact and expanded with the addition of California Department Pesticide Regulation 's risk assessment activities, California Department of Toxic Substances Control 's hazard evaluation functions, and lead roles in

1200-463: The children's health initiative and the Cal/EPA portion of the biomonitoring program. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Budget Conference Committee. Public testimony and discussion on behalf of OEHHA continued for over an hour and included 16 people who spoke in favor of keeping OEHHA intact. Two others spoke in opposition to transferring Department Pesticide Regulation 's risk assessment activities to OEHHA, but neither of them commented on

1240-758: The environment and sound science is illustrated by the scientific quality of the risk assessments produced. OEHHA is headquartered in the Cal/EPA building in Sacramento and has an office in the Oakland Elihu Harris State Building. Before the state building was built, the Oakland office used to be located across from the University of California, Berkeley ; OEHHA has maintained academic ties with this institution. OEHHA's scientific responsibilities are fulfilled by

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1280-586: The larger issue of OEHHA's future. The vote was 3-2. Senator Ashburn voted against the expansion recommendation but also said, "The expertise that resides in OEHHA ought not to be dissipated throughout state government as the Governor proposes." Speakers in support of OEHHA included: Speakers against expansion of OEHHA: OEHHA's goals as a governmental agency include: OEHHA assesses the risk of environmental chemicals based on health considerations alone. In contrast, risk managers consider economic and technical feasibility as factors in their decisions. This separation

1320-513: The number of days worked), resulting a total pay cut of 15%; this additional cut must be approved by the legislature. Many have questioned the Governor's motivation for cutting OEHHA. Some have proposed this cut was spearheaded by industries who have been in conflict with OEHHA and several industries have been proposed as "suspects." An international petition to save OEHHA, titled "Doctors and Scientists for Environmental Health", has also been circulating and has over 200 signatures from California ,

1360-579: The other boards and departments of Cal/EPA . Further, in the governor's proposal, many of OEHHA's programs would be dropped entirely (e.g. the Public Health Goals for drinking water contaminants). Speakers in support of OEHHA included: On June 11, 2009 the second hearing for the Budget Conference committee was convened. OEHHA's item number was 3980 on the Agenda and included the recommendation from

1400-490: The risk assessment and scientific arm of Cal/EPA and provides health-protective scientific guidance for Cal/EPA. Additionally, OEHHA is the lead agency for Proposition 65 implementation, a ballot measure approved in 1986, titled The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 . The highly experienced team of experts is well respected in the scientific community and has been built up over more than twenty years. The quality and depth of OEHHA's commitment to public health,

1440-621: The same rate, if not more, for their education while providing fewer educational days by forcing educators and staff members to take the day off. In states such as Georgia , the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia included a clause so that mandatory furlough days are implemented but no classes are lost during the 2009–2010 academic year. In California , the State Employee Trades Council (SETC) voted to implement

1480-532: The turbines, rather than being pumped by them. Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is a state park located in northwestern Los Angeles County near the community of Castaic , north of Santa Clarita . It is controlled by the California Department of Parks and Recreation . The recreational area is adjacent to the Angeles National Forest . The 4,224-acre (1,709 ha) park was established in 1965. The area encompasses Castaic Lake. Primary access

1520-538: Was also shot there. The lake also served as the main filming location for the music video of Sabrina Carpenter's 2024 hit single " Espresso ". California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment , commonly referred to as OEHHA (pronounced oh-EEE-ha), is a specialized department within the cabinet-level California Environmental Protection Agency ( CalEPA ) with responsibility for evaluating health risks from environmental chemical contaminants. OEHHA

1560-452: Was established in its current form by Governor Pete Wilson on July 17, 1991 with the creation of Cal/EPA. OEHHA originated in the 1950s for air epidemiology in the Department of Public Health and developed over time with increased public awareness of the environment. OEHHA is the smallest of the six boards, departments and offices within Cal/EPA. OEHHA has no regulatory authority but remains

1600-549: Was initially set to begin on January 1, 2013, as an austerity fiscal policy . These cuts were postponed by two months by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 until March 1, when this law went into effect. At that time, most federal departments and agencies began furloughing their employees in order to meet their spending cut targets. For the Department of Defense , almost all of the civilian workforce as well as most full-time, dual-status military technicians of

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