Bill Text: CA AB1201 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Fish and wildlife: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: predation by nonnative species.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From Senate committee without further action. [AB1201 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB1201-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1201	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 17, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 16, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 7, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 2, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 22, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 26, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Salas

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to add Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 6940) to Part 1
of Division 6 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to fish and
wildlife.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1201, as amended, Salas. Fish and wildlife: Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta: predation by nonnative species.
   The California Endangered Species Act prohibits the taking of an
endangered, threatened, or candidate species, except as specified.
Under the act, the Department of Fish and Wildlife may authorize the
take of listed species if the take is incidental to an otherwise
lawful activity and the impacts are minimized and fully mitigated.
   This bill would require the department, by June 30, 2016, to
develop a science-based  approach   plan 
that addresses predation by nonnative species upon species of fish
listed pursuant to the act that reside all or a portion of their
lives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and that considers
predation reduction for all Chinook salmon and other native species
not listed pursuant to the act.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Promoting the long-term ecological health of the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Sacramento and San Joaquin
Rivers and their native species is critical to ensuring a reliable
and sustainable water supply for all Californians.
   (b) Salmon are an iconic native California fish that are important
to California's economic, recreational, and environmental welfare.
California's $1.5 billion commercial and recreational salmon fishing
industries employ tens of thousands of people, provide endless
recreational opportunities, and remain an important part of the
cultural heritage of California's Native American tribes. Winter-run
Chinook salmon were listed as endangered under the federal Endangered
Species Act in 1994.
   (c) Despite efforts to protect native species, the latest spring
Kodiak trawl survey by the Department of Fish and Wildlife recorded
among the lowest number ever for the species.
   (d) Ongoing drought conditions have significant impacts on
California's environment, fish and wildlife, residents, farms, and
businesses, and have worsened conditions for Chinook salmon and delta
smelt and further threaten survival of these species.
   (e) State and federal regulators must take concerted efforts to
protect the environment, fish and wildlife, the economy, and
residents of this state from the ongoing implications of drought and
future water scarcity.
   (f) Predation can cause mortality among Chinook salmon and delta
smelt and, as these populations continue to decline, ongoing
predation may further negatively impact their potential recovery and
hasten their extinction.
   (g) The state, including the Department of Fish and Wildlife and
the Department of Water Resources, has been and is engaged in
sponsoring and conducting scientific research on the effects of
predation upon native species.
   (h) It is the policy of the State of California to protect native
species, particularly those at immediate risk of extinction.
Consistent with that policy, it is important to evaluate strategies
to reduce predation in a way that enhances the potential for native
species' survival.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 6940) is added to
Part 1 of Division 6 of the Fish and Game Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 8.5.  PREDATION BY NONNATIVE SPECIES


   6940.  (a) (1) The department shall, by June 30, 2016, develop a
science-based  approach   plan  that helps
address predation by nonnative species upon species listed pursuant
to Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 that
reside all or a portion of their lives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta, as defined in Section 12220 of the Water Code. Plan
development shall also take into consideration  predation
reduction for   reduction in the predation of  all
Chinook salmon and other native species not listed pursuant to
Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3.  The
plan may, if appropriate, include prioritization and phasing of
approaches that are the most practical and effective in addressing
predation issues. 
   (2) The department shall incorporate its existing predation
research and study design efforts into development of the plan
required pursuant to paragraph (1). 
   (3) The department, as part of plan development, shall actively
solicit the input of the scientific community, including, but not
limited to, the Delta Independent Science Board, and all interested
stakeholders, including, but not limited to, water users and
commercial and recreational fishing communities. 
   (b) The department shall not implement the plan developed pursuant
to subdivision (a) unless funding is made available.