Bill Text: CA AB1686 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Waterways: Lake Mathews.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-03-21 - In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. [AB1686 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB1686-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1686	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Jeffries
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Miller and Nestande)
   (Coauthor: Senator Emmerson)

                        FEBRUARY 14, 2012

   An act to add Section 64.6 to the Harbors and Navigation Code,
relating to waterways.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1686, as introduced, Jeffries. Waterways: Lake Mathews.
   The Department of Boating and Waterways regulates the navigable
waters in the state, including the operation of small craft harbors,
boating facility planning and design, and beach erosion.
   This bill would require the department to allow public access, as
prescribed, to Lake Mathews, a reservoir in Riverside County, for the
purposes of boating, fishing, and hiking, including access by
nonmotorized bicycles. The bill would prohibit body contact with the
lake, and limit the type of boats and fuel permitted on the lake. The
bill also would allow the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California to develop, fund, and operate any necessary
infrastructure; limit the number of boats on the water and persons
accessing the recreational area of the lake; establish a fee for
access to recreational, boating, and parking areas of the lake; and
establish a speed limit for all boats on the water.
   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.  Section 64.6 is added to the Harbors and Navigation
Code, to read:
   64.6.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to allow for
recreational hiking and fishing at Lake Mathews.
   (b) The department shall allow public access to Lake Mathews, a
reservoir in Riverside County, for the purposes of boating, fishing,
and hiking.
   (c) Public hiking access shall be to the Lake Mathews-Estelle
Mountain Reserve, and public hiking access shall include access by
nonmotorized bicycles.
   (d) Public access shall not include body contact with the lake.
   (e) The department shall deny access to the lake for gas-powered
boats unless the boat meets both of the following conditions:
   (1) The boat has a four-stroke engine or a direct fuel injection
two-stroke engine and complies with regulations of the State Air
Resources Board.
   (2) The boat uses gasoline free of MTBE additive.
   (f) The department shall grant access to the lake for nonmotorized
and electric boats.
   (g) Access to the lake and habitat shall be consistent with
habitat preservation requirements.
   (h) The department shall allow the Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California to do all of the following:
   (1) Work with a city, county, nonprofit organization, or other
public agency to develop, fund, and operate any necessary
infrastructure.
   (2) With any cooperating agency, set a daily limit on the number
of boats on the water and persons accessing the recreational area of
the lake.
   (3) With any cooperating agency, establish a fee for public access
to the recreational, boating, or parking area of the lake.
   (4) With any cooperating agency, establish a speed limit for all
boats on the water.
   (i) A local agency shall not take any action contrary to the
authority granted to the department pursuant to this section.