Bill Text: CA AB2534 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: working group: Los

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From Senate committee without further action. [AB2534 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB2534-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 2534	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 18, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nazarian

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2016

   An act  relating to the Los Angeles River.  
to add Section 33213.5 to the Public Resources Code, relating to the
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. 


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2534, as amended, Nazarian.  Los Angeles River.
  Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: working group: Los
Angeles River Greenway.  
   Existing law establishes the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
and prescribes the membership and functions and duties of the
conservancy with regard to the protection and preservation of lands
within the Santa Monica Mountains Zone, as defined.  
   This bill would require the conservancy to establish the Los
Angeles River Regional Access and Economic Sustainability Working
Group to evaluate and make recommendations for conservancy action
pertaining to public access and business integration needs,
opportunities, and constraints in areas along and in the vicinity of
the Los Angeles River in the San Fernando Valley, as prescribed.
 
   Existing law, the Los Angeles County Flood Control Act,
establishes the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and
authorizes the district to control and conserve the flood, storm, and
other wastewater of the district. Under existing law, the act
includes in the objects and purposes of the district to provide for
public use of navigable waterways under the district's control that
are suitable for recreational and educational purposes, when these
purposes are not inconsistent with the use thereof by the district
for flood control and water conservation. Existing law also
establishes various plans and programs intended to preserve, protect,
and rehabilitate lands adjacent to rivers in the state. 

   This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation to promote the revitalization of the Los Angeles River.

   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  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) The Los Angeles River Greenway Trail system in the San
Fernando Valley continues to expand and provides an unprecedented
opportunity to establish a green, natural open space, with
recreational, environmental, and economic amenities, that can serve
all residents of the San Fernando Valley and other areas in Los
Angeles County, as well as visitors from around the world.  

   (b) River restoration and revitalization efforts throughout the
United States have successfully reunited urban rivers with both the
natural environment, surrounding communities, and area businesses and
have served to establish vibrant, regional, visitor-serving
resources that contribute to the quality of life, public health, and
regional economic sustainability.  
   (c) There are hundreds of visitor-serving businesses adjacent to
and in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River in the San Fernando
Valley, but these businesses primarily face away from the river with
limited or no established connection to the river or visitors to the
river.  
   (d) A planned regional bicycle network is being implemented that
includes the Los Angeles River, wherein the river is intended to
serve as the backbone of the network, and a plan is needed to ensure
that businesses adjacent to and in the vicinity of the river are
bicycle friendly and able to attract and serve visitors to the river.

   SEC. 2.    It is the intent of the Legislature to
accomplish all of the following:  
   (a) Advance the revitalization of the Los Angeles River in the San
Fernando Valley by addressing the need for regional public access to
the river and connectivity between businesses adjacent to and in the
vicinity of the Los Angeles River with the Los Angeles River
Greenway, river trails, and bicycle networks.  
   (b) Enhance both the economic sustainability of businesses
adjacent to and in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River Greenway in
the San Fernando Valley and the experience visitors to the Los
Angeles River by linking those businesses with the Los Angeles River
Greenway.  
   (c) Identify the needs, opportunities, and constraints related to
regional public access and the establishment of permanent connections
between area businesses and the Los Angeles River Greenway in the
San Fernando Valley. 
   SEC. 3.    Section 33213.5 is added to the  
Public Resources Code   , to read:  
   33213.5.  (a) The conservancy shall establish the Los Angeles
River Regional Access and Economic Sustainability Working Group.
   (b) The working group shall focus its efforts on the geographic
area from the headwaters of the Los Angeles River at the confluence
of Bell and Calabasas Creeks to Griffith Park and its southern
boundary along Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley.
   (c) The working group shall do all of the following:
   (1) Review and evaluate the integration needs, opportunities, and
constraints with respect to regional public access and the
connectivity among businesses along and in the vicinity of the river,
visitors to the river, and the Los Angeles River Greenway, river
trails, and bicycle networks, including the use of the public parking
garage located at ____ Ventura Boulevard and adjacent to the river.
   (2) Develop practical recommendations for establishing permanent
connectivity between area businesses, bicycle networks, and the
river.
   (3) Prepare a report of its findings and recommendations for
implementation by the conservancy, including geographic scope,
financing, and specific projects.
   (d) To assist the working group in carrying out its duties, the
conservancy shall do both of the following.
   (1) Retain experts to conduct necessary technical economic and
other studies and analyses, as requested by the working group.
   (2) Provide necessary staffing for the working group. 

  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation to promote the revitalization of the Los Angeles
River.