Bill Text: CA AB3036 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Los Angeles River: river ranger program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-16 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB3036 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AB3036-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
March 21, 2024 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 3036
| Introduced by Assembly Member Rendon |
February 16, 2024 |
An act to add Chapter 10.8 (commencing with Section 5846) to Division 5 of the Public Resources Code, relating to rivers.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 3036, as amended, Rendon.
River Los Angeles River: river ranger program.
Existing law, until January 1, 2020, required specified conservancies to collaborate with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the California Conservation Corps, and the State Lands Commission to develop a river ranger program to provide a network of river rangers who provide assistance to the public at sites along the Los Angeles River and its tributaries.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to develop a permanent river ranger program to provide a network of river rangers who provide assistance to the public.
This bill would require the San
Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to collaborate with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the California Conservation Corps, and the State Lands Commission to develop a permanent river ranger program to provide a network of river rangers who provide assistance to the public at sites along the Los Angeles River and its tributaries. The bill would require the river ranger program to have specific objectives, including improving public safety for visitors to the Los Angeles River. The bill would make various findings and declarations relating to the river ranger program.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee:Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 10.8 (commencing with Section 5846) is added to Division 5 of the Public Resources Code, to read:CHAPTER 10.8. River Ranger Program of the Los Angeles River
5846.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:(a) “Conservancies” means the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
(b) “River ranger program” means the program established for the Los Angeles River pursuant to Section 5846.3.
5846.1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The mission of the river ranger program is to foster connections between communities, agencies, and resources to promote safe, equitable usage and stewardship of the Los Angeles River and its tributaries as an activated and connected greenway that supports ecological, social, and recreational opportunities.
(b) As the Los Angeles River is being revitalized and embraced as a community resource, in alignment with the Los Angeles River Master Plan, the river ranger program will ensure safe, enjoyable, and equitable experiences along the Los Angeles River and its tributaries by promoting equitable access, recreational and educational
opportunities, community engagement, and resource protection along this vital resource. The river ranger program will provide opportunities to experience the Los Angeles River as a safe and inviting place, and to participate in its enhancement through volunteer or employment programs.
(c) The consistent, dependable presence of a river ranger program along the 51 miles of the Los Angeles River and its tributaries, from Canoga Park to the City of Long Beach, will foster a new era for the river, building upon and supporting the cumulative revitalization efforts. By ensuring maintenance and protection of natural resources and accessible features, and offering diverse recreational and educational programs that reflect community interest and unique site conditions, staff from surrounding communities and partners will help to redefine the Los Angeles River as a safe and inviting community and environmental asset.
(d) The unique nature of the Los Angeles River means it flows through many city and county jurisdictions, each having authority for stewardship within their jurisdictions. In some cases, jurisdictions have encountered conflicts with other jurisdictions over responsibility for public safety along the Los Angeles River and its tributaries. Some jurisdictions with authority over segments of the river rely on other jurisdictions to respond to river-related issues.
(e) Due to its “pueblo water rights,” the City of Los Angeles has significant responsibility for the Upper Los Angeles River, while the County of Los Angeles has responsibility for flood management in the entire river. The Lower Los Angeles River has several cities, which have recently increased their engagement with the river, through the Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan and the updated Los Angeles River Master
Plan.
(f) In the last decade, the communities along the Los Angeles River have enjoyed greater access, and have increased their visits, to the river.
(g) The river ranger program intends to build collaboration among jurisdictions along the Los Angeles River to increase public safety and provide information and resources to visitors to the river.
5846.2.
It is the intent of the Legislature that the river ranger program include all of the following guiding principles:(a) Resource management and maintenance to ensure that the natural, cultural, and built resources along the Los Angeles River are protected, maintained, enhanced, and interpreted for the public in order to ensure that the river is a safe and enjoyable place to visit.
(b) Recreational opportunities and interpretive or educational programs using the Los Angeles River as an outdoor classroom that can provide resources and experiences that build understanding and inspire appreciation of the river’s ecology, history, and community benefits, as well as an experiential landscape that offers
active and passive recreational opportunities that respond to the varying physical conditions along the river.
(c) Outreach and engagement that encourages visitors to use the Los Angeles River and provides information and resources to ensure safe and resource-sensitive use.
(d) Public safety measures that ensure that access points, trails, parks, and open spaces along the Los Angeles River are inviting and safe for visitors to enjoy.
(e) Administration and coordination with other agencies with jurisdiction over the Los Angeles River, organizations that provide services and programs, and members of the public to ensure the provision of dependable services that enhance the Los Angeles River as a natural and community resource. The river ranger program will act as a central conduit to bring together all parties
involved.
5846.3.
The conservancies shall collaborate with the department, the California Conservation Corps, and the State Lands Commission to develop a river ranger program to provide a network of river rangers who provide assistance to the public at sites along the Los Angeles River and its tributaries. The conservancies shall solicit the participation of representatives of local governments that have jurisdiction over segments of the Los Angeles River, including the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles. The river ranger program shall accomplish all of the following objectives:(a) Establish an identity for the Los Angeles River as a place for its communities to enjoy recreational opportunities and learn about the river’s history and environmental resources.
(b) Improve public safety for visitors to the Los Angeles River.
(c) Foster collaboration among state and local governmental entities and other public agencies with jurisdiction over the Los Angeles River, and coordinate the work of these entities and public agencies with regard to the development, maintenance, and enhancement of the river and its resources.
(d) Protect the parks, open space, and other public places adjacent to the Los Angeles River.
(e) Engage communities along the Los Angeles River in the protection and preservation of the Los Angeles River and its resources.
(f) Promote equal access and equity among all communities along the Los Angeles River with regard to the development
and placement of improvements along the river.
(g) Monitor the physical conditions, environmental health, and development of green space along the Los Angeles River.
(h) Provide a system for coordinating the work of river rangers with programs and services offered by local governments and conservation corps.
(i) Incorporate the findings and principles expressed in the publication titled “Presidential Memorandum -- Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters,” dated January 12, 2017.
It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to develop a permanent river ranger program to provide a network of river rangers who provide assistance to the public.
