Bill Text: CA AB367 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Clear Lake.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB367 Detail]
Download: California-2015-AB367-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 367 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 2015
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Dodd
(Principal coauthor: Senator McGuire)
FEBRUARY 17, 2015
An act relating to Clear Lake, and making an appropriation
therefor.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 367, as amended, Dodd. Clear Lake.
Existing law creates in the State Treasury the Fish and
Game Preservation Fund, and makes the revenue in the fund available
for expenditure, upon appropriation, for particular purposes relating
to the protection and preservation of birds, mammals, fish,
reptiles, or amphibians. Existing law requires all moneys collected
under the provisions of the Fish and Game Code to be deposited in the
Fish and Game Preservation Fund, unless otherwise provided
.
Existing law requires $2,000,000 from the proceeds of bonds sold
pursuant to the Costa-Machado Water Act of 2000 to be allocated, upon
appropriation, to the State Water Resources Control Board to
rehabilitate and improve the Clear Lake watershed by funding
specified projects or activities.
This bill would appropriate $2,400,000 from the Fish and
Game Preservation Fund an unspecified fund to
the County of Lake for the purposes of restoring Clear Lake wetlands,
maintaining the water quality of Clear Lake, preventing the spread
of invasive species to Clear Lake, and controlling and eradicating
invasive species in Clear Lake.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(1) Clear Lake, located in the County of Lake, is the largest
freshwater lake in California with 68 square miles of surface area.
(2) Clear Lake supports large fish populations including bass,
crappie, bluegill, carp, and catfish. In addition to fish, there are
year-round populations of ducks, pelicans, grebes, blue herons,
egrets, ospreys ospreys, and bald
eagles. The lake basin also supports deer, bears, mountain lions, and
other animals.
(3) Clear Lake has a problem with the explosive growth of algae
blooms, which can create a dangerous condition for fish and wildlife.
Cyanobacteria blooms are trapped at the surface of the water and
die, creating unsightly slicks and odors. Some algae may produce
toxic cyanotoxins that pose a range of health risks to both people
and animals.
(4) Algae "mats" along the eastern and southern shores of the lake
have sometimes become so thick as to completely block shoreline
access and normal recreational use of the lake by residents and
visitors. Close contact with cyanobacteria can result in rashes,
irritated eyes, and respiratory problems.
(5) Clear Lake is contaminated by heavy metal pollutants, such as
mercury from the Superfund site of the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine site
along the southeastern end of the lake.
(6) The State Water Resources Control Board has listed Clear Lake
as an impaired water body and has found that the forms of pollution
are real and that a great deal of work needs to be done to restore
the lake to a healthy balance.
(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to assist the
County of Lake in restoring Clear Lake to healthier conditions so as
to protect fish and wildlife as well as to preserve the unique
recreational and economic opportunities that the lake provides.
SEC. 2. The sum of two million four hundred thousand dollars
($2,400,000) is hereby appropriated from the Fish and Game
Preservation Fund ____ to the County of Lake for
the purposes of restoring Clear Lake wetlands, maintaining the water
quality of Clear Lake, preventing the spread of invasive species to
Clear Lake, and controlling and eradicating invasive species in Clear
Lake.
