Bill Text: CA AB367 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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

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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-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 367	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


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 introduced, 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.
   This bill would appropriate $2,400,000 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.
   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 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.