Bill Text: CA AB661 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Bill 661 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve: Mirage Trail.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2017-09-27 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 315, Statutes of 2017. [AB661 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB661-Chaptered.html

Assembly Bill No. 661

CHAPTER 315

An act to amend Section 1587 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to fish and wildlife.

[ Approved by Governor September 27, 2017. Filed with Secretary of State September 27, 2017. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 661, Mayes. Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve: Mirage Trail.

Existing law requires, until January 1, 2018, that the Mirage Trail within the Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve be open 9 months of the year during the months of May to January, inclusive, and closed for 3 months during the months of February to April, inclusive, to recreational hiking if the Fish and Game Commission determines that specified conditions relating to providing funding and ensuring the proper use and monitoring of the reserve are met.

This bill would require the commission, beginning January 1, 2020, and by January 1 every 2 years thereafter, at a public hearing, to assess compliance with the requirements of those provisions and post its findings and any recommendations on its Internet Web site. The bill would also extend the repeal date of those provisions to January 1, 2028.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 1587 of the Fish and Game Code is amended to read:

1587.

The Mirage Trail within the Magnesia Spring Ecological Reserve shall be open nine months of the year during the months of May to January, inclusive, and closed for three months during the months of February to April, inclusive, to recreational hiking if the commission determines that all of the following conditions are met:

(a) Local public agencies or other nonstate entities will assume complete financial responsibility for the following as determined to be necessary by the commission:

(1) Fencing to dissuade hikers from traversing beyond the trail and into sensitive Peninsular bighorn sheep habitat.

(2) Signage and educational materials to educate hikers about Peninsular bighorn sheep.

(b) A single entity has been designated to fulfill the financial arrangements and other terms and conditions determined by the commission to be necessary pursuant to subdivision (a).

(c) The entity designated pursuant to subdivision (b) has committed to expend at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) by January 1, 2018, to monitor the Peninsular bighorn sheep, consistent with the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

(d) The commission shall, beginning January 1, 2020, and by January 1 every two years thereafter, at a public hearing, assess compliance with the requirements of this section and post its findings and any recommendations on its Internet Web site.

(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2028, deletes or extends that date.