Bill Text: CA AB933 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Amended

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

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Bill Title: Ecosystem resilience: watershed protection: watershed coordinators.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-08-30 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB933 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB933-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  April 01, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 933

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Introduced by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Mark Stone)

February 20, 2019

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An act to add Division 20.4.5 (commencing with Section 30955) to the Public Resources Code, relating to resource protection.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 933, as amended, Petrie-Norris. Ecosystem resilience: watershed protection: watershed coordinators.

Existing law provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that the state should coordinate and integrate its watershed programs and implement those programs by working with diverse interests at the local level. Existing law provides that the state’s watershed management goals should include maintaining and restoring healthy watersheds that support thriving communities, provide clean water, and sustain natural habitats for future generations.

Existing law provides that there is in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Conservation. Existing law provides that the work of the department be divided into various divisions, including the Division of Land Resource Protection. Existing law provides that authorizes the department may to expend the money in any appropriation or in any special fund in the State Treasury made available by law for the administration of the statutes statutes, the administration of which is committed to the department. Existing law provides that requires these expenditure expenditures to be made in accordance with law in carrying out the purposes for which the appropriations were made or the special funds created.

This bill would authorize the department, to the extent funds are available, to establish and administer the Ecosystem Resilience Program to fund watershed coordinator positions, as provided, and other necessary costs, throughout the state for the purpose of achieving specified goals, including the goal of developing and implementing watershed improvement plans aligned with multiple statewide and regional objectives across distinct bioregions. The bill would authorize the department to develop performance measures and accountability controls to track progress and outcomes. The bill would require, on or before January 31, 2022, and every 3 years thereafter, the department to track and report outcomes to the relevant fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.

Digest Key

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

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Bill Text

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

SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) California’s watershed systems play a critical role in delivering vital water supplies to people throughout the state and serve as critical habitat for countless species.

(b) Climate change and the increased frequency of fires are putting pressure on the natural processes of the state’s watersheds and impacting their overall health.

(c) Because watersheds vary greatly across different geographies of the state, regionally tailored watershed management efforts are necessary for success.

(d) Previous funding for watershed coordinators had a sevenfold return on investment and helped build local awareness and support for management efforts.

SECTION 1.SEC. 2.

 Division 20.4.5 (commencing with Section 30955) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:

DIVISION 20.4.5. Ecosystem Resilience and Watershed Protection

30955.

 (a) To the extent funds are available from bonds, special funds, or other sources, the Department of Conservation may establish and administer the Ecosystem Resilience Program to fund watershed coordinator positions, and other necessary costs, throughout the state for the purpose of achieving all of the following goals:

(1) Developing and implementing watershed improvement plans aligned with multiple statewide and regional objectives across distinct bioregions.

(2) Bringing diverse stakeholders, including, but not limited to, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, landowners, and individuals together to implement collaborative efforts to improve California’s watersheds.

(3) Identifying and securing additional funds for watershed improvement projects to leverage and amplify available state funding for the watershed coordinator positions.

(4) Educating residents of the watersheds on how to best manage and care for them.

(b) In implementing the Ecosystem Resilience Program, the Department of Conservation may develop distinct subprograms to address the unique nature of geographically distinct watersheds and their ecosystems, including, but not limited to, the following topics:

(1) Urban watersheds, with a focus on urban streams and rivers.

(2) Urban and polluted water runoff.

(2)

(3) Agricultural land and riparian land stewardship.

(3)

(4) Healthy forest management.

(5) Fish habitat recovery with an emphasis on threatened and endangered species.

(c) Entities eligible for funding pursuant to the Ecosystem Resilience Program include, but are not limited to, nonprofit organizations and local agencies, including resource conservation districts.

(c)

(d) In order to ensure accountability of work being completed through the Ecosystem Resilience Program, the Department of Conservation may develop performance measures and accountability controls to track progress and outcomes. On or before January 31, 2022, and every three years thereafter, the Department of Conservation shall track and report outcomes to the relevant fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.