CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 1077

Introduced by Senator Bates

February 15, 2022

An act to add Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 30725) to Division 20 of the Public Resources Code, relating to coastal resources, and making an appropriation therefor.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 1077, as introduced, Bates. Coastal resources: nonnative plants: removal and restoration.
The California Coastal Act of 1976 provides for the planning and regulation of development within the coastal zone, as defined. The act requires construction that alters natural shoreline processes to be permitted by the California Coastal Commission or a local government with an approved local coastal program when required to serve coastal-dependent uses or to protect existing structures or public beaches in danger from erosion and when designed to eliminate or mitigate adverse impacts on local shoreline sand supply. Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency and vests in the agency various powers, including those related to conservation of lands.
This bill would require the agency to identify native plant species for each area within the coastal hazard mitigation zone, as defined, that are drought resistant and can withstand local soil conditions. The bill would appropriate $7,000,000 from the General Fund to the agency for purposes of providing grants to local governments, nonprofit organizations, or property owners for the removal of nonnative plants and replacement with, or restoration of, native plants, as provided.
Vote: 2/3   Appropriation: YES   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 30725) is added to Division 20 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
CHAPTER  8.5. The California Coastal Native Plants Act

30725.
 For purposes of this chapter, “coastal hazard mitigation zone” means that portion of the coastal zone that is composed of beaches and their adjacent properties, whether public or private.

30726.
 The Natural Resources Agency shall identify native plant species for each area within the coastal hazard mitigation zone that are drought resistant and can withstand local soil conditions.

SEC. 2.

 The sum of seven million dollars ($7,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Natural Resources Agency for purposes of providing grants to local governments, nonprofit organizations, or property owners for the removal of nonnative plants and replacement with, or restoration of, native plants, with priority given to those projects where the nonnative plant species threatens coastal bluffs.