BILL NUMBER: AB 847	CHAPTERED  09/24/03

	CHAPTER  492
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 24, 2003
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 24, 2003
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 5, 2003
	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 3, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 17, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 2, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 10, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Pavley
   (Principal coauthors:  Assembly Members Kehoe and Laird)

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2003

   An act to amend Section 31220 of, and to amend the heading of
Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 31220) of Division 21 of, the
Public Resources Code, relating to natural resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 847, Pavley.  Natural resources:  State Coastal Conservancy.
   Existing law authorizes the State Coastal Conservancy to undertake
watershed restoration projects, or award grants for those projects,
in order to improve coastal water quality.  Existing law requires
those projects to do one or more things, such as provide for the
purchase and installation of equipment to monitor and map coastal
currents to predict and determine areas of contamination and
pollutant transport in coastal waters, or acquire, protect, and
restore coastal wetlands, riparian areas, floodplains, and other
sensitive watershed lands for coastal rivers.
   This bill, instead, would authorize the conservancy to undertake
coastal watershed and coastal and marine habitat water quality
protection and restoration projects, or award grants for those
projects, to improve and protect coastal and marine water quality and
habitats.  The bill would revise existing project requirements and
add additional project requirements.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The heading of Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section
31220) of Division 21 of the Public Resources Code is amended to
read:

      CHAPTER 5.5.  INTEGRATED COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES
PROTECTION

  SEC. 2.  Section 31220 of the Public Resources Code is amended to
read:
   31220.  (a) In order to improve and protect coastal and marine
water quality and habitats, the conservancy may undertake coastal
watershed and coastal and marine habitat water quality protection and
restoration projects or award grants for those projects, consistent
with this chapter.  Except for projects described in paragraph (7),
(8), or (9), of subdivision (b), the conservancy shall consult with
the State Water Resources Control Board in the development of the
project or grant to ensure consistency with Chapter 3 (commencing
with Section 30915) of Division 20.4 of the Public Resources Code.
   (b) The conservancy may undertake a project or award a grant for a
project under this section only if the project does one or more of
the following:
   (1) Reduces contamination of waters within the coastal zone,
including, but not limited to, coastal and near shore waters.
   (2) Protects or restores fish and wildlife habitat within coastal
and marine waters and coastal watersheds, including, but not limited
to, permit coordination projects for watershed restoration.
   (3) Reduces threats to coastal and marine fish and wildlife.
   (4) Reduces unnatural erosion and sedimentation of coastal
watersheds or contributes to the reestablishment of natural erosion
and sediment cycles.
   (5) Provides for monitoring and mapping of coastal currents,
marine habitats, and marine wildlife, in order to facilitate the
protection and enhancement of resources within the coastal zone.  A
project considered under this paragraph shall be implemented in
consultation with the Department of Fish and Game.
   (6) Acquires, protects, and restores coastal wetlands, riparian
areas, floodplains, and other sensitive watershed lands, including
watershed lands draining to sensitive coastal or marine areas.
   (7) Reduces the impact of population and economic pressures on
coastal and marine resources.
   (8) Provides for public access compatible with resource protection
and restoration objectives.
   (9) Provides for the construction or expansion of nature centers
or research facilities that emphasize conservation education or
research activities focusing on the marine portion of the coastal
zone or the land and ocean interface.
   (c) Projects funded pursuant to this section shall be consistent
with the Integrated Watershed Management Program established pursuant
to Section 30947, local watershed management plans, if available,
and water quality control plans adopted by the State Water Resources
Control Board and regional water quality control boards, and shall
include a monitoring and evaluation component.