BILL NUMBER: AB 635	CHAPTERED  10/09/03

	CHAPTER  681
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 9, 2003
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 8, 2003
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 2, 2003
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 27, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 11, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Wiggins

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2003

   An act to amend Section 6930 of the Fish and Game Code, relating
to fish, and making an appropriation therefor.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 635, Wiggins.  Salmon and steelhead salmon:  effect of reduced
waterflow.
   (1) Existing law requires the Department of Fish and Game to
contract with the University of California to conduct a study on the
effects of reduced waterflows in certain rivers on salmon and
steelhead populations and restoration or reintroduction programs.
Existing law prohibits the State Water Resources Control Board from
approving an application to appropriate water from any river subject
to the study until the department completes the study if the
application involves the delivery of water by means other than a
pipeline or aqueduct to a place outside a certain protected area.
   This bill, for the purposes of the study, would require the
department to select rivers that, among other things, are subject to
an application to appropriate water involving the delivery of water
by means other than a pipeline, natural watercourse, well, or
aqueduct to a place of use that is outside that described protected
area.  The bill would prohibit the board from approving an
application to appropriate water, as described, until the study has
been completed.
   (2) Existing law continuously appropriates money in the Fish and
Game Preservation Fund to the department to pay all necessary
expenses incurred in carrying out the Fish and Game Code.
   By imposing duties on the department, this bill would make an
appropriation.
   Appropriation:  yes.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 6930 of the Fish and Game Code is amended to
read:
   6930.  (a) Subject to the availability of funds for the purposes
of this section, the department shall contract with the University of
California to conduct a study of the effects that reduced waterflows
at the mouths and upstream estuaries of rivers selected under
subdivision (b) would have on existing salmon and steelhead
populations and on existing or prospective salmon and steelhead
population restoration or reintroduction programs.
   (b) The department shall select the rivers to be included in the
study and shall limit its selection to rivers that are within the
combined river systems described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a)
of Section 1215.5 of the Water Code, and that are the subject of an
application that has been filed with the State Water Resources
Control Board to appropriate water in an amount equal to more than
three cubic feet per second or more than 500 acre feet per annum of
storage, involving the delivery of water by means other than a
pipeline, natural watercourse, well, or aqueduct to any place of use
that is outside of the protected area described in paragraph (7) of
subdivision (a) of Section 1215.5 of the Water Code.
   (c) The findings of the study conducted under this section shall
be a factor in any decision of the State Water Resources Control
Board to approve or deny an application to appropriate water from any
river selected under this section.  If the application involves the
delivery of water, by means other than a pipeline, natural
watercourse, well, or aqueduct, to any place of use that is outside
of the protected area described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a)
of Section 1215.5 of the Water Code, the board may not approve that
application until after the study has been completed.
   (d) Any study conducted pursuant to this section shall conclude
within five years of the start of that study.
   (e) This section applies to the University of California only if
the Regents of the University of California, by resolution, make it
applicable to the university.