BILL NUMBER: AB 838 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Hill FEBRUARY 17, 2011 An act to amend Section 5093.50 of the Public Resources Code, relating to natural resources. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 838, as introduced, Hill. Natural resources: wild and scenic rivers. Existing law establishes that it is the policy of the state that certain rivers that possess extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values shall be preserved in their free-flowing state, together with their immediate environments, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the state. This bill would provide that this river preservation policy shall also be for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 5093.50 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 5093.50. It is the policy of the State of California that certain riverswhichthat possess extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values shall be preserved in their free-flowing state, together with their immediate environments, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the state and future generations . The Legislature declares that such use of these rivers is the highest and most beneficial use and is a reasonable and beneficial use of water within the meaning of Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution. It is the purpose of this chapter to create a California Wild and Scenic Rivers System to be administered in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.