BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1540 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 25, 2012 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair AB 1540 (Buchanan) - As Introduced: January 24, 2012 Policy Committee: Water, Parks and Wildlife Vote: 12-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill adds South American Sponge plant to the list of invasive plant species for which the Department of Boating and Waterways leads state treatment and control efforts. The bill also authorizes the department, other state agencies and local governments to cooperate with one another and with federal agencies to control sponge plant in the Delta, its tributaries and Suisun Marsh. FISCAL EFFECT Minor costs, likely no more than tens of thousands annually, to the department, mainly in the form of increased herbicide use. The department anticipates negligible personnel or equipment costs, beyond herbicide costs, because invasive sponge plant generally is found in waterways in which the department already operates to control invasive plant species. COMMENTS 1)Rationale. The author contends sponge plant is a highly invasive, rapidly spreading weed that, if left uncontrolled, could devastate the Delta environment. The author further contends acting now to control sponge plant will avoid future, costly efforts. 2)Background. Existing law designates the department as the lead agency for controlling water hyacinth and Egeria densa in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, its tributaries and the Suisun Marsh. AB 1540 Page 2 Sponge plant is an invasive species that quickly has spread since first being discovered in state waters in 2008. The plant harms the environment by forming a thick mat on the water, blocking light and making the water below uninhabitable to fish and marine life. Further, the plant clogs waterways and infrastructure, such as canals, dams and gates. 3)Support. This bill is supported by a long list of water management agencies and boating and fishing interests. 4)There is no opposition formally registered to this bill. Analysis Prepared by : Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081