BILL NUMBER: SB 1066	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 29, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 9, 2012
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 26, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Lieu

                        FEBRUARY 13, 2012

   An act to add Section 31113 to the Public Resources Code, relating
to coastal resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1066, as amended, Lieu. Coastal resources: climate change.
   Existing law establishes the State Coastal Conservancy, which
serves as a repository for coastal lands. Existing law authorizes the
conservancy to, among other things, undertake projects and award
grants for the purposes of restoration of areas of the coastal zone
that are adversely affecting the coastal environment or are impeding
orderly development.
   This bill would  require   authorize 
the conservancy to fund and undertake projects to address climate
change, giving priority to projects that maximize public benefits.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares the following:
   (a) California's coastal waters, waterfronts, wetlands, harbors,
estuaries, bays, ports, marinas, riparian areas, beaches, and
agricultural resources are important environmental and economic
resources to the state.
   (b) The coastal economy contributes $46 billion annually to the
State of California.
   (c) Eighty percent of California's 38 million residents live
within 30 miles of the coast.
   (d) Sea level rise, combined with storm-driven waves, poses a
direct risk to the state's coastal resources, including public and
private real property and infrastructure. Rising marine waters
threaten sensitive coastal areas, habitats, the survival of
threatened and endangered species, beaches and other recreation
areas, and urban waterfronts.
   (e) Commercial fisheries and fishing harbors, ports, production of
seafood, and related jobs will suffer adverse impacts if steps are
not taken to protect them.
   (f) The desirability of natural areas, riparian areas, beaches,
parks, and urban areas as tourist destinations, and their concomitant
economic benefit to the state, depends on protection of their scenic
and recreational qualities.
   (g) The economic and environmental health of human and natural
coastal communities depends on their resilience--their ability to
survive and rebound from adverse effects.
   (h) Improving the health of coastal rivers, wetlands, beaches,
harbors, ports, urban waterfronts, fisheries, and agricultural
resources in advance of threats can contribute to their resiliency.
   (i) Extensive cooperation between governmental and private
entities is needed to respond adequately to the effects of climate
change.
   (j) For well over 30 years, the State Coastal Conservancy, a
nonregulatory agency established under Division 21 (commencing with
Section 31000) of the Public Resources Code, has worked with public
and private entities to protect, restore, and enhance coastal and
marine resources and habitats, has addressed deteriorating urban
waterfronts and poorly designed coastal development, and has provided
public recreation facilities and access to the coast and urban
waterfront areas.
   (k) The conservancy can further contribute to the improvement and
management of the state's invaluable public and private coastal
resources, and, in so doing, lessen the degradation and destruction
from future effects of a changing climate on natural and built
resources and related jobs.
   (l) Projects that protect coastal resources from climate change
impacts can provide additional valuable public benefits, including,
but not limited to, flood protection, improved water quality, and
increases in fish and wildlife for food and recreation.
   (m) Existing law does not expressly authorize the State Coastal
Conservancy to address climate change or its impacts, despite the
anticipated adverse effects on the coast.
   (n) It is the intent of the Legislature that, in implementing
Division 21 (commencing with Section 31000) of the Public Resources
Code, the conservancy have adequate authority to work with local
governments and private entities to address the effects of climate
change on coastal resources, public and private, natural and built,
including, but not limited to, coastal beaches, ports, urban
waterfronts, infrastructure, the ocean, riparian areas and
watersheds, fisheries, forests, wetlands, and public and private real
property.
   (o) The conservancy's participation in addressing adverse effects
on coastal resources can help to maintain property values for
individuals and businesses, aid the tourist industry, and promote
business and jobs by facilitating the development and protection of
visitor-serving commercial facilities and amenities attractive to
skilled and educated workers.
   (p) The conservancy's participation in addressing climate change
can help to produce construction and other jobs for Californians,
both directly, through conservation and development activities, and
indirectly, through increased recreational, business, and tourist
use.
   (q) The conservancy's participation can contribute to the
resiliency of the natural and built environments, including habitat,
beaches, ports, and urban waterfronts, and can facilitate assisted
migration of plant and animal species that lack adequate ability to
adapt.
   (r) To the extent that this act assists the conservancy in
obtaining federal and other funds, it may help reduce demand on the
General Fund for coastal improvement and resilience activities.
  SEC. 2.  Section 31113 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   31113.   (a)    In implementing this division,
the conservancy  shall fund and undertake projects to
  is authorized to  address  the impacts and
potential impacts of  climate change  , including
  on coastal resources. Pursuant to this authorization,
the conservancy may undertake coastal  projects  ,
including, but not limited to, those  that  reduce
greenhouse gas emissions,  address extreme weather events, sea
level rise, storm surge, beach and bluff erosion, salt water
intrusion, flooding, and other coastal hazards that threaten coastal
communities, infrastructure, and natural resources  , and
  . 
    (b)     The conservancy  may award
grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for 
these purposes. The   activities authorized pursuant to
subdivision (a). In awarding the grants, the conservancy shall
 , to the extent allowed,  prioritize projects that maximize
public benefits, including, but not limited to, reducing emissions
of greenhouse gases, reducing hazards to harbors and ports, 
and related jobs,  preserving and enhancing coastal wetlands
and natural lands, conserving biodiversity,  including fish,
and related jobs,  and providing recreational
opportunities.