Amended in Assembly June 27, 2013

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 48

Introduced by Senator Hueso

(Principal coauthor: Senator Block)

(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Stone)

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(Coauthors: Senators Beall, Corbett, Correa, De León, Hancock, Jackson, Lara, Lieu, Monning, and Pavley)

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(Coauthors: Assembly Members Allen, Brown, Gonzalez, Medina, and Williams)

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May 30, 2013

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 48—Relative to Swimmable California Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 48, as amended, Hueso. Swimmable California begin delete Day end delete begin insert Day. end insert

This measure would proclaim July 25, 2013, as Swimmable California Day to recognize Californians’ rights to clean and safe waters for swimming and other appropriate activities, and to encourage Californians to enjoy and use their waters.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, The United States Congress passed the federal
Clean Water Act in 1972 with the goal of providing begin delete clean, end delete begin insert clean
and end insert safe waters for swimming, fishing, and drinking; and

WHEREAS, The California State Legislature passed the
begin delete California end delete Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act in 1969 to
entrust the begin delete State Water Board and nine Regional Boards end delete begin insert state water
board and nine regional boards end insert with broad duties and powers to
preserve and enhance all beneficial uses of waters of the state,
including, but not limited to, recreation; and

WHEREAS, Federal and state clean water laws have facilitated
dramatic improvements in controlling pollution from industrial
and municipal treatment work pipes; and

WHEREAS, Continued efforts are needed to address polluted
begin delete storm water end delete begin insert stormwater end insert runoff, trash, and other threats to the health
of California’s ocean, coastline, and waters; and

WHEREAS, California coastal areas, beaches, estuaries, rivers,
streams, and lakes enhance the quality of life and well-being of
begin insert all end insert Californians; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 238 million people use and enjoy
California’s beaches each year; and

WHEREAS, Urban rivers and other waters provide free exercise
and recreational opportunities for low-income communities that
might otherwise have limited access to natural environments or
open spaces; and

WHEREAS, California depends on clean water for its
recreational and begin delete eco-tourism, end delete begin insert ecotourism, end insert fishing industry,
international ports, and other coastal or begin delete ocean dependent end delete
begin insert ocean-dependent end insert industries; and

WHEREAS, California’s ocean economy generates more than
$40 billion annually, with the tourism and recreation sectors
accounting for 76 percent of all coastal employment; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the California Legislature finds that
implementation, enforcement, and funding of federal and state
stormwater regulations and other water laws are critical to
California’s economy and its way of life; and be it further

Resolved, That the California Legislature proclaims July 25,
2013, as “Swimmable California Day” to recognize Californians’
rights to coastal areas, beaches, estuaries, rivers, streams, and lakes
that are clean and safe for swimming and other appropriate
activities, and to encourage Californians to enjoy and use their
waters; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.