BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 1390 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair SB 1390 (Correa) - As Amended: July 2, 2014 Policy Committee: Natural ResourcesVote:6-2 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill establishes the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program within the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) to address the resource and recreational goals of the Santa Ana River corridor. This bill requires the SCC to prepare a Santa Ana River Parkway and Open Space Plan as specified. FISCAL EFFECT 1)One-time costs of up to $100,000 (Proposition 84) to the SCC to develop the open space plan. 2)Ongoing cost pressures in the millions of dollars to existing and future, special fund, bond and GF for projects developed and implemented under the program. COMMENTS 1)Purpose. According to the author, the Santa Ana River is an extraordinary natural resource of statewide significance. The watershed has been subject to intense development and is in need of restoration, conservation and enhancement. This bill will help develop open space and recreational opportunities, restore and preserve wildlife habitat and natural resources, and enhance resource conservation efforts. 2)Background. There are currently 10 state conservancies, including the SCC, which generally have the mission to enhance and restore important natural resources and provide for public recreational opportunities. These 10 conservancies are governed by individual boards consisting of state, local and SB 1390 Page 2 public members and are located within the Natural Resources Agency. The SCC was created in 1976 to purchase, protect, restore, and enhance coastal resources, and to provide access to the shore. The conservancy's jurisdiction is mostly the coastal zone, which extends from the Oregon to Mexico borders and from the state's ocean border (3 miles seaward) to an inland border that varies between 1,000 yards and five miles from the mean high tide line. In addition to the 10 state conservancies, there is one conservancy program, the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program, located within the SCC and governed by its Board. This bill adds an additional conservancy program within the SCC. 3)The Santa Ana River. The Santa Ana River has largely been channelized and diverted, however, the upper headwaters of the river in the San Bernardino Mountains retain a free flowing character. The Santa Ana flows westerly through more than 20 miles of public lands managed by the United States Forest Service. Beyond the mountains and National Forest boundary, the river flows between levees and concrete channels through the southern California urban landscape to the Pacific Ocean. This bill defines the Santa Ana River region as those lands located within one-half mile on either side of the Santa Ana River, or any tributaries, from its headwaters near the San Gorginio Wilderness Area to the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Ana River Mouth Beach in Huntington Beach and adjacent lands and watersheds. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081