AB 367, as introduced, Dodd. Clear Lake.
Existing law creates in the State Treasury the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, and makes the revenue in the fund available for expenditure, upon appropriation, for particular purposes relating to the protection and preservation of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians. Existing law requires all moneys collected under the provisions of the Fish and Game Code to be deposited in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, unless otherwise provided.
This bill would appropriate $2,400,000 from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund to the County of Lake for the purposes of restoring Clear Lake wetlands, maintaining the water quality of Clear Lake, preventing the spread of invasive species to Clear Lake, and controlling and eradicating invasive species in Clear Lake.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
2following:
P2 1(1) Clear Lake, located in the County of Lake, is the largest
2freshwater lake in California with 68 square miles of surface area.
3(2) Clear Lake supports large fish populations including bass,
4crappie, bluegill, carp, and catfish. In addition to fish, there are
5year-round populations of ducks, pelicans, grebes, blue herons,
6egrets, ospreys and bald eagles. The lake basin also supports deer,
7bears, mountain lions, and other animals.
8(3) Clear Lake has a problem with the explosive growth of algae
9blooms, which can create a
dangerous condition for fish and
10wildlife. Cyanobacteria blooms are trapped at the surface of the
11water and die, creating unsightly slicks and odors. Some algae
12may produce toxic cyanotoxins that pose a range of health risks
13to both people and animals.
14(4) Algae “mats” along the eastern and southern shores of the
15lake have sometimes become so thick as to completely block
16shoreline access and normal recreational use of the lake by
17residents and visitors. Close contact with cyanobacteria can result
18in rashes, irritated eyes, and respiratory problems.
19(5) Clear Lake is contaminated by heavy metal pollutants, such
20as mercury from the Superfund site of the Sulphur Bank Mercury
21Mine site along the southeastern end of the lake.
22(6) The State Water Resources Control Board has listed Clear
23Lake as an impaired water body and
has found that the forms of
24pollution are real and that a great deal of work needs to be done
25to restore the lake to a healthy balance.
26(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to assist the
27County of Lake in restoring Clear Lake to healthier conditions so
28as to protect fish and wildlife as well as to preserve the unique
29recreational and economic opportunities that the lake provides.
The sum of two million four hundred thousand dollars
31($2,400,000) is hereby appropriated from the Fish and Game
32Preservation Fund to the County of Lake for the purposes of
33restoring Clear Lake wetlands, maintaining the water quality of
34Clear Lake, preventing the spread of invasive species to Clear
35Lake, and controlling and eradicating invasive species in Clear
36Lake.
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