BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER
Senator Fran Pavley, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 1089 Hearing Date: June 9,
2015
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|Author: |Eduardo Garcia | | |
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|Version: |February 27, 2015 Introduced |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Angee Doerr |
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Subject: Coachella Mountains Conservancy.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
Background:
The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (CVMC) was
established by legislation in 1991. In 1996, at the request of a
broad array of interests from the Coachella Valley, the CVMC
became part of the Resources Agency, as are other state
conservancies.
The CVMC is tasked with acquiring and protecting natural
resources within the Coachella Valley region in order to ensure
the longevity of these resources and enhance public enjoyment of
the region.
Existing Law:
Public Resources Code (PRC) section 33500 declares the
importance of the Coachella Valley and the need to hold the
region in trust for present and future generations. PRC section
33501 creates CVMC within the Resources Agency to hold and
manage public lands and resources within the Coachella Valley
region.
PRC section 33502.5 excludes the cities of Coachella and Indio
from the territory of the CVMC. PRC section 33503 defines the
governing board of CVMC. Currently, the board consists of 21
voting members, including "the mayor or a member of the city
council of each of the Cities of Cathedral City, Desert Hot
AB 1089 (Eduardo Garcia) Page 2
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Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and
Rancho Mirage, appointed by a majority of the membership of the
respective city council of each city."
PROPOSED LAW
This bill repeals PRC section 33502.5, which excludes the cities
of Coachella and Indio from the territory of the CVMC. The bill
amends PRC section 33503 to add members from Coachella and Indio
to the governing board of CMC.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
The Coachella Valley Conservation Commission writes "Coachella
and Indio are home to over 120,000 residents, and providing
representation for their residents would bring the Conservancy
local expertise and contacts to help design and implement its
conservation, trails, and restoration projects." The City of
Indio's City Manager writes that this bill will clarify that the
Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy's "territory includes
Indio and Coachella," allowing the cities to more fully
participate in Conservancy programs.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
None Received
COMMENTS
Why add Coachella and Indio? In 1993, under SB 494, the
governing board of the CVMC was reduced in size by deleting
representatives from the cities of Coachella and Indio. At the
same time, the incorporated areas of Coachella and Indio were
removed from the territory of the conservancy. Since that time,
however, the CVMC has increased its focus on the Coachella
Valley, rather than simply on the mountains surrounding it. In
order to achieve long term goals of resource preservation in the
region, the CVMC recognizes the need to bring the cities of
Coachella and Indio back in the territory of CVMC and provide
the cities representation on the governing board.
SUPPORT
Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (CVMC) (sponsor)
Coachella City Council
Coachella Valley Association of Governments
Coachella Valley Conservation Commission
City of Indio
AB 1089 (Eduardo Garcia) Page 3
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Indio City Council
John Benoit, Supervisor, Fourth District Riverside County
OPPOSITION
None Received
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