BILL NUMBER: AB 1201	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 2, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 22, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 26, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Salas

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to add Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 6940) to Part 1
of Division 6 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to fish and
wildlife.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1201, as amended, Salas. Fish and wildlife: Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta: predation by nonnative species.
   The California Endangered Species Act prohibits the taking of an
endangered, threatened, or candidate species, except as specified.
Under the act, the Department of Fish and Wildlife may authorize the
take of listed species if the take is incidental to an otherwise
lawful activity and the impacts are minimized and fully mitigated.
   This bill would require the department, by June 30, 2016, to
develop  and initiate  a science-based approach that
addresses predation by nonnative species upon species of fish listed
pursuant to the act that reside all or a portion of their lives in
the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
   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 all of the
following:
   (a) Promoting the long-term ecological health of the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its native species is critical to
ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for all
Californians.
   (b) Salmon are an iconic native California fish that are important
to California's economic, recreational, and environmental welfare.
California's $1.5 billion commercial and recreational salmon fishing
industries employ tens of thousands of people, provide endless
recreational opportunities, and remain an important part of the
cultural heritage of California's Native American tribes. Winter-run
Chinook salmon were listed as endangered under the federal Endangered
Species Act in 1994.
   (c) Despite efforts to protect the species, the latest spring
Kodiak trawl survey by the Department of Fish and Wildlife recorded
the lowest number ever for the species.
   (d) Ongoing drought conditions have significant impacts on
California's environment, fish and wildlife, residents, farms, and
businesses, and have worsened conditions for endangered Chinook
salmon and delta smelt and further threatened  of 
their extinction.
   (e) State and federal regulators must take concerted efforts to
protect the environment, fish and wildlife, the economy, and
residents of this state from the ongoing implications of drought and
future water scarcity.
   (f) Predation by nonnative species can cause mortality among
endangered Chinook salmon and delta smelt and, as these populations
continue to decline, ongoing predation may further negatively impact
their potential recovery and hasten their extinction. 
   (h) 
    (g)  It is the policy of the State of California to
protect native species, particularly those at risk of extinction.
Consistent with that policy, it is important to evaluate whether
populations of nonnative species that pose a risk to such native
species can be managed in a way that enhances the potential for
native species' survival.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 6940) is added to
Part 1 of Division 6 of the Fish and Game Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 8.5.  PREDATION BY NONNATIVE SPECIES


   6940.   (a)    The department shall, by June 30,
 2106,   2016,  develop  and
initiate  a science-based approach that helps address
predation by nonnative species upon species listed pursuant to
Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 that reside
all or a portion of their lives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,
as defined in Section 12220 of the Water Code. 
   (b) The department shall not implement the science-based approach
developed pursuant to subdivision (a) unless the Legislature
appropriates funds to implement the science-based approach.