BILL NUMBER: AB 1201	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 7, 2015
	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 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.   Delta and that considers
predation reduction for all Chinook   salmon and other
native species not listed pursuant to the act. 
   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   the
Sacramento and San Joaquin R   ivers and their  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   native
 species, the latest spring Kodiak trawl survey by the
Department of Fish and Wildlife recorded  among  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 their extinction.   threaten survival of
these species. 
   (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.
   (g) It is the policy of the State of California to protect native
species, particularly those at  immediate  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   strategies to
reduce predation  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, 2016, develop 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.  Plan development shall also take into
consideration predation reduction for all Chinook salmon and other
native species not listed pursuant to Chapter 1.5 (commencing with
Section 2050) of Division 3. 
   (b) The department shall not implement the  science-based
approach   plan  developed pursuant to subdivision
(a) unless the Legislature appropriates funds to implement
the science-based approach.   funding is made available.