BILL NUMBER: AB 2480	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 5, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 17, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bloom

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2016

   An act to add Section 108.5 to, and to add Chapter 3.3 (commencing
with Section 12835) to Part 6 of Division 6 of, the Water Code,
relating to water.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2480, as amended, Bloom. Source watersheds: financing.
   Existing law establishes various state water policies, including
the policy that the Legislature consider other works as may be
necessary to develop water to satisfy the requirements of the
watershed in which water originates whenever the Legislature
authorizes the construction or acquisition of a project that will
develop water for use outside that watershed, as specified.
   This bill would declare it to be state policy that source
watersheds are recognized and defined as integral components of
California's water system. The bill would also declare that their
maintenance and repair are eligible for financing on an equivalent
basis with other water collection and treatment 
infrastructure.   infrastructure, and would specify that
the maintenance and repair activities that are eligible are limited
to certain forest ecosystem management activities. 
   Under existing law, the United States Bureau of Reclamation
operates the federal Central Valley Project and the Department of
Water Resources operates the State Water Resources Development
System, known as the State Water Project, to supply water to persons
and entities in the state.
   This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board,
in consultation with the department, to develop investment plans that
prioritize actions for restoration and conservation to improve
watershed function in the watersheds that flow into the Shasta
Reservoir and the Oroville Reservoir.
   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.  Section 108.5 is added to the Water Code, to read:
   108.5.   (a)    It is hereby declared to be the
established policy of the state that source watersheds are recognized
and defined as integral components of California's water system. The
maintenance and repair of source watersheds are eligible for
financing on an equivalent basis with other water collection and
treatment infrastructure. 
   (b) Eligible maintenance and repair activities pursuant to this
section are limited to the following forest ecosystem management
activities:  
   (1) Upland vegetation management to restore the watershed's
productivity and resiliency.  
   (2) Wet and dry meadow restoration.  
   (3) Road removal and repair.  
   (4) Stream channel restoration.  
   (5) Conservation of private forests to preserve watershed
integrity through permanent prevention of conversion and degradation,
achieved through conservation easements.  
   (6) Other projects with a demonstrated likelihood of increasing
conditions for water and snow attraction, retention, and release
under changing climate conditions. 
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 12835) is added to
Part 6 of Division 6 of the Water Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 3.3.  WATERSHED INVESTMENT PLANS


   12835.  On or before December 31, 2017, the board, in consultation
with the department, shall develop investment plans that prioritize
actions for restoration and conservation to improve watershed
function in the watersheds that flow into the Shasta Reservoir and
the Oroville Reservoir.