Amended in Assembly March 18, 2016

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 2534

Introduced by Assembly Member Nazarian

February 19, 2016

An act begin delete relating to the Los Angeles River. end delete begin insert to add Section 33213.5 to the Public Resources Code, relating to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. end insert

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2534, as amended, Nazarian. begin delete Los Angeles River. end delete begin insert Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: working group: Los Angeles River Greenway. end insert

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Existing law establishes the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and prescribes the membership and functions and duties of the conservancy with regard to the protection and preservation of lands within the Santa Monica Mountains Zone, as defined.

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This bill would require the conservancy to establish the Los Angeles River Regional Access and Economic Sustainability Working Group to evaluate and make recommendations for conservancy action pertaining to public access and business integration needs, opportunities, and constraints in areas along and in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River in the San Fernando Valley, as prescribed.

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Existing law, the Los Angeles County Flood Control Act, establishes the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and authorizes the district to control and conserve the flood, storm, and other wastewater of the district. Under existing law, the act includes in the objects and purposes of the district to provide for public use of navigable waterways under the district’s control that are suitable for recreational and educational purposes, when these purposes are not inconsistent with the use thereof by the district for flood control and water conservation. Existing law also establishes various plans and programs intended to preserve, protect, and rehabilitate lands adjacent to rivers in the state.

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This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to promote the revitalization of the Los Angeles River.

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Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  begin delete no end delete begin insert yes end insert . State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

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begin insert SECTION 1. end insert   

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The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:

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(a) The Los Angeles River Greenway Trail system in the San
Fernando Valley continues to expand and provides an
unprecedented opportunity to establish a green, natural open
space, with recreational, environmental, and economic amenities,
that can serve all residents of the San Fernando Valley and other
areas in Los Angeles County, as well as visitors from around the
world.

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(b) River restoration and revitalization efforts throughout the
United States have successfully reunited urban rivers with both
the natural environment, surrounding communities, and area
businesses and have served to establish vibrant, regional,
visitor-serving resources that contribute to the quality of life, public
health, and regional economic sustainability.

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(c) There are hundreds of visitor-serving businesses adjacent
to and in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River in the San Fernando
Valley, but these businesses primarily face away from the river
with limited or no established connection to the river or visitors
to the river.

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(d) A planned regional bicycle network is being implemented
that includes the Los Angeles River, wherein the river is intended
to serve as the backbone of the network, and a plan is needed to
ensure that businesses adjacent to and in the vicinity of the river
are bicycle friendly and able to attract and serve visitors to the
river.

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begin insert SEC. 2. end insert   

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begin insert It is the intent of the Legislature to accomplish all of
the following: end insert

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(a) Advance the revitalization of the Los Angeles River in the
San Fernando Valley by addressing the need for regional public
access to the river and connectivity between businesses adjacent
to and in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River with the Los Angeles
River Greenway, river trails, and bicycle networks.

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(b) Enhance both the economic sustainability of businesses
adjacent to and in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River Greenway
in the San Fernando Valley and the experience visitors to the Los
Angeles River by linking those businesses with the Los Angeles
River Greenway.

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(c) Identify the needs, opportunities, and constraints related to
regional public access and the establishment of permanent
connections between area businesses and the Los Angeles River
Greenway in the San Fernando Valley.

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begin insert SEC. 3. end insert   

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begin insert Section 33213.5 is added to the end insert begin insert Public Resources Code end insert begin insert ,
to read: end insert

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begin insert 33213.5. end insert   

(a) The conservancy shall establish the Los Angeles
River Regional Access and Economic Sustainability Working
Group.

(b) The working group shall focus its efforts on the geographic
area from the headwaters of the Los Angeles River at the
confluence of Bell and Calabasas Creeks to Griffith Park and its
southern boundary along Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando
Valley.

(c) The working group shall do all of the following:

(1) Review and evaluate the integration needs, opportunities,
and constraints with respect to regional public access and the
connectivity among businesses along and in the vicinity of the
river, visitors to the river, and the Los Angeles River Greenway,
river trails, and bicycle networks, including the use of the public
parking garage located at ____ Ventura Boulevard and adjacent
to the river.

(2) Develop practical recommendations for establishing
permanent connectivity between area businesses, bicycle networks,
and the river.

(3) Prepare a report of its findings and recommendations for
implementation by the conservancy, including geographic scope,
financing, and specific projects.

(d) To assist the working group in carrying out its duties, the
conservancy shall do both of the following.

(1) Retain experts to conduct necessary technical economic and
other studies and analyses, as requested by the working group.

(2) Provide necessary staffing for the working group.

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SECTION 1.  

It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation to promote the revitalization of the Los Angeles River.

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