BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 223
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Date of Hearing: August 19, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
SB 223
(Galgiani) - As Amended April 30, 2015
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Urgency: Yes State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This urgency bill requires the Division of Boating and Waterways
(division), within the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR),
to establish an advisory committee to evaluate and monitor
activities related to the management and control of invasive
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aquatic plants in the Delta, its tributaries, and the Suisun
Marsh. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the division to establish the advisory and oversight
committee no later than 90 days after the effective date of
the bill, and designate and provide staff to support the
committee.
2)Requires the membership of the advisory and oversight
committee to include an equitable number of representatives
from agriculture, recreational boating, commercial shipping,
business owners, the California Invasive Plant Council,
research institutions, wildlife conservation, the environment,
resources conservation districts, the public, and local
government.
3)Adds the California Conservation Corps to the list of
specifically named entities that are authorized in statute to
cooperate in controlling water hyacinth and other aquatic
species in the Delta, its tributaries, and the Suisan Marsh.
4)Requires the advisory and oversight committee to meet at least
twice per year and communicates its findings to the division.
5)Requires the division to post committee findings on its
internet website.
6)Takes effect immediately upon signature of the Governor
(urgency clause).
7)Sunsets on January 1, 2019.
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FISCAL EFFECT:
Increased potential costs of up to $290,000 (GF or Harbors and
Watercraft Revolving Fund) until 2019 for the division to comply
with the provisions of the bill. This costs assumes the
committee created by the bill will identify new recommendations
for division activities.
However, there are two existing committees that provide input of
the division's aquatic weed program. The first, in consultation
with the US Department of Agriculture addresses the research,
management and control of invasive aquatic plants in the Delta
and Suisun Marsh.
The second, the Interagency Aquatic Invasive Species
Coordination Team takes a broad perspective on controlling and
managing invasive aquatic plants in the Delta. Given the
existing efforts on this subject, the costs estimated by the DPR
should be viewed as a maximum with actual costs potentially much
lower.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, the health of the Delta is
threatened by water hyacinth as it obstructs waterways and
marinas, consumes valuable water resources, creates human
health and safety hazards, and damages natural ecosystems by
crowding out native plants and wildlife.
Three years ago, permits for management and control of water
hyacinth were not obtained in a timely manner and pesticide
spraying was delayed, The delay allowed the water hyacinth to
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grow and multiply into dense, unsafe mats that blanketed and
obstructed several areas in the Delta.
According to the author, the creation of an oversight
committee, composed of community members and subject area
experts will work to monitor and evaluate the activities of
the division, and will improve public transparency and
accountability.
2)Background. The division, within the DPR, is the lead agency
responsible for the control of specified aquatic invasive
species (water hyacinth, Brazilian elodea, and South American
spongeplant) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, its
tributaries, and the Suisan Marsh. The division is authorized
to cooperate with other state agencies, local governments, and
federal agencies in controlling these species.
According to DPR, the division currently participates in two
existing committees who provide input to its aquatic weed
program. The first is statutorily required by HNC §64.5 and is
in consultation with the US Department of Agriculture with
various interested parties, including the US Fish and Wildlife
Service, the University of California, and other members of
the scientific and research communities to address the
research, management, and control of invasive aquatic plants
in the Delta and Suisun Marsh.
The division also participates in the Interagency Aquatic
Invasive Species Coordination Team, which includes local,
state, and federal agencies, and evaluates the operational,
research, and regulatory approaches of the division. This team
meets from quarterly to biannually.
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3)Prior Legislation. AB 763 (Buchanan), Chapter 330, Statutes
of 2013, expanded the responsibilities of the division and the
Department of Fish and Wildlife with respect to evaluating,
eradicating and controlling invasive aquatic plants in the
Delta, its tributaries and Suisun Marsh. AB 763 designated
the division as the lead agency responsible for such
activities in the Delta, its tributaries and Suisun Marsh, and
authorized the division to control new invasive aquatic plants
in the Delta as they are identified.
AB 1540 (Buchanan), Chapter 188, Statutes of 2012, added South
American sponge plant to the list of invasive species of
concern in the Delta.
AB 2631 (Wolk) of 2004, vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger,
proposed to create a statewide Invasive Species Council,
tasked with developing a statewide invasive species response
plan. AB 2631 also called for appointment of an Invasive
Species Advisory Committee to assist the Council in
development of the plan.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
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