BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1374| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- THIRD READING Bill No: SB 1374 Author: Lara (D) Amended: 4/5/16 Vote: 21 SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 7-2, 4/12/16 AYES: Pavley, Allen, Hertzberg, Hueso, Jackson, Monning, Wolk NOES: Stone, Vidak SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-1, 5/27/16 AYES: Lara, Beall, Hill, McGuire, Mendoza NOES: Bates NO VOTE RECORDED: Nielsen SUBJECT: San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy: stormwater capture projects SOURCE: Author DIGEST: This bill requires the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to identify projects, as specified, to maximize the capture of stormwater along the Lower Los Angeles River. ANALYSIS: Existing law: 1)Establishes the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) which includes the San Gabriel SB 1374 Page 2 River and Lower Los Angeles River watersheds. The Lower Los Angeles Rivers is downstream of the border between the Cities of Los Angeles and Vernon. 2)Directs the RMC, among other things and subject to certain limitations, to preserve open space and habitat, as specified, provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, water conservation, and watershed improvements within its jurisdiction. This bill requires the RMC to identify projects, as specified, to maximize the capture of stormwater along the Lower Los Angeles River. Background In the early 1990s, community activism over turning a railyard adjacent to the Los Angeles River into open space coincided with Los Angeles County beginning a process that - after considerable community outreach and stakeholder input - resulted in the County's Los Angeles River Master Plan (Master Plan) in 1996. The Master Plan described how economic growth could be spurred along the Los Angeles River in the County through zoning changes and the development of open space, recreational, cultural, artistic, educational and other opportunities. Ultimately over several decades, the Master Plan proposed that the Los Angeles River be returned to a less-polluted, functioning riparian environment in as many reaches as possible, while still controlling flooding and providing recreational opportunities. In 2007, the City of Los Angeles released its Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan that continued the long-term goals of the Master Plan, and was focused within the City's boundaries. Numerous federal, state and local public and private efforts are SB 1374 Page 3 underway to achieve the revitalization of the Los Angeles River and its tributaries. The Lower Los Angeles River Working Group is working on a revitalization plan for that reach of the Los Angeles River and the surrounding communities. In 2014, state voters approved the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1). Proposition 1's provisions included funding for stormwater projects and the RMC, among others. Related/Prior Legislation SB 355 (Lara, Chapter 677, Statutes of 2015) modified the composition of the RMC's board. SB 485 (Hernandez, Chapter 678, Statutes of 2015) authorized the Los Angeles County Sanitation District to divert, manage, treat and discharge stormwater and dry weather runoff and make beneficial use of the water, as specified. AB 530 (Rendon, Chapter 684, Statutes of 2015) established the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group to develop revitalization plans, as specified. SB 985 (Pavley, Chapter 555, Statutes of 2014) authorized the development of a stormwater resource plan to identify and prioritized stormwater and dry weather runoff capture projects for implementation, as specified, among other provisions. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.:YesLocal: No According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, there are unknown, but potentially significant, costs to the RMC. SB 1374 Page 4 SUPPORT: (Verified5/27/16) The Trust for Public Land OPPOSITION: (Verified5/27/16) None received ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, "[w]hile the Lower Los Angeles River serves an important purpose as a flood protection and control channel, it also presents a unique opportunity for open space, urban greening, and as a water resource for the region. With numerous recent developments, including the creation of a Lower Los Angeles River Working Group to develop a revitalization plan, the City's Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, and multiple conversations about a new vision for the river, there is a growing local interest in rejuvenation of the river. "The recently approved Proposition 1 included $200 million for multi-benefit stormwater management projects, including projects to promote green infrastructure. These projects can reduce the discharge of pollutants into storm drains and waterways, while also recharging groundwater aquifers, and providing outdoor recreational space. "The intent of this bill is to promote opportunities for stormwater projects on the Lower Los Angeles River by directing the [RMC] to identify projects that would maximize the capture of stormwater along the river." Prepared by:Katharine Moore / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116 5/28/16 16:46:09 SB 1374 Page 5 **** END ****