BILL ANALYSIS
AB 102
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 102 (Smyth)
As Amended June 1, 2009
Majority vote
WATER, PARKS & WILDLIFE 10-0 APPROPRIATIONS
17-0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|Huffman, Fuller, |Ayes:|De Leon, Nielsen, |
| |Anderson, Chesbro, Tom | |Ammiano, |
| |Berryhill, Fletcher, | |Charles Calderon, Davis, |
| |Krekorian, Bonnie | |Duvall, Fuentes, Hall, |
| |Lowenthal, John A. Perez, | |Harkey, Miller, John A. |
| |Yamada | |Perez, Price, Skinner, |
| | | |Solorio, Audra |
| | | |Strickland, Torlakson, |
| | | |Krekorian |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY : Requires the director of the Department of Parks and
Recreation (DPR) to establish the Santa Susana State Park Advisory
Committee (SSSPAC) no later than February 1, 2012. Specifically,
this bill :
1)States legislative intent that DPR develop the Santa Susana
Field Laboratory (SSFL) site in Ventura County into a state
park, and that various interested groups have the opportunity to
participate in project planning and development.
2)Requires the director of DPR to establish the SSSPAC, and to
convene and appoint the members of the SSSPAC.
3)Requires the SSSPAC to assist DPR, in an advisory capacity, in
planning for interim and permanent land uses and facilities for
the SSFL site in Ventura County.
4)Requires the director of DPR to terminate the SSSPAC after the
adoption of a general plan for the state park.
5)Requires the SSSPAC to include, but not be limited to
representatives from local, state, and federal agencies,
environmental, historic preservation, and cultural
organizations, museums, educational institutions and
AB 102
Page 2
organizations, individuals and private sector entities, and
community-based organizations, including Asian Pacific American,
Chinese American, and Latino community organizations, and other
interested ethnic groups.
6)Requires DPR to coordinate the implementation of the SSFL
project, survey statewide and community preferences in a range
of park services appropriate for the setting of the SSFL site,
and seek input from local, state, and federal agencies, and
community organizations.
7)Requires the SSSPAC to identify and recommend to the director of
DPR priorities for long-range plans for the SSFL site that meet
the needs of Californians and the general public, including park
and recreational facilities and programs serving residents
within communities surrounding the SSFL site in Ventura County.
8)Prohibits the transfer of the SSFL property to the state and
prohibits the opening of a park on the site until after the site
has been cleaned pursuant to sections of the Health and Safety
Code enacted by SB 990 (Kuehl), Chapter 729 of Statutes of 2007.
9)Provides that this bill shall not make the state liable for
cleanup of any contamination that may be found to be present at
the SSFL site.
10)Makes various legislative findings and declarations.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Requires DPR to develop, operate, and maintain state parks.
2)Requires the thorough remediation at the SSFL site for both
chemical and radioactive contamination, as determined by the
Department of Toxic Substance Control, prior to any sale, lease
or transfer of all or any part of that property.
FISCAL EFFECT : Minor one-time costs, probably less than $50,000
by 2011-12, to DPR to establish and convene an advisory committee,
and moderate costs, perhaps $200,000 annually starting in 2011-12,
to DPR for staff and resources (General Fund, State Park and
Recreation Fund, or available resource bond proceeds).
COMMENTS : This bill requires the director of DPR to establish an
AB 102
Page 3
advisory committee to assist in the creation of a general plan for
a potential state park at the SSFL site. The SSFL consists of
2,850 acres of land in eastern Ventura County about 30 miles
northwest of downtown Los Angeles between Simi and San Fernando
Valleys. This land is presently owned primarily by the Boeing
Company, with some parcels owned by the Department of Energy and
NASA. The SSFL was established after World War II by the United
States government to develop and test nuclear reactors and engines
for missiles, spacecraft and rockets. The site was originally
intended as a remote field laboratory to conduct work too
dangerous for populated areas, including rocket and nuclear
projects. The first commercial nuclear power producing reactor
inside the United States was built at SSFL. The reactor powered
over 1,100 homes in the Moorpark area of California for a short
period of time. However, SSFL also became the site of the first
meltdown of a nuclear power producing reactor in the United States
on July 26, 1959. Today, all nuclear research and most rocket
testing on the site has stopped. At least half a million
residents currently live within 10 miles of the SSFL site.
In 2007 the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, SB 990
(Kuehl) which requires thorough remediation of the SSFL site for
both chemical and radioactive contamination, as determined by the
Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), prior to any sale,
lease or transfer of all or any part of the property. SB 990 was
intended to address the numerous accidents, spills and releases at
the SSFL site over the decades that resulted in widespread
radioactive and chemical contamination of the groundwater, surface
water and soil on the site and the surrounding area. AB 102
provides that a state park would only proceed after the site has
been decontaminated pursuant to SB 990 and certified by DTSC.
Cleanup at the site has not yet begun, and it is estimated that it
will take at least until 2017 to complete. The parties are still
in negotiations as to the degree of contamination and the level of
cleanup required at the site. Boeing has publicly committed to
delivering the SSFL as an undeveloped open space upon completion
of the cleanup, although Boeing has not actually committed the
land to the state, federal, or local governments at this time.
Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096
FN: 0001354
AB 102
Page 4