BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2214
Page 1
CORRECTED - 06/02/2010 Technical change (Member name)
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2214 (Fuentes)
As Amended April 27, 2010
Majority vote
NATURAL RESOURCES 6-3 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Chesbro, Brownley, De |Ayes:|Fuentes, Ammiano, |
| |Leon, Hill, Huffman, | |Bradford, |
| |Skinner | |Charles Calderon, Coto, |
| | | |Davis, |
| | | |Monning, Ruskin, Skinner, |
| | | |Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson, Torrico |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Gilmore, Knight, Logue |Nays:|Conway, Harkey, Miller, |
| | | |Nielsen, Norby |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
(Conservancy) to develop a feasibility study for the Pacoima
Wash. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the Conservancy to develop a feasibility study for
the Pacoima Wash, to:
a) Establish objectives for development of a greenbelt
around the Pacoima Wash to expand recreational
opportunities and improve natural habitat;
b) Establish the boundaries of the study;
c) Inventory existing land and its uses;
d) Analyze land parcels along the Pacoima Wash that show
potential for development of a greenbelt and other
recreational development;
e) Engage in community outreach and input; and,
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f) Analyze the topography of the Pacoima Wash.
2)Specifies that in preparing the study, the Conservancy use
existing budget resources and voluntary private and non-profit
local resources, and request voluntary cooperation of the
other governmental authorities with jurisdiction over the
Pacoima Wash.
3)Directs the Conservancy to apply for grants to develop a
greenbelt along the Pacoima Wash. In cases in which the
Conservancy is not eligible for a grant, directs it to partner
with community-based organizations to apply for grants.
EXISTING LAW establishes the Conservancy to award grants or
loans to cities, counties, districts, or nonprofit organizations
to restore, enhance, acquire, or conserve resources or develop
recreational opportunities in and around the Santa Monica
Mountains environment.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee:
1)Costs of an unknown amount, but likely less than $100,000, to
complete the study as described. To the extent these costs
exceed the Conservancy's existing budget resources, this
funding would come from voluntary private and nonprofit
resources, as specified in the bill.
2)Cost pressure of an unknown amount, but potentially in the
millions of dollars, to fund development of the greenbelt and
other recreational uses of the Pacoima Wash that is the focus
of the study. (Bond funds or private funds.)
COMMENTS : According to the author, the Pacoima Wash is a
10-mile flood control channel built in the 1940s that runs from
the Pacoima Dam in the San Gabriel Mountains to the Arleta
Spreading Grounds. Currently enclosed by fencing with few
pedestrian crossings, the Wash attracts trash, graffiti, and
fosters undesirable uses and activities. The author states that
the Wash presents a great opportunity for recreational
activities and wildlife habitat.
Pacoima Beautiful, a community-based non-profit organization's
stated mission is to "empower the Pacoima community through
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programs that provide environmental education, advocacy and
local leadership in order to foster a healthy and safe
environment." The organization has created the Pacoima Wash
Vision Plan Initiative (Initiative) to "create a Vision Plan for
areas of the Wash located within Los Angeles city limits,
specifically in the community of Pacoima and Sylmar. The Vision
Plan will call for the transformation of the Pacoima Wash from
an eye-sore into a vital recreational amenity, composed of bike
and pedestrian lanes linking together new parks and open space
and allowing the residents of the Northeast Valley access to the
Angeles National Forest."
This bill is intended to codify the importance of the Pacoima
Wash and further the goals of the Initiative.
Analysis Prepared by : Elizabeth MacMillan / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092
FN: 0004711