BILL NUMBER: SB 539	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wiggins

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act relating to salmon and steelhead trout.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 539, as introduced, Wiggins. Ocean Protection Council: report
on salmon and steelhead trout.
    The California Ocean Protection Act establishes the Ocean
Protection Council in state government and provides that the council
consists of the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, the
Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Chair of the State Lands
Commission, and 2 public members appointed by the Governor. The act
requires the council, among other things, to coordinate activities of
state agencies that are related to the protection and conservation
of coastal waters and ocean ecosystems, and to establish policies to
coordinate the collection and sharing of scientific data related to
coast and ocean resources between agencies.
   This bill would require the council, by April 1, 2010, to prepare
and submit a report to the Legislature regarding the costs of
restoring native salmon and steelhead trout populations and restoring
the health of the state's salmon fishery, as specified.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) On or before April 1, 2010, the Ocean Protection
Council shall prepare a report analyzing the costs of infrastructure,
enforcement, monitoring, and scientific analysis related to both of
the following:
   (1) Restoration of native salmon and steelhead trout populations
to pre-1988 levels within five years.
   (2) Restoration of the health of the state's salmon fishery.
   (b) The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the
costs of all of the following:
   (1) Removal of dams on the Klamath River, the removal of the San
Clemente Dam on the Carmel River, the removal of the Matilija Dam on
the Ventura River, and the removal of the Rindge Dam on Malibu Creek.

   (2) Removal and restoration of blockages to fish passage in all of
the one hundred highest priority streams, as identified in the
CalFish database.
   (3) Characterization of streamflow requirements for the 100
highest priority rivers and creeks for salmonid production, as
identified by the Department of Fish and Game.
   (4) Enforcement of adequate in-stream flow required for salmonid
spawning, rearing, and passage on rivers and creeks described in
paragraph (3). The analysis shall include, but shall not be limited
to, costs of actions to stop unlawful diversions, adjudicate water
rights, and ensure sufficient resource flows pursuant to statute, and
costs of adequately staffing the Department of Fish and Game, the
State Water Resources Control Board, and the office of the Attorney
General for these purposes.
   (5) Characterization of groundwater resources needed to ensure
streamflows and the impact of establishing groundwater management in
high priority groundwater basins.
   (6) Acquisition of land and water rights in key groundwater basins
to reestablish flows.
   (7) Implementation of water conservation technologies and the
development of new water supplies, including, but not limited to,
desalination, off-stream storage, and water reclamation in the
highest priority groundwater basins.
   (8) Development of a collaborative research program that employs
fishermen and fisherwomen.
   (c) On or before April 1, 2010, the council shall submit the
report to all of the following:
   (1) The Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
   (2) The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture.
   (3) The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water.
   (4) The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
   (5) The Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife.