BILL NUMBER: AB 1540	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Buchanan

                        JANUARY 24, 2012

   An act to amend Section 64 of the Harbors and Navigation Code,
relating to state waters.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1540, as introduced, Buchanan. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta:
invasive weeds: South American Spongeplant.
   Existing law designates the Department of Boating and Waterways as
the lead agency in cooperating with other agencies in controlling
water hyacinth and Egeria densa in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,
its tributaries, and the Suisun Marsh.
   This bill would additionally designate the department as the lead
agency in cooperating with other agencies in controlling South
American Spongeplant (Limnobium laevigatum) in the delta, its
tributaries, and the marsh.
   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.  The Legislature finds and declares the following:
   (a) Aquatic weeds have been a continuing problem in the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and have been growing in the delta at an
unprecedented rate.
   (b) Invasive species of aquatic weeds growing in the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta obstruct navigation, impair other
recreational uses of the waterways in the delta, and have the
potential of damaging manmade facilities, including federal and state
water pumping operations.
   (c) The health and stability of fisheries and other ecosystems in
the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are threatened by invasive aquatic
weeds, which are known to have the following impacts:
   (1) Destroy tourism in the delta, and reduce boating, fishing, and
swimming in delta waterways.
   (2) Block birds' access to waterways and nesting areas.
   (3) Threaten water supplies by blocking canals, pumps, and dams.
   (4) Damage water quality in the delta resulting from the decay of
plants.
   (5) Increase flood risk.
   (6) Prevent the growth of native plants.
   (d) Water hyacinth and Egeria densa are the only invasive aquatic
weeds that are authorized for treatment in the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta.
   (e) South American Spongeplant (Limnobium laevigatum) is a highly
invasive weed that grows and spreads at a rate that could devastate
the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta environment in just a few years, and
the spongeplant is a prolific seed-bearing plant that will be
difficult to eradicate if it is allowed to grow and spread in the
delta.
   (f) Early stage treatment of the South American Spongeplant
(Limnobium laevigatum) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will
reduce the need for more extensive and costly later efforts to keep
the spongeplant from spreading in the delta.
  SEC. 2.  Section 64 of the Harbors and Navigation Code is amended
to read:
   64.  (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the growth
of water hyacinth  and   ,  Egeria densa
 , and South   American Spongeplant (Limnobium
laevigatum)  in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, its
tributaries, and the Suisun Marsh has occurred at an unprecedented
level and that the resulting accumulations of water hyacinth 
and   ,  Egeria densa  , and South American
Spongeplant (Limnobium laevigatum)  obstruct navigation, impair
other recreational uses of waterways, have the potential for damaging
manmade facilities, and may threaten the health and stability of
fisheries and other ecosystems within the delta and marsh.
Accordingly, it is necessary that the state, in cooperation with
agencies of the United States, undertake an aggressive program for
the effective control of water hyacinth  and   ,
 Egeria densa  , and South American Spongeplant (Limnobium
laevigatum)  in the delta, its tributaries, and the marsh.
   (b) The department is designated as the lead agency of the state
for the purpose of cooperating with agencies of the United States and
other public agencies in controlling water hyacinth  and
  ,  Egeria densa  , and South American
Spongeplant (Limnobium laevigatum)  in the delta, its
tributaries, and the marsh.
   (c) The department, other state agencies, cities, counties, and
districts are hereby authorized to cooperate with one another and
with agencies of the United States in controlling water hyacinth
 and   ,  Egeria densa  , and South
American Spongeplant (Limnobium laevigatum)  in the delta, its
tributaries, and the marsh and may furnish money, services,
equipment, and other property to that end.
   (d) Up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per year of the funds
available for expenditure by the Department of Fish and Game to
implement this section shall be paid from the Harbors and Watercraft
Revolving Fund.
   (e) Whenever any control program is proposed to take place in Rock
Slough, the department and the Contra Costa Water District shall
develop a memorandum of understanding establishing the parameters of
the control program. This subdivision does not apply to any control
program proposed for Sand Mound Slough.