BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1066|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1066
Author: Lieu (D)
Amended: 5/29/12
Vote: 21
SENATE NATURAL RES. AND WATER COMMITTEE : 6-2, 4/10/12
AYES: Pavley, Cannella, Kehoe, Padilla, Simitian, Wolk
NOES: La Malfa, Fuller
NO VOTE RECORDED: Evans
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 5-2, 5/24/12
AYES: Kehoe, Alquist, Lieu, Price, Steinberg
NOES: Walters, Dutton
SUBJECT : Coastal resources: climate change
SOURCE : The Nature Conservancy
DIGEST : This bill clarifies the current law to authorize
the State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) to engage in
projects that address climate change impacts as it relates
to the stated goals of the agency.
ANALYSIS : Existing law establishes the Conservancy,
which serves as a repository for coastal lands. Existing
law authorizes the Conservancy to, among other things,
undertake projects and award grants for the purposes of
restoration of areas of the coastal zone that are adversely
affecting the coastal environment or are impeding orderly
development.
CONTINUED
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This bill:
1. Authorizes the Conservancy to address the impacts and
potential impacts of climate change on coastal
resources. The Conservancy may undertake coastal
projects including, but not limited to, those that
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address extreme weather
events, extreme weather events, sea level rise, storm
surge, beach and bluff erosion, salt water intrusion,
flooding and other coastal hazards that threaten coastal
communities, infrastructure, and natural resources. The
Conservancy may award grants to public agencies and
nonprofit organizations for authorized activities.
2. Requires that the Conservancy in awarding the grants to
the extent allowed, prioritize projects that would
maximize public benefits such as reducing emissions of
greenhouse gas; reducing hazards to harbors and ports;
preserving and enhancing coastal wetlands and natural
lands; conserving biodiversity; and providing
recreational opportunities.
Background
The Conservancy is a state agency that purchases, protects,
restores, and enhances coastal resources, and provides
public access to the shore. The Conservancy works in
partnership with local governments, other public agencies,
nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. Since
their establishment in 1976, the Conservancy has undertaken
over 1800 projects along the California coast and San
Francisco bay.
Existing law states that the Conservancy has responsibility
for implementing a program of agricultural protection, area
restoration, and resource enhancement in the coastal zone
within the guidelines established in the California Coastal
Act (Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 31054). Existing
law also gives authority to the Conservancy to undertake
plans and feasibility studies, award grants to public
agencies and nonprofit organizations for these studies (PRC
Section 31111) and undertake educational projects and
programs for K-12 (PRC Section 31119).
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Projects that the Conservancy currently undertakes are
primarily related to:
1. Protecting and improving the quality of coastal
wetlands, streams, watersheds, and near-shore ocean
waters;
2. Helping people get to coast and bay shores by building
trails and stairways and by acquiring land and
easements. The Conservancy also assists in the creation
of low-cost accommodations along the coast, including
campgrounds and hostels;
3. Working with local communities to revitalize urban
waterfronts;
4. Helping to solve complex land-use problems;
5. Purchasing and holding environmentally valuable coastal
and bay lands;
6. Protecting agricultural lands and supporting coastal
agriculture;
7. Accepting donations and dedications of land and
easements for public access, wildlife habitat,
agriculture, and open space.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Unknown cost pressures, possibly in the hundreds of
thousands of dollars from bonds (General Fund) and
special funds for the funding of projects that address
climate change.
Unknown revenues, but possibly in the tens to hundreds
of thousands of dollars, from private and federal grants
for governmental agencies addressing climate change.
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/22/12)
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The Nature Conservancy (source)
Audubon California
Bay Area Open Space Council
California Association of Port Authorities
California Coastkeeper Alliance
Cities of Culver City, Laguna Beach and Long Beach
East Bay Municipal Utility District
Environmental Defense Fund
Heal the Bay
Marin County
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey County
Mountains Restoration Trust
Natural Resources Defense Council
Ocean Conservancy
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Point Reyes Bird Observatory
San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association
Save the Bay
Sonoma Land Trust
Surfrider Foundation
Ventura County
Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
the consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather
events and sea level rise, disproportionately impact 80% of
California's population that live and work within 30 miles
of the coast. Coastal infrastructure, beaches, estuaries,
coastal wetlands, and other unique coastal habitats that
drive the coastal economy are all at risk. California's
coastal resources contribute over $40 billion annually to
state and local funds. The consequences of climate change
could ultimately cost the state tens of billions of dollars
if not addressed. Existing law created the Conservancy to
protect and enhance coastal resources and urban waterfronts
through grants and other non-regulatory means. However,
existing law does not expressly authorize the Conservancy
to help address the adverse effects of climate change on
coastal resources. This bill corrects this ambiguity in
the law by authorizing the Conservancy to address climate
change and its impacts as part of its broader mission.
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CTW:kc 5/29/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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