BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2478
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 29, 2014

                   ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE
                                Anthony Rendon, Chair
                    AB 2478 (Stone) - As Amended:  March 28, 2014
           
          SUBJECT  :   Flood control: San Lorenzo River

           SUMMARY  :   Allows state funding, upon appropriation by the  
          Legislature, to be used within the flood control project  
          boundaries of the San Lorenzo River for environmental studies,  
          engineering plans, and construction activities to mitigate the  
          impacts of summer low-flow water conditions at the rivermouth.

           EXISTING LAW: 

           1)Provides federal authority and funding for a flood control  
            project on the San Lorenzo River as described in the report of  
            the Chief of Engineers, dated June 30, 1994 and sets out  
            estimated Federal costs and non-Federal costs.

          2)Provides state authority and funding for a flood control  
            project on the San Lorenzo River if it is adopted and  
            authorized substantially in accordance with the congressional  
            approval of that project at an estimated cost to the state of  
            the sum that may be appropriated for state cooperation by  
            statute, upon the recommendation and advice of the department.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :   Nonfiscal

           COMMENTS  :   This bill seeks to provide explicit authority for  
          funding studies, engineering plans, and construction activities  
          to address the adverse water conditions that occur in the summer  
          when the mouth of the San Lorenzo River closes.  

          As described by the author, when the San Lorenzo River is in a  
          low summer flow condition a sandbar or "shoal" builds up and  
          blocks the water, which can then migrate along the beach until  
          it moves under the pilings of an older portion of the Boardwalk  
          and floods the lower ride support areas.  In addition, when the  
          water inundates more of the beach area it can make providing  
          lifeguard coverage challenging. 
           
           Supporting arguments  :  The author advises that the current City  
          Flood Control Subventions Authorization does not permit the  








                                                                  AB 2478
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          initial environmental work that is needed.  The author adds that  
          by allowing initial environmental studies the most cost  
          effective and environmentally sound flood control solution can  
          be identified. This bill would provide that authorization.   
          Other supporters state that this bill will "help the City of  
          Santa Cruz deal with its longstanding problem of summer shoaling  
          at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River."  

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   
           

          Support 
           City of Santa Cruz
           Opposition 
           None on file
            
          Analysis Prepared by  :    Tina Cannon Leahy / W., P. & W. / (916)  
          319-2096