BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 1390
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Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 1390 (Correa) - As Amended: July 2, 2014
Policy Committee: Natural
ResourcesVote:6-2
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program
within the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) to address the
resource and recreational goals of the Santa Ana River corridor.
This bill requires the SCC to prepare a Santa Ana River Parkway
and Open Space Plan as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)One-time costs of up to $100,000 (Proposition 84) to the SCC
to develop the open space plan.
2)Ongoing cost pressures in the millions of dollars to existing
and future, special fund, bond and GF for projects developed
and implemented under the program.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose. According to the author, the Santa Ana River is an
extraordinary natural resource of statewide significance. The
watershed has been subject to intense development and is in
need of restoration, conservation and enhancement. This bill
will help develop open space and recreational opportunities,
restore and preserve wildlife habitat and natural resources,
and enhance resource conservation efforts.
2)Background. There are currently 10 state conservancies,
including the SCC, which generally have the mission to enhance
and restore important natural resources and provide for public
recreational opportunities. These 10 conservancies are
governed by individual boards consisting of state, local and
SB 1390
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public members and are located within the Natural Resources
Agency.
The SCC was created in 1976 to purchase, protect, restore, and
enhance coastal resources, and to provide access to the shore.
The conservancy's jurisdiction is mostly the coastal zone,
which extends from the Oregon to Mexico borders and from the
state's ocean border (3 miles seaward) to an inland border
that varies between 1,000 yards and five miles from the mean
high tide line.
In addition to the 10 state conservancies, there is one
conservancy program, the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy
Program, located within the SCC and governed by its Board.
This bill adds an additional conservancy program within the
SCC.
3)The Santa Ana River. The Santa Ana River has largely been
channelized and diverted, however, the upper headwaters of the
river in the San Bernardino Mountains retain a free flowing
character. The Santa Ana flows westerly through more than 20
miles of public lands managed by the United States Forest
Service. Beyond the mountains and National Forest boundary,
the river flows between levees and concrete channels through
the southern California urban landscape to the Pacific Ocean.
This bill defines the Santa Ana River region as those lands
located within one-half mile on either side of the Santa Ana
River, or any tributaries, from its headwaters near the San
Gorginio Wilderness Area to the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Ana
River Mouth Beach in Huntington Beach and adjacent lands and
watersheds.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081