AB 367: Clear Lake.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2015-04-15
Existing law creates in the State Treasury the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, and makes the revenue in the fund available for expenditure, upon appropriation, for particular purposes relating to the protection and preservation of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians. Existing law requires all moneys collected under the provisions of the Fish and Game Code to be deposited in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, unless otherwise provided.
Existing law requires $2,000,000 from the proceeds of bonds sold pursuant to the Costa-Machado Water Act of 2000 to be allocated, upon appropriation, to the State Water Resources Control Board to rehabilitate and improve the Clear Lake watershed by funding specified projects or activities.
This bill would appropriate $2,400,000 from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund an unspecified fund to the County of Lake for the purposes of restoring Clear Lake wetlands, maintaining the water quality of Clear Lake, preventing the spread of invasive species to Clear Lake, and controlling and eradicating invasive species in Clear Lake.
Existing law creates in the State Treasury the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, and makes the revenue in the fund available for expenditure, upon appropriation, for particular purposes relating to the protection and preservation of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians. Existing law requires all moneys collected under the provisions of the Fish and Game Code to be deposited in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, unless otherwise provided.
This bill would appropriate $2,400,000 from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund to the County of Lake for the purposes of restoring Clear Lake wetlands, maintaining the water quality of Clear Lake, preventing the spread of invasive species to Clear Lake, and controlling and eradicating invasive species in Clear Lake.
(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)Clear Lake, located in the County of Lake, is the largest freshwater lake in California with 68 square miles of surface area.
(2)Clear Lake supports large fish populations including bass, crappie, bluegill, carp, and catfish. In addition to fish, there are year-round populations of ducks, pelicans, grebes, blue herons, egrets, ospreys ospreys, and bald eagles. The lake basin also supports deer, bears, mountain lions, and other animals.
(3)Clear Lake has a problem with the explosive growth of algae blooms, which can create a dangerous condition for fish and wildlife. Cyanobacteria blooms are trapped at the surface of the water and die, creating unsightly slicks and odors. Some algae may produce toxic cyanotoxins that pose a range of health risks to both people and animals.
(4)Algae mats along the eastern and southern shores of the lake have sometimes become so thick as to completely block shoreline access and normal recreational use of the lake by residents and visitors. Close contact with cyanobacteria can result in rashes, irritated eyes, and respiratory problems.
(5)Clear Lake is contaminated by heavy metal pollutants, such as mercury from the Superfund site of the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine site along the southeastern end of the lake.
(6)The State Water Resources Control Board has listed Clear Lake as an impaired water body and has found that the forms of pollution are real and that a great deal of work needs to be done to restore the lake to a healthy balance.
(b)Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to assist the County of Lake in restoring Clear Lake to healthier conditions so as to protect fish and wildlife as well as to preserve the unique recreational and economic opportunities that the lake provides.
SEC. 2.The sum of two million four hundred thousand dollars ($2,400,000) is hereby appropriated from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund____ to the County of Lake for the purposes of restoring Clear Lake wetlands, maintaining the water quality of Clear Lake, preventing the spread of invasive species to Clear Lake, and controlling and eradicating invasive species in Clear Lake.
(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)Clear Lake, located in the County of Lake, is the largest freshwater lake in California with 68 square miles of surface area.
(2)Clear Lake supports large fish populations including bass, crappie, bluegill, carp, and catfish. In addition to fish, there are year-round populations of ducks, pelicans, grebes, blue herons, egrets, ospreys and bald eagles. The lake basin also supports deer, bears, mountain lions, and other animals.
(3)Clear Lake has a problem with the explosive growth of algae blooms, which can create a dangerous condition for fish and wildlife. Cyanobacteria blooms are trapped at the surface of the water and die, creating unsightly slicks and odors. Some algae may produce toxic cyanotoxins that pose a range of health risks to both people and animals.
(4)Algae mats along the eastern and southern shores of the lake have sometimes become so thick as to completely block shoreline access and normal recreational use of the lake by residents and visitors. Close contact with cyanobacteria can result in rashes, irritated eyes, and respiratory problems.
(5)Clear Lake is contaminated by heavy metal pollutants, such as mercury from the Superfund site of the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine site along the southeastern end of the lake.
(6)The State Water Resources Control Board has listed Clear Lake as an impaired water body and has found that the forms of pollution are real and that a great deal of work needs to be done to restore the lake to a healthy balance.
(b)Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to assist the County of Lake in restoring Clear Lake to healthier conditions so as to protect fish and wildlife as well as to preserve the unique recreational and economic opportunities that the lake provides.
SEC. 2.The sum of two million four hundred thousand dollars ($2,400,000) is hereby appropriated from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund to the County of Lake for the purposes of restoring Clear Lake wetlands, maintaining the water quality of Clear Lake, preventing the spread of invasive species to Clear Lake, and controlling and eradicating invasive species in Clear Lake.
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Date
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Status
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| Feb 17, 2015 | Read first time. To print. |
| Feb 18, 2015 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 20. |
| Mar 5, 2015 | Referred to Com. on W., P., & W. |
| Apr 14, 2015 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (April 14). |
| Apr 15, 2015 | Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 16, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 22, 2015 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| May 28, 2015 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Jan 31, 2016 | Died pursuant to Article IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| Feb 1, 2016 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Apr 14, 2015 | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| California Water Service Company | * Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Citizens for Responsible Development | * Indeterminate | Apr 14, 2015 |
| City of Lakeport | ** Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Clear Lake | * Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| County of Lake | * Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Elem Indian Colony | ** Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Featherbed Railroad Bed & Breakfast Resort | ** Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| High Country Security | ** Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Lake County | * Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Lake County Association of Realtors | ** Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Lake County Mobile Home Owners | * Indeterminate | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Lake County Winery Association | ** Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Public Works and Water Resources for Lake County | * Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Ruzicka Associates, Consulting Engineers | ** Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Save the Lake Committee | ** Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Seventh Generation Collective Media | * Indeterminate | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Sierra Club | * Support | Apr 14, 2015 |
AB 367
Page 2
Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB 367
(Dodd) – As Amended April 15, 2015
Policy Committee: |
Water, Parks and Wildlife |
Vote: |
11 - 4 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY:
This bill appropriates $2.4 million from an unspecified fund to for projects to restore and protect Clear Lake. Specifically, this bill:
Appropriates $2.4 million from an unspecified fund to Lake County for the purposes of restoring Clear Lake wetlands, maintaining Clear Lake water quality, and preventing and controlling the spread of invasive species in or to Clear Lake.
States legislative intent to assist Lake County in restoring Clear Lake to protect fish and wildlife and preserve recreational and economic opportunities.
States legislative findings and declarations regarding Clear Lake, its natural resource values which include fish, birds, and other wildlife, and problems at the lake such as toxic algal blooms, mercury pollution, and the listing of Clear Lake as an impaired water body.
FISCAL EFFECT:
State costs of $2.4 million from an unspecified fund (GF or special fund).
COMMENTS:
Rationale. Clear Lake is California's largest natural freshwater lake. According to Lake County, water quality problems in the lake are impacting tourism; algal blooms in the summer and invasive species are a constant threat. The county has tried three times to enact a half-cent sales tax dedicated to lake programs, but those measures, while garnering over 60% of the vote, have failed to meet the 2/3rd vote requirement for special purpose taxes.
This bill is intended to provide funds for the long term monitoring of water quality TMDLs in the Lake and for small stream and wetland restoration in the Clear Lake Upper Cache Creek watershed.
No Specified Funding Source. As introduced, this bill appropriated $2.4 million from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund (FGPF) located at the Department of Fish and Wildlife. As of January 9, 2015, the FGPF projected fund balance for FY 2015-16 is $25.6 million, identified in the Governor’s budget as reserve. The designated funding source was deleted in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. This bill, or a portion of it, could be funded out of the reserve.
The Water Bond (Proposition 1, approved by the voters in November 2014) contains several competitive categories of funding for which Lake County and/or the region through the Westside Integrated Regional Water Management Program (IRWMP) may be eligible to apply for grants. The County or IRWMP may wish to pursue funding through applications to appropriate state programs.
Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Discussed in Hearing
11MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
