Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law establishes the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for the purpose of, among others, providing for the publics enjoyment and enhancement of recreational and education experiences on public lands in the San Gabriel Watershed and Lower Los Angeles River.

This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to appoint, in consultation with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the extent the board wishes to consult, a local working group to develop a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River watershed, called the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group. The bill would require the secretary to consider requests from local agency representatives to participate in the working group and would authorize the working group to include specified representatives. The bill would require, by March 1, 2017, the working group to develop, through watershed-based planning methods, a revitalization plan that addresses the unique and diverse needs of the Lower Los Angeles River, that is consistent with, enhances, and is authorized to be incorporated into the County of Los Angeless Master Plan, and that includes watershed education programs. The bill would require the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to provide any necessary staffing to assist the working group.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Lower Los Angeles River.

Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law establishes the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for the purpose of, among others, providing for the publics enjoyment and enhancement of recreational and education experiences on public lands in the San Gabriel Watershed and Lower Los Angeles River.

This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to appoint, in consultation with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the extent the board wishes to consult, a local working group to develop a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River watershed, called the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group. The bill would require the secretary to consider requests from local agency representatives to participate in the working group and would authorize the working group to include specified representatives. The bill would require, by March 1, 2017, the working group to develop, through watershed-based planning methods, a revitalization plan that addresses the unique and diverse needs of the Lower Los Angeles River, that is consistent with, enhances, and is authorized to be incorporated into the County of Los Angeless Master Plan, and that includes watershed education programs. The bill would require the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to provide any necessary staffing to assist the working group.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Lower Los Angeles River.

Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law establishes the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for the purpose of, among others, providing for the publics enjoyment and enhancement of recreational and education experiences on public lands in the San Gabriel Watershed and Lower Los Angeles River.

This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to appoint, in coordination consultation with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Supervisors to the extent the board wishes to consult, a local working group to develop a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River, River watershed, called the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group. The bill would specify a prescribed membership for the working group, including, among others, representatives from the County of Los Angeles, and elected officials of the cities riparian to the Los Angeles River. require the secretary to consider requests from local agency representatives to participate in the working group and would authorize the working group to include specified representatives. The bill would require, by March 1, 2017, the working group to develop, through watershed-based planning methods, a revitalization plan that addresses the unique and diverse needs of the Lower Los Angeles River, that is consistent with, enhances, and is authorized to be incorporated into the County of Los Angeless Master Plan, and that includes watershed education programs. By imposing additional duties on local officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to provide any necessary staffing to assist the working group.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Lower Los Angeles River.

Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law establishes the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for the purpose of, among others, providing for the publics enjoyment and enhancement of recreational and education experiences on public lands in the San Gabriel Watershed and Lower Los Angeles River.

This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to appoint, in coordination with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, a local working group to develop a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River, called the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group. The bill would specify a prescribed membership for the working group, including, among others, representatives from the County of Los Angeles, and elected officials of the cities riparian to the Los Angeles River. The bill would require, by March 1, 2017, the working group to develop, through watershed-based planning methods, a revitalization plan that addresses the unique and diverse needs of the Lower Los Angeles River, that is consistent with, enhances, and is incorporated into the County of Los Angeless Master Plan, and that includes watershed education programs. By imposing additional duties on local officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to provide any necessary staffing to assist the working group.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Lower Los Angeles River.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.

Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law establishes the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for the purpose of, among others, providing for the publics enjoyment and enhancement of recreational and education experiences on public lands in the San Gabriel Watershed and Lower Los Angeles River.

This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to appoint, in coordination with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, a local working group to develop a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River, called the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group. The bill would specify a prescribed membership for the working group, including, among others, representatives from the County of Los Angeles, and elected officials of the cities riparian to the Los Angeles River. The bill would require, by March 1, 2017, the working group to develop, through watershed-based planning methods, a revitalization plan that addresses the unique and diverse needs of the Lower Los Angeles River, that is consistent with, enhances, and is incorporated into the County of Los Angeless Master Plan, and that includes watershed education programs. By imposing additional duties on local officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to provide any necessary staffing to assist the working group.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Lower Los Angeles River.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 530

Author:(Rendon)

As Amended Ver:August 31, 2015

Majority vote

Original Committee Reference: W., P., & W.

SUMMARY: Requires the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) to staff, and the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to appoint, a working group that is tasked with developing a revitalization plan for the lower Los Angeles River (Lower LA River).

The Senate amendments change from mandatory to voluntary specified duties with respect to the Lower LA River working group (Working Group) and revitalization plan and make other clarifying changes as follows:

1. Allows, but does not require, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to consult on formation of the Working Group;

2. Allows, but does not require, other entities named in this bill to participate on the Working Group;

3. Directs the CNRA Secretary to consider requests from local agency representatives to participate on the Working Group.

4. Clarifies that the scope of the revitalization plan is the Lower LA River watershed.

5. Allows, but does not require that the Lower LA River revitalization plan be incorporated into the County of Los Angeles Master Plan for the LA River (County Master Plan).

EXISTING LAW:

1. Designates the LA River as a traditional navigable waterway protected under the federal Clean Water Act.

2. Establishes the RMC in the CNRA, as a state agency with powers that include, but are not limited to, the ability to acquire and manage public lands within the Lower LA River and San Gabriel River watersheds, and to provide open-space, low-impact recreational and educational uses, water conservation, watershed improvement, wildlife and habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvement within the territory.

3. Provides $30 million dollars in Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Prop. 1) for the RMC and another $100 million in Prop. 1 for urban rivers and streams including, but not limited to, the LA River and its tributaries as defined in the RMC Act and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) Act, which covers the upper LA River.

4. Creates the LA County Flood Control District (LACFCD) and empowers it to control and conserve flood, storm and other waste waters of the district; to protect the harbors, waterways, public highways and property in the district from flood waters or storm water damage; and, to allow public access when such access is suitable for education and recreational purposes and not inconsistent with flood control and water conservation uses.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

1. One-time costs estimated between $40,000 and $80,000 to the General Fund or the Environmental License Plate Fund (special) for the RMC to staff the Working Group.

2. Cost pressures, likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars and possibly over a billion dollars, to the General Fund and various special funds, to implement the plan.

COMMENTS: This bill would create a planning process for the Lower LA River, the 19 miles of river that once it leaves downtown Los Angeles flows through multiple cities until it reaches the Pacific Ocean at Long Beach Harbor. The LA River is 51 miles long. Currently, the upper 32-mile stretch, which reaches from the San Fernando Valley to downtown LA and lies within the City of LA, has its own LA River Revitalization Master Plan (City Master Plan) released in 2007. The Lower LA River does not have such a plan.

In the late 1700s, the LA River supported diverse flora and fauna and much of what is now southern and western Los Angeles was marsh. Devastating flooding in the 1930s led to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) channelizing the river with concrete as a control measure. In the 1980s, interest in revitalizing and re-integrating the river corridor and its tributaries into the adjacent neighborhoods began to grow. It was spurred in part by a recognition that compared to other large American cities LA has relatively fewer parks, particularly in underserved communities. In the early 1990s, community activism coincided with LA County beginning a process that resulted in the 1996 County Master Plan. The County Master Plan described how economic growth could be spurred along the river in the county through zoning changes and the development of open space, recreational, cultural, artistic, educational, and other opportunities.

In 2007 the LA City Council released the City Master Plan for the river that promoted revitalization as a multi-benefit solution to addressing and enhancing water quality and flood control while enabling safe access to the river and restoring a functional river ecosystem. In 2010 the United States Environmental Protection Agency designated the LA River as a traditional navigable waterway protected under the Clean Water Act and the Obama administration, under the America's Great Outdoors initiative, made LA one of seven pilot cities for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership.

The author states that there is not a revitalization plan specific to the Lower LA River, although the County Master Plan included a few projects for cities along the Lower LA River. The author states that there is now a need for a comprehensive revitalization plan that focuses more attention and resources on the Southeast LA County cities which include Vernon, Commerce, Maywood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, Carson, and Long Beach.

Supporters state that this bill starts a conversation about how the entire LA River can be managed collaboratively as work on the Lower LA River has lagged behind the upper parts of the river. Supporters state that there is now a need for a comprehensive revitalization plan that focuses more attention and resources on the Southeast LA County cities.

There is no known opposition to this bill.

Analysis Prepared by: Tina Leahy / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0001784

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 530

Author: Rendon (D), et al.

Amended: 8/31/15 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 9-0, 7/14/15

AYES: Pavley, Stone, Allen, Hertzberg, Hueso, Jackson, Monning, Vidak, Wolk

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/27/15

AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, Leyva, Mendoza, Nielsen

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/3/15 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Lower Los Angeles River Working Group

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill establishes the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group which will be responsible for developing a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River (Lower River) watershed and the communities through which it passes by March 1, 2017.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Designates the Los Angeles River (River) as a traditional navigable waterway protected under the Clean Water Act.

2. Establishes the Los Angeles Flood Control District. The Flood Control District and the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) share the responsibility for the operation and management of the River’s flood control and water conservation facilities.

3. Establishes the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC).The RMC’s mission is, among other things, to preserve open space and habitat in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements within its jurisdiction. The RMC’s territory includes the Lower River.

4. Establishes the Water Quality, Supply, and infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1). Proposition 1 includes $60 million for the River split equally between the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the RMC. These funds are for the purpose of multi-benefit water quality, water supply, watershed protection and restoration projects for the watersheds. In addition, River projects are eligible for certain other Proposition 1-funded purposes, such as the $100 million for urban rivers and streams.

This bill:

1. Directs the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency (Secretary), in consultation with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, as specified, to appoint a local working group, the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group (working group), to develop a revitalization plan for the Lower River watershed by March 1, 2017.

2. Requires the Secretary to consider requests from local agency representatives to participate in the working group.

3. Specifies which organizations may be represented in the working group including:

1. The RMC,

2. The County of Los Angeles,

3. The Gateway Cities Council of Governments,

4. The Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority,

5. Elected officials from cities riparian to the River, and

6. Non-profit organizations serving the region.

4. Specifies that the working group use watershed-based planning methods to develop the revitalization plan.

5. Specifies that the plan shall include watershed education programs that help Lower River communities recognize the value of the river, as specified, recognize the unique and diverse needs of the these same communities and be consistent with, enhance and may be incorporated into Los Angeles County’s Master Plan for the River.

6. Directs the RMC to provide necessary staffing to the working group for plan development.

7. Provides the development and implementation of the plan will be eligible for any public or private source of funding, including, but not limited to, from Proposition 1, and specifies eligible plan implementing entities.

8. Declares the need for this special law.

9. Makes a series of supporting legislative findings.

Background

The River forms from its headwaters in the western San Fernando Valley and flows easterly across the Valley through Griffith Park where the river turns to the south, and passes through downtown Los Angeles and additional downstream cities en route to its estuary in Long Beach. The River is entirely with the County of Los Angeles (County).

The approximately 32 miles of the River upstream of the City of Vernon is considered to be the upper River and is within the bounds of the City of Los Angeles. The approximately 19 miles of the Lower River includes the Cities of Vernon, Commerce, Maywood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, Carson and Long Beach.

The areas surrounding the River are widely considered to have relatively few open space and park areas. Particularly along the Lower River, industrial activity and railyards immediately adjacent to the River serve to isolate the River from the surrounding communities.

In the early 1990s, community activism over turning a railyard adjacent to the River into open space coincided with the County beginning a process that – after considerable input from stakeholders and community outreach – resulted in the County’s Los Angeles River Master Plan in 1996. The Master Plan described how economic growth could be spurred along the River in the County through zoning changes and the development of open space, recreational, cultural, artistic, educational and other opportunities. Ultimately over several decades, the River will be returned to a less-polluted, functioning riparian environment in as many reaches as possible, while still controlling flooding and providing recreational opportunities.

The City of Los Angeles’ Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan was released in 2007. Continuing the long-term goals of the County’s Master Plan, the Revitalization Master Plan also promoted the revitalization of the River as a multi-benefit solution to addressing and enhancing water quality and flood control while enabling safe access to the River and restoring a functional river ecosystem. The City’s Revitalization Master Plan focused on the upper River.

Both plans contain a list of River projects to be completed and seek to re-focus the surrounding neighborhoods on the River to help form a sense of identity, improve the quality of life and boost civic pride. Since the Master Plan and Revitalization Master Plan were developed, numerous River restoration efforts including the creation of habitat, pocket parks and bikeways have been undertaken, as well as guidelines established for signage and other features. In recent years, stretches of the River have been opened annually for kayaking and other recreational activities. These activities on the River itself have received considerable media coverage and have been publicly popular.

In 2014 the Corps recommended the most extensive restoration alternative provided by its Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Report be undertaken at an estimated cost of $1.08 billion. The area to be restored focuses on the 11 mile soft-bottomed stretch of the River from roughly Griffith Park to downtown called the ARBOR reach.

Comments

Working group membership. There is overlap/potential overlap between organizations represented on the working group and on the RMC’s board. These include the County of Los Angeles, the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, elected officials from riparian cities, and the non-profit organization. Membership of the working group is not limited and there is evidence of significant community interest in River revitalization efforts (e.g. dozens of non-profit organizations listed as participating in various revitalization planning efforts).

Related/Prior Legislation

SB 355 (Lara, 2015) revises the board membership of the RMC and is currently in the Senate’s Unfinished Business file.

AB 1205 (Gomez, 2015) establishes the California River Revitalization and Greenway Development Act which develops a grant program to distribute auction revenues and Proposition 1 moneys, among others, to the benefit of rivers, as specified. The bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense file.

AB 1251 (Gomez, 2015) establishes the Greenway Development and Sustainment Act which, among other things, provides for greenway easements. The bill is on the Senate Floor. Assembly Member Gomez had two earlier related bills (AB 1922 of 2014 and AB 735 of 2013) that both died.

SB 1201 (de León, Chapter 212, Statutes of 2012) provides for public use of the River by adding education and recreational purposes to the Los Angeles County Flood Control Act where those uses are not inconsistent with flood control and water conservation.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• One-time costs estimated between $40,000 and $80,000 to the General Fund or the Environmental License Plate Fund (special) for the RMC to staff the working group.

• Cost pressures, likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars and possibly over a billion dollars, to the General Fund and various special funds, to implement the plan.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/28/15)

Anahuak Youth Sports Association

Arroyo Seco Foundation

Audobon California

California Association of Local Conservation Corps

California League of Conservation Voters

California Trout

California Watershed Network

City of Bell

City of Cudahy

City of Lakewood

City of Maywood

City of Paramount

Council for Watershed Health

East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice

Friends of the Los Angeles River

From Lot to Spot

Gateway Cities Council of Governments

Heal the Bay

Linda T. Sanchez, Representative, U.S. Congress

Los Angeles Community Garden Council

Los Angeles Conservation Corps

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust

Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation

Mujeres de la Tierra

Pacoima Beautiful

T.R.U.S.T. South LA

The Public Counsel

The River Project

The Trust for Public Land

The Watershed Conservation Authority

TreePeople

Urban Semillas

Water Replenishment District of Southern California

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/28/15)

Department of Finance

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “[t]he County of Los Angeles adopted a Master Plan for the entire Los Angeles River in 1996. Since then, the City of Los Angeles has done substantial work on developing a “revitalization plan” for the upper Los Angeles River, within the City’s boundaries. After almost two decades, the time has come to update the Master Plan, focusing more attention and resources on the lower Los Angeles River.”

This bill requires the appointment of “a local working group to develop a “revitalization plan” for the lower Los Angeles River, just as the upper Los Angeles River has its plan. This revitalization plan would be consistent with and designed to enhance the County’s Master Plan for the entire river.”

“AB 530 starts a conversation about how to improve the lower Los Angeles River in concert with the revitalization of the upper Los Angeles River, so that the entire Los Angeles River watershed could be managed collaboratively.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: The Department of Finance “is opposed to this bill because it is unnecessary.” The Department notes that the RMC already coordinates with various private organizations and public agencies at all levels of government, and that several planning efforts are already underway.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/3/15

AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins

NO VOTE RECORDED: Thurmond

Prepared by: Katharine Moore / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

8/30/15 19:48:56

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular Session

AB 530 (Rendon) - Lower Los Angeles River Working Group.

*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********

The following information is revised to reflect amendments

adopted by the committee on August 27, 2015

Bill Summary:

AB 530 would establish the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group which would be responsible for developing a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River and the communities through which it passes by March 1, 2017.

Fiscal Impact:

• One-time costs estimated between $40,000 and $80,000 to the General Fund or the Environmental License Plate Fund (special) for the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to staff the LA River Working Group.

• Cost pressures, likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars and possibly over a billion dollars, to the General Fund and various special funds, to implement the plan.

Author Amendments:

Deletes the local mandate and makes clarifying changes.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular Session

AB 530 (Rendon) - Lower Los Angeles River Working Group.

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

AB 530 would establish the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group which would be responsible for developing a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River and the communities through which it passes by March 1, 2017.

Fiscal Impact:

• One-time costs estimated between $40,000 and $80,0000 to the General Fund or the Environmental License Plate Fund (special) for the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to staff the LA River Working Group.

• Cost pressures, likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars and possibly over a billion dollars, to the General Fund and various special funds, to implement the plan.

• Possible reimbursement from the General Fund of the county’s costs to incorporate the plan into its Master Plan for the entire LA River.

Background:

The Los Angeles River (river) forms from its headwaters in the western San Fernando Valley and flows easterly across the Valley through Griffith Park where the river turns to the south, and passes through downtown Los Angeles and additional downstream cities en route to its estuary in Long Beach. The river is entirely with the County of Los Angeles (County). The approximately 32 miles of the river upstream of the City of Vernon is considered to be the upper river and is within the bounds of the City of Los Angeles. The approximately 19 miles of the lower river includes the cities of Vernon, Commerce, Maywood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, Carson and Long Beach.

The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) was created by the Legislature in 1999 (Public Resources Code (PRC) §32600 et seq.). The RMC’s mission is, among other things, to preserve open space and habitat in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements within its jurisdiction. It is one of ten conservancies located in the Natural Resources Agency (agency). The RMC’s territory includes the lower Los Angeles River.

In 1996, county released the LA River Master Plan (master plan) which has a goal to, over several decades, return the river to a less-polluted, functioning riparian environment in as many reaches as possible, while still controlling flooding and providing recreational opportunities.

In 2007 the City of Los Angeles released the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan (revitalization master plan). Continuing the long-term goals of the County master plan, the revitalization master plan also promoted the revitalization of the river as a multi-benefit solution to addressing and enhancing water quality and flood control while enabling safe access to the river and restoring a functional river ecosystem. The city’s revitalization master plan focused on the upper river.

In 2014, California voters approved the Water Quality, Supply, and infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) which includes $60 million for the river split equally between the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the RMC. These funds are for the purpose of multi-benefit water quality, water supply, watershed protection and restoration projects for the watersheds. In addition, river projects are eligible for certain other Proposition 1-funded purposes, such as the $100 million for urban rivers and streams and $20 million for multi-benefit watershed and urban rivers enhancement projects, of which 10% may be used for project planning.

Proposed Law:

This bill would direct the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in coordination with the RMC, to appoint a local working group to be staffed by the RMC that would be responsible for developing a revitalization plan for the Lower Los Angeles River by March 1, 2017. The group would be called the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group and would at least include representatives from the following:

• RMC,

• Los Angeles County,

• Gateway Cities Council of Governments,

• Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Water Management Joint Powers Authority,

• Elected officials of the cities adjacent to the river, and

• Nonprofit organization serving the region.

The plan would be required to be consistent with, and incorporated into, the county’s master plan for the entire river.

This bill would declare that the development and implementation of the revitalization plan may be eligible for public and private sources including Proposition 1 monies.

Staff Comments:

The RMC interprets its role under this bill as staff to coordinate local agencies efforts with the local agencies providing a significant amount of the workload. Under this assumption, the RMC estimates that its costs would likely be between $40,000 and $80,000. Staff notes that the level of participation from the local agencies will influence the ultimate cost.

Once the plan is developed, there would be cost pressures to implement the plan. These cost pressures will depend on the details of the plan. But given that the Army Corps of Engineers presented estimated a restoration alternative in its Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Report that would cost approximately $1.08 billion, these cost pressures would easily be in the hundreds of millions of dollars and potentially over a billion dollars. These costs could come from various state funds, including Proposition 1 dollars which are ultimately paid by the General Fund.

This bill creates a state-mandated local program by requiring the county to incorporate the plan into its Master Plan for the entire Los Angeles River. The costs to do so may be reimbursable by the state if approved by the Commission on State Mandates.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER

Senator Fran Pavley, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: AB 530 Hearing Date: July 14, 2015

Subject: Lower Los Angeles River Working Group.

BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW

The Los Angeles River (River) forms from its headwaters in the western San Fernando Valley and flows easterly across the Valley through Griffith Park where the river turns to the south, and passes through downtown Los Angeles and additional downstream cities en route to its estuary in Long Beach. The River is entirely with the County of Los Angeles (County).

The approximately 32 miles of the River upstream of the City of Vernon is considered to be the upper River and is within the bounds of the City of Los Angeles. The approximately 19 miles of the lower River includes the cities of Vernon, Commerce, Maywood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, Carson and Long Beach.

The areas surrounding the River are widely considered to have relatively few open space and park areas. Particularly along the lower River, industrial activity and railyards immediately adjacent to the River serve to isolate the River from the surrounding communities.

As urbanization of the Los Angeles basin increased over the years, River flooding caused increasing impacts. The devastating flooding in 1914 led to the passage of the Los Angeles Flood Control District Act (c. 755, Statutes of 1915). Following serious flooding, the US Congress in 1936 directed the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to “channelize” the river (with concrete) to help control flooding. The Flood Control District and the Corps share the responsibility for the operation and management of these flood control and water conservation facilities.

The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) was created by the Legislature in 1999 (SB 216, Solis, c. 89 and AB 1355, Havice, c. 90, Statutes of 1999)(Public Resources Code (PRC) §§32600 et seq.). The RMC’s mission is, among other things, to preserve open space and habitat in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements within its jurisdiction. It is one of ten conservancies located in the Natural Resources Agency (agency). The RMC’s territory includes the lower Los Angeles River.

In the early 1990s, community activism over turning a railyard adjacent to the River into open space coincided with the County beginning a process that – after considerable input from stakeholders and community outreach – resulted in the County’s Los Angeles River Master Plan (Master Plan) in 1996. The Master Plan described how economic growth could be spurred along the River in the County through zoning changes and the development of open space, recreational, cultural, artistic, educational and other opportunities. Ultimately over several decades, the River will be returned to a less-polluted, functioning riparian environment in as many reaches as possible, while still controlling flooding and providing recreational opportunities.

The City of Los Angeles’ Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan (Revitalization Master Plan) was released in 2007. Continuing the long-term goals of the County Master Plan, the Revitalization Master Plan also promoted the revitalization of the River as a multi-benefit solution to addressing and enhancing water quality and flood control while enabling safe access to the River and restoring a functional river ecosystem. The City’s Revitalization Master Plan focused on the upper River.

Both plans contain a list of River projects to be completed and seek to re-focus the surrounding neighborhoods on the River to help form a sense of identity, improve the quality of life and boost civic pride. Since the Master Plan and Revitalization Master Plan were developed, numerous River restoration efforts including the creation of habitat, pocket parks and bikeways have been undertaken, as well as guidelines established for signage and other features. In 2014 the Corps recommended the most extensive restoration alternative provided by its Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Report be undertaken at an estimated cost of $1.08 billion. The area to be restored focuses on the 11 mile soft-bottomed stretch of the River from roughly Griffith Park to downtown called the ARBOR reach.

Existing law designates the River as a traditional navigable waterway protected under the Clean Water Act. In recent years, stretches of the River have been opened annually for kayaking and other recreational activities. These activities on the River itself have received considerable media coverage and have been publicly popular.

In 2014, California voters approved the Water Quality, Supply, and infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) which includes $60 million for the River split equally between the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the RMC. These funds are for the purpose of multi-benefit water quality, water supply, watershed protection and restoration projects for the watersheds. In addition, River projects are eligible for certain other Proposition 1-funded purposes, such as the $100 million for urban rivers and streams.

PROPOSED LAW

This bill would require the creation of a local working group to develop a revitalization plan for the lower River by March 1, 2017. Specifically this bill would:

1. Direct the Secretary of the agency, in coordination with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, to appoint a local working group, the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group (working group), to develop a revitalization plan for the lower Los Angeles River by March 1, 2017.

2. Require the working group to include at least representatives from

   1. the RMC,

   2. the County of Los Angeles,

   3. the Gateway Cities Council of Governments,

   4. the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority,

   5. elected officials from cities riparian to the River, and

   6. non-profit organizations serving the region.

3. Specify that the working group use watershed-based planning methods to develop the revitalization plan.

4. Specify that the plan shall include watershed education programs that help lower River communities recognize the value of the river, as specified, recognize the unique and diverse needs of the these same communities and be consistent with, enhance and be incorporated into the county’s master plan.

5. Direct the RMC to provide necessary staffing to the working group for plan development.

6. Provide the development and implementation of the plan will be eligible for any public or private source of funding, including, but not limited to, from Proposition 1, and specifies eligible plan implementing entities.

7. Declare the need for this special law, and

8. Make a series of supporting legislative findings.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT

According to the author, “[t]he County of Los Angeles adopted a Master Plan for the entire Los Angeles River in 1996. Since then, the City of Los Angeles has done substantial work on developing a “revitalization plan” for the upper Los Angeles River, within the City’s boundaries. After almost two decades, the time has come to update the Master Plan, focusing more attention and resources on the lower Los Angeles River.”

This bill requires the appointment of “a local working group to develop a “revitalization plan” for the lower Los Angeles River, just as the upper Los Angeles River has its plan. This revitalization plan would be consistent with and designed to enhance the County’s Master Plan for the entire river.”

“AB 530 starts a conversation about how to improve the lower Los Angeles River in concert with the revitalization of the upper Los Angeles River, so that the entire Los Angeles River watershed could be managed collaboratively.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION

None received

COMMENTS

Working group membership. There is overlap/potential overlap between organizations represented on the working group and on the RMC’s board. These include the County of Los Angeles, the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, elected officials from riparian cities, and the non-profit organization. Membership of the working group is not limited in number and there is evidence of significant community interest in River revitalization efforts (e.g. dozens of non-profit organizations listed as participating in various revitalization planning efforts).

Recent related legislation

SB 355 (Lara, 2015). This bill would revise the board membership of the RMC. (currently on the Assembly floor)

AB 1205 (Gomez). This bill would establish the California River Revitalization and Greenway Development Act which would develop a grant program to distribute auction revenues and Proposition 1 moneys, among others, to the benefit of rivers, as specified. (currently before the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee)

AB 1251 (Gomez, 2015). This bill would establish the Greenway Development and Sustainment Act which, among other things, provides for greenway easements. (before the Senate Appropriations Committee)

AB 1922 (Gomez, 2014). This bill is an earlier version of AB 1251 (Gomez, 2015) (held in the Senate Appropriations Committee)

AB 735 (Gomez, 2013). This bill would have established the Greenway Initiative to promote the establishment of greenways along rivers statewide (held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee)

SB 1201 (de León, c. 212, Statutes of 2012). This bill provides for public use of the River by adding education and recreational purposes to the Los Angeles county Flood Control Act where those uses are not inconsistent with flood control and water conservation.

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 530

Author:(Rendon)

As Amended Ver:June 1, 2015

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Requires the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) to staff, and the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to appoint, a working group that is tasked with developing a revitalization plan for the lower Los Angeles River (Lower LA River). Specifically, this bill:

1. Makes findings including, but not limited to, the history and importance of the Los Angeles (LA) River and the need to create a plan for the Lower LA River that updates the LA County 1996 LA River Revitalization Master Plan.

2. Adds a chapter to the RMC Act creating the Lower LA River Working Group (Working Group) and specifying that the Working Group shall develop a revitalization plan by March 1, 2017, for the Lower LA River.

3. Requires the CNRA Secretary, in coordination with the LA County Board of Supervisors, to appoint members to the Working Group including, but not limited to, representatives from the RMC, LA County, the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, the LA Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Joint Powers Authority, elected officials from cities that border the Lower LA River, and non-profit organizations serving the LA region.

4. Allows that revitalization plan development and implementation may be funded from any public or private source including the $100 million in funding from the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1 or Prop. 1).

EXISTING LAW:

1. Designates the LA River as a traditional navigable waterway protected under the federal Clean Water Act.

2. Establishes the RMC in the CNRA, as a state agency with the following purposes:

   1. To acquire and manage public lands within the Lower LA River and San Gabriel River watersheds, and to provide open-space, low-impact recreational and educational uses, water conservation, watershed improvement, wildlife and habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvement within the territory.

   2. To preserve the San Gabriel River and the Lower LA River consistent with existing and adopted river and flood control projects for the protection of life and property.

   3. To acquire open-space lands within the territory of the conservancy.

   4. To provide for the public’s enjoyment and enhancement of recreational and educational experiences on public lands in the San Gabriel Watershed and Lower LA River, and the San Gabriel Mountains in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in those watersheds.

3. Provides $30 million dollars in Prop. 1 for the RMC and another $100 million in Prop. 1 for urban rivers and streams including, but not limited to, the LA River and its tributaries as defined in the RMC Act and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) Act, which covers the upper LA River.

4. Creates the LA County Flood Control District (LACFCD) and empowers it to provide for:

   1. Control and conservation of the flood, storm and other waste waters of the district, to conserve those waters for beneficial and useful purposes;

   2. Protection of the harbors, waterways, public highways and property in the district from flood water or storm water damage; and,

   3. Access to navigable waterways under LACFCD's control, including the LA River, where such access is suitable for education and recreational purposes and not inconsistent with flood control and water conservation uses.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1. Potential reimbursable local state mandated costs in the $250,000 range (General Fund).

2. Additional costs, in the $50,000 to $100,000 range for the Conservancy to staff the Working Group and develop the Plan.

3. Minor, absorbable costs for CNRA.

COMMENTS: This bill would create a planning process for the Lower LA River, the 19 miles of river that once it leaves downtown Los Angeles flows through multiple cities until it reaches the Pacific Ocean at Long Beach Harbor. The LA River is 51 miles long. Currently, the upper 32-mile stretch, which reaches from the San Fernando Valley to downtown LA and lies within the City of LA, has its own LA River Revitalization Master Plan (City Master Plan) released in 2007. The Lower LA River does not have such a plan.

The author states that there is not a revitalization plan specific to the Lower LA River, although the 1996 County Los Angeles River Master Plan (County Master Plan) included a few projects for cities along the Lower LA River. The author states that there is now a need for a comprehensive revitalization plan that focuses more attention and resources on the Southeast LA County cities which include Vernon, Commerce, Maywood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, Carson, and Long Beach.

In the late 1700s when the Spanish founded the pueblo that became LA, the LA River supported diverse flora and fauna and much of what is now southern and western Los Angeles was marsh. As LA grew and prospered, settlements and farming continued to encroach upon the river's floodplain, while also depending upon it for water. Devastating flooding in the 1930s forced the LACFCD to ask for federal help. In 1936, Congress directed the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to channelize the river to help control flooding. Channelization by concrete started in 1938 and was completed in 1960.

Although planners had envisioned greenbelts interconnecting parklands along the river as early as the 1930s, the more recent interest in the revitalization and promotion of the re-integration of the river and its tributaries into the adjacent neighborhoods began in the mid-to-late 1980s. There was growing recognition that compared to other large American cities LA has relatively fewer parks, particularly in under-represented communities. In the early 1990s, community activism coincided with LA County beginning a process that resulted in the County Master Plan in 1996. The County Master Plan described how economic growth could be spurred along the river in the county through zoning changes and the development of open space, recreational, cultural, artistic, educational, and other opportunities.

The LA City Council established its own ad hoc committee on the river in 2002 and the City's Master Plan was released in 2007. Continuing the long-term goals of the County Master Plan, the City Master Plan also promoted the revitalization of the river as a multi-benefit solution to addressing and enhancing water quality and flood control while enabling safe access to the river and restoring a functional river ecosystem.

In 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced that its designation of the LA River as a "traditional navigable waterway," protected under the Clean Water Act, would ensure the vitality of the river. The LA River was also identified in 2010 as a priority by the Obama administration under the America's Great Outdoors initiative and is now one of seven pilot cities for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership. Then, in May 2014, the Army Corps backed the $1 billion alternative in the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Study, a plan to restore an 11-mile stretch of the LA River from Griffith Park to downtown LA.

Like this bill, AB 1251 (Gomez), of the current legislative session, is focused on the LA River. AB 1251 would enact the Greenway Development and Sustainability Act in order to promote a greenway along the LA River that focuses on public-private partnerships aimed at establishing a continuous pedestrian bikeway along the LA River and its tributaries in order to foster job creation, economic development, and community revitalization. Previously, SB 1201 (De León), Chapter 212, Statutes of 2012, provided for public use of the LA River by adding education and recreational purposes to the LA County Flood Control Act where those uses were not inconsistent with flood control and water conservation.

Supporters state that this bill starts a conversation about how the entire LA River can be managed collaboratively as work on the Lower LA River has lagged behind the upper parts of the river. Supporters state that there is now a need for a comprehensive revitalization plan that focuses more attention and resources on the Southeast LA County cities.

There is no known opposition to this bill.

Analysis Prepared by: Tina Leahy / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0000807

Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Jimmy Gomez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 530

Author:(Rendon) – As Introduced Ver:February 23, 2015

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency (NRA) to appoint the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group (Working Group) to develop a revitalization plan (Plan) for the lower Los Angeles River by March 1, 2017. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (Conservancy) to staff the Working Group.

2. Requires the NRA Secretary, in coordination with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, to appoint members to the Working Group including, but not limited to, representatives from the following:

1. The Conservancy

2. Los Angeles County

3. The Gateway Cities Council of Governments

4. The Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority

5. Elected officials from cities that border the Lower Los Angeles River

6. Nonprofit organizations serving the Los Angeles region.

3. Authorizes the development and implementation of the Plan to be funded from any public or private source including the $100 million in funding from the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1).

4. Provides entities eligible to implement the Plan and receive state funding include but are not limited to state agencies, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Potential reimbursable local state mandated costs in the $250,000 range (GF).

2. Additional costs, in the $50,000 to $100,000 range for the Conservancy to staff the Working Group and develop the Plan.

3. Minor, absorbable costs for NRA.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author, although the 1996 County Master Plan included a few projects for cities along the Lower LA River, there is not a specific revitalization plan for this area. This bill provides a comprehensive plan to focus more attention and resources on the Southeast LA County cities which include Vernon, Commerce, Maywood, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, Carson and Long Beach.

2. Background. The LA River is 51 miles long, contained entirely within the County of Los Angeles, and passes through 13 cities, including 32 miles that stretch across the City of Los Angeles. The LA River begins in Canoga Park, at the confluence of Bell Creek and the Arroyo Calabasas, and then flows mostly east through the San Fernando Valley where it is joined by several tributaries. In Burbank, it enters and begins skirting Griffith Park, bending sharply southward as it does so. This stretch of the LA River, down to Elysian Park, is called the Glendale Narrows, and contains one of only three stretches of the river with an earthen bottom. After leaving the Glendale Narrows, the river continues southward through downtown Los Angeles until it eventually reaches Long Beach Harbor.

Although planners had envisioned greenbelts interconnecting parklands along the river as early as the 1930s, the more recent interest in the revitalization and promotion of the re-integration of the river and its tributaries into the adjacent neighborhoods began in the mid-to-late 1980s.

In September 2013, the Army Corps, in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles, announced the availability of a Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (Draft IFR) for the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Study.  In May 2014, the Army Corps backed the $1 billion alternative in the study to restore an 11-mile stretch of the LA River from Griffith Park to downtown Los Angeles.

3. Bond Funding. Proposition 1 provides $30 million for the Conservancy and $100 million for urban rivers and streams including, but not limited to the LA River and its tributaries as defined in both the Conservancy Act and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) Act.

The Governor's proposed 2015-16 budget includes Proposition 1 appropriations of $18 million for the SMMC and $15.3 million for the Conservancy.

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081