AB 2975: Wild and scenic rivers.

Existing law establishes that it is the policy of the state that certain rivers that possess extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values shall be preserved in their free-flowing state, together with their immediate environments, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the state. Existing law provides that the classification or reclassification of rivers or segments of rivers within the state as wild, scenic, or recreational within the state wild and scenic rivers system shall be by statute, but authorizes the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to recommend legislation to classify or reclassify rivers or segments of rivers within the system, and include specific land use restrictions relative to each particular classification in those recommendations. Existing law, with respect to potential additions to the state wild and scenic rivers system, requires the secretary to study and submit to the Governor and the Legislature specified reports on the suitability or nonsuitability for addition to the system of rivers or segments thereof that are designated by the Legislature as potential additions, and to report his or her recommendations in that regard.

This bill would, if (1) the federal government takes action to enact a statute that, upon enactment, would require the removal or delisting of any river or segment of a river in California that is included in the national wild and scenic rivers system and not in the state wild and scenic rivers system; or (2) the secretary determines that the federal government by enactment of a statute or by executive order has exempted a river or segment of a river in California that is not in the state wild and scenic rivers system from the protection of certain federal provisions governing restrictions on water resources projects, require the secretary, after holding a public hearing on the issue, based on the information obtained through the public hearing, to determine whether the provision of state protection for the river or segment of the river that has been removed, delisted, or exempted from the federal wild and scenic rivers system is in the best interest of the state and, if so, to take specified actions, until December 31, 2025, to add the river or segment of a river to the state wild and scenic rivers system and to classify that river or segment of a river, as prescribed.