California Assembly Bill AB2717 Introduced / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 2717INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Skinner FEBRUARY 19, 2010 An act to amend Sections 31316 and 31351 of the Public Resources Code, relating to the State Coastal Conservancy. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2717, as introduced, Skinner. State Coastal Conservancy. Existing law establishes the State Coastal Conservancy with prescribed powers and responsibilities for implementing a program of agricultural land protection, area restoration, and resource enhancement within the coastal zone, as defined. Existing law authorizes the conservancy to undertake projects and award grants for activities that are compatible with the preservation, restoration, or enhancement of ocean, coastal, or watershed resources, or that facilitate environmental education related to these resources. These projects or activities may include, but are not limited to, exhibits or events emphasizing coastal, watershed, or ocean resource education, or maritime history or the development of related amenities and structures. This bill would additionally include as projects low-impact development techniques that integrate stormwater management into site planning and design to reduce runoff, increase onsite infiltration, or filter pollutants at or near the source. Existing law requires the conservancy to cooperate with the California Coastal Commission, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and other public agencies and with nonprofit organizations in ensuring the reservation of interests in real property for purposes of the conservancy, as well as for park, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, historical preservation, or scientific study required to meet the objectives of the California Coastal Act of 1976, and in the case of San Francisco Bay, certain local plans. This bill would additionally require this cooperation for purposes of coastal and marine water quality protection and enhancement, and to meet the California Ocean Protection Act, the strategic plan of the Ocean Protection Council, and regional plans. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 31316 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 31316. Within the conservancy's jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter and within urban coastal watershed areas, the conservancy may undertake projects and award grants for activities that are compatible with the preservation, restoration, or enhancement of ocean, coastal, or watershed resources, or that facilitate environmental education related to these resources. These projects or activities may include, but are not limited to, exhibits or events emphasizing coastal, watershed, or ocean resource education, or maritime history, or the development of amenities and infrastructure consistent with this chapter  , including low-impact development techniques that integrate stormwater management into site planning and design to reduce runoff,   increase onsite infiltration, or filter pollutants at or near the source. These techniques include the use of onsite stormwater capture, vegetated swales, bioretention basins, and permeable pavement and soils for new construction or retrofit projects  . SEC. 2. Section 31351 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 31351. (a) The conservancy shall cooperate with the commission, bay commission, and other public agencies and with nonprofit organizations in ensuring the reservation of interests in real property for purposes of this division, as well as for park, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat,  coastal and marine water quality protection and enhancement,  historical preservation, or scientific study required to meet the policies and objectives of the California Coastal Act of 1976 (commencing with Section 30000), or a certified local coastal plan or program;  the California Ocean Protection Act (commencing with Section   35500) and the most current adopted strategic plan of the   Ocean Protection Council;  or, in the case of San Francisco Bay, the sites identified in the bay plan, the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan, or in any other local plan that the bay commission determines to be consistent with those plans; or, in coastal  or coastal watershed  areas not within the coastal zone or  the  San Francisco Bay, any other local  or regional  plans. (b) The provisions of this division shall not diminish or otherwise affect the authority of the bay commission to approve, deny, or modify permits as provided in Section 66632 of the Government Code.