BILL NUMBER: AB 1773INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Yamada FEBRUARY 17, 2012 An act to add Section 3706 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to migratory birds. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1773, as introduced, Yamada. Migratory birds: the Pacific Flyway. Existing law authorizes the Fish and Game Commission to adopt regulations pertaining to migratory birds, as specified. Existing law requires a person to procure a hunting license and a duck stamp or a state duck hunting validation to take migratory birds, as specified. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations pertaining to migratory birds and the Pacific Flyway. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 3706 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read: 3706. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The Pacific Flyway is an essential wildlife corridor of state, federal, and international significance. (b) California's inland and coastal areas, including lands in the Central Valley are important habitat components of the Pacific Flyway. (c) In California, the Pacific Flyway is supported by a diverse assortment of public and private lands, including national wildlife refuges, state wildlife areas, ricelands and other agricultural lands, and managed wetlands. (d) Lands along the Pacific Flyway serve as habitat for wintering waterfowl, breeding waterfowl, nonbreeding shorebirds, breeding shorebirds, waterbirds, breeding riparian songbirds, and additional terrestrial and aquatic species, including listed species such as the giant garter snake. (e) The Central Valley Joint Venture 2006 Implementation Plan establishes conservation objectives, including reliable water supplies, for different land uses that provide habitat values to the various bird groups utilizing the Pacific Flyway and serves as a helpful guide for habitat needs in the Central Valley. (f) The migratory nature of the birds utilizing the Pacific Flyway dictates that adequate habitat be provided throughout the Pacific Flyway to enhance survivability of the species.