California Senate Bill SB511 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 511AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 1, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Senator Lieu FEBRUARY 21, 2013 An act to  amend Section 30221   add Part 6 (commencing with Section 71450) to Division 34  of the Public Resources Code, relating to  coastal   natural  resources. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 511, as amended, Lieu.  Coastal resources: California Coastal Act of 1976: oceanfront land.   Natural resources: climate change: grants.   Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency consisting of various entities, departments, and boards.   This bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in coordination with the State Air Resources Board, to develop guidelines for the awarding of grants, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for projects that enhance greenhouse gas emissions avoidance and sequestration associated with natural resources, as specified.   The California Coastal Act of 1976 provides for the planning and regulation of development, under a coastal development permit process, within the coastal zone, as defined, based on various coastal resources planning and management policies set forth in the act. Existing law requires that oceanfront land suitable for recreational use be protected for recreational use and development unless present and foreseeable future demand for public or commercial recreational activities that could be accommodated on the property is already adequately provided for in the area.   This bill would revise that provision to refer to the immediate area.  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.   Part 6 (commencing with Section 71450) is added to Division 34 of the   Public Resources Code   , to read:   PART 6. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Avoidance and Sequestration 71450. (a) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in coordination with the State Air Resources Board, shall develop guidelines for the awarding of grants, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for projects that enhance greenhouse gas emissions avoidance and sequestration associated with natural resources. (b) The guidelines developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall do all of the following: (1) Promote climate benefits from reducing or sequestering greenhouse gas emissions associated with reductions in transportation emissions, improvements in energy conservation or efficiency, promoting development of sustainable communities, improving the siting of environmentally sensitive distributed generation, improving regional water supply from regional water filtration and watershed enhancements, improving forest management, or increasing the urban forestry canopy. (2) Incentivize innovative pilot projects that can act as statewide models for enhancing natural resources emission reductions and sequestration from a portion of the grant awards. (3) Leverage, or maximize, the use of other public and private funding to either improve the climate value of existing conservation projects or assist in the implementation of conservation projects that have important climate values. (4) Promote investments in projects that include cobenefits, including adaptation, improved water supply and quality, and public health improvements. (5) Ensure that appropriate funding levels will be dedicated to conservation projects in disadvantaged communities. (c) To minimize administration costs associated with implementing this part, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall use existing programs, including, but not limited to, programs administered pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 4799.06) of Part 2.5 of Division 4, Chapter 3.8 (commencing with Section 5750) of Division 5, Division 10.4 (commencing with Section 10330), Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 31100) of Division 21, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 32600) of Division 22.8, and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 33200) of Division 23, for competitive grants in forestry, open space, sustainable agriculture, and watershed enhancements to further the goals of this part. Funds also may be administered pursuant to Division 22.3 (commencing with Section 32300), Division 22.5 (commencing with Section 32500), Division 22.7 (commencing with Section 32550), Division 22.9 (commencing with Section 32630), Division 23.3 (commencing with Section 33320), and Division 23.5 (commencing with Section 33500). (d) The Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) shall not apply to the development and adoption of guidelines adopted pursuant to this part.   SECTION 1.   Section 30221 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 30221. Oceanfront land suitable for recreational use shall be protected for recreational use and development unless present and foreseeable future demand for public or commercial recreational activities that could be accommodated on the property is already adequately provided for in the immediate area.