California Senate Bill SCR48 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SCR 48AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 27, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Senator Hueso (Principal coauthor: Senator Block) (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Stone)  (   Coauthors:   Senators   Beall,   Corbett,   Correa,   De Len,   Hancock,   Jackson,   Lara,   Lieu,   Monning,   and Pavley  )   (   Coauthors:   Assembly Members   Allen,   Brown,   Gonzalez,   Medina,   and Williams   )  MAY 30, 2013 Relative to Swimmable California Day. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 48, as amended, Hueso. Swimmable California  Day   Day.  This measure would proclaim July 25, 2013, as Swimmable California Day to recognize Californians' rights to clean and safe waters for swimming and other appropriate activities, and to encourage Californians to enjoy and use their waters. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, The United States Congress passed the federal Clean Water Act in 1972 with the goal of providing  clean,   clean and  safe waters for swimming, fishing, and drinking; and WHEREAS, The California State Legislature passed the  California  Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act in 1969 to entrust the  State Water Board and nine Regional Boards   state water board and nine regional boards  with broad duties and powers to preserve and enhance all beneficial uses of waters of the state, including, but not limited to, recreation; and WHEREAS, Federal and state clean water laws have facilitated dramatic improvements in controlling pollution from industrial and municipal treatment work pipes; and WHEREAS, Continued efforts are needed to address polluted  storm water   stormwater  runoff, trash, and other threats to the health of California's ocean, coastline, and waters; and WHEREAS, California coastal areas, beaches, estuaries, rivers, streams, and lakes enhance the quality of life and well-being of  all  Californians; and WHEREAS, An estimated 238 million people use and enjoy California' s beaches each year; and WHEREAS, Urban rivers and other waters provide free exercise and recreational opportunities for low-income communities that might otherwise have limited access to natural environments or open spaces; and WHEREAS, California depends on clean water for its recreational and  eco-tourism,   ecotourism,  fishing industry, international ports, and other coastal or  ocean dependent   ocean-dependent  industries; and WHEREAS, California's ocean economy generates more than $40 billion annually, with the tourism and recreation sectors accounting for 76 percent of all coastal employment; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the California Legislature finds that implementation, enforcement, and funding of federal and state stormwater regulations and other water laws are critical to California's economy and its way of life; and be it further Resolved, That the California Legislature proclaims July 25, 2013, as "Swimmable California Day" to recognize Californians' rights to coastal areas, beaches, estuaries, rivers, streams, and lakes that are clean and safe for swimming and other appropriate activities, and to encourage Californians to enjoy and use their waters; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.