California Senate Bill SB1026 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: SB 1026INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Nielsen FEBRUARY 12, 2016 An act to amend Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to fish and wildlife. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1026, as introduced, Nielsen. Department of Fish and Wildlife: lake or streambed alteration agreements. Existing law prohibits an entity from substantially diverting or obstructing the natural flow of, or substantially changing or using any material from the bed, channel, or bank of, any river, stream, or lake, or from depositing certain material where it may pass into any river, stream, or lake, without first notifying the Department of Fish and Wildlife of that activity, and entering into a lake or streambed alteration agreement if required by the department to protect fish and wildlife resources. This bill would limit the diversions and obstructions governed by these alteration agreement requirements to the diversions and obstructions that alter the bed, channel, or bank of a river, stream, or lake. The bill would exempt routine maintenance and repair of facilities for instream agricultural diversions from the alteration agreement requirements. 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 1602 of the Fish and Game Code is amended to read: 1602. (a) An entity  may   shall  not substantially  divert or obstruct   alter the bed, channel, or bank of any river, stream, or lake in a manner that diverts or obstructs  the natural flow  of, or   of the river, stream, or lake,  substantially change or use any material from the bed, channel, or bank  of,   of  any river, stream, or lake, or deposit or dispose of debris, waste, or other material containing crumbled, flaked, or ground pavement where it may pass into any river, stream, or lake, unless all of the following occur: (1) The department receives written notification regarding the activity in the manner prescribed by the department. The notification shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following: (A) A detailed description of the project's location and a map. (B) The name, if any, of the river, stream, or lake affected. (C) A detailed project description, including, but not limited to, construction plans and drawings, if applicable. (D) A copy of any document prepared pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code. (E) A copy of any other applicable local, state, or federal permit or agreement already issued. (F) Any other information required by the department. (2) The department determines the notification is complete in accordance with Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 65920) of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code, irrespective of whether the activity constitutes a development project for the purposes of that chapter. (3) The entity pays the applicable fees, pursuant to Section 1609. (4) One of the following occurs:  (A)   (i)   (A)     (i)    The department informs the entity, in writing, that the activity will not substantially adversely affect an existing fish or wildlife resource, and that the entity may commence the activity without an agreement, if the entity conducts the activity as described in the notification, including any measures in the notification that are intended to protect fish and wildlife resources. (ii) Each region of the department shall log the notifications of activities where no agreement is required. The log shall list the date the notification was received by the department, a brief description of the proposed activity, and the location of the activity. Each item shall remain on the log for one year. Upon written request by any person, a regional office shall send the log to that person monthly for one year. A request made pursuant to this clause may be renewed annually. (B) The department determines that the activity may substantially adversely affect an existing fish or wildlife resource and issues a final agreement to the entity that includes reasonable measures necessary to protect the resource, and the entity conducts the activity in accordance with the agreement. (C) A panel of arbitrators issues a final agreement to the entity in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 1603, and the entity conducts the activity in accordance with the agreement. (D) The department does not issue a draft agreement to the entity within 60 days from the date notification is complete, and the entity conducts the activity as described in the notification, including any measures in the notification that are intended to protect fish and wildlife resources. (b) (1) If an activity involves the routine maintenance and operation of water supply, drainage, flood control, or waste treatment and disposal facilities, notice to and agreement with the department shall not be required after the initial notification and agreement, unless the department determines either of the following: (A) The work described in the agreement has substantially changed. (B) Conditions affecting fish and wildlife resources have substantially changed, and those resources are adversely affected by the activity conducted under the agreement. (2) This subdivision applies only if notice to, and agreement with, the department was attained prior to January 1, 1977, and the department has been provided a copy of the agreement or other proof of the existence of the agreement that satisfies the department, if requested.  (c) This section does not apply to the routine maintenance and repair of facilities for instream agricultural irrigation diversions.   (c)   (   d)  It is unlawful for any person to violate this chapter.