CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1558Introduced by Assembly Member Cristina GarciaFebruary 17, 2017 An act to add Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 550) to Division 1 of the Water Code, relating to rivers. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1558, as introduced, Cristina Garcia. Urban river restoration program.Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law authorizes the Director of Water Resources to establish a program of flood control and urban creek restoration, known as the Urban Streams Restoration Program, consisting of the development of the capability by the Department of Water Resources to respond to requests from local agencies and organizations for planning and design assistance for efficient and effective urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement.This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board and the department, in collaboration, to establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. The bill would, if the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, require the board and the department to consider the proposal as a pilot project.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) For 15 years, the State of California has pursued a policy of integrated regional water management encouraging water agencies in each region to collaborate in setting regional priorities for water management and infrastructure projects. The state also has promoted watershed management to address the connections among water challenges in each watershed, from top to bottom.(b) In the last decade, water supply and water quality issues have converged. Stormwater quality and management now addresses how to capture rainwater and stormwater to reduce stormwater flows and pollution and to increase water supply. The recent drought led to groundwater resource depletion and concentration of groundwater contaminants. Groundwater contamination had caused some communities to shut down their groundwater wells and lose a primary drinking water supply. Flood management now focuses on diverting flood flows upstream in the watershed to reduce downstream flooding as well as to recharge groundwater aquifers.(c) In upstream areas as well as in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, riverine habitat needs have led to restoration of wetlands and riparian habitat corridors.(d) For many decades in urban areas, many rivers and streams were used only as release valves for moving stormwater runoff out to sea. More recently, however, river management has focused increasingly on how rivers serve the communities through which they flow for many purposes, including, but not limited to, stormwater runoff, riparian and wetland habitat, open space and parks, active transportation corridors such as bicycling, and water supply management such as stormwater capture and groundwater recharge.(e) River neighbors have started to recognize the opportunities to connect to the rivers resources in numerous ways.SEC. 2. Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 550) is added to Division 1 of the Water Code, to read: CHAPTER 10. Urban River Restoration Program550. (a) The board and the department, in collaboration, shall establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. An eligible urban community shall demonstrate that it has incorporated the interests, local governments, and perspectives of the entire watershed into its planning effort.(b) Benefits that the board and the department shall consider include, but are not limited to, stormwater management, parks, recreation, habitat, water supply, and water quality.(c) A river restoration planning effort shall incorporate the findings and principles in the Presidential MemorandumPromoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters, dated January 12, 2017.(d) If the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, the board and the department shall consider the proposal as a pilot project. The County of Los Angeles shall demonstrate that it has engaged all communities throughout the Los Angeles River watershed, including underserved communities lacking sufficient access to parks and open space, in the planning of the urban river restoration.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1558Introduced by Assembly Member Cristina GarciaFebruary 17, 2017 An act to add Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 550) to Division 1 of the Water Code, relating to rivers. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1558, as introduced, Cristina Garcia. Urban river restoration program.Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law authorizes the Director of Water Resources to establish a program of flood control and urban creek restoration, known as the Urban Streams Restoration Program, consisting of the development of the capability by the Department of Water Resources to respond to requests from local agencies and organizations for planning and design assistance for efficient and effective urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement.This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board and the department, in collaboration, to establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. The bill would, if the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, require the board and the department to consider the proposal as a pilot project.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill No. 1558
Introduced by Assembly Member Cristina GarciaFebruary 17, 2017
Introduced by Assembly Member Cristina Garcia
February 17, 2017
An act to add Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 550) to Division 1 of the Water Code, relating to rivers.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1558, as introduced, Cristina Garcia. Urban river restoration program.
Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law authorizes the Director of Water Resources to establish a program of flood control and urban creek restoration, known as the Urban Streams Restoration Program, consisting of the development of the capability by the Department of Water Resources to respond to requests from local agencies and organizations for planning and design assistance for efficient and effective urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement.This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board and the department, in collaboration, to establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. The bill would, if the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, require the board and the department to consider the proposal as a pilot project.
Existing law provides for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of rivers in this state. Existing law authorizes the Director of Water Resources to establish a program of flood control and urban creek restoration, known as the Urban Streams Restoration Program, consisting of the development of the capability by the Department of Water Resources to respond to requests from local agencies and organizations for planning and design assistance for efficient and effective urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement.
This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board and the department, in collaboration, to establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. The bill would, if the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, require the board and the department to consider the proposal as a pilot project.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) For 15 years, the State of California has pursued a policy of integrated regional water management encouraging water agencies in each region to collaborate in setting regional priorities for water management and infrastructure projects. The state also has promoted watershed management to address the connections among water challenges in each watershed, from top to bottom.(b) In the last decade, water supply and water quality issues have converged. Stormwater quality and management now addresses how to capture rainwater and stormwater to reduce stormwater flows and pollution and to increase water supply. The recent drought led to groundwater resource depletion and concentration of groundwater contaminants. Groundwater contamination had caused some communities to shut down their groundwater wells and lose a primary drinking water supply. Flood management now focuses on diverting flood flows upstream in the watershed to reduce downstream flooding as well as to recharge groundwater aquifers.(c) In upstream areas as well as in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, riverine habitat needs have led to restoration of wetlands and riparian habitat corridors.(d) For many decades in urban areas, many rivers and streams were used only as release valves for moving stormwater runoff out to sea. More recently, however, river management has focused increasingly on how rivers serve the communities through which they flow for many purposes, including, but not limited to, stormwater runoff, riparian and wetland habitat, open space and parks, active transportation corridors such as bicycling, and water supply management such as stormwater capture and groundwater recharge.(e) River neighbors have started to recognize the opportunities to connect to the rivers resources in numerous ways.SEC. 2. Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 550) is added to Division 1 of the Water Code, to read: CHAPTER 10. Urban River Restoration Program550. (a) The board and the department, in collaboration, shall establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. An eligible urban community shall demonstrate that it has incorporated the interests, local governments, and perspectives of the entire watershed into its planning effort.(b) Benefits that the board and the department shall consider include, but are not limited to, stormwater management, parks, recreation, habitat, water supply, and water quality.(c) A river restoration planning effort shall incorporate the findings and principles in the Presidential MemorandumPromoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters, dated January 12, 2017.(d) If the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, the board and the department shall consider the proposal as a pilot project. The County of Los Angeles shall demonstrate that it has engaged all communities throughout the Los Angeles River watershed, including underserved communities lacking sufficient access to parks and open space, in the planning of the urban river restoration.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) For 15 years, the State of California has pursued a policy of integrated regional water management encouraging water agencies in each region to collaborate in setting regional priorities for water management and infrastructure projects. The state also has promoted watershed management to address the connections among water challenges in each watershed, from top to bottom.(b) In the last decade, water supply and water quality issues have converged. Stormwater quality and management now addresses how to capture rainwater and stormwater to reduce stormwater flows and pollution and to increase water supply. The recent drought led to groundwater resource depletion and concentration of groundwater contaminants. Groundwater contamination had caused some communities to shut down their groundwater wells and lose a primary drinking water supply. Flood management now focuses on diverting flood flows upstream in the watershed to reduce downstream flooding as well as to recharge groundwater aquifers.(c) In upstream areas as well as in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, riverine habitat needs have led to restoration of wetlands and riparian habitat corridors.(d) For many decades in urban areas, many rivers and streams were used only as release valves for moving stormwater runoff out to sea. More recently, however, river management has focused increasingly on how rivers serve the communities through which they flow for many purposes, including, but not limited to, stormwater runoff, riparian and wetland habitat, open space and parks, active transportation corridors such as bicycling, and water supply management such as stormwater capture and groundwater recharge.(e) River neighbors have started to recognize the opportunities to connect to the rivers resources in numerous ways.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) For 15 years, the State of California has pursued a policy of integrated regional water management encouraging water agencies in each region to collaborate in setting regional priorities for water management and infrastructure projects. The state also has promoted watershed management to address the connections among water challenges in each watershed, from top to bottom.(b) In the last decade, water supply and water quality issues have converged. Stormwater quality and management now addresses how to capture rainwater and stormwater to reduce stormwater flows and pollution and to increase water supply. The recent drought led to groundwater resource depletion and concentration of groundwater contaminants. Groundwater contamination had caused some communities to shut down their groundwater wells and lose a primary drinking water supply. Flood management now focuses on diverting flood flows upstream in the watershed to reduce downstream flooding as well as to recharge groundwater aquifers.(c) In upstream areas as well as in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, riverine habitat needs have led to restoration of wetlands and riparian habitat corridors.(d) For many decades in urban areas, many rivers and streams were used only as release valves for moving stormwater runoff out to sea. More recently, however, river management has focused increasingly on how rivers serve the communities through which they flow for many purposes, including, but not limited to, stormwater runoff, riparian and wetland habitat, open space and parks, active transportation corridors such as bicycling, and water supply management such as stormwater capture and groundwater recharge.(e) River neighbors have started to recognize the opportunities to connect to the rivers resources in numerous ways.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
### SECTION 1.
(a) For 15 years, the State of California has pursued a policy of integrated regional water management encouraging water agencies in each region to collaborate in setting regional priorities for water management and infrastructure projects. The state also has promoted watershed management to address the connections among water challenges in each watershed, from top to bottom.
(b) In the last decade, water supply and water quality issues have converged. Stormwater quality and management now addresses how to capture rainwater and stormwater to reduce stormwater flows and pollution and to increase water supply. The recent drought led to groundwater resource depletion and concentration of groundwater contaminants. Groundwater contamination had caused some communities to shut down their groundwater wells and lose a primary drinking water supply. Flood management now focuses on diverting flood flows upstream in the watershed to reduce downstream flooding as well as to recharge groundwater aquifers.
(c) In upstream areas as well as in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, riverine habitat needs have led to restoration of wetlands and riparian habitat corridors.
(d) For many decades in urban areas, many rivers and streams were used only as release valves for moving stormwater runoff out to sea. More recently, however, river management has focused increasingly on how rivers serve the communities through which they flow for many purposes, including, but not limited to, stormwater runoff, riparian and wetland habitat, open space and parks, active transportation corridors such as bicycling, and water supply management such as stormwater capture and groundwater recharge.
(e) River neighbors have started to recognize the opportunities to connect to the rivers resources in numerous ways.
SEC. 2. Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 550) is added to Division 1 of the Water Code, to read: CHAPTER 10. Urban River Restoration Program550. (a) The board and the department, in collaboration, shall establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. An eligible urban community shall demonstrate that it has incorporated the interests, local governments, and perspectives of the entire watershed into its planning effort.(b) Benefits that the board and the department shall consider include, but are not limited to, stormwater management, parks, recreation, habitat, water supply, and water quality.(c) A river restoration planning effort shall incorporate the findings and principles in the Presidential MemorandumPromoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters, dated January 12, 2017.(d) If the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, the board and the department shall consider the proposal as a pilot project. The County of Los Angeles shall demonstrate that it has engaged all communities throughout the Los Angeles River watershed, including underserved communities lacking sufficient access to parks and open space, in the planning of the urban river restoration.
SEC. 2. Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 550) is added to Division 1 of the Water Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
CHAPTER 10. Urban River Restoration Program550. (a) The board and the department, in collaboration, shall establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. An eligible urban community shall demonstrate that it has incorporated the interests, local governments, and perspectives of the entire watershed into its planning effort.(b) Benefits that the board and the department shall consider include, but are not limited to, stormwater management, parks, recreation, habitat, water supply, and water quality.(c) A river restoration planning effort shall incorporate the findings and principles in the Presidential MemorandumPromoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters, dated January 12, 2017.(d) If the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, the board and the department shall consider the proposal as a pilot project. The County of Los Angeles shall demonstrate that it has engaged all communities throughout the Los Angeles River watershed, including underserved communities lacking sufficient access to parks and open space, in the planning of the urban river restoration.
CHAPTER 10. Urban River Restoration Program550. (a) The board and the department, in collaboration, shall establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. An eligible urban community shall demonstrate that it has incorporated the interests, local governments, and perspectives of the entire watershed into its planning effort.(b) Benefits that the board and the department shall consider include, but are not limited to, stormwater management, parks, recreation, habitat, water supply, and water quality.(c) A river restoration planning effort shall incorporate the findings and principles in the Presidential MemorandumPromoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters, dated January 12, 2017.(d) If the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, the board and the department shall consider the proposal as a pilot project. The County of Los Angeles shall demonstrate that it has engaged all communities throughout the Los Angeles River watershed, including underserved communities lacking sufficient access to parks and open space, in the planning of the urban river restoration.
CHAPTER 10. Urban River Restoration Program
CHAPTER 10. Urban River Restoration Program
550. (a) The board and the department, in collaboration, shall establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. An eligible urban community shall demonstrate that it has incorporated the interests, local governments, and perspectives of the entire watershed into its planning effort.(b) Benefits that the board and the department shall consider include, but are not limited to, stormwater management, parks, recreation, habitat, water supply, and water quality.(c) A river restoration planning effort shall incorporate the findings and principles in the Presidential MemorandumPromoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters, dated January 12, 2017.(d) If the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, the board and the department shall consider the proposal as a pilot project. The County of Los Angeles shall demonstrate that it has engaged all communities throughout the Los Angeles River watershed, including underserved communities lacking sufficient access to parks and open space, in the planning of the urban river restoration.
550. (a) The board and the department, in collaboration, shall establish a program to support urban communities in restoring their rivers for multiple benefits. An eligible urban community shall demonstrate that it has incorporated the interests, local governments, and perspectives of the entire watershed into its planning effort.
(b) Benefits that the board and the department shall consider include, but are not limited to, stormwater management, parks, recreation, habitat, water supply, and water quality.
(c) A river restoration planning effort shall incorporate the findings and principles in the Presidential MemorandumPromoting Diversity and Inclusion in Our National Parks, National Forests, and Other Public Lands and Waters, dated January 12, 2017.
(d) If the County of Los Angeles submits a proposal for a project for urban river restoration in the watershed of the Los Angeles River, the board and the department shall consider the proposal as a pilot project. The County of Los Angeles shall demonstrate that it has engaged all communities throughout the Los Angeles River watershed, including underserved communities lacking sufficient access to parks and open space, in the planning of the urban river restoration.