Bill Text: CA AB2534 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: working group: Los

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From Senate committee without further action. [AB2534 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB2534-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 2534	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 20, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 12, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 18, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nazarian

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2016

   An act to add Section 33213.5 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2534, as amended, Nazarian. Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy:
working group: Los Angeles River Greenway.
   Existing law establishes the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
and prescribes the membership and functions and duties of the
conservancy with regard to the protection and preservation of lands
within the Santa Monica Mountains Zone, as defined.
   This bill would require the conservancy to establish the Los
Angeles River Regional Access and Economic Sustainability Working
Group to evaluate and make recommendations for conservancy action
pertaining to public access and business integration needs,
opportunities, and constraints in areas along and in the vicinity of
the Los Angeles River in the San Fernando Valley, as prescribed.
   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.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The Los Angeles River Greenway Trail system in the San
Fernando Valley continues to expand and provides an unprecedented
opportunity to establish a green, natural open space, with
recreational, environmental, and economic amenities, that can serve
all residents of the San Fernando Valley and other areas in Los
Angeles County, as well as visitors from around the world.
   (b) River restoration and revitalization efforts throughout the
United States have successfully reunited urban rivers with both the
natural environment, surrounding communities, and area businesses and
have served to establish vibrant, regional, visitor-serving
resources that contribute to the quality of life, public health, and
regional economic sustainability.
   (c) There are hundreds of visitor-serving businesses adjacent to
and in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River in the San Fernando
Valley, but these businesses primarily face away from the river with
limited or no established connection to the river or visitors to the
river.
   (d) A planned regional bicycle network is being implemented that
includes the Los Angeles River, wherein the river is intended to
serve as the backbone of the network, and a plan is needed to ensure
that businesses adjacent to and in the vicinity of the river are
bicycle friendly and able to attract and serve visitors to the river.

  SEC. 2.  It is the intent of the Legislature to accomplish all of
the following:
   (a) Advance the revitalization of the Los Angeles River in the San
Fernando Valley by addressing the need for regional public access to
the river and connectivity between businesses adjacent to and in the
vicinity of the Los Angeles River with the Los Angeles River
Greenway, river trails, and bicycle networks.
   (b) Enhance both the economic sustainability of businesses
adjacent to and in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River Greenway in
the San Fernando Valley and the experience  of  visitors to
the Los Angeles River by linking those businesses with the Los
Angeles River Greenway.
   (c) Identify the needs, opportunities, and constraints related to
regional public access and the establishment of permanent connections
between area businesses and the Los Angeles River Greenway in the
San Fernando Valley.
  SEC. 3.  Section 33213.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   33213.5.  (a) (1) The conservancy shall establish the Los Angeles
River Regional Access and Economic Sustainability Working Group.
   (2) The conservancy shall consider requests from local government
entities to have a representative serve as a member of the working
group. The working group may include, but need not be limited to,
representatives from the conservancy, the City of Los Angeles,
nonprofit organizations, environmental organizations, the business
community, and city council districts and legislative districts
bordering the Los Angeles River.
   (b) The working group shall focus its efforts on the geographic
area from the headwaters of the Los Angeles River at the confluence
of Bell and Calabasas Creeks to Griffith Park and its southern
boundary along Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley.
   (c) The working group shall do all of the following:
   (1) Review and evaluate the integration needs, opportunities, and
constraints with respect to regional public access and the
connectivity among businesses along and in the vicinity of the river,
visitors to the river, and the Los Angeles River Greenway, river
trails, and bicycle networks, including the use of the public parking
garage located at Ventura Boulevard between Laurelgrove Avenue and
Vantage Avenue and adjacent to the river.
   (2) Develop practical recommendations for establishing permanent
connectivity between area businesses, bicycle networks, and the
river.
   (3) Develop recommendations for appropriate outdoor education and
environmental interpretation signage for areas and facilities along
the Los Angeles River.
   (4) Prepare a report of its findings and recommendations for
implementation by the conservancy, including geographic scope,
financing, and specific projects.
   (d) To assist the working group in carrying out its duties, the
conservancy  shall   may  do both of the
following.
   (1) Retain experts to conduct necessary technical economic and
other studies and analyses, as requested by the working group.
   (2) Provide necessary staffing for the working group.