Bill Text: CA AB2534 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended
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
BILL NUMBER: AB 2534 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 30, 2016
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 9, 2016
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 1, 2016
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 San Fernando Valley 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 and 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 San Fernando Valley 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 may 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 or any other part
of the area adjacent to the Upper Los Angeles River.
(c) The working group shall do all of the following:
(1) Review and evaluate ways to increase connectivity between
businesses adjacent to and in the vicinity of the river and the Los
Angeles River Greenway, river trails, and bicycle networks.
(2) Develop practical recommendations for establishing permanent
connectivity between area businesses, bicycle networks, and the
river.
(3) Coordinate with the Lower Los Angeles River Working Group
established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 32622.
(4) Develop recommendations for appropriate outdoor education and
environmental interpretation signage for areas and facilities along
the Los Angeles River.
(5) 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 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.
