SB 193

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law establishes the Monterey County Water Resources Agency as a flood control and water agency within the County of Monterey. Existing law authorizes the agency to award a design-build contract for the combined design and construction of a project to connect Lake San Antonio, located in the County of Monterey, and Lake Nacimiento, located in the County of San Luis Obispo, with an underground tunnel or pipeline for the purpose of maximizing water storage, supply, and groundwater recharge. Existing law makes it unlawful to place, plant, or cause to be placed or planted, in any of the waters of this state, any live fish, any fresh or salt water animal, or any aquatic plant, whether taken without or within the state, without first submitting it for inspection to, and securing the written permission of, the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Existing law also makes it unlawful to transport or possess any live white bass, whether taken within or without the state, unless it is first submitted for inspection to, and written permission is obtained from, the department. This bill would exempt the movement of white bass between Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio through the interlake underground tunnel or pipeline from the above-described provisions relating to fish and wildlife. The bill would provide that, notwithstanding any other state law, the movement of white bass through the underground tunnel or pipeline is not unlawful under state law. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Monterey County Water Resources Agency. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.