BILL NUMBER: AB 1561	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 26, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 26, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 29, 2001

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Kelley

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2001

   An act  to add Section 12567 to the Water Code,  relating
to water.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1561, as amended, Kelley.  Colorado River.
   Under existing law, the state undertakes environmental and water
supply planning with regard to the Colorado River.
   Existing law authorizes the taking of endangered, threatened, and
candidate species under certain circumstances.
   This bill would  declare the intent of the Legislature to
address the issues of authorizing the taking of certain birds and
fully protected species caused by the implementation of any component
  require the Secretary of the Resources Agency, on or
before April 1, 2002, to submit a progress report on the
implementation  of the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species
Conservation Program established by the States of California,
Arizona, and Nevada and approved by the Department of Fish and Game
 , or by the implementation of any component of the May 11,
2000, working draft of California's Colorado River Water Use Plan
  to specified legislative committees  .  The
bill would also make related findings and declarations. 
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  
no   yes  . State-mandated local program:  no.



THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  
  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to address the
 
  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Representatives from Arizona, California, and Nevada, along
with various stakeholders and water and power agencies along the
lower Colorado River, have formed a regional partnership, which is
developing a first-of-its kind multispecies conservation program
aimed at protecting sensitive, threatened, and endangered species of
fish and wildlife, and their respective habitats.
   (b) Planned for implementation over a 50-year period, the
comprehensive multispecies conservation program will address future
federal agency consultation needs under the federal Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.  Sec. 1531 et seq.), nonfederal agency
needs for endangered species incidental take authorization under
federal Endangered Species Act, and California agency needs for
incidental take authorization under the California Endangered Species
Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the
Fish and Game Code) and the Natural Community Conservation Planning
Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the
Fish and Game Code).
   (c) Approximately 100 candidate and sensitive species listed
pursuant to the federal and state endangered species acts and the
aquatic, wetland, reparian and upland area habitats associated with
those species, will be addressed in the conservation program.  The
conservation program covers the main stem of the lower Colorado River
from below Glen Canyon Dam to the southerly international boundary
with Mexico.  The program planning area includes the historic
floodplain and reservoir full-pool elevations.
  SEC. 2.  Section 12567 is added to the Water Code, to read:
   12567.  On or before April 1, 2002, the Secretary of the Resources
Agency shall submit a progress report on the implementation of the
Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program that is
established by the States of California, Arizona, and Nevada and
approved by the California Department of Fish and Game to the
chairpersons of each of the following committees:
   (a) Senate Agriculture and Water Resources Committee.
   (b) Senate Natural Resources and Wildlife Committee.
   (c) Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
   (d) Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.  
issues of authorizing the taking of certain birds and fully protected
species caused by the implementation of any component of the Lower
Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program established by the
States of California, Arizona, and Nevada and approved by the
Department of Fish and Game, or by the implementation of any
component of the May 11, 2000, working draft of California's Colorado
River Water Use Plan, as that plan may be amended by the Colorado
River Board of California.