(a)CA Tubig Code § 7048(a) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the protection, restoration, and enhancement of urban creek channels provide potential benefits to the state by combining an effective and efficient means of flood damage reduction with the preservation and enhancement of natural environmental values. The Legislature further finds that urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement are best undertaken by local agencies and organizations with assistance from the state. It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this section, to restore the ecological viability of creek environments located in predominantly urban areas, thereby enhancing aesthetic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values.
(b)Copy CA Tubig Code § 7048(b)
(1)Copy CA Tubig Code § 7048(b)(1) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: The director may establish a program of flood damage reduction and urban creek restoration known as the Urban Streams Restoration Program. The program shall consist of both of the following components:
(A)CA Tubig Code § 7048(b)(1)(A) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: The development of the capability by the department to respond to requests from local agencies and organizations for planning and design assistance for efficient and effective urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement.
(B)CA Tubig Code § 7048(b)(1)(B) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: To the extent that funds are provided, a process for awarding competitive grants.
(2)CA Tubig Code § 7048(b)(2) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: For purposes of this section, urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement include, but are not limited to,
the maintenance of channel capacity, channel stabilization, vegetation management, the reduction of water quality impairments and nonpoint source water pollution, the establishment of parkways for public use that benefit flood control and water quality, and adaptive management to meet program objectives. Where appropriate, the protection, restoration, and enhancement shall utilize efficient, nonstructural low-maintenance flood protection techniques. The department shall utilize in this program its expertise in a variety of disciplines, including, but not limited to, soil bioengineering, hydrology, and plant ecology.
(3)Copy CA Tubig Code § 7048(b)(3)
(A)Copy CA Tubig Code § 7048(b)(3)(A) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: The department shall maintain a balance in allocating the money annually available for grants to small urban creek restoration projects and large urban stream restoration projects, allocating
not less than 35 percent to both small and large projects. For purposes of this section, “small urban creek restoration projects” are projects for which total costs, including acquisition and restoration costs, are below one million dollars ($1,000,000) and “large urban stream restoration projects” are projects for which total costs, including acquisition and restoration costs, are one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more.
(B)CA Tubig Code § 7048(b)(3)(A)(B) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), if an insufficient number of qualified projects are available to fully meet the allocation requirement, the department may grant funds to any project that is otherwise qualified, in order to ensure that all available funds are used efficiently.
(c)CA Tubig Code § 7048(c) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: In responding to requests for assistance, the department shall give
priority to those projects that are being planned in conjunction with, or in lieu of, local flood control projects. The department may award grants and contracts to local agencies and organizations as provided for in the budget of the department. Participating local agencies and organizations shall follow procedures, plans, and practices that are acceptable to the department, and shall conform to guidelines established by the department that define the level of contribution and participation required by local agencies and organizations.
TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: The department shall coordinate the program with the Department of Fish and Wildlife during the formulation of guidelines and project planning for urban creek protection, restoration, and enhancement. The department shall also consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife on project criteria which may include economic,
environmental, and social benefits to be achieved.
(d)CA Tubig Code § 7048(d) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: It is the intent of the Legislature that the duties and responsibilities of the department be identified as the Urban Streams Restoration Program and be carried out by an office or staff designated for this purpose. Information on how to obtain planning, design, and financial assistance should be readily accessible to the public.
(e)CA Tubig Code § 7048(e) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: As used in this section, “urban creek” means a creek, stream, or river that crosses built-up residential, commercial, or industrial property, or that crosses land where, in the near future, the land use will be residential, commercial, or industrial.
(f)CA Tubig Code § 7048(f) TRANSLATED_TEXT_IN_TL: For the purposes of this section, eligible activities include, but are not
limited to, the maintenance of channel capacity and stabilization of the morphological equilibrium of a natural channel for purposes of flood damage reduction, erosion control, and bank stabilization which may include nonstructural as well as structural projects.
(g)CA Tubig Code § 7048(g) El departamento podrá adoptar reglamentos que definan la “gestión adaptativa” para los fines del Programa de Restauración de Arroyos Urbanos, y establecer criterios para financiar proyectos que incluyan actividades de gestión adaptativa.
(h)CA Tubig Code § 7048(h) El departamento podrá modificar o utilizar reglamentos existentes para la aprobación de subvenciones competitivas. Los reglamentos podrán incluir, entre otros, un proceso de solicitud, criterios de aprobación de subvenciones y requisitos de presentación de informes del beneficiario. El departamento pondrá a disposición del público anualmente, en un formato de fácil acceso, información sobre el estado de los fondos asignados para estos fines y los proyectos que recibieron subvenciones.
(i)CA Tubig Code § 7048(i) Con el fin de abordar las condiciones ecológicas, de control de inundaciones, de calidad del agua e hidrológicas únicas asociadas con los arroyos urbanos y las cuencas hidrográficas en la frontera entre California y México, el departamento consultará con el Consejo de Relaciones Fronterizas California-México para establecer criterios para financiar proyectos que mejoren las condiciones de los arroyos urbanos transfronterizos.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 668, Sec. 9. (AB 965) Effective January 1, 2016.)