RBOC KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW

August 25, 2010

download RBOC Key Issue Overview or read below:

State Budget Delay

  The state budget for the fiscal year that began on July 1 remains delayed. The budget conference committee’s most recent action would fund Cal Boating as proposed by the Governor, and would replace the Governor’s proposed $7.5 million annual transfer to the State Water Project with budget trailer bill language requiring a study and report on the Davis-Dolwig program.

Cal Boating Leadership

  RBOC is pleased that the Governor is continuing to provide for leadership at Cal Boating, with Lucia Becerra serving as Acting Director of the department following the departure of Director Ray Tsuneyoshi. Governor Schwarzenegger had previously appointed Ms. Becerra as Chief Deputy Director of the Department in November of 2007. 

 RBOC has met with Resources Agency Secretary Lester Snow, whose agency oversees Cal Boating and other departments including State Parks, to emphasize the importance of an active and effective department.

State Parks - Prop 21 on November Ballot

  RBOC is not adopting a position on Prop 21 that would add an $18 annual surcharge to the amount paid when a person registers a motor vehicle. The revenues would provide funding for state park and wildlife conservation programs. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would have free admission and parking at all state parks.

Coastal Marina Permit

  The State Water Board has replied to the letter of concern Assembly Member Jim Silva [R-Huntington Beach] wrote on behalf of RBOC. In addition, the Board has issued an update:

“Currently, the State Water Board is temporarily suspending its work and the release of draft Coastal Marinas Permit in order to further its work with stakeholders on marina and coastal waters issues. The State Water Board with the cooperation of stakeholders and other agencies is gathering additional facts and information on these issue [sic], and is exploring both regulatory and nonregulatory solutions along with stakeholders on how to preserve the beneficial uses of our coastal waters.”

“The State Water Board plans on revisiting the decision of what the most appropriate course of actions are in safeguarding water quality at coastal marinas by March of 2011. Any ultimate decision will be based in large part upon additional information provided by ongoing studies and informational efforts, as well as the feasibility of alternative, voluntary compliance efforts, such as CMP.”

More on Alternative Strategies for Anti-fouling Surfaces

  RBOC is continuing its involvement with all stakeholder agencies and interests as efforts are made to address the environmental concerns that have been expressed with the use of copper-based anti-fouling surfaces.

  The California Department of Pesticide Regulation [DPR] has formally initiated the re-evaluation of copper-based anti-fouling surfaces with notification to the registrants [the manufacturers]. The American Coatings Association [ACA] is becoming engaged and hopes to work with DPR to address issues \ concerns with the category descriptions, data submission process, and modeling protocols. DPR has stated that its deadlines were flexible, and that this process takes years.

Boater Access

Sacramento San Joaquin Delta - Following passage of Assembly Joint Resolution 38 through the State Legislature, RBOC will continue to pursue the installation, maintenance and operation of boat locks without cost or expense to recreational boaters, at both locations of the Two-Gates Fish Protection Demonstration Program in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

  Approval of AJR 38 initiates a request by the Legislature that the United States Department of the Interior complete, as soon as possible, its study of the Two-Gates Fish Protection Demonstration Project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

  As currently proposed, the Two-Gates Fish Protection Demonstration Program would negatively impact recreational boating through the installation and operation of two experimental barriers on Old River and Connection Slough in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These gates would jeopardize boating safety, infringe on the long-established right of unimpeded vessel passage, restrict boat passage for significant periods of time, and diminish property values in nearby communities.

  RBOC and others have been communicating these concerns and the request for boat locks to the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the California Department of Water Resources, as well as individual members of the California State Legislature.

Marine Life Protection Act - RBOC is supporting the interests of local boaters to protect recreational opportunities as marina protection areas are established along California’s coastline. Most recently, RBOC supported local boaters by requesting that the state Fish and Game Commission convene more than one public scoping meeting in the region, consistent with the previous phases of the Marine Life Protection Act [MLPA], as the Commission continues the preparation process for the South Coast’s Marine Protected Areas Draft Environmental Impact Report [DEIR].

Invasive Species

The Governor has signed into law AB 1929 [Hall] that provides operators of water delivery and storage facilities who have prepared and is in compliance with an approved plan to control and eradicate dreissenid mussels in accordance with law is immune from civil or criminal liability for introduction of mussels as a result of operation of those facilities.

Chemicals in Toilets

The Governor vetoed AB 1824 [Monning] that would prohibit a person from using orselling a chemical that is detrimental to chemical toilets and waste facilities of recreational boats and vehicles. His message emphasized that current law already provides the state Department of Toxic Substances Control [DTSC] the ability to address the issue of chemical toilet products in recreational vehicles, and that DTSC can to address this issue through the Green Chemistry process.