AB 43 (wild & scenic) Charmed Life (so far)

Once upon a time (2018), the California legislature gave the California Natural Resources Secretary the power to add threatened national wild & scenic rivers to the state wild & scenic rivers system. That 2018 enabling legislation, though, came with a sunset clause to the Secretary’s power — and the super-power ends this year. 

AB43 (Nick Schulz, D Burbank), sponsored by Friends of the River, would delete the sunset clause. After passing the Assembly in May, AB43 faced its first state senate policy committee hearing in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee meeting on June 24 — and passed the Committee with a 5–2 vote. 

Ron Stork & Steve Evans at the California State Capitol

One highlight of the hearing was former Natural Resources Secretary John Laird’s (DSanta Cruz) obvious interest in the bill and offering to make the motion for its passage. Once again, there was a nice presentation by Assemblyman Shultz, a couple short presentations by Steve Evans and myself, and a nice assemblage of oral “me too” support recommendations, including by the City of Burbank (Nick had served as the mayor there). There was an impressive list of written support communications as well. 

In the Senate, the bill is skipping the Senate Appropriations Committee and heading straight to the floor for an up or down vote. If successful, it will be sent to the Governor for his signature (or veto). 

So far, AB43 has drawn no registered opposition, but last-minute opposition has more than once derailed bills in the legislature or with the Governor — alternatively perhaps the voices in the capitol that traditionally oppose wild & scenic river bills just assume that the Imperial Presidency will not be dissuaded by little things like the California Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. 

Governor Newsom has a handy web portal for contacting him.