AB-43 (Wild & Scenic Rivers) scoots through the California Assembly
Back in 2018, during the first Trump Administration, Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA) signed a bill by Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) that empowered the California Natural Resources Secretary to place national wild & scenic rivers under threat from federal actions into the state’s wild & scenic rivers system(1). More specifically, this measure – which FOR helped conceive and pass - would protect these rivers from a situation where the Congress or the federal administration (by Executive Order) removed protections against harmful dams, reservoirs, and diversions (2)(3). Unfortunately, the 2018 bill sunsets on December 31, 2025.
Because Californians are more concerned than ever about preserving protections for wild and scenic rivers, on May 29, 2025, the California Assembly voted 57–3 for AB43, a bill by Assemblyman Nick Shultz (D-Glendale) (and sponsored by Friends of the River) that would remove this sunset clause presently contained within §5093.71 of the Public Resources Code.
Merced River. Photo Credit: Mike Osborn
The measure now moves to the California State Senate(4).
If enacted into law, it’s hoped that AB-43 will discourage this and future Congresses and federal Administrations from threatening iconic national wild & scenic rivers. With the current chaos reverberating through the federal government, the ability for California to respond quickly to such threats from Washington D.C. may prove decisive—at least for national wild & scenic rivers here in California.
Resources
(1) Bill Text: AB-2975 (2018). State protection of federal wild and scenic rivers.
