SECTIONS 30915-30917 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 30915-30917

30915. The purpose of this chapter is to provide authorization for
projects that restore and protect the water quality and environment
of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, and near shore waters.

30916. (a) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, funds provided
under this chapter may be used by the board, in consultation with the
State Coastal Conservancy, to award grants not to exceed five
million dollars ($5,000,000) per project to public agencies and
nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this chapter. Grants may
be awarded for any of the following projects:
(1) A project designed to improve water quality at public beaches
and to make improvements for the purpose of ensuring that coastal
waters adjacent to public beaches meet the bacteriological standards
set forth in Article 2 (commencing with Section 115875) of Chapter 5
of Part 10 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2) A project to make improvements to, or upgrades or conversions
of, existing sewer collection systems and septic systems for the
restoration and protection of coastal water quality.
(3) A project designed to implement stormwater and runoff
pollution reduction and prevention programs, or for the
implementation of best management practices, for the restoration and
protection of coastal water quality.
(4) A project designed to implement or promote low-impact
development for new or existing developments that will contribute to
the improvement of water quality or reduce stormwater runoff.
(5) A project designed to implement a stormwater resource plan
prepared pursuant to Part 2.3 (commencing with Section 10560) of
Division 6 of the Water Code.
(b) The projects funded pursuant to this chapter shall be
consistent with the state's nonpoint source control program, as
revised to meet the requirements of Division 20 (commencing with
Section 30000), Section 6217 of the federal Coastal Zone Act
Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, Section 319 of the federal Clean
Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1329), Division 7 (commencing with Section
13000) of the Water Code, and the California Coastal Commission.
(c) The projects funded pursuant to this chapter shall demonstrate
the capability of contributing to sustained, long-term water quality
or environmental restoration or protection benefits for a period of
20 years, address the causes of degradation, rather than the
symptoms, and be consistent with water quality and resource
protection plans prepared, implemented, or adopted by the board, the
applicable regional water quality control board, and the State
Coastal Conservancy.
(d) An applicant for funds under this chapter shall be required to
submit to the board a monitoring and reporting plan that does all of
the following:
(1) Identifies the nonpoint source or sources of pollution to be
prevented or reduced by the project.
(2) Describes the baseline water quality or environmental quality
to be addressed.
(3) Describes the manner in which the project will be effective in
preventing or reducing pollution and in demonstrating the desired
environmental results.
(4) Describes the monitoring program, including, but not limited
to, the methodology, and the frequency and duration of monitoring.
(e) Upon completion of the project, a recipient of funds under
this chapter shall submit a report to the board that summarizes the
completed activities and indicates whether the purposes of the
project have been met. The report shall include information collected
by the recipient in accordance with the project monitoring and
reporting plan, including a determination of the effectiveness of the
project in preventing or reducing pollution, and the results of the
monitoring program. The board shall make the report available to the
public, watershed groups, and federal, state, and local agencies.
(f) Not more than 25 percent of a grant may be awarded in advance
of actual expenditure.
(g) An applicant for funds under this chapter shall inform the
board of any necessary public agency approvals, entitlements, and
permits that may be necessary to implement the project. The
application shall certify to the board, at the appropriate time, that
those approvals, entitlements, and permits have been granted.
(h) Where recovery plans for coho salmon, steelhead trout, or
other threatened or endangered aquatic species exist, projects funded
under this chapter shall be consistent with those plans and, to the
extent feasible, shall seek to implement actions specified in those
plans.
(i) The board shall appoint a Clean Beaches Task Force comprised
of individuals representing the breadth and diversity of coastal
communities. All proposals for funding shall be reviewed by the task
force. The task force may recommend projects to the board for funding
consideration.

30917. The board shall provide opportunity for public review and
comment in awarding funds pursuant to this chapter, and may, in
consultation with the State Coastal Conservancy, adopt regulations to
implement this chapter.