Fish and wildlife: invasive mussels: imported water.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on the Department of Fish and Wildlife's role in preventing and managing invasive mussel infestations, nor does it specify reporting requirements for individuals or agencies who discover invasive mussels.

Invasive Mussels: Imported Water

This law prohibits public agencies from banning imported water for groundwater replenishment if the importation follows a control plan, unless there is clear evidence of health and safety risks due to invasive mussels.

What This Bill Does

• Prohibits public agencies from prohibiting imported water deliveries for groundwater replenishment if these deliveries follow an approved invasive mussel control plan, unless there is substantial documented evidence of health and safety risks.

Who It Names or Affects

• Public agencies responsible for managing imported water deliveries

Terms To Know

Invasive Mussels

Non-native species of mussels that can harm local ecosystems and water systems.

Groundwater Replenishment

The process of adding water to underground aquifers to maintain or increase the groundwater supply.

Limits and Unknowns

• This law only applies until January 1, 2030.
• It does not apply if there is substantial evidence that invasive mussels pose a health and safety risk.

Official Summary Text

AB 1894, as amended, Blanca Rubio.
Fish and wildlife: invasive mussels: imported water.
Existing law, until January 1, 2030, generally prohibits a person from possessing, importing, shipping, or transporting in the state, or from placing, planting, or causing to be placed or planted in any water within the state, invasive mussels, and authorizes the Director of Fish and Wildlife, or the director’s designee, to engage in various enforcement activities with regard to invasive mussels. Existing law, until January 1, 2030, requires a public or private agency that operates a water supply system to cooperate with the
department
Department of Fish and Wildlife
to implement measures to avoid infestation by invasive mussels and to control or eradicate any infestation that occurs in a water
supply system. Existing law requires any person, or federal, state, or local agency, district, or authority that owns or manages a reservoir, where specified activities are permitted, except as specified, to develop and implement a program designed to prevent the introduction of invasive mussel species, as provided. Existing law requires any entity that discovers invasive mussels within the state to immediately report the discovery to the
Department of Fish and Wildlife.
department.
This bill would prohibit a public agency from prohibiting imported water
deliveries, as defined,
deliveries
for groundwater
replenishment
replenishment, as defined,
due to invasive mussels
if the importation complies with a specified invasive mussel control plan and
unless there is substantial, documented evidence of a proven health and safety risk as a result of the invasive mussels.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities and counties, including charter cities and charter counties.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF