Senate Leader Atkins’ Bill to Strengthen San Diego River Conservancy Passes Senate Natural Resources

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water passed SB 1027, legislation by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) that would expand the jurisdiction of the San Diego River Conservancy (SDRC) to include the entire San Diego River watershed. The bill passed with a bipartisan 8-0 vote.

“For 20 years, the San Diego River Conservancy has respectfully protected nearly 90 percent of the San Diego River watershed – restoring and enhancing it to ensure that this local biological treasure can continue to support the many plants, animals, and people who live there,” Pro Tem Atkins said. “SB 1027 would give us an opportunity to offer the same level of care to the remaining 10 percent of the watershed that has not been able to benefit from the Conservancy’s funding, projects, and responsible management. Watersheds are made up of a complex web of interdependent natural resources that do not know the arbitrary boundaries we draw. This legislation eliminates confusion over where the Conservancy has authority to make decisions, following nature’s lead in taking a holistic approach to managing this ecosystem as a whole.”

SB 1027, in addition to expanding the jurisdiction of the SDRC, revises the makeup of the Conservancy’s governing board, and changes language to honor the cultural importance and significance of the San Diego River Basin to the Kumeyaay people.

The San Diego River Conservancy was established in 2002 by legislation sponsored by then-Assemblymember Christine Kehoe. The Conservancy’s initial mission was to manage, restore, protect, and conserve the riparian and estuarine habitat along the San Diego River. These responsibilities have expanded over the years to include protecting and enhancing extensive historic and cultural resources within its boundaries, managing water quality, ensuring public access to public lands, offering recreational opportunities to neighboring communities, and protecting local wildlife species.

SB 1027 builds upon Senator Atkins’ prior legislation, which further strengthened the San Diego River Conservancy. All three bills were signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.

• AB 392, which made the San Diego River Conservancy a permanent agency. (2015)
• SB 214, which strengthened the conservancy’s capacity to protect and enhance the San Diego River watershed. (2017)
• SB 1367, which created a program allowing the San Diego River Conservancy to help protect and enhance the Otay, Sweetwater and Tijuana rivers. (2018)

SB 1027 is supported by the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, the City of El Cajon, and the Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy.

The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins