Restoration of Fisheries

Section 2760 names this chapter as the Keene-Nielsen Fisheries Restoration Act of 1985. Section 2761 contains seven legislative findings and declarations.

Section 2762 created the Fisheries Restoration Account in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. The moneys in the Fisheries Restoration Account may be expended for the construction, operation, and administration of projects designated in the plan developed by the department in accordance with the Salmon, Steelhead Trout, and Anadromous Fisheries Program Act (Ch. 8 (commencing with Sec. 6900), Pt. 1, Div. 6), and projects designed to restore and maintain fishery resources and their habitat that have been damaged by past water diversions and 

Section 2762.2 authorizes the department to advance partial finding, of up to 50 percent of the amount contracted for, to contractors for projects if the director finds the organization meets all three of the specified requirements.

Section 2762.5 states that the moneys in the Fisheries Restoration Account may be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, by the department to fund the administrative costs of the Advisory Committee on Salmon and Steelhead Trout.

Section 2762.6 requires the department to allocate an amount of moneys appropriated to the department from the Public Resources Account in the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Surtax Fund which the department determines to be necessary to pay the costs for the advisory committee.

Section 2763 requires the director to consult with the Resources Agency, the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, the State Coastal Conservancy, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and the California Coastal Commission in determining projects proposed for funding.

Section 2764 requires the director to consult with other responsible state agencies and appropriate fishery advisory committees, including the Advisory Committee on Salmon and Steelhead Trout and the Striped Bass Stamp Advisory Committee, in developing projects to be funded.

Section 2765 requires the California Water Commission, in any recommendation it may make to the Congress of the United States on funding for water projects, to include recommendations for studies, programs, and facilities necessary to correct fish and wildlife problems caused, fully or partially, by federal water facilities and operation, including four specified projects.