California department of boating and waterways
Encyclopedia
The California Department of Boating and Waterways, is a department within the government of California
, belonging to the state cabinet
-level California Resources Agency
. Originally formed in 1957 as the Division of Small Craft Harbors, the department was officially reorganized to take under new responsibilities under the governorship of Jerry Brown
on January 1, 1979. Among the department's responsibilities include ensuring boat safety along the state's coastline and various rivers, state law enforcement, monitor beach erosion, maintain boater facilities and marinas, and environmental regulation of aquatic motor engines
and non-native species from state waters. The California Department of Motor Vehicles
retains boater registration responsibilities.
The current Director of California Department of Boating and Waterways is Lucia C. Becerra.
s, The department has banned their use on several lakes throughout the state. Direct injection two-stroke engines made since 1989, however, are permitted on the state's waterways with some non-emission standard exceptions.
from state waters. A native of the Amazon River
in South America
, the water hyacinth was introduced to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in the early 20th century. Due to the quick blooming of the water hyacinth, the plant displaces native wildlife, blocks light needed for photosynthesis
, reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, and deposits silt and organic matter at several times the normal rate. In 1997, the department added the egeria densa
, another South America
n native, onto its list of species targeted for control and eradication.
Government of California
The government of California operates in the context of a democratic republic with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of California and the other elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the California State Legislature which...
, belonging to the state cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
-level California Resources Agency
California Resources Agency
The California Natural Resources Agency is a state cabinet-level agency in the government of California. The institution and jurisdiction of the Natural Resources Agency is provided for in California Government Code sections 12800 and 12805, et seq...
. Originally formed in 1957 as the Division of Small Craft Harbors, the department was officially reorganized to take under new responsibilities under the governorship of Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
on January 1, 1979. Among the department's responsibilities include ensuring boat safety along the state's coastline and various rivers, state law enforcement, monitor beach erosion, maintain boater facilities and marinas, and environmental regulation of aquatic motor engines
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
and non-native species from state waters. The California Department of Motor Vehicles
California Department of Motor Vehicles
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is the state agency responsible for the registration of motor vehicles and boats and the issuance of driver's licenses in the U.S. state of California. It is responsible for regulating new car dealers , commercial cargo carriers, private driving...
retains boater registration responsibilities.
The current Director of California Department of Boating and Waterways is Lucia C. Becerra.
Units
California Department of Boating and Waterways is made of two Enforcement and Environmental units to coordinate the department's responsibilities. Between them, both units oversee 17 programs, ranging from boater safety rules to species control.Pollution controls
California Department of Boating and Waterways heavily regulates the use of carbureted and electronic-injection two-stroke engines manufactured prior to 1989 in California waters, considering them high-emission polluters. Due to emission standardEmission standard
Emission standards are requirements that set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the environment. Many emissions standards focus on regulating pollutants released by automobiles and other powered vehicles but they can also regulate emissions from industry, power...
s, The department has banned their use on several lakes throughout the state. Direct injection two-stroke engines made since 1989, however, are permitted on the state's waterways with some non-emission standard exceptions.
Non-native species removal
California Department of Boating and Waterways' Aquatic Pest Control Program has since 1982 targeted to control water hyacinthWater hyacinth
The seven species of water hyacinth comprise the genus Eichhornia. Water hyacinth are a free-floating perennial aquatic plant native to tropical and sub-tropical South America. With broad, thick, glossy, ovate leaves, water hyacinth may rise above the surface of the water as much as 1 meter in...
from state waters. A native of the Amazon River
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, the water hyacinth was introduced to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in the early 20th century. Due to the quick blooming of the water hyacinth, the plant displaces native wildlife, blocks light needed for photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in archaea. Photosynthetic organisms are called photoautotrophs, since they can...
, reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, and deposits silt and organic matter at several times the normal rate. In 1997, the department added the egeria densa
Egeria densa
Egeria densa is a species of Egeria native to warm temperate South America in southeastern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.It is an aquatic plant growing in water up to 4 m deep, with trailings stems to 2 m or more long, producing roots at...
, another South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n native, onto its list of species targeted for control and eradication.
See also
- California Environmental Protection AgencyCalifornia Environmental Protection AgencyThe California Environmental Protection Agency is a state cabinet-level agency within the government of California. Cal/EPA is composed of six departments, boards and offices responsible for environmental research, regulating and administering the state's environmental protection programs, and...
- California Coastal CommissionCalifornia Coastal CommissionThe California Coastal Commission is a state agency in the U.S. state of California with quasi-judicial regulatory oversight over land use and public access in the California coastal zone....
- United States Coast Guard AuxiliaryUnited States Coast Guard AuxiliaryThe United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard and was established on June 23, 1939 by an act of Congress as the United States Coast Guard Reserve, and was re-designated as the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary on February 19, 1941...