ASSEMBLYMAN TRAVIS ALLEN
Bill to Protect Beach Bonfires Passes Out of Senate Committee on Natural Resources
Assembly Bill 1102 protects beach bonfires in fire rings in California
SACRAMENTO –Assembly Bill 1102 (Allen, R-Huntington Beach), which will protect beach bonfires for all Californians, and passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources with a 7-0 unanimous bipartisan vote.
“Beach bonfires are an activity enjoyed by people from all across California, including those who cannot afford multi-million dollar beachfront homes. This legislation will ensure that every Californian has access to our beautiful beaches through the irreplaceable attraction of a beach bonfire,” said Assemblyman Travis Allen. “Once again the Legislature has sent the message that we must protect our beach bonfires and access to our beautiful coast for all Californians.”
The SCAQMD’s amendments to Rule 444 to require that fire rings be at least 700 feet away from residences and 100 feet apart – meaning, to remain as they are, the rings would have to be located in the ocean at Newport Beach. While AB 1102 will successfully prevent the removal of any fire rings, they are still in jeopardy of being eliminated without this bill.
AB 1102 will protect the Southern California tradition of beach bonfires by requiring our local representatives to respect everyone’s access to California’s public beaches and that no harm to local economies or the environment from the removal or relocation of the fire rings from the beaches in Orange and Los Angeles counties to be in compliance with Rule 444.
Following the unanimous passage of ACR 52, which supports access to California’s beaches and the continued enjoyment of the community tradition of beach bonfires, the SCAQMD continued to ignore the voice of the people. ACR 52 received overwhelming support from both Houses of the Legislature and had 60 co-authors in the Assembly. After this overwhelming support and directive to the SCAQMD, their continued unilateral actions forced action and the introduction of AB 1102.
“This is an issue that has united many groups and people around our state regardless of political, socioeconomic, or cultural background. AB 1102 will safeguard necessary coastal access protections and environmental concerns while protecting the unique and timeless tradition of a California beach bonfire,” said Assemblyman Allen.