(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the state board continue to implement the California State Mussel Watch Program.

(b) The Legislature finds and declares that the California State Mussel Watch Program provides the following benefits to the people of the state:

(1) An effective method for monitoring the long-term effects of certain toxic substances in selected fresh, estuarine, and marine waters.

(2) An important element in the state board’s comprehensive water quality monitoring strategy.

(3) Identification, on an annual basis, of specific areas where concentrations of toxic substances are higher than normal.

(4) Valuable information to guide the state and regional boards and other public and private agencies in efforts to protect water quality.

(c) To the extent funding is appropriated for this purpose, the state board, in conjunction with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, shall continue to implement the long-term coastal monitoring program known as the California State Mussel Watch Program. The program may consist of, but is not limited to, the following elements:

(1) Removal of mussels, clams, and other aquatic organisms from relatively clean coastal sites and placing them in sampling sites. For purposes of this section, “sampling sites” means selected waters of concern to the state board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

(2) After specified exposure periods at the sampling sites, removal of the aquatic organisms for analysis.

(3) Laboratory analysis of the removed aquatic organisms to determine the amounts of various toxic substances that may have accumulated in the bodies of the aquatic organisms.

(4) Making available both the short- and long-term results of the laboratory analysis to appropriate public and private agencies and the public.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 673, Sec. 21. (AB 1531) Effective January 1, 2016.)