The San Joaquin River Conservancy is hereby established in the Resources Agency to acquire and manage public lands within the San Joaquin River Parkway, which shall consist of the San Joaquin River and approximately 5,900 acres on both sides of the river between Friant Dam and the Highway 99 crossing. Approximately 1,900 acres of the parkway shall be located in Madera County and 4,000 acres in Fresno County, of which approximately 1,250 acres are already in public ownership. The conservancy shall acquire and manage these lands in the parkway to provide a harmonious combination of low-impact recreational and educational uses and wildlife protection through the preservation of the San Joaquin River, existing publicly owned lands, the wildlife corridor, and natural reserves.