Chapter 2 - The San Diego River Conservancy

California Public Resources Code — §§ 32633-32638

Sections (6)

Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 306, Sec. 2. (SB 214) Effective January 1, 2018.

There is in the Natural Resources Agency, the San Diego River Conservancy, which is created for the following purposes:

(a)To acquire and manage public lands within the San Diego River area, and to provide recreational opportunities, open space, wildlife habitat and species restoration and protection, wetland protection and restoration, protection of historical and cultural resources, and protection, maintenance, and improvements of the quality of the waters in the San Diego River and its watershed, its tributaries, and historic flumes emanating from the river for all beneficial uses, lands for educational uses within the area, and natural floodwater

conveyance.

(b)To provide for the public’s enjoyment, and to enhance the recreational and educational experience and cultural and historic interpretation on public lands in the territory in a manner consistent with the protection of land and natural resources, as well as economic resources, in the area.

§ 32634

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 448, Sec. 2. (SB 1027) Effective January 1, 2023.

(a)The governing board of the conservancy shall consist of 16 voting members and two nonvoting members.

(b)The voting members of the board shall consist of the following:

(1)The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, or their designee.

(2)The Director of Finance, or their designee.

(3)The Director of Parks and Recreation,

or their designee.

(4)The Director of Fish and Wildlife, or their designee.

(5)A representative of the Colorado Desert District of the Department of Parks and Recreation, or their designee.

(6)Five members of the public at large, three of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(7)The Mayor of San Diego, or their designee.

(8)One member of the City Council of El Cajon, elected by a majority of the membership of the council.

(9)One member of the City Council of San Diego, elected by a majority of the membership of the council.

(10)One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego, whose district includes the preponderance of the San Diego River watershed.

(11)One member of the Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy board of directors, elected by a majority of the membership of that board, or their designee.

(12)One member of the City Council of Santee, elected by a majority of the membership of the council.

(c)The two nonvoting members shall consist of the following:

(1)The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board, or their designee.

(2)A representative selected by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

(d)Two of the three initial appointments by the Governor pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) shall be for three-year terms and the third appointment shall be for a two-year term. All subsequent appointments shall be for four-year terms.

(e)A person shall

not continue as a member of the governing board if that person ceases to hold the office that qualifies that person for membership. Upon the occurrence of those events, the person’s membership on the governing board shall automatically terminate.

§ 32635

Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 574, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.

The members of the conservancy that are not full-time public employees may be compensated for attendance at regular meetings of the conservancy at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. All members of the conservancy may be reimbursed the actual amount of the reasonable and necessary expenditures incurred in attending meetings of the conservancy and carrying out the duties of their office.

§ 32636

Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 574, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.

The governing board shall elect from its own members a chairperson and vice chairperson, whose terms of office shall be two years, and who may serve more than one term. In the event of a vacancy, a new chairperson or vice chairperson may be elected by the governing body before the expiration of the two-year term to fill out the remainder of that two-year term.

§ 32637

Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 574, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.

(a)A majority of the total voting membership of the governing body shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the conservancy. If a quorum is present, a majority vote of the members present is sufficient to transact the business of the governing board.

§ 32638

Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 574, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2003.

The governing board shall adopt its own rules and procedures necessary to conduct its business.