Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 230, Sec. 14. Effective August 16, 2004.
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the California River Parkways Act of 2004.
Chapter 3.8 - California River Parkways Act of 2004
California Public Resources Code — §§ 5750-5756
Sections (7)
Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 230, Sec. 14. Effective August 16, 2004.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)River parkways directly improve the quality of life in California by providing important recreational, open space, wildlife, flood management, water quality, and urban waterfront revitalization benefits to communities in the state.
(b)River parkways provide communities with safe places for recreation including family picnics; bicycling and hiking; areas for river access for swimming, canoeing, and fishing; and many other activities.
(c)River parkways help revitalize deteriorated urban neighborhoods and provide an anchor for economic development by providing important recreational and scenic amenities.
(d)River parkways provide accessible open space that helps remedy the severe shortage of park and open-space areas that plague many urban and suburban communities, small towns, and rural areas.
(e)River parkways provide flood protection benefits for communities by providing wider corridors along our waterways that help store, and provide safe corridors for the passage of, storm waters.
(f)River parkways protect and restore riparian and riverine habitat.
(g)River parkways improve or protect the water quality in our rivers and streams.
(h)River parkways provide the recreational and ecosystem components of integrated regional water management and watershed plans.
(i)California can improve the quality of life in this state by assisting public agencies and nonprofit organizations in establishing, developing, and restoring river parkways.
Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 230, Sec. 14. Effective August 16, 2004.
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)“Acquisition” means obtaining fee title or a lesser interest in real property, including easements, development rights, or water rights.
(b)“Development” includes, but is not limited to, improvement, rehabilitation, restoration, enhancement, preservation, protection, and interpretation.
(c)“Interpretation” includes, but is not limited to, visitor-serving amenities that communicate the significance and value of natural, historical, and cultural resources in a way that increases understanding and enjoyment of those resources.
(d)“Nonprofit organization” means a private, nonprofit organization that qualifies for exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
(e)“Parkways program” means the California River Parkways Program established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 5753.
(f)“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Resources Agency.
Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 230, Sec. 14. Effective August 16, 2004.
(a)The California River Parkways Program is hereby established in the office of the Secretary of the Resources Agency, to be administered by the secretary.
(b)The secretary shall make grants available to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for river parkway projects from moneys appropriated to the secretary. Those funds may also be used for costs directly related to the delivery of the river parkways program.
(c)Grants may be awarded for the acquisition of land for river parkways or for the restoration, protection, and development of river parkways in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Not more than 10 percent of the funds appropriated to the secretary for river parkways may be used for urban stream restoration projects pursuant to Section 7048 of the Water Code.
(d)All projects shall comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)).
(e)All acquisitions shall be from willing sellers.
(f)To be eligible for a grant, a project shall provide public access or be a component of a larger parkway plan that provides public access and, at a minimum, meets two of any of the following conditions:
(1)Provide compatible recreational opportunities including trails for strolling, hiking, bicycling, and equestrian uses along rivers and streams.
(2)Protect, improve, or restore riverine or riparian habitat, including benefits to wildlife habitat and water quality.
(3)Maintain or restore the open-space character of lands along rivers and streams so that they are compatible with periodic flooding as part of a flood management plan or project.
(4)Convert existing developed riverfront land uses into uses consistent with river parkways, as identified in this chapter.
(5)Provide facilities to support or interpret river or stream restoration or other conservation activities.
Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 230, Sec. 14. Effective August 16, 2004.
To the extent funds are available, the secretary shall develop guidelines for the preparation and consideration of river parkway plans for the purpose of Section 5753 and may award grants to assist in development of such plans.
Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 230, Sec. 14. Effective August 16, 2004.
The secretary shall report annually to the Legislature regarding the geographic distribution, types, and benefits of projects funded pursuant to this chapter.
Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 230, Sec. 14. Effective August 16, 2004.
The secretary shall develop regulations, criteria, or procedural guidelines for the implementation of this chapter that shall be consistent with, but not limited to, Section 5753. All regulations, criteria, and procedural guides adopted by the secretary to implement this chapter are exempt from Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.