32500-32506
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 32500-32506
32500. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the San Joaquin River Conservancy Act. 32501. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the San Joaquin River, its broad corridors, and its prominent bluffs constitute a unique and important environmental, cultural, scientific, agricultural, educational, recreational, scenic, flood water conveyance, and wildlife resource that should be preserved for the enjoyment of, and appreciation by, present and future generations. 32502. The Legislature further finds and declares that the San Joaquin River Parkway Task Force, representing diverse state and local interests, has developed a San Joaquin River Parkway Plan which, in concept, outlines and provides a structural framework for ideas for establishing the San Joaquin River Parkway. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this division to implement the task force recommendation for a managing entity for the proposed parkway. 32503. The Legislature further finds and declares that local jurisdiction is divided among the County of Fresno, the County of Madera, and the City of Fresno. Additionally, the state has property interests in the river bottom. It is the intent of the Legislature that the San Joaquin River Conservancy shall promote the parkway and coordinate efforts and mediate differences among the local jurisdictions and the state. 32504. As used in this division: (a) "Board" means the governing board of the San Joaquin River Conservancy. (b) "Conservancy" means the San Joaquin River Conservancy. (c) "Parkway" means the San Joaquin River Parkway, as described in Section 32510. (d) "Member agencies" mean the City of Fresno and Counties of Fresno and Madera. (e) "Nonprofit organization" means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 32505. The conservancy shall commence to function upon the occurrence of either of the following events: (a) Approval by a four-fifths vote of the governing bodies of the member agencies. (b) Approval by a majority of the voters voting on the proposition of whether the conservancy should commence to function at an election called for that purpose by the Boards of Supervisors of Fresno and Madera Counties within those counties. The election may be consolidated with any other election within those counties. 32506. If the governing body of any member agency approves formation of the conservancy by a four-fifths vote, the election may be held only within the member agency or agencies not so approving formation. If one member agency fails to approve the formation of the conservancy and it is not approved by the voters of that member agency, the conservancy may function to acquire and maintain parkway lands only within the jurisdictions of the approving member agencies. A member agency may withdraw from the conservancy within one year after the conservancy commences to function.