6001-6009
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 6001-6009
6001. Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions and definitions set forth in this chapter shall govern the construction of this division. 6002. "Commission" means the State Lands Commission. 6003. "City" includes "city and county." 6004. "Oil and gas" includes oil, gas and all other hydrocarbon substances. 6005. Whenever permissive authority or discretion is vested in any public officer or body under this division, such authority or discretion is subject to the condition that it be exercised in the best interests of the State. 6006. The repeal of Chapter 303 of the Statutes of 1921 and of Chapter 227 of the Statutes of 1923 effected by the State Lands Act of 1938 shall not affect any existing rights thereunder or any permit, lease, or agreement entered into under any provision of either chapter, nor shall it affect the rights or duties of any purchaser of State lands prior to June 11, 1938, the effective date of the State Lands Act of 1938. 6007. The repeal by this code of any provision of law codified herein shall not affect any existing vested rights thereunder or any contract, permit, lease, or agreement entered into under any such provision of law, nor shall it affect the rights or duties of any purchaser of State lands sold prior to the effective date of such codification. 6008. In order to protect the public's access to, and use of, all state-owned lands in Humboldt Bay, no right to the use of any state lands, including, but not limited to, tide and submerged lands, in and adjacent to Humboldt Bay south of the entrance to the bay shall be sold. This section shall not be applicable to settlements of title or boundary problems by the commission or to exchanges in connection therewith. 6009. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Upon admission to the United States, and as incident of its sovereignty, California received title to the tidelands, submerged lands, and beds of navigable lakes and rivers within its borders, to be held subject to the public trust for statewide public purposes, including commerce, navigation, fisheries, and other recognized uses, and for preservation in their natural state. (b) The state's power and right to control, regulate, and utilize its tidelands and submerged lands when acting within the terms of the public trust is absolute. (c) Tidelands and submerged lands granted by the Legislature to local entities remain subject to the public trust, and remain subject to the oversight authority of the state by and through the State Lands Commission. (d) Grantees are required to manage the state's tidelands and submerged lands consistent with the terms and obligations of their grants and the public trust, without subjugation of statewide interests, concerns, or benefits to the inclination of local or municipal affairs, initiatives, or excises. (e) The purposes and uses of tidelands and submerged lands is a statewide concern.