75055
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 75055
75055. The sum of four hundred fifty million dollars ($450,000,000) shall be available for the protection and conservation of forests and wildlife habitat according to the following schedule: (a) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, the sum of one hundred eighty million dollars ($180,000,000) is continuously appropriated to the board for forest conservation and protection projects. The goal of this grant program is to promote the ecological integrity and economic stability of California's diverse native forests for all their public benefits through forest conservation, preservation and restoration of productive managed forest lands, forest reserve areas, redwood forests and other forest types, including the conservation of water resources and natural habitats for native fish, wildlife and plants found on these lands. (b) (1) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, the sum of one hundred thirty five million dollars ($135,000,000) is hereby continuously appropriated to the board for the development, rehabilitation, restoration, acquisition and protection of habitat that accomplishes one or more of the following objectives: (A) Promotes the recovery of threatened and endangered species. (B) Provides corridors linking separate habitat areas to prevent fragmentation. (C) Protects significant natural landscapes and ecosystems such as old growth redwoods, mixed conifer forests and oak woodlands, riparian and wetland areas, and other significant habitat areas. (D) Implements the recommendations of California Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy, as submitted October 2005 to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2) Funds authorized by this subdivision may be used for direct expenditures or for grants and for related state administrative costs, pursuant to the Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947, Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 1300) of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code, the Oak Woodland Conservation Act, Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 1360) of Chapter 4 of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code, and the California Rangeland, Grazing Land and Grassland Protection Act, commencing with Section 10330 of Division 10.4. Funds scheduled in this subdivision may be used to prepare management plans for properties acquired by the Wildlife Conservation Board and for the development of scientific data, habitat mapping and other research information necessary to determine the priorities for restoration and acquisition statewide. (3) Up to twenty five million dollars ($25,000,000) may be granted to the University of California for the Natural Reserve System for matching grants for land acquisition and for the construction and development of facilities that will be used for research and training to improve the management of natural lands and the preservation of California's wildlife resources. (c) The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) shall be available to the board for grants to implement or assist in the establishment of Natural Community Conservation Plans, Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code. (d) The sum of forty five million dollars ($45,000,000) shall be available for the protection of ranches, farms, and oak woodlands according the following schedule: (1) Grazing land protection pursuant to the California Rangeland, Grazing Land and Grassland Protection Act, commencing with Section 10330 of Division 10.4 . . . $15,000,000. (2) Oak Woodland Preservation pursuant to Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 1360) of Chapter 4 of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code . . . $15,000,000. (3) Agricultural land preservation pursuant to the California Farmland Conservancy Program Act of 1995, Article 1 (commencing with Section 10200) of Division 10.2 . . . $10,000,000. (4) To the board for grants to assist farmers in integrating agricultural activities with ecosystem restoration and wildlife protection . . . $5,000,000.