2007 California Fish and Game Code Chapter 12. Significant Natural Areas

CA Codes (fgc:1930-1940)

1930.  The Legislature finds and declares that:
   (a) Areas containing diverse ecological and geological
characteristics are vital to the continual health and well being of
the state's natural resources and of its citizens.
   (b) Many habitats and ecosystems that constitute the state's
natural diversity are in danger of being lost.
   (c) There is insufficient incentive for private landowners to
maintain and perpetuate significant local natural areas in their
natural state.
   (d) Efforts to preserve natural areas have been fragmented between
federal, state, local, and private sectors.



1931.  The Legislature further finds and declares that  it is the
policy of this state to encourage the cooperation of federal, state,
local, and private sectors, including private organizations and
individuals, in efforts to maintain the state's most significant
natural areas.



1932.  There is hereby established the Significant Natural Areas
Program which shall be administered by the department.  The
department, in administering this program, shall do all of the
following:
   (a) Obtain access to the most recent information with respect to
natural resources.  In order to accomplish this, the department shall
maintain, expand, and keep current a data management system,
designated the California Natural Diversity Data Base, designed to
document information on these resources.  That data shall be made
available to interested parties on request.
   (b) Ensure cost-sharing by all who use the data management system
and develop an appropriate schedule of compensation to be paid by
individuals using the data management system, not to exceed the
actual costs for use of the data management system.
   (c) Ensure recognition of the state's most significant natural
areas.  The department shall, after consultation with federal, state,
and local agencies, education institutions, civic and public
interest organizations, private organizations, landowners, and other
private individuals, identify by means of periodic reports those
natural areas deemed to be most significant.
   (d) Seek the maintenance and perpetuation of the state's most
significant natural areas for present and future generations in the
most feasible manner.  The department shall consider alternative
approaches for that maintenance, including alternatives to fee
acquisition such as incentives, leasing, and dedication.
   (e) Reduce unnecessary duplication of effort.  The department
shall provide coordinating services to federal, state, local, and
private interests wishing to aid in the maintenance and perpetuation
of significant natural areas.



1933.  No authority or responsibility provided for in this chapter
shall, of itself, change or prevent the change of the use of any area
identified pursuant to the Significant Natural Areas Program.



1940.  (a) The Department of Fish and Game shall undertake the
development of a vegetation mapping standard for the state.
   (b) The development of a state vegetation mapping standard by the
department shall be done in consultation with interested
stakeholders, including, but not limited to, government agencies,
nongovernmental conservation organizations, landowners, agriculture,
recreation, scientific entities, and industry. Components of the
standard shall include the following:
   (1) A published classification system for all natural and
seminatural vegetation communities present in California with
sufficient detail to meet the analytical needs of government and
nongovernment entities. The classification shall be consistent with
national standards adopted by the Federal Geographic Data Committee.

   (2) Methods for field data collection, image interpretation, and
digital map production and attribution.
   (3) Manuals, training materials, tools, and database structures
for use by parties interested in performing vegetation mapping
according to the standard.
   (4) Documented methods for performing postproject accuracy
assessments to quantify that validity of the work. Private and public
landowners shall be given reasonable opportunity to review, and
comment on the accuracy of, the data collected on their lands.
   (5) Mechanisms for integrating new map products that meet the
standard into a cohesive database with the intent of eventually
completing statewide coverage.
   (c) The department shall submit a report to the budget committee
of each house of the Legislature no later than January 10, 2008,
providing its mapping standard and advising how the department will
ensure that its standard will be updated to reflect changing
technology and serve as the state's center of expertise on vegetation
mapping.
   (d) The department may adopt regulations to implement this
section.