Title PRC, California Pub. Res. Code

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the Suisun Marsh, consisting of approximately 55,000 acres of marshland and 30,000 acres of bays and sloughs, and comprising almost 10 percent of the remaining natural wetlands in California, plays an important role in providing wint…

The Legislature further finds and declares that, in order to preserve the integrity and assure continued wildlife use of the Suisun Marsh, including the preservation of its waterfowl-carrying capacity and retention of the diversity of its flora and fauna, there is a need for all …

The Legislature further finds and declares as follows: (a) That the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the Department of Fish and Game, pursuant to the Nejedly-Bagley-Z’berg Suisun Marsh Preservation Act of 1974 (former Chapter 9 (commencing with Sectio…

The Legislature further finds and declares as follows: (a) That, to achieve maximum responsiveness to local conditions, public accountability, and public accessibility, it is necessary to rely heavily on local government and local land use planning procedures and enforcement. (b)…

No provision of this division is a limitation on any of the following: (a) On the power of a city, county, or district, except as otherwise limited by state law, to adopt and enforce regulations, in addition to, and not in conflict with, the requirements of this division, imposin…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the public has a right to participate fully in governmental decisions affecting planning, conservation, and development of the Suisun Marsh; that achievement of sound protection of the marsh is dependent upon public understanding an…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan is a more specific application of the general, regional policies of the San Francisco Bay Plan prepared and administered by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to T…

The Legislature further finds and declares that land within or adjacent to the Suisun Marsh should be acquired for public use or resource management, or both, and facilities suitable for such purposes should be constructed thereon, if the land meets one or more of the following c…

(a) The Legislature further finds that: (1) The Suisun Marsh is located where the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean and the freshwater of the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta meet and mix; and because of its location, the marsh provides a transition zone between salt- and fres…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the Suisun Marsh is a fragile ecological system and that, in order to protect wildlife, many areas of the marsh should not be subject to extensive human intrusion. Highest priority, therefore, should be given to developing and maint…

This division shall be liberally construed to accomplish its purposes and objectives. (Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 1155.)

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that this division is not intended to authorize, and shall not be construed as authorizing, the commission or local government acting pursuant to this division, to exercise their powers to grant or deny a permit in a manner which will tak…

The Legislature finds and declares it is not its intent in enacting this division to grant the commission any authority over any development outside the Suisun Marsh, except as expressly authorized in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 29200) and in Chapter 5 (commencing with Sec…

This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Johnston-Baker-Andal-Boatwright Delta Protection Act of 1992. (Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 898, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1993.)

The Legislature finds and declares that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a natural resource of statewide, national, and international significance, containing irreplaceable resources, and it is the policy of the state to recognize, preserve, and protect those resources of the …

The Legislature further finds and declares that the basic goals of the state for the Delta are the following: (a) Achieve the two coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. The coequal goals…

The Legislature further finds and declares as follows: (a) The delta is an agricultural region of great value to the state and nation and the retention and continued cultivation and production of fertile peatlands and prime soils are of significant value. (b) The agricultural lan…

The Legislature further finds and declares both of the following: (a) The Delta Protection Commission created pursuant to Section 29735 provides an existing forum for Delta residents to engage in decisions regarding actions to recognize and enhance the unique cultural, recreation…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the leveed islands and tracts of the delta and portions of its uplands are floodprone areas of critical statewide significance due to the public safety risks and the costs of public emergency responses to floods, and that improvemen…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the delta’s wildlife and wildlife habitats, including waterways, vegetated unleveed channel islands, wetlands, and riparian forests and vegetation corridors, are highly valuable, providing critical wintering habitat for waterfowl an…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the resource values of the delta have deteriorated, and that further deterioration threatens the maintenance and sustainability of the delta’s ecology, fish and wildlife populations, recreational opportunities, and economic producti…

The Legislature further finds and declares that there is no process by which state and national interests and values can be protected and enhanced for the delta, and that, to protect the regional, state, and national interests for the long-term agricultural productivity, economic…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the cities, towns, and settlements within the delta are of significant historical, cultural, and economic value and that their continued protection is important to the economic and cultural vitality of the region. (Added by Stats. 1…

The Legislature further finds and declares as follows: (a) Regulation of land use and related activities that threaten the integrity of the delta’s resources can best be advanced through comprehensive regional land use planning implemented through reliance on local government in …

The Legislature further finds and declares that agricultural, recreational, and other uses of the delta can best be protected by implementing projects that protect wildlife habitat before conflicts arise. (Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 898, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1993.)

The Legislature further finds and declares that the inland ports of Sacramento and Stockton constitute economic and water dependent resources of statewide significance, fulfill essential functions in the maritime industry, and have long been dedicated to transportation, agricultu…

The Legislature further finds and declares as follows: (a) The delta’s waterways and marinas offer recreational opportunities of statewide and local significance and are a source of economic benefit to the region, and, due to increased demand and usage, there are public safety pr…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the voluntary acquisition of wildlife and agricultural conservation easements in the delta promotes and enhances the traditional delta values of agriculture, habitat, and recreation. (Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 898, Sec. 2. Effective…

The Legislature further finds and declares that, in enacting this division, it is not the intent of the Legislature to authorize any governmental agency acting pursuant to this division to exercise their power in a manner which will take or damage private property for public use,…

To the extent of any conflict or inconsistency between this division and any provision of the Water Code, the provisions of the Water Code shall prevail. (Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 898, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1993.)

Nothing in this division authorizes the commission to exercise any jurisdiction over matters within the jurisdiction of, or to carry out its powers and duties in conflict with the powers and duties of, any other state agency. (Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 898, Sec. 2. Effective Janu…

This division shall be known and may be cited as the California Coastal Act of 1976. (Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1330.)

The Legislature hereby finds and declares: (a) That the California coastal zone is a distinct and valuable natural resource of vital and enduring interest to all the people and exists as a delicately balanced ecosystem. (b) That the permanent protection of the state’s natural and…

The Legislature further finds and declares that, notwithstanding the fact electrical generating facilities, refineries, and coastal-dependent developments, including ports and commercial fishing facilities, offshore petroleum and gas development, and liquefied natural gas facilit…

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) Offshore wind energy generation is an important component of California’s renewable energy portfolio. (b) While offshore wind energy generation can provide significant climate and economic benefits, industrial scale dev…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the basic goals of the state for the coastal zone are to: (a) Protect, maintain, and, where feasible, enhance and restore the overall quality of the coastal zone environment and its natural and artificial resources. (b) Ensure order…

The Legislature further finds and declares that: (a) The California Coastal Zone Conservation Commission, pursuant to the California Coastal Zone Conservation Act of 1972 (commencing with Section 27000), has made a detailed study of the coastal zone; that there has been extensive…

All public agencies and all federal agencies, to the extent possible under federal law or regulations or the United States Constitution, shall comply with the provisions of this division. (Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1330.)

The Legislature further finds and declares that: (a) To achieve maximum responsiveness to local conditions, accountability, and public accessibility, it is necessary to rely heavily on local government and local land use planning procedures and enforcement. (b) To ensure conformi…

No provision of this division is a limitation on any of the following: (a) Except as otherwise limited by state law, on the power of a city or county or city and county to adopt and enforce additional regulations, not in conflict with this act, imposing further conditions, restri…

Nothing in this division shall be construed to authorize any local government, or to authorize the commission to require any local government, to exercise any power it does not already have under the Constitution and laws of this state or that is not specifically delegated pursua…

The Legislature further finds and declares that the public has a right to fully participate in decisions affecting coastal planning, conservation, and development; that achievement of sound coastal conservation and development is dependent upon public understanding and support; a…

The Legislature further finds and declares that sound and timely scientific recommendations are necessary for many coastal planning, conservation, and development decisions and that the commission should, in addition to developing its own expertise in significant applicable field…

Nothing in this division shall exempt local governments from meeting the requirements of state and federal law with respect to providing low- and moderate-income housing, replacement housing, relocation benefits, or any other obligation related to housing imposed by existing law …

The Legislature further finds and recognizes that conflicts may occur between one or more policies of the division. The Legislature therefore declares that in carrying out the provisions of this division such conflicts be resolved in a manner which on balance is the most protecti…