Department of Parks and Recreation: acquisition and protection of real property.

Existing law designates all parks, public campgrounds, monument sites, landmark sites, and sites of historical interest established or acquired by the state, or that are under its control, as the state park system, except as specified. Under existing law, the Department of Parks and Recreation controls the state park system, which is made up of units. Existing law authorizes the department to acquire title to or any interest in real property, including personal property incidental to the purchase of real property and options to purchase property, that the department deems necessary or proper for the extension, improvement, or development of the state park system. Existing law requires that all land and other real property to be acquired by or for any state agency be acquired by the State Public Works Board, except as specified. This bill would additionally exempt from that requirement property acquired for the state park system by the department on its own behalf, as provided. This bill would authorize the department to enter into an agreement with an eligible entity, as defined, that would state the intent of the department to work with the eligible entity to permanently protect lands in or for the state park system. The bill would authorize the department to coordinate with other relevant agencies, including the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the State Coastal Conservancy, to identify priority properties for permanent protection to fulfill the objectives of each unit of the state park system. The bill would require, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department to take all reasonable actions to permanently protect priority properties identified in an agreement within 24 months following the execution of an acquisition agreement, or as soon as reasonably practicable.