AB 3218: Millerton Lake State Recreation Area: acquisition of land.

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, one of which is the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area.

Existing law establishes the San Joaquin River Conservancy and prescribes the membership of and functions and duties of the conservancy with respect to the acquisition, conservation, and management of specified public lands within the San Joaquin River Parkway, and lands adjacent to both sides of the river.

This bill would require the department to effectively manage lands currently within its jurisdiction in the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area adjacent to the San Joaquin River, and would authorize the department to enter into an agreement with the conservancy to manage lands acquired by the conservancy adjacent to the state recreation area, as specified.

The bill would require the conservancy to take action to acquire approximately 5,900 acres adjacent to both sides of the river, as specified, if those lands, or any portion of those lands, are offered for sale.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for purposes of expanding the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area.