SB 1224: Watersheds: wildlife habitat: Counties of Orange and San Diego.

The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board in the Department of Fish and Wildlife and requires the board to determine the areas in the state that are most essential and suitable for certain wildlife-related purposes. Under that law, the board may authorize the department to acquire real property, rights in real property, water, or water rights for the benefit of wildlife.

This bill would authorize the Wildlife Conservation Board, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, to make grants to acquire fee title or conservation easements or to perform restoration, or a combination thereof, in watersheds with habitats for sensitive wildlife populations in specified regions in the Counties of Orange and San Diego, as provided.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Counties of Orange and San Diego.