Significant Natural Areas

Division 2, Chapter 12 of the Fish and Game Code deals with significant natural areas under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Section 1930 contains ten legislative findings and declarations.

Section 1930.2 defines the terms “habitat stronghold” and “wildlife corridor.”

Section 1930.5 provides that, contingent upon funding being provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board or from other appropriate bond funds, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department is required to investigate, study, and identify those areas in the state that are most essential as wildlife corridors and habitat linkages.

There is a statement of legislative intent, as well as four specified statements of policy of the state. There is also a legislative finding and declaration.

Section 1931 contains a legislative finding and declaration.

Section 1932 established the Significant Natural Areas Program, which is administered by the department. The department, in administering this program, is required to do nine specified actions.

Section 1932.5 states that, in carrying out its responsibilities pursuant to this chapter, the department is required to solicit and utilize all relevant results of existing studies and information from local government, state, and federal agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, certified environmental documents, private and public landowners, and agricultural and rangeland information developed by the Department of Conservation and agriculture associations.

Section 1933 prohibits any authority or responsibility provided for in this chapter from changing or preventing the change of the use of any area identified pursuant to the Significant Natural Areas Program.

Section 1940 requires the department to undertake the development of a vegetation mapping standard for the state. 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 is required to include five specified items.