Conservation of Native Species

Fish and Game Code Division 2, Chapter 7.5 deals with native species conservation and enhancement under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Article 1 contains a short title. Section 1750 names this chapter as the Native Species Conservation and Enhancement Act.

Article 2 deals with findings and declaration. Section 1755 contains five legislative statements of policies of this state.

Section 1756 sets forth the policy in this chapter that it is in the public interest without regard to the economic value or the lack of economic value of wildlife or native plants.

Article 3 deals with the native species conservation and enhancement account under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Section 1760 requires the department to maintain within the Fish and Game Preservation Fund a Native Species Conservation and Enhancement Account to permit separate accountability for the receipt and expenditure of moneys derived through donation from persons or organizations for the support of nongame and native plant species conservation and enhancement programs.

Section 1761 specifies that, whenever the department receives funds from persons or organizations for the support of nongame and native plant species conservation and enhancement programs, and those funds are deposited in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and credited to the Native Species Conservation and Enhancement Account.

Section 1762 requires the department to provide each person or organization making a contribution of $5 or more for the support of nongame and native plant species conservation and enhancement programs.

Section 1763 allows the department to take all appropriate measures to encourage donations by individuals, organizations, and public agencies to the Native Species Conservation and Enhancement Account, including public information concerning the status of native plant and wildlife species threatened by the activities of man.

Section 1764 requires the director to designate those particular areas of land managed by the department at which possession of a valid annual wildlife pass or day use pass is required. No designation is effective until a management plan for the area has been presented at a public meeting and the plan has been approved by the director.

Section 1765 allows the department to issue an annual wildlife area pass or a day use pass that authorizes the bearer to enter and use facilities and programs on the department managed lands.

Section 1766 allows the department to also offer for sale a native species stamp, promotional materials, and nature study aids.

Section 1767.5 requires the revenues from fees and sales to be deposited in the Native Species Conservation and Enhancement Account in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, and be available for appropriation for expenditure in fiscal years in the specified order of four priorities. Revenues from fees and sales are to be used to augment and not to replace money appropriated from existing funds available to the department for the purposes specified.

Section 1768 contains a legislative finding and declaration.

Section 1769 authorizes the department to take all appropriate measures to encourage persons to obtain annual wildlife area passes and day use passe, and to promote the sale of native species stamps, promotional materials, and nature study aids to provide revenue for the support of the department.