SECTIONS 32500-32506 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 32500-32506

32500. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the San
Joaquin River Conservancy Act.

32501. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the San
Joaquin River, its broad corridors, and its prominent bluffs
constitute a unique and important environmental, cultural,
scientific, agricultural, educational, recreational, scenic, flood
water conveyance, and wildlife resource that should be preserved for
the enjoyment of, and appreciation by, present and future
generations.

32502. The Legislature further finds and declares that the San
Joaquin River Parkway Task Force, representing diverse state and
local interests, has developed a San Joaquin River Parkway Plan
which, in concept, outlines and provides a structural framework for
ideas for establishing the San Joaquin River Parkway. It is the
intent of the Legislature in enacting this division to implement the
task force recommendation for a managing entity for the proposed
parkway.

32503. The Legislature further finds and declares that local
jurisdiction is divided among the County of Fresno, the County of
Madera, and the City of Fresno. Additionally, the state has property
interests in the river bottom. It is the intent of the Legislature
that the San Joaquin River Conservancy shall promote the parkway and
coordinate efforts and mediate differences among the local
jurisdictions and the state.

32504. As used in this division:
(a) "Board" means the governing board of the San Joaquin River
Conservancy.
(b) "Conservancy" means the San Joaquin River Conservancy.
(c) "Parkway" means the San Joaquin River Parkway, as described in
Section 32510.
(d) "Member agencies" mean the City of Fresno and Counties of
Fresno and Madera.
(e) "Nonprofit organization" means an exempt organization under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

32505. The conservancy shall commence to function upon the
occurrence of either of the following events:
(a) Approval by a four-fifths vote of the governing bodies of the
member agencies.
(b) Approval by a majority of the voters voting on the proposition
of whether the conservancy should commence to function at an
election called for that purpose by the Boards of Supervisors of
Fresno and Madera Counties within those counties. The election may be
consolidated with any other election within those counties.

32506. If the governing body of any member agency approves
formation of the conservancy by a four-fifths vote, the election may
be held only within the member agency or agencies not so approving
formation.
If one member agency fails to approve the formation of the
conservancy and it is not approved by the voters of that member
agency, the conservancy may function to acquire and maintain parkway
lands only within the jurisdictions of the approving member agencies.
A member agency may withdraw from the conservancy within one year
after the conservancy commences to function.