SECTIONS 4671-4676 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 4671-4676

4671. The department may, in accordance with the policy of the
board, engage in and demonstrate methods of developing, using, and
protecting the forest and wild land resources of the state. To
accomplish such purpose, it may, with the approval of the Department
of Finance, enter into agreements with any agency of government,
including the federal government, and with any person, firm, or
corporation and may make expenditures for such purpose.

4672. The department may, in accordance with the policy of the
board, engage in surveys of soil, vegetation, and forest products on
the forest, range, and watershed lands of the state. The department
may, with the approval of the Department of Finance, enter into
agreements with any agency of government, including the University of
California and the federal government, and with any person, firm or
corporation, for the purpose of engaging in cooperative soil,
vegetation, and forest surveys and may make expenditures for such
purposes.

4673. The department, with the approval of the Director of General
Services, may enter into an agreement with any federal agency for the
purpose of investigating the effect of forest cover in the
conservation of water and the prevention of erosion on watershed
areas.

4674. The department may, with the approval of the Department of
General Services, enter into a cooperative agreement, upon such terms
and under such conditions as he deems wise, for any of the following
purposes, with any county, city, or district which makes an
appropriation for any such purpose:
(a) The protection and forest management of any lands over which
the county, city, or district has jurisdiction.
(b) The reforestation or afforestation on lands within the county,
city, or district.

4675. It is in the public interest and to the benefit of the state
that watershed lands are rehabilitated to conserve water and soil and
to prevent destructive floods.
In furtherance of this policy, the department may conduct surveys
and studies, formulate plans, and perform all acts incidental to
establishing and maintaining vegetative cover on watershed lands and
maintaining watercourse channels free of natural impediments or
destructive materials during peak flood flows, including any work
necessary to accomplish these purposes.
With the approval of the Director of General Services, the
department may enter into contracts with any federal agency or any
person, as defined in Section 4101, for any purpose authorized by
this section.
The department, or any federal agency or person which has entered
into a contract with the department for any purpose authorized by
this section, may, in accomplishing the purpose, enter upon, perform
required work upon, and inspect any lands.

4676. (a) The director may authorize any work for any purpose
authorized by Section 4675 as an exercise of the director's emergency
powers and may request the assistance of any federal agency or
person in connection with that work if any of the following
conditions exist:
(1) Natural vegetative cover has been denuded to the extent that
precipitation may create floods and serious soil depletion and
erosion.
(2) The denuded area is of a size, and the topography and soil
characteristics of such a nature, that soil loss and floods will have
a significant effect upon watershed values and the public health,
safety, or welfare.
(3) Vegetative cover will not be restored by natural means in time
to effectively prevent undue erosion and flood runoff.
(4) Woody plants and debris within or adjacent to the watercourse
channels in or directly downstream from the denuded areas will
significantly impede flood runoff or accelerate channel scour. Prior
to commencing any work in response to this condition, the director
shall advise the Director of Fish and Game of the proposed work.
(b) The expenditure of state funds for emergency work authorized
under subdivision (a) shall be limited to lands classified as a state
responsibility area pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section
4125) of Chapter 1. Any contract for emergency work affecting both a
state responsibility area and nonclassified lands shall require that
the cost of the work be shared proportionately between the department
and the other responsible federal agency or person, as defined in
Section 4101.