SECTIONS 5820-5829 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 5820-5829

5820. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Mendocino
Woodlands Outdoor Center Act.

5821. The Legislature finds that there is need for a program to
enable the children of the state to better comprehend the outdoors,
particularly the social and economic importance of the study,
conservation, protection, and utilization of natural resources. The
Legislature further finds that the location and facilities of the
Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center are especially well suited to
serve primarily as an outdoor education center under the control and
management of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as a unit of
the state park system.

5822. The Legislature hereby declares its intent that the Mendocino
Woodlands Outdoor Center, consisting of land and facilities deeded
to the State of California by the United States of America for public
park, recreational, and conservation purposes, shall hereafter be
maintained, provided, and operated for the benefit of the people of
the state, primarily as an outdoor environmental education facility.

5823. As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires
a different meaning:
(a) "Department" means the Department of Parks and Recreation.
(b) "Center" means the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center,
consisting of 720 acres, more or less, of state-owned land and
improvements located within the east half of the Northeast Quarter
and the east half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 13 of the east
half and southwest quarter of the Northeast Quarter and the east half
and southwest quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 24 of T.
17 N., R. 17 W., M.D.B.M.; the north half and southwest quarter of
the Northwest Quarter and the north half of the Northeast Quarter of
Section 18 of, and the west half of the Northwest Quarter of Section
30 of, T. 17 N., R. 16 W., M.D.B.M.
(c) "Area" means the Mendocino Woodlands Special Treatment Area
within the Jackson State Forest, consisting of 2,550 acres, more or
less, of state-owned lands lying within the south half of Section 12
of; the Northwest Quarter, the west half of the Northeast Quarter,
the west half of the Southeast Quarter, and the Southwest Quarter of
Section 13 of, the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest Quarters of
Section 14 of, the northeast quarter of the Northeast Quarter of
Section 22 of, the north half of Section 23 of, the Northwest
Quarter, the northwest quarter of the Northeast Quarter, and the
northeast quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 24 of, T. 17
N., R. 17 W., M.D.B.M.; and the Southwest Quarter of Section 7 of the
southeast quarter of the Northwest Quarter, the south half of the
Northeast Quarter, the northwest, northeast, and southwest quarters
of the Southeast Quarter and the Southwest Quarter of Section 18 of,
and the Northwest Quarter and the west half of the Southwest Quarter
of Section 19 of, T. 17 N., R. 16 W., M.D.B.M.

5824. Jurisdiction and control of the center, consisting of 720
acres, more or less, and all the improvements thereon as described in
subdivision (b) of Section 5823 is hereby transferred to the
department from the Department of Conservation, and shall be
administered as a unit of the state park system; except that access
shall be provided through the center to the area, as described in
subdivision (c) of Section 5823, for purposes of cutting timber under
the authority of the State Forester exercised pursuant to Article 3
(commencing with Section 4645) of Chapter 9 of Part 2 of Division 4,
in a manner acceptable to the State Forester.
It is the intent of the Legislature that title in the
aforementioned lands and facilities shall continue to vest in the
State of California; and if for any reason their use for the purposes
of this chapter be deemed by the department no longer to be in the
public interest, then they shall be restored through future
legislation to the jurisdiction and control of the Department of
Conservation.

5826. The department shall consult with the Department of
Education, and may cooperate with individuals and agencies having
jurisdiction or expertise in matters pertaining to the outdoor
education programs contemplated in this chapter.

5827. The department may enter into operating agreements with any
qualified, nonprofit entity for the provision of any program or
service contemplated in this chapter. Prior to entering into any such
agreement, the department shall submit a copy of the proposed
agreement to the Legislative Analyst for his review and
recommendations, which shall not, however, be binding. Failure of the
Legislative Analyst to respond within 30 days after submission of a
proposed agreement shall be deemed to constitute approval by the
Legislative Analyst of the proposed agreement.

5828. The department is encouraged to establish an advisory
committee of persons interested and knowledgeable in the operation
and nature of the center, and in the formulation and conduct of
outdoor environmental education programs, to assist it in formulating
the plan and actions contemplated in this chapter.

5829. Prior to authorizing the sale and cutting of timber from the
area described in subdivision (c) of Section 5823, the State Forester
shall solicit and consider the recommendations of the Department of
Parks and Recreation with respect to the prevention of unnecessary or
unreasonable interruption or loss of facilities or resources
essential to center operations.