SECTIONS 11900-11901 - California Statutes

WATER CODE

SECTION 11900-11901

11900. The Legislature finds and declares it to be necessary for
the general public health and welfare that preservation of fish and
wildlife be provided for in connection with the construction of state
water projects.
The Legislature further finds and declares it to be necessary for
the general public health and welfare that facilities for the
storage, conservation or regulation of water be constructed in a
manner consistent with the full utilization of their potential for
the enhancement of fish and wildlife and to meet recreational needs;
and further finds and declares that the providing for the enhancement
of fish and wildlife and for recreation in connection with water
storage, conservation, or regulation facilities benefits all of the
people of California and that the project construction costs
attributable to such enhancement of fish and wildlife and recreation
features should be borne by them.
The Legislature further finds and declares it to be the policy of
this State that recreation and the enhancement of fish and wildlife
resources are among the purposes of state water projects; that the
acquisition of real property for such purposes be planned and
initiated concurrently with and as a part of the land acquisition
program for other purposes of state water projects; and that
facilities for such purposes be ready and available for public use
when each state water project having a potential for such uses is
completed.

11901. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for the
planning and construction of water storage, conservation, and
regulation facilities and associated fish and wildlife and recreation
features consistent with this declaration and to make provision for
funds therefor on a continuing basis, and to provide for the
operation and maintenance of such fish and wildlife and recreation
features.
In enacting this chapter, however, it is not the intent of the
Legislature to diminish any existing powers of the Department of
Water Resources, the Department of Parks and Recreation, or the
Department of Fish and Game, but rather to provide specifically for
the preservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources and
for a system of public recreation facilities at state water projects
as part of a coordinated plan for multipurpose use of these projects.