State California PRC Sec 31000-31409 STATE COASTAL CONSERVANCY PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 31000-31409 31000. Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this chapter govern the construction of this division. 31001. "Certified local coastal plan or program" means any plan or program or land use plan of a local program adopted by the commission pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 30500) of Division 20. 31002. "Conservancy" means the State Coastal Conservancy. 31004. "Commission" means the California Coastal Commission established under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 30300) of Division 20. 31005. "Bay commission" means the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, established under Title 7.2 (commencing with Section 66600) of the Government Code. 31006. (a) "Coastal zone" means that area of the state as defined in Section 30103. Only for purposes of conservancy action in San Francisco Bay, the "coastal zone" also includes areas that are within the permit jurisdiction of the bay commission, as described in Section 66610 of the Government Code, with the exception of Contra Costa County lands from the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge north and east to the termination of the bay commission boundary, except as provided in subdivision (b), as well as any uplands, wetlands, marshes, diked lands, and other watershed lands that significantly affect the environmental quality of the bay or are directly related to the public's use and enjoyment of the bay, and other watershed lands within the nine counties adjacent to the bay that have waters that flow directly into the bay or the ocean. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), with respect to lands within Contra Costa County that are included within the permit jurisdiction of the bay commission, as described in Section 66610 of the Government Code, or that consist of any uplands, wetlands, marshes, diked lands, or other watershed lands that significantly affect the environmental quality of the bay or are directly related to the public's use and enjoyment of the bay, the local public agency having jurisdiction over any such lands may formally request conservancy action by resolution. 31007. "Coastal restoration project" means an action taken by a public agency, including the conservancy, or a nonprofit organization, to correct undesirable development patterns in the coastal zone. 31008. "Coastal resource enhancement project" means an action taken by a public agency, including the conservancy, or a nonprofit organization, to restore, as nearly as possible, degraded natural areas to their original condition or to enhance the resource values of a coastal zone. 31009. "Department" means the Department of Parks and Recreation. 31010. "Local public agency" includes, but is not limited to, a city, county, city and county, district, association of governments, or joint powers agency. 31011. Any funds received by the department pursuant to this division shall be deposited in the State Parks and Recreation Fund. Unless otherwise provided in this division, any funds received by the conservancy pursuant to this division shall be deposited in the State Coastal Conservancy Fund. The conservancy and the Controller shall establish separate accounts within the State Coastal Conservancy Fund for the purpose of separating deposits into the fund according to their origin. 31012. (a) The Coastal Trust Fund is hereby established in the State Treasury, to receive and disburse funds paid to the conservancy in trust, subject to the right of recovery to fulfill the purposes of the trust, as provided in this section. (b) (1) There is in the Coastal Trust Fund the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program Account, which shall be expended solely for the purposes of Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 31160). (2) The conservancy shall deposit in the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program Account all funds received by the conservancy for the purposes of the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program established under Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 31160), from sources other than the state or federal government and not provided for in subdivision (a) of Section 31164. These funds include, but are not limited to, private donations, fees, penalties, and local government contributions. (c) (1) There is in the Coastal Trust Fund the Coastal Program Account. Funds in the Coastal Program Account shall be expended solely for their specified trust purposes. (2) Upon approval of the Department of Finance, the conservancy shall deposit in the Coastal Program Account all funds paid to the conservancy in trust for purposes of this division, except those funds identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). The funds that shall be deposited in the Coastal Program Account, upon that approval, include, but are not limited to, funds that are paid to the conservancy in trust for purposes of mitigation, for settlement of litigation, instead of other conditions of coastal development permits or other regulatory entitlements, or for other trust purposes consistent with this division and specified by the terms of a gift or contract. Funds in the Coastal Program Account shall be separately accounted for according to their source and trust purpose. Funds may not be deposited in the Coastal Program Account without the Department of Finance's approval. (d) Interest that accrues on funds in the Coastal Trust Fund shall be retained in the Coastal Trust Fund and available for expenditure by the conservancy for the trust purposes. (e) The conservancy shall maintain separate accountings of funds within the Coastal Trust Fund, pursuant to its fiduciary duties, for the purpose of separating deposits and interest on those deposits, according to their trust purposes. (f) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all funds in the Coastal Trust Fund are continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal year, to the conservancy to fulfill the trust purposes for which the payments of funds were made. (g) The conservancy shall provide an annual accounting to the Department of Finance of the conservancy's expenditures from, and other activities related to, the Coastal Trust Fund. 31013. "Nonprofit organization" means any private, nonprofit organization, that qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, and whose purposes are consistent with this division. 31014. "Bay plan" means the San Francisco Bay Plan as adopted by the bay commission. 31015. "Suisun Marsh Protection Plan" means the plan approved as provided in Division 19 (commencing with Section 29000). 31016. "Local plan" means any land use plan of a local public agency, port district, regional park or open-space district, or recreation and park district whose jurisdiction is included, in whole or in part, within the jurisdiction of the conservancy within San Francisco Bay in the areas described in Section 31006. 31017. "Public agency" includes, but is not limited to, local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, colleges and universities, intergovernmental bodies, and federally recognized Indian tribes. 31050. The Legislature finds and declares that the agricultural lands located within the coastal zone contribute substantially to the state and national food supply and are a vital part of the state's economy. 31051. The Legislature further finds and declares that agricultural lands located within the coastal zone should be protected from intrusion of nonagricultural uses, except where conversion to urban or other uses is in the long-term public interest. 31052. The Legislature further finds and declares that lands within the coastal zone, principally in rural areas, are vacant or improperly utilized because of inadequate circulation patterns, poor lot layout, scattered ownerships, lack of recreation and open space, and other conditions which adversely affect the coastal environment and reduce opportunities for orderly development. 31053. The Legislature further finds and declares that important fish and wildlife habitat, natural areas, and scenic and environmental resources within the coastal zone have been degraded due to indiscriminate dredging, filling, and the intrusion of incompatible land uses. 31054. It is the policy of the state and the intent of the Legislature to provide for the State Coastal Conservancy, which should report to the Governor and to the Legislature, with responsibility for implementing a program of agricultural protection, area restoration, and resource enhancement in the coastal zone within policies and guidelines established pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000). 31055. No funds may be expended or granted under this division, unless and until such funds are appropriated by the Legislature. 31056. (a) The conservancy is not required to provide funding for projects within the San Francisco Bay in the areas described in Section 31006, until the Legislature appropriates funds for such purposes. The conservancy shall expend funds specifically identified for the San Francisco Bay, whether from public or private sources, in the San Francisco Bay. (b) The bay commission may annually prepare and adopt a list of priority areas and concerns which are essential to the orderly implementation of the bay plan and the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan. The priority list shall provide guidance to the conservancy in its selection of San Francisco Bay projects. 31100. There is in the Resources Agency the State Coastal Conservancy, consisting of the following seven members: (a) The chairperson of the commission. (b) The Secretary of the Resources Agency. (c) The Director of Finance. (d) Four members of the public, of which two shall be appointed by the Governor, one shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and one shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. Of the members appointed by the Governor, not more than one may be an elected official of a local government, and the official shall have been elected to an office in a local government whose territory is located wholly or partially in the coastal zone. Except for members appointed pursuant to subdivision (d), the members of the conservancy may designate one of their employees to serve on the conservancy in their absence. 31100.5. Three Members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Rules Committee, and three Members of the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, shall meet with the conservancy and participate in its activities to the extent that such participation is not incompatible with their respective positions as Members of the Legislature. 31101. (a) The members appointed under subdivisions (a) and (d) of Section 31100 shall serve for a term of four years. However, if a member is appointed under subdivision (d) by reason of his or her status as a locally elected official, his or her membership shall cease 60 days after his or her term of office as a locally elected official ceases, and the Governor may appoint another person to complete the remainder of his or her term. Any person appointed under subdivision (d) of Section 31100 shall not be disqualified for membership and may complete his or her term in the event he or she is elected to a local office after his or her appointment. (b) Members appointed under subdivisions (a) and (d) of Section 31100 shall be compensated for attendance at regular meetings of the conservancy at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100) per day, and shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses, including traveling expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties. 31102. The Secretary of the Resources Agency shall select one of the public members to serve as the chairman of the conservancy. The public member shall serve as chairman at the pleasure of the secretary. A majority of the total authorized membership of the conservancy shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business under this division. The conservancy shall adopt its own regulations. 31103. The conservancy shall determine the qualifications of, and it shall appoint and fix the salary of, the executive officer of the conservancy, who shall be exempt from civil service, and shall appoint such other staff as may be necessary to carry out the powers and functions set forth in this division. To the maximum extent possible, the conservancy shall utilize the staff of the commission for purposes of planning and project evaluation, and the staff of the Real Estate Services Division of the Department of General Services in carrying out acquisition, leasing, disposal, and other real property transactions authorized under this division. 31104. The conservancy may apply for and accept federal grants and receive gifts, donations, subventions, rents, royalties, and other financial support from public and private sources. 31104.1. The conservancy shall serve as a repository for lands whose reservation is required to meet the policies and objectives of the California Coastal Act of 1976 (Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000)), a certified local coastal plan or program, or the San Francisco Bay Plan as implemented by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission pursuant to Title 7.2 (commencing with Section 66600) of the Government Code. Pursuant to that authority, the conservancy may accept dedication of fee title, easements, development rights, or other interests in lands, including interests required to provide public access to recreation and resources areas in the coastal zone. 31104.2. The conservancy is the designated agency in the state for planning and coordinating federal surplus land sales in the coastal zone. 31104.3. On an annual basis or as may be required, the executive officer of the conservancy shall report to the Director of General Services regarding privately owned properties within the conservancy' s jurisdiction which have special significance and which might appropriately be the subject of trades for lands owned by the state for the purposes of preserving natural resources and moderating the impacts of regulation with the coastal zone. A particular property shall be included in any report only upon agreement of the owner. For purposes of this section, "special significance" means having importance because of the land's value for (1) public access, (2) public recreation, (3) wetlands, riparian, or other natural habitat, (4) open space, or (5) agricultural use. 31105. The conservancy is authorized to acquire, pursuant to the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850), Division 3, Title 2 of the Government Code) real property or any interests therein for all of the purposes specified in this division. 31106. The State Public Works Board may, pursuant to Section 31105, use the power of eminent domain for the purposes specified in this division. 31107. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, the Director of General Services, when so requested by the conservancy, shall lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer any land, interest therein, or option acquired pursuant to this division, pursuant to an implementation plan approved by the conservancy. Leases entered into pursuant to the provisions of this division shall not provide for a period longer than 10 years. Proceeds from any such lease, rental, sale, exchange, or transfer of land, interest therein, or option thereon, shall be deposited with the conservancy and shall be available for expenditure when appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of funding the programs specified in this division. 31107.1. The Department of General Services and the conservancy shall jointly develop and implement appropriate procedures to ensure that land acquisition, leasing, options to purchase, land disposal, and other property transactions undertaken in accordance with the provisions of this division are carried out efficiently and equitably and with proper notice to the public. 31108. Commencing on January 2, 1980, and every third year thereafter, the conservancy shall prepare and submit to the Governor and to the Legislature a report describing progress in achieving the objectives of this division. The report shall include the following: (a) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the conservancy's programs in preserving agricultural lands, restoring coastal habitat, providing public access to the coastline, and in undertaking other functions prescribed in this division. (b) Identification of additional funding, legislation, or other resources required to more effectively carry out the objectives of this division. (c) A discussion of its progress in addressing the goals, priority areas, and concerns referenced in subdivision (a) of Section 31163, including, but not limited to, any funds that are received or disbursed for purposes related to addressing those goals, priority areas, and concerns. 31108.5. The conservancy shall not expend any fees received pursuant to Section 30526, except to restore, replace, or improve resources or ecological systems in a manner that is consistent with the certified local coastal program of the local public agency in whose jurisdiction the development is located, or in whose jurisdiction the site of the mitigation project is to be located, as the case may be, and only after full consultation and consent of that local public agency. 31109. Where certification of a local coastal plan or program is required under this division as a condition of action by the conservancy, the conservancy may take such action, including the funding of projects prior to certification, when the action is identified in a local issue identification and work program which has been approved by the California Coastal Commission. However, in undertaking actions prior to certification of a local coastal plan or program, the conservancy shall follow other applicable project review and approval requirements set forth in this division. 31111. In implementing this division, the conservancy may fund and undertake plans and feasibility studies, and may award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for these purposes. 31112. With respect to its publications, the conservancy may accept subscriptions and nonpolitical advertising, and proceeds from them. All proceeds shall be deposited into the State Coastal Conservancy Fund and be available for expenditure upon appropriation by the Legislature. 31115. When a state agency that owns or manages land or water areas within the coastal zone has identified sensitive resource values and locations and types of development pursuant to Section 30525, and when the commission has certified that acquisition of less than fee title in land or water areas within the coastal zone is consistent with the provisions of Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) and is necessary to ensure protection of sensitive resource values, the conservancy may award a grant or grants to such state agency for the purpose of acquisition of less than fee title in such land or water areas pursuant to the Property Acquisition Law (commencing with Section 15850 of the Government Code). Grants made pursuant to this section may not be used as a method of acquisition of land or water areas that are intended to be an integral part of a public land holding. 31115.5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conservancy may undertake projects in the City of San Juan Capistrano pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 31150) and Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 31350). 31116. (a) Funds may be granted to a nonprofit organization under this division if the nonprofit organization enters into an agreement with the conservancy, on such terms and conditions as the conservancy specifies. (b) In the case of a grant for land acquisition, the agreement shall provide all of the following: (1) The purchase price of any interest in land acquired by the nonprofit organization may not exceed fair market value as established by an appraisal approved by the conservancy. (2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired. (3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy may not be used as security for any debt to be incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction. (4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a conservancy grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and a new agreement sufficient to protect the interest of the people of California shall be entered into with the transferee. (5) If any essential term or condition is violated, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the state. (6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the state unless another appropriate public agency or nonprofit organization is identified by the conservancy and agrees to accept title to all interests in real property. Any deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is being acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall set forth the reversionary interest of the state. (c) The conservancy shall also require an agreement sufficient to protect the public interest in any improvement or development constructed under a grant to a nonprofit organization for improvement and development of a project under this division. The agreement shall particularly describe any real property which is subject to the agreement, and it shall be recorded by the conservancy in the county in which the real property is located. (d) Any funds collected from a nonprofit organization pursuant to an agreement regarding a grant shall be deposited in the Nonprofit Organization Land Trust Account, which is hereby created, in the State Coastal Conservancy Fund. 31117. Notwithstanding any provision of this division, the executive officer shall submit any plan or project proposed to be carried out pursuant to this division within the coastal zone portion of the Santa Monica Mountains Zone, as defined in Section 33105, to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for review at least 60 days prior to approval by the State Coastal Conservancy. If the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has not, within 60 days from the date of submission, acted to disapprove the proposed plan or project on the grounds that the plan or project is in conflict with or jeopardizes an approved acquisition or improvement or a proposed acquisition or improvement identified in the adopted Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy workprogram, the plan or project may proceed pursuant to this division. 31118. The conservancy may seek repayments of funds granted pursuant to this division on terms and conditions as it deems appropriate to carry out the provisions of this division. 31119. (a) (1) The conservancy may undertake educational projects and programs for pupils in kindergarten to grade 12, inclusive, relating to the preservation, protection, enhancement, and maintenance of coastal resources, and may award grants to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and public agencies for those purposes, subject to the limitations contained in subdivision (b). (2) An educational grant program established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall comply with all of the following: (A) Funds provided for the educational program may be used for planning and implementation or development of marine science education programs. (B) An educational program shall meet State Board of Education adopted content standards. (C) The conservancy may consult with the Superintendent of Public Instruction prior to awarding grants pursuant to this section. (D) A grant recipient shall use a portion of any funding provided for an educational program to promote maximum participation of pupils and schools, by providing scholarships or grants for this purpose. (E) A nonprofit organization shall comply with all of the following as a condition of receiving a grant: (i) Document increased pupil participation in its educational programs. (ii) Provide outreach to low-income, underserved, and noncoastal areas. (iii) Maintain any data necessary for evaluation, as determined by the conservancy. (b) The conservancy is not required to take any action under subdivision (a), unless and until new funds from sources not currently available to the conservancy are made available by the Legislature for the purposes described in subdivision (a). No more than 10 percent of the funds provided for the educational programs under subdivision (a) may be used for the costs of the conservancy in administering the projects. No General Fund money may be used to fund a grant awarded pursuant to subdivision (a) to a local public educational agency or community college. 31120. In awarding grants to, or entering into agreements with, a federally recognized Indian tribe, the conservancy shall recognize and respect the limited sovereignty of the tribe. 31150. The conservancy may acquire fee title, development rights, easements, or other interests in land located in the coastal zone in order to prevent loss of agricultural land to other uses and to assemble agricultural lands into parcels of adequate size permitting continued agricultural production. The conservancy may also undertake improvements to and development of such lands where such action is required to meet the purposes of this section. The conservancy shall take all feasible action to return to private use or ownership, with appropriate use restrictions, all lands acquired for agricultural preservation under this division. 31150.1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conservancy may enter into an option to acquire an interest in real property for an agricultural preservation project, when the Legislature appropriates funds for purposes of carrying out the objectives of this division. The total cost of the option may not exceed six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). 31151. In acquiring interest in agricultural lands, as provided in this division, the conservancy shall give the highest priority to urban fringe areas where the impact of urbanization on agricultural lands is greatest. 31152. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this division to the contrary, the conservancy shall not act to acquire any interests in lands in the coastal zone for agricultural purposes unless the conservancy finds that both of the following conditions apply to the proposed acquisition: (a) The lands are specifically identified in a certified local coastal plan or program as agricultural lands, or, in the case of San Francisco Bay, the lands as so identified in the bay plan, the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan, or in any other local plan which the bay commission determines to be consistent with such plans. (b) There is no other reasonable means, including the use of police power, of assuring continuous use of such lands for agricultural purposes. 31153. If the conservancy is unable to purchase an interest in agricultural land which meets the provisions of Section 31152, the conservancy may request the State Public Works Board to acquire the interest under the power of eminent domain pursuant to Section 31105. 31154. The conservancy is authorized to lease lands acquired in accordance with the provisions of Section 31150. When such leases are made to private individuals or groups, the conservancy shall annually, upon appropriation of such amounts by the Legislature, transfer 24 percent of the gross income of such leases to the county in which such lands are situated. The county shall distribute any payment received by it pursuant to this section to itself, to each revenue district for which the county assesses and collects real property taxes or assessments, and to every other taxing agency within the county in which the property is situated. The amount distributable to the county and each such revenue district or other taxing agency shall be proportionate to the ratio which the amount of the taxes and assessments of each on similar real property similarly situated within that part of the county embracing the smallest in area of the revenue districts or other taxing agencies other than the county, levied for the fiscal year next preceding, bears to the combined amount of the taxes and assessments of all such districts and agencies, including the county, on such property levied for that year. The county auditor shall determine and certify the amounts distributable to the board of supervisors, which shall thereupon order the making of the distribution. Any money distributed pursuant to this section to any county, revenue district, or other taxing agency shall be deposited to the credit of the same fund as any taxes or assessments on any taxable similar real property similarly situated. Where a county receives a payment pursuant to this section in an amount of twenty-five dollars ($25) or less in respect to any parcel of leased property, all of such payment shall be distributed to the county for deposit in the county general fund. 31155. Proceeds from the sale or lease of lands acquired under the provisions of Section 31150 shall be deposited with the conservancy and, after transmission of any payments required by Section 31154, shall be available for expenditure when appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of funding the programs specified in this division. 31156. The conservancy may award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of acquiring fee title, development rights, easements, or other interests in land located in the coastal zone in order to prevent loss of agricultural land to other uses and to assemble agricultural lands into parcels of adequate size permitting continued agricultural production. The conservancy may also award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of undertaking improvements to and development of these lands where that action is required to meet the purposes of this section. The expenditure of any of these funds shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter. 31160. The San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program is established pursuant to this chapter, to be administered by the conservancy, to address the resource and recreational goals of the San Francisco Bay area, as identified in Section 31162, in a coordinated, comprehensive, and effective way. 31161. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the nine counties that bound San Francisco Bay constitute a region with unique natural resource and outdoor recreational needs. San Francisco Bay is the central feature in an interconnected open-space system of watersheds, natural habitats, waterways, scenic areas, agricultural lands, and regional trails. 31162. The conservancy may undertake projects and award grants in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area that will help achieve the following goals of the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program: (a) To improve public access to, within, and around the bay, coast, ridgetops, and urban open spaces, consistent with the rights of private property owners, and without having a significant adverse impact on agricultural operations and environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife, including wetlands and other wildlife habitats through completion and operation of regional bay, coast, water, and ridge trail systems, and local trails connecting to population centers and public facilities, which are part of a regional trail system and are consistent with locally and regionally adopted master plans and general plans, and through the provision and preservation of related facilities, such as interpretive centers, picnic areas, staging areas, and campgrounds. (b) To protect, restore, and enhance natural habitats and connecting corridors, watersheds, scenic areas, and other open-space resources of regional importance. (c) To assist in the implementation of the policies and programs of the California Coastal Act of 1976 (Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000)), the San Francisco Bay Plan, and the adopted plans of local governments and special districts. (d) To promote, assist, and enhance projects that provide open space and natural areas that are accessible to urban populations for recreational and educational purposes. 31163. (a) The conservancy shall cooperate with cities, counties, and districts, the bay commission, other regional governmental bodies, nonprofit land trusts, nonprofit landowner organizations, and other interested parties in identifying and adopting long-term resource and outdoor recreational goals for the San Francisco Bay Area, which shall guide the ongoing activities of the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program. The conservancy shall utilize the list of priority areas and concerns established by the bay commission pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 31056 as guidance in the selection of those San Francisco area projects that are within the jurisdiction of the bay commission. However, the guidance provided by the bay commission is advisory and the conservancy shall have the responsibility for making program decisions. Any acquisition of real property using funds authorized pursuant to this chapter shall be from willing sellers if the land is actively farmed or ranched. Any acquisition of real property by the conservancy pursuant to this chapter shall be from willing sellers. (b) The conservancy shall participate in and support interagency actions and public/private partnerships in the San Francisco Bay Area for the purpose of implementing subdivision (a), and providing for broad-based local involvement in, and support for, the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program. (c) The conservancy shall utilize the criteria specified in this subdivision to develop project priorities for the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program that provide for development and acquisition projects, urban and rural projects, and open space and outdoor recreational projects. The conservancy shall give priority to projects that, to the greatest extent, meet the following criteria: (1) Are supported by adopted local or regional plans. (2) Are multijurisdictional or serve a regional constituency. (3) Can be implemented in a timely way. (4) Provide opportunities for benefits that could be lost if the project is not quickly implemented. (5) Include matching funds from other sources of funding or assistance. (d) (1) The conservancy shall be the lead agency in the funding and development of projects implementing the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail Plan prepared pursuant to Section 66694 of the Government Code. (2) During the period when the plan is being prepared and after the completion of the plan, the conservancy may undertake projects and award grants that are generally consistent with and advance the preparation of the plan or achieve the implementation of the plan. (3) To advance the preparation of the plan, the conservancy shall help coordinate a collaborative partnership with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments, and other interested persons, organizations and agencies, including, but not limited to, interested state, county, and district departments and commissions, parks and park districts, ports, regional governmental bodies, nonprofit groups, user groups, and businesses. (4) In developing the plan and undertaking projects to implement the plan, areas for which access is to be managed or prohibited shall be determined in consultation with resource protection agencies, the United States Coast Guard, the Water Transit Authority, the State Lands Commission, local law enforcement agencies, and through the environmental review process required by the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)). (5) Upon the completion of the plan, the conservancy shall consider the plan's adoption and inclusion of the appropriate elements of the plan in the conservancy's strategic plan. (6) The conservancy shall not award a grant or undertake a project for the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail that would have a significant adverse impact on a sensitive wildlife area or is in conflict with the goals of subdivision (a) of Section 31162. 31164. (a) The San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program Account is hereby created in the State Coastal Conservancy Fund, for the purpose of depositing and disbursing funds, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the administration and implementation of the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program. All funds that are appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of this chapter, and all reimbursements, proceeds of sale, or other money received by the conservancy for the purposes of this chapter and derived from projects funded from this account shall be deposited in this account. Interest on funds in this account shall accrue to the General Fund. The conservancy shall account for all deposits and reimbursements of funds in this account. (b) Funds that are derived from other sources, exclusive of state or federal funds, for the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, private donations, fees, penalties, and local government contributions, shall be deposited in the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program Account in the Coastal Trust Fund pursuant to Section 31012. 31165. In order to benefit the San Francisco Bay region, the conservancy may undertake projects and award grants for activities that are compatible with the preservation, restoration, or enhancement of ocean, coastal, bay, or watershed resources, or that facilitate environmental education related to these resources. These projects or activities may include, but are not limited to, exhibits or events emphasizing coastal, watershed, or ocean resources education, or maritime history, or the development of amenities and infrastructure consistent with this chapter. 31200. The conservancy may award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of restoration of areas of the coastal zone that, because of scattered ownerships, poor lot layout, inadequate park and open space, incompatible land uses, or other conditions, are adversely affecting the coastal environment or are impeding orderly development. Grants under this section shall be utilized for the assembly of parcels of land within designated coastal restoration areas, for the redesign of those areas, and the installation of public improvements required to serve those areas. As provided in this chapter, the cost of acquisition of certain coastal access and open-space lands, other than those acquired through dedication, within restoration areas may be funded through the conservancy. Grants under this section may not be utilized as a method of acquisition of public park, recreation, or wildlife areas, except as those uses may be incidental to a coastal restoration project. After redesign and installation of public improvements, if any, lands containing coastal restoration projects, with the exception of lands acquired for public purposes as provided in this chapter, shall be conveyed to any person for the purpose of development in accordance with a restoration plan approved under Section 31208. 31201. All areas proposed for restoration by the conservancy, a local public agency, or a nonprofit organization shall be identified in a certified local coastal plan or program as requiring public action to resolve existing or potential development problems or shall be so identified in other local plans which the commission determines to be consistent with the policies and objectives of Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000). In the case of San Francisco Bay, the lands shall be so identified in the bay plan, the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan, or in any other local plan which the bay commission determines to be consistent with such plans. 31203. In reviewing grant applications and restoration plans, the conservancy shall seek to promote excellence of design and shall stimulate projects which exhibit innovation in sensitively integrating man-made features into the natural coastal environment. 31204. The conservancy may provide up to the total cost of any coastal restoration project, including the local share of federally supported projects. The conservancy may also require local funding participation in coastal restoration projects. The amount of funding provided by the conservancy and the degree of local participation shall be determined by the total amount of funding available for coastal restoration projects, the fiscal resources of the applicant, the urgency of the project relative to other eligible coastal restoration projects, the degree to which the project meets the objectives set forth in Section 31203, and the application of other factors prescribed by the conservancy for the purpose of determining project eligibility and priority in order to more effectively carry out the provisions of this division. 31205. The conservancy shall request the commission, local public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other public and private groups to assist in the development of criteria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and determination of priority of coastal restoration projects. After considering comments received from such sources and ensuring that adequate opportunity for public review and comment has been provided, the conservancy shall adopt guidelines and criteria for the administration of the coastal program authorized under this chapter. 31206. In accordance with procedures adopted by the conservancy, public agencies and nonprofit organizations may submit proposed coastal restoration projects for consideration by the conservancy. 31207. In connection with proposed coastal restoration projects, the conservancy may fund up to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) of the cost of preparing coastal restoration plans. 31207.1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conservancy may enter into an option to acquire an interest in real property in connection with a restoration project, when the Legislature appropriates funds for purposes of carrying out the objectives of this division. The cost of the option may not exceed six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). 31208. (a) Following completion of a coastal restoration plan, the conservancy shall forward the proposed plan to the commission for determination of conformity of the plan with the policies and objectives of Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000). The commission shall have 60 days to review the project and transmit the findings on such plan to the conservancy. If no comments are received within that period, the coastal restoration plan shall be deemed to be in accord with Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000). (b) Following the certification of a local coastal program, the city or county or city and county with jurisdiction over the certified area, rather than the commission, shall review the coastal restoration plan where: (1) the proposed restoration plan will be implemented entirely within one local public agency's jurisdiction; (2) the area proposed for restoration is identified pursuant to the provisions of Section 31201; and (3) implementation of the coastal restoration plan does not require an amendment to the certified local coastal program. The local public agency shall review the coastal restoration plan to determine consistency with the certified local coastal program within 60 days after transmittal of the plan from the conservancy and shall transmit its findings to the conservancy immediately upon completion of plan review. If no comments are received at the end of the 60-day period, the plan shall be deemed to be in accord with the provisions of the certified local coastal program. Where the coastal restoration plan will be implemented in whole or in part in an area in which the commission retains coastal development permit jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 30519, or in an area in which two or more local governments have coastal development permit jurisdiction, or where a local coastal program amendment is required to implement the plan, the commission shall be responsible for coastal restoration plan review and shall conduct the review in the following manner. The commission shall review the coastal restoration plan for consistency with the policies and objectives of Division 20, as provided in subdivision (a), for an area subject to retained coastal development permit jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 30519 and where a local coastal program amendment is required, and shall review the plan for consistency with certified local coastal programs for areas under local government coastal development permit jurisdiction. 31208.5. In the case of San Francisco Bay projects, the conservancy shall forward a proposed coastal restoration plan to the bay commission for determination of conformity with the bay plan, and, where relevant, with the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan. The bay commission shall have 60 days to review the plan and transmit its findings on such plan to the conservancy. If no comments are received within such period, the restoration plan shall be deemed to be in accord with the bay plan and, where relevant, the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan. 31209. Following approval of a restoration plan as provided in Section 31208, the conservancy shall so notify the local public agency and shall authorize the agency to proceed with actions required to implement the plan. 31210. Costs of providing parks, open space, or other public areas and facilities may be included as project costs within coastal restoration areas, if they are designed to serve the residents of the restoration area and do not constitute a disproportionate share of the total project cost. Costs of providing public coastal access sites and scenic easements serving the public may be permitted as project costs where such features are part of a coastal restoration plan approved as provided in Section 31208. 31211. The conservancy, local public agencies, and nonprofit organizations, in undertaking coastal restoration projects as provided in this chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of Division 24 (commencing with Section 33000) of the Health and Safety Code. 31212. Any funds over and above eligible project costs which remain after completion of a coastal restoration project as provided in this chapter shall be transmitted by the recipient to the state and deposited with the conservancy and shall be available for expenditure when appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the programs specified in this division. 31213. Where a local public agency is unable or unwilling to undertake restoration of any area, the conservancy may undertake the restoration or authorize a nonprofit organization to do so after notification to the local public agency, if a coastal restoration plan for the area has been prepared by the conservancy and approved as provided in Section 31208. 31213.5. In the case of San Francisco Bay, the conservancy may undertake restoration of an area only upon formal request by resolution of a local public agency or the bay commission, except that, with respect to lands within Contra Costa County, such restoration or other action may be undertaken only upon the formal request by resolution of the local public agency having jurisdiction over such lands; provided, however, that a restoration plan for the area has been prepared by the conservancy and approved in accordance with Section 31208.5. 31214. A restoration plan prepared for a project to be carried out by the conservancy as provided in Section 31213, shall, before any lands are acquired or other implementation actions taken, be submitted to the local public agency which exercises land use regulation over the area of the proposed project. The local public agency shall have 90 days to review and comment on the proposed coastal restoration project. If, during that period, that local public agency or an appropriate nonprofit organization agrees to carry out the project within the guidelines established in the restoration plan, the conservancy may authorize the local public agency or nonprofit organization to carry out the restoration project, which shall then be subject to all provisions of this division. 31215. Prior to undertaking any restoration project under the provisions of Section 31213, the project shall be included within, and funded under, the Budget Act. 31220. (a) In order to improve and protect coastal and marine water quality and habitats, the conservancy may undertake coastal watershed and coastal and marine habitat water quality, sediment management, and living marine resources protection and restoration projects or award grants for those projects, consistent with this chapter. Except for projects described in paragraph (7), (8), (9), or (10) of subdivision (b), the conservancy shall consult with the State Water Resources Control Board in the development of the project or grant to ensure consistency with Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30915) of Division 20.4 of the Public Resources Code. (b) The conservancy may undertake a project or award a grant for a project under this section only if the project does one or more of the following: (1) Reduces contamination of waters within the coastal zone or marine waters. (2) Protects or restores fish and wildlife habitat within coastal and marine waters and coastal watersheds, including, but not limited to, permit coordination projects for watershed restoration. (3) Reduces threats to coastal and marine fish and wildlife. (4) Reduces unnatural erosion and sedimentation of coastal watersheds or contributes to the reestablishment of natural erosion and sediment cycles. (5) Provides for monitoring and mapping of coastal currents, marine habitats, and marine wildlife, in order to facilitate the protection and enhancement of resources within the coastal zone. A project considered under this paragraph shall be implemented in consultation with the Department of Fish and Game. (6) Acquires, protects, and restores coastal wetlands, riparian areas, floodplains, and other sensitive watershed lands, including watershed lands draining to sensitive coastal or marine areas. (7) Reduces the impact of population and economic pressures on coastal and marine resources. (8) Provides for public access compatible with resource protection and restoration objectives. (9) Provides for the construction or expansion of nature centers or research facilities that emphasize conservation education or research activities focusing on the marine portion of the coastal zone or the land and ocean interface. (10) Provides for projects and activities consistent with Division 26.5 (commencing with Section 35500). (c) Projects funded pursuant to this section shall include a monitoring and evaluation component and shall be consistent with the following, if available and relevant to the project: (1) Integrated Watershed Management Program established pursuant to Section 30947. (2) Local watershed management plans. (3) Water quality control plans adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality control boards. 31251. The conservancy may award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of enhancement of coastal resources that, because of indiscriminate dredging or filling, improper location of improvements, natural or human-induced events, or incompatible land uses, have suffered loss of natural and scenic values. Grants under this chapter shall be utilized for the assembly of parcels of land within coastal resource enhancement areas to improve resource management, for relocation of improperly located or designed improvements, and for other corrective measures that will enhance the natural and scenic character of the areas. As provided in this chapter, the cost of acquisition of certain lands within coastal resource enhancement areas may be funded through the conservancy. Grants under this section may not be utilized as a method of acquisition of public park, wildlife, or natural areas, except as those uses may be incidental to a coastal resource enhancement project. 31251.2. (a) In order to enhance the natural or scenic character of coastal resources within the coastal zone, the conservancy may undertake a project or award a grant, consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 30200 and pursuant to this chapter, to enhance a watershed resource that is partly outside of the coastal zone. Any of these projects or grants which involve the management of fish shall be approved by the Department of Fish and Game. Neither the conservancy nor any other state agency shall undertake a project affecting an area partly inside and partly outside the coastal zone under this chapter, except at the request of the local public agency or agencies having jurisdiction over the entire project area. (b) Any enhancement activity carried out pursuant to this section shall not be subject to any commission review, as set forth in Section 31258, for that portion of the activity located outside the coastal zone. However, the commission through its executive director and the Department of Fish and Game may review and comment on the enhancement plan's consistency with the policies and objectives of Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000). (c) No funds set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 5096.151 of the Public Resources Code, shall be expended on enhancement activities that are outside the coastal zone. (d) This section shall not apply to any portion of the Santa Monica Mountains Zone as set forth in Division 23 (commencing with Section 33000). 31252. All areas proposed for resource enhancement by a state agency, local public agency, or nonprofit organization shall be identified in a certified local coastal plan or program as requiring public action to resolve existing or potential resource protection problems or shall be so identified in other local plans which the commission determines to be consistent with the policies and objectives of Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000). In the case of San Francisco Bay, the lands shall be so identified in the bay plan, the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan, or in any other local plan which the bay commission determines to be consistent with such plans. 31253. The conservancy may provide up to the total of the cost of any coastal resource enhancement project, including the state or local share of federally supported projects. The amount of funding provided by the conservancy shall be determined by the total amount of funding available for coastal resource enhancement projects, the fiscal resources of the applicant, the urgency of the project relative to other eligible coastal resource enhancement projects, and the application of other factors prescribed by the conservancy for the purpose of determining project eligibility and priority in order to more effectively carry out the provisions of this division. 31254. The conservancy shall request the commission, local public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other public and private groups to assist in the development of criteria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and determination of priority of coastal resource enhancement projects. After considering comments received from such sources and ensuring that adequate opportunity for public review and comment has been provided, the conservancy shall adopt guidelines and criteria for the administration of the coastal program authorized under this chapter. 31255. In accordance with procedures adopted by the conservancy, state agencies, local public agencies, and nonprofit organizations may submit proposed coastal resource enhancement projects for consideration by the conservancy. 31255.1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conservancy may enter into an option to acquire an interest in real property in connection with an enhancement project, when the Legislature appropriates funds for purposes of carrying out the objectives of this division. The cost of the option may not exceed six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). 31257. In connection with proposed coastal resource enhancement projects, the conservancy may fund up to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) of the cost of preparing coastal resource enhancement plans. 31258. (a) Following completion of a coastal resource enhancement plan, the conservancy shall forward the plan to the commission for determination of conformity of the plan with the policies and objectives of Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000). The commission shall have 60 days to review the project and transmit the findings on the plan to the conservancy. If no comments are received within the period, the restoration plan shall be deemed to be in accord with Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000). (b) Following the certification of a local coastal program, the city or county or city and county with jurisdiction over the certified area, rather than the commission, shall review the coastal resource enhancement plan where: (1) the proposed enhancement plan will be implemented entirely within one local public agency's jurisdiction; (2) the area proposed for enhancement is identified pursuant to the provisions of Section 31251; and (3) implementation of the enhancement plan does not require an amendment to the certified local coastal program. The local public agency shall review the enhancement plan to determine consistency with the certified local coastal program within 60 days after transmittal of the plan from the conservancy and shall transmit its findings to the conservancy immediately upon completion of plan review. If no comments are received at the end of the 60-day period, the plan shall be deemed to be in accord with the provisions of the certified local coastal program. Where the enhancement plan will be implemented in whole or in part in an area in which the commission retains coastal development permit jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 30519, or in an area in which two or more local governments have jurisdiction, or where a local coastal program amendment is required to implement the plan, the commission shall be responsible for enhancement plan review and shall conduct the review in the following manner. The commission shall review the enhancement plan for consistency with the policies and objectives of Division 20, as provided in subdivision (a), for the area subject to retained coastal development permit jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 30159 and where a local coastal program amendment is required, and shall review the plan for consistency with certified local coastal programs for areas under local government coastal development permit jurisdiction. 31258.5. In the case of San Francisco Bay projects, the conservancy shall forward a coastal resource enhancement plan to the bay commission for determination of conformity with the bay plan, and, where relevant, with the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan. The bay commission shall have 60 days to review the plan and transmit its findings on such plan to the conservancy. If no comments are received within such period, the resource enhancement plan shall be deemed to be in accord with the bay plan, and, where relevant, the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan. 31259. Following review and approval of a resource enhancement plan as provided in Section 31258, the conservancy shall so notify the agency and shall authorize the agency to proceed with actions required to implement the plan. 31260. As part of an approved coastal resource enhancement project, the conservancy may fund the costs of land acquisition. 31261. Private development may be permitted within the area of the coastal resource enhancement projects, where such development is compatible with the primary objectives of resource protection and enhancement of the coastal zone. 31262. Any funds over and above eligible project costs which remain after completion of a resource enhancement project as provided in this chapter shall be transmitted to the state and be deposited with the conservancy and shall be available for expenditure when appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the programs specified in this division. 31263. If a local public agency or state agency is unable or unwilling to undertake improvement of a deteriorating area, the conservancy may undertake the coastal resource enhancement or authorize a nonprofit organization to do so after notification to the local public agency, if a coastal resource enhancement plan for the area has been prepared by the conservancy and approved as provided in Section 31258. 31263.5. In the case of San Francisco Bay, the conservancy may undertake resource enhancement of an area only upon formal request by resolution of a local public agency or the bay commission, except that, with respect to lands within Contra Costa County, such resource enhancement or other action may be undertaken only upon the formal request by resolution of the local public agency having jurisdiction over such lands; provided, however, that a resource enhancement plan has been prepared and approved as provided in Section 31258.5. 31264. A resource enhancement plan prepared for a project to be carried out directly by the conservancy as provided in Section 31263, shall, before any lands are acquired or other implementation actions taken, be submitted to the local public agency which exercises land use regulation over the area of the proposed project and to any state agency which exercises resource management responsibility in the project area. The local public agency and state agency shall have 90 days to review and comment on the proposed coastal resource enhancement project. If, during that period that local public agency, a nonprofit organization, or the state agency agrees to carry out the project within the guidelines established in the resource enhancement plan, the conservancy may authorize the local public agency, a nonprofit organization, or the state agency to carry out the project, which shall then be subject to all provisions of this division. 31265. Prior to undertaking any resource enhancement project under the provisions of Section 31263, the project shall be included within, and funded under, the Budget Act. 31270. Notwithstanding the geographic limitations of this division or Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000), the conservancy may undertake a coastal resource enhancement project in the City of San Diego, within the area known as Famosa Slough and bounded by West Point Loma Boulevard and the seaward side of the right-of-way of Famosa Boulevard and the seaward side of the right-of-way of Adrian Street. 31300. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Urban Waterfront Restoration Act of 1981". 31301. The Legislature finds and declares that California's urban waterfronts, being often the first part of an urban area to develop and, thus, the first to decay, are in need of restoration in order to be the vital economic and cultural component of the community which they once were. The Legislature further finds and declares that developing the state's urban waterfronts into environmentally sound areas through, but not limited to, the creation of parks, open space, visitor serving facilities, and housing for all income levels will promote tourism, public access, and private sector development in these areas. The Legislature further finds and declares that the encouragement of tourism, public access to the coast, and planned private sector development to be a benefit to the citizens of the state, as well as the local citizenry in affected urban waterfront areas. It is, therefore, the intent of this chapter to promote the restoration of the state's vital urban waterfronts. 31302. The conservancy shall administer the provisions of this chapter. The conservancy shall coordinate the activities of all other state agencies and all federal agencies that have programs affecting California's urban waterfronts in order to increase the efficiency and minimize duplication of those programs. 31303. The conservancy shall request the commission, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other public and private groups to assist in the development of criteria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and determination of priority of projects. After considering comments received from those sources and ensuring that adequate opportunity for public review and comment has been provided, the conservancy shall adopt guidelines and criteria for the administration of the urban waterfront restoration program authorized under this chapter. In accordance with procedures adopted by the conservancy, public agencies and nonprofit organizations may submit proposed urban waterfront projects for consideration by the conservancy for state or federal funding. 31305. In reviewing grant applications and urban waterfront restoration plans, the conservancy shall seek to promote excellence of design and shall stimulate projects which exhibit innovation in sensitively integrating man-made features into the natural coastal environment. 31306. (a) The conservancy shall propose capital projects and capital programs, generated by the conservancy, local public agencies, or state agencies for grants available under Section 306A of the federal Coastal Zone Management Improvement Act (Public Law 96-464). The commission shall not forward any application unless it has been proposed by the conservancy. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall diminish the commission's authority pursuant to Section 30330 of the Public Resources Code, which shall include determination of the allocation of federal financial assistance among the coastal management activities, coastal research activities, coastal energy impact activities, living marine resource activities, and natural resources enhancement and management activities, eligible for federal financial assistance under the Coastal Zone Management Improvement Act, or any amendment thereto, or any other federal act enacted up to this time or in the future, that relates to the planning and management of the coastal zone, except as provided in this section. (c) (1) Prior to the commission's determination of allocations under subdivision (b), the commission and the conservancy shall concur on the allocation for capital projects and capital programs generated by the conservancy, local public agencies, or state agencies for public access, agricultural preservation, enhancement of coastal resources, coastal restoration, urban waterfront restoration, reservation of significant coastal resource areas, and commercial fishing facilities. No allocation for these capital projects and capital programs shall be made unless they are proposed by the conservancy. (2) Prior to the commission's determination of allocations under subdivision (b), the commission and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission shall concur on the allocation for the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission to carry out its responsibilities under the federally approved California Coastal Management Program. (3) In determining the allocations under subdivision (b), the commission shall consult with the conservancy, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and the Department of Finance, and shall ensure that agencies eligible for federal financial assistance under the Coastal Zone Management Improvement Act are allocated sufficient assistance to carry out their required responsibilities under the federally approved California Coastal Management Program. 31307. The conservancy may award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the restoration of urban coastal waterfront areas. 31308. The conservancy may provide up to the total cost of any urban waterfront project, including the local share of federally supported projects. The conservancy may also require local funding participation in urban waterfront projects. The amount of funding provided by the conservancy and the degree of local participation shall be determined by the total amount of funding available for urban waterfront projects, the fiscal resources of the applicant, the urgency of the project relative to other eligible urban waterfront projects, the degree to which the project meets the objectives set forth in Section 31305, and the application of other factors prescribed by the conservancy for the purpose of determining project eligibility and priority in order to more effectively carry out the provisions of this division. 31309. (a) Following approval of a proposed urban waterfront project by the conservancy, the conservancy may provide up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of the cost of preparing urban waterfront restoration plans. In addition, the conservancy may make loans to public agencies or nonprofit organizations, or any combination thereof, for the full cost of preparing an urban waterfront restoration plan, if both of the following are satisfied: (1) Funding for those loans is provided for in the Budget Act. (2) The cost of preparation of a plan is included in the cost of a project approved for funding pursuant to Division 22 (commencing with Section 32000). (b) The loans shall be repaid when the bonds funding the project are sold and upon terms and at a rate of interest which recovers the costs of the funds to the state. 31310. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conservancy may enter into an option to acquire an interest in real property in connection with an urban waterfront project, when the Legislature appropriates funds for purposes of carrying out the objectives of this division. The cost of the option may not exceed six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). 31311. Costs of providing parks, open space, or other public areas and facilities may be included as project costs within urban waterfront restoration areas, if they are designed to serve the residents of the restoration area and do not constitute a disproportionate share of the total project cost. Costs of providing public coastal access sites and scenic easements serving the public may be permitted as project costs where such features are part of an approved urban waterfront restoration plan. 31311.5. Where the conservancy awards any grant for the purpose of providing new or expanded facilities to serve the commercial fishing industry, the financial terms and any reimbursement provisions of that grant shall be determined solely on the basis of protecting the long-term economic viability of the commercial fishing industry. 31312. Local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, in undertaking urban waterfront restoration projects as provided in this chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of Division 24 (commencing with Section 33000) of the Health and Safety Code. 31313. Any funds over and above eligible project costs which remain after completion of an urban waterfront project as provided in this chapter shall be transmitted by the recipient to the state and deposited with the conservancy and shall be available for expenditure when appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the programs specified in this division. 31314. Plans prepared pursuant to this chapter for the Port of San Francisco may seek to expedite the implementation of visitor serving commercial uses of port property not needed for maritime use, establish a system of open spaces and public access along the waterfront, provide for commercial fishing facilities, and provide for the rehabilitation of existing deteriorated wharfs and piers. Upon the approval of the State Coastal Conservancy, funding of the Port of San Francisco pursuant to this chapter shall be given high priority and be available to implement plans prepared pursuant to this chapter and to increase the port's ability to establish an ongoing land management program to encourage public access and tourist uses of the port. 31315. The conservancy, under its mandate for urban waterfront restoration, shall administer the distribution of state funds, when appropriated to the conservancy, for the improvement of the infrastructure of fishing harbors on public trust lands. 31316. Within the conservancy's jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter and within urban coastal watershed areas, the conservancy may undertake projects and award grants for activities that are compatible with the preservation, restoration, or enhancement of ocean, coastal, or watershed resources, or that facilitate environmental education related to these resources. These projects or activities may include, but are not limited to, exhibits or events emphasizing coastal, watershed, or ocean resource education, or maritime history, or the development of amenities and infrastructure consistent with this chapter. 31350. It is the policy of the Legislature to assure that significant coastal resource sites shall be reserved for public use and enjoyment. To achieve this objective, it is the intent of the Legislature to vest in the conservancy authority to acquire, hold, protect, and use interests in key coastal resource lands, as indicated in the chapters of this division, that otherwise would be lost to public use. 31351. (a) The conservancy shall cooperate with the commission, bay commission, and other public agencies and with nonprofit organizations in ensuring the reservation of interests in real property for purposes of this division, as well as for park, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, historical preservation, or scientific study required to meet the policies and objectives of the California Coastal Act of 1976 (commencing with Section 30000), or a certified local coastal plan or program; or, in the case of San Francisco Bay, the sites identified in the bay plan, the Suisun Marsh Protection Plan, or in any other local plan that the bay commission determines to be consistent with those plans; or, in coastal areas not within the coastal zone or the San Francisco Bay, any other local plans. (b) The provisions of this division shall not diminish or otherwise affect the authority of the bay commission to approve, deny, or modify permits as provided in Section 66632 of the Government Code. 31352. (a) If a public agency or nonprofit organization is unable, due to limited financial resources or other circumstances, to acquire, hold, protect, or use an interest in real property for a purpose provided in Section 31351, the conservancy may do either of the following: (1) Award a grant to the public agency or nonprofit organization for a purpose provided in Section 31351. (2) Acquire and hold the interest for subsequent conveyance to an appropriate public agency or nonprofit organization. (b) The conservancy may provide the technical assistance required to aid a public agency or nonprofit organization in completing the acquisition or related functions described in subdivision (a). 31352.5. Where a nonprofit organization is better situated than the conservancy to acquire temporarily an interest in real property for later acquisition by a public agency or nonprofit organization, the conservancy may loan the nonprofit organization the necessary funds to accomplish the acquisition. As a condition of that loan, the nonprofit organization shall adhere to the procedures and restrictions of this chapter in accomplishing the acquisition. 31353. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conservancy may enter into an option to acquire an interest in real property in connection with a site-reservation project, when the Legislature appropriates funds for purposes of carrying out the objectives of this division. The cost of the option may not exceed six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). 31354. The conservancy may not hold fee interests acquired in accordance with this chapter for more than 10 years from the time of acquisition. A public agency shall have the right to acquire the fee interest at any time during this period for the public purposes indicated in this chapter. At any time during this period, a nonprofit organization may acquire the fee interest if the city or county where the lands are located approves the acquisition. The acquisition shall be deemed approved thirty days after the conservancy has mailed written notice, unless the city or county objects in writing within that time. When deemed appropriate by the conservancy, the instrument conveying an interest in real property to a nonprofit organization may include a restriction permanently limiting the use of those lands to the acquisition purposes. The price to public agencies or to nonprofit organizations that acquire interests in real property from the conservancy may include the cost of acquisition or the conservancy's administrative and management costs in reserving and managing the land, or both. The payment of this acquisition price shall be either monetary or conservancy approved property of an equivalent value, or a combination thereof. The lands acquired under this section shall not be disposed of under Section 11011.1 of the Government Code. If, at the expiration of this 10-year period, no public agency or nonprofit organization is willing or able to acquire the lands, the conservancy shall request the Department of General Services to dispose of those lands at fair market value without restriction on subsequent land use under this division. Any funds received by the state upon disposition of lands acquired in accordance with Section 31352 shall be deposited with the conservancy and shall be available for expenditure when appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the programs specified in this division. 31355. The conservancy is authorized to lease interest in real property acquired in accordance with this chapter. When the leases are made to private individuals or groups, the conservancy shall annually, upon appropriation of the amounts by the Legislature, transfer 24 percent of the gross income of the leases to the county where the interests in real property are situated. The county shall distribute any payment received by it pursuant to this section to itself, to each revenue district for which the county assesses and collects real property taxes or assessments, and to every other taxing agency within the county where the property is situated. The amount distributable to the county and each revenue district or other taxing agency shall be proportionate to the ratio that the amount of the taxes and assessments of each on similar real property similarly situated within that part of the county embracing the smallest in area of the revenue districts or other taxing agencies other than the county, levied for the fiscal year next preceding, bears to the combined amount of the taxes and assessments of all those districts and agencies, including the county, on the property levied for that year. The county auditor shall determine and certify the amounts distributable to the board of supervisors, that shall thereupon order the making of the distribution. Any money distributed pursuant to this section to any county, revenue district, or other taxing agency shall be deposited to the credit of the same fund as any taxes or assessments on any taxable similar real property similarly situated. Where a county receives a payment pursuant to this section in an amount of twenty-five dollars ($25) or less in respect to any parcel of leased property, all of that payment shall be distributed to the county for deposit in the county general fund. 31356. All remaining revenue derived from leases, after allocation to counties as specified in Section 31355, shall be deposited annually with the conservancy and shall be available for expenditure when appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the programs specified in this division. 31400. The Legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state that the right of the public to access and enjoyment of the coastal resources should be effectively guaranteed. To achieve such objective, it is the intent of the Legislature that the State Coastal Conservancy have a principal role in the implementation of a system of public accessways to and along the state's coastline, including San Francisco Bay and Suisun Marsh. 31400.1. The conservancy may award grants to any public agency or nonprofit organization to acquire land, or any interest therein, or to develop, operate, or manage lands for public access purposes to and along the coast. No grants may be awarded to any local agency unless the conservancy has first determined that the subject accessway will serve more than local public needs. 31400.2. The conservancy may provide up to the total cost of the acquisition of interests in lands and the initial development of public accessways by any public agency or nonprofit organization, as provided in Section 31400.1. The amount of funding provided by the conservancy shall be determined by the total amount of funding available for coastal public accessway projects, the fiscal resources of the applicant, the urgency of the project relative to other eligible projects, and the application of factors prescribed by the conservancy for the purpose of determining project eligibility and priority in order to more effectively carry out the provisions of the division. 31400.3. The conservancy may provide such assistance as is required to aid public agencies and nonprofit organizations in establishing a system of public coastal accessways, and related functions necessary to meet the objectives of this division. 31401. The conservancy shall develop and adopt standards to guide state and local public agencies and federal agencies to the extent permitted by federal law or regulations or the United States Constitution in acquiring and developing public access to coastal resources. Such standards shall be incorporated within an integrated system of public accessways to and along the state's coastline which shall become an element of the California Outdoor Recreation Resources Plan required by Section 5099.2. 31402. In order to assure that an adequate system of public accessways is provided along the entire coastline, the department or the conservancy may acquire fee title or lesser interests in areas required for public access to significant coastal resources. The department may develop and maintain such areas. 31402.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for timely acceptance of offers to dedicate interests in property, recorded pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) and needed to provide public access to and along the ocean shoreline. (b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) In order to prevent the potential loss of public accessways to and along the state's coastline, it is in the best interest of the state to accept all offers to dedicate real property that protect open space or have the potential to provide access to public tidelands, including any beach, shoreline, or view area, or that provide a connection to other easements or public properties providing this access. (2) Offers to dedicate interests in property that are required and recorded pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000) provide mitigation necessary for approved development to occur consistent with the policies and objectives of that division and are not gifts to the state or acquisitions of property interests within the meaning of Section 31105. 31402.2. The conservancy shall accept any outstanding offer to dedicate a public accessway, described in Section 31402.1, that has not been accepted by another public agency or nonprofit organization within 90 days of its expiration date. 31402.3. (a) To the extent that funds are available in the Coastal Access Account in the State Coastal Conservancy Fund, the conservancy shall open at least three public accessways each year either directly or by awarding grants to public agencies or nonprofit organizations. (b) The conservancy may transfer public access easements or other less-than-fee interests in property to an appropriate public agency or nonprofit organization for development, management, or public use, or may enter into agreements with public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the development, management, or public use of the accessway. Transfer under this section is not subject to approval by the Department of General Services pursuant to Section 11005.2 of the Government Code. The conservancy shall retain the right to reclaim the easements or other interests in the event that the public agency or nonprofit organization ceases to exist, is no longer able to manage the accessway, or violates the terms of the agreement. (c) Before a nonprofit organization may accept an offer to dedicate an interest in real property under Division 20 (commencing with Section 30000), the nonprofit organization shall do all of the following: (1) Submit satisfactory proof to the executive director of the commission that the nonprofit organization has been approved as a tax exempt public benefit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and has filed a Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service. (2) Submit a management plan to the executive director of the commission and the executive officer of the conservancy that describes the nonprofit organization's planned management and operation of the interest. (3) Grant a right of entry that permits the conservancy to reclaim or assign the interest to another public agency or nonprofit organization, if the conservancy and the commission determine that the nonprofit organization is not managing or operating the interest consistent with the management plan developed pursuant to paragraph (2). (d) A public accessway accepted pursuant to Section 31402.2 may not be developed, improved, or formally opened for public use until its transfer, development, or public use has been authorized by the conservancy. (e) The conservancy may not use moneys appropriated from the General Fund for the purposes of this section. 31403. The department or the conservancy may not acquire any public access site under the power of eminent domain unless such acquisition is approved by the Legislature as part of its annual approval of the Budget Act. 31404. When another local public agency is unable or unwilling to take title to an area required for public access to and along the coastline, the department or the conservancy may accept title to such an area. The department or the conservancy, however, shall not be required to open any area for public use when, in its estimation, the benefits of public use would be outweighed by the costs of development and maintenance. The department or the conservancy shall make a determined effort to identify local public agencies and nonprofit organizations which will accept responsibility for maintenance and liability for public accessways which are located outside of the state park system. The department or the conservancy may lease any public access site to a public agency or nonprofit organization; provided, however, that the conditions of such transfer guarantee public use of the site for access to coastal resources. 31405. The department or the conservancy may accept, from any public agency or nonprofit organization, fees collected for purposes of providing public access to coastal resources. Any funds collected from such source shall be expended by the department or the conservancy for the sole purpose of acquisition, development, and maintenance of public accessways to the coastline. To the maximum extent possible, such fees shall be expended in the general area where they are collected or in areas where public access to and along the coastline is clearly deficient. The department or the conservancy may transfer funds, including such fees, to a local public agency or nonprofit organization for the purposes of acquisition of sites for public access to and along the coastline. 31406. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conservancy may enter into an option to acquire an interest in real property in connection with a public access project, when the Legislature appropriates funds for purposes of carrying out the objectives of this division. The cost of the option may not exceed six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000). 31408. (a) The conservancy shall, in consultation with the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the California Coastal Commission, coordinate the development of the California Coastal Trail. (b) To the extent feasible, and consistent with their individual mandates, each agency, board, department, or commission of the state with property interests or regulatory authority in coastal areas shall cooperate with the conservancy with respect to planning and making lands available for completion of the trail, including constructing trail links, placing signs and managing the trail. 31409. Consistent with the conservancy's authority under this chapter to develop a system of public accessways to, and along, the state's coastline, the conservancy may award grants and provide assistance to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to establish and expand those inland trail systems that may be linked to the California Coastal Trail.