ARTICLE 1. Cooperative Agreements [4671. - 4676.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 1.

in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 4671. Section 4671.

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

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 4672. Section 4672.

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

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 4673. Section 4673.

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

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 4674. Section 4674.

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

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 4675. Section 4675.

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

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 4676. Section 4676.

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

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026