CHAPTER 3. Powers and Duties [32525. - 32538.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 3.

in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32525. Section 32525.

The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall have no power to levy a tax, to regulate land use, or to exercise the power of eminent domain.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32526. Section 32526.

The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Fish and Game, and local law enforcement and rescue agencies.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32527. Section 32527.

The conservancy may adopt and enforce regulations governing the use of parkway lands and activities within the parkway; the protection and management of native riparian vegetation, wildlife, and other natural resources on parkway lands; and the protection of archaeological sites.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32527.5. Section 32527.5.

(a) A person who violates any of the posted regulations adopted by the conservancy governing lands owned or managed by the conservancy is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (b) Any regulation adopted by the conservancy governing lands owned or managed by the conservancy may be enforced by any duly authorized California peace officer.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32528. Section 32528.

The conservancy may implement the San Joaquin River Parkway Task Force Plan and may adopt and carry out management plans for the protection of the natural and recreational resources of the parkway.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32529. Section 32529.

The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain the parkway and its facilities. Land acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the use by the public of conservancy lands and may provide for their enforcement.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32530. Section 32530.

The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform those functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32531. Section 32531.

The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct interpretive and recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of parkway facilities.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32532. Section 32532.

The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or any interest in real property within the parkway from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property, itself, or may coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the parkway. The conservancy may hold remainder interests in those instances where owners desire to sell but retain a life estate, and may create and administer a mitigation land bank and arrange land exchanges. The overall objective of the conservancy shall be to assist in accomplishing land transactions that are mutually beneficial to the landowner and the parkway by adding value to the land, while meeting natural resource conservation and other parkway objectives.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32533. Section 32533.

The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy itself or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32534. Section 32534.

The conservancy shall administer any funds appropriated to it and any revenue generated by member agencies for the parkway and contributed to the conservancy, and may expend those funds for capital improvements, land acquisition, or support of the conservancy’s operations. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept any revenue, money, grants, goods, or services contributed to the conservancy by any public agency, private entity, or person, and, upon receipt, may expend any such revenue, money, or grants for capital improvements, land acquisitions, or support of the conservancy’s operations.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32535. Section 32535.

The conservancy may sue and be sued. The conservancy may enter into contracts and joint powers agreements with public agencies, private entities, and persons necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancy’s duties.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32536. Section 32536.

The conservancy shall be deemed a local agency for the purposes of any provision of law authorizing local agencies to borrow money and incur indebtedness. The conservancy may fix and collect fees for the use by the public of any lands owned or controlled by the conservancy. No fee shall exceed the cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. The fee revenue shall be deposited in the San Joaquin River Conservancy Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. The money in the fund shall be expended by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32537. Section 32537.

(a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division. (b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions: (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 approves 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 incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction. (4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the state. (5) The state shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if any essential term or condition of the grant is violated. (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, except that, prior to that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancy’s approval, in writing. (c) Any deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the state.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 32538. Section 32538.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer any real property or interest therein or option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf. (b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.

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