ARTICLE 1. General Provisions [5096.600. - 5096.606.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 1.
in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5096.601. Section 5096.601.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) To maintain a high quality of life for California’s growing population requires a continuing investment in parks, recreation facilities, and in the protection of the state’s natural and historical resources. (b) Clean air, clean water, clean beaches, and healthy natural ecosystems that can support both human communities and the state’s native fish and wildlife are all part of the legacy of California. Each generation has an obligation to be good stewards of these resources in order to pass them on to their children. (c) California’s historical legacy also requires active protection, restoration, and interpretation to preserve and pass on an understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultural influences and extraordinary human achievements that have contributed to the unique development of California.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5096.605. Section 5096.605.

As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) “Acquisition” means obtaining the fee title or a lesser interest in real property, including specifically, a conservation easement or development rights. (b) “Department” means the Department of Parks and Recreation. (c) “Development” includes, but is not limited to, improvement, rehabilitation, restoration, enhancement, preservation, protection, and interpretation. (d) “Director” means the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. (e) “District” means any regional park district, regional park and open-space district, or regional open-space district formed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 5500) of Chapter 3, any recreation and park district formed pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 5780), or an authority formed pursuant to Division 26 (commencing with Section 35100). With respect to any community or unincorporated region that is not included within a district, and in which no city or county provides parks or recreational areas or facilities, “district” also means any other district that is authorized by statute to operate and manage parks or recreational areas or facilities, employs a full-time park and recreation director, offers year-round park and recreation services on lands and facilities owned by the district, and allocates a substantial portion of its annual operating budget to parks or recreation areas or facilities. (f) “Fund” means the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Fund created pursuant to Section 5096.610. (g) “Historical resource” includes, but is not limited to, any building, structure, site, area, place, artifact, or collection of artifacts that is historically or archaeologically significant in the cultural annals of California. (h) “Local conservation corps” means a program operated by a public agency or nonprofit organization that is certified pursuant to Section 14406. (i) “Nonprofit organization” means any nonprofit public benefit corporation formed pursuant to the Nonprofit Corporation Law (commencing with Section 5000 of the Corporations Code), qualified to do business in California, and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (j) “Preservation” means identification, evaluation, recordation, documentation, interpretation, protection, rehabilitation, restoration, stabilization, development, and reconstruction, or any combination of those activities. (k) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Resources Agency.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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