CHAPTER 1. Findings and Declarations [29700. - 29716.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 1.
in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29701. Section 29701.

The Legislature finds and declares that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a natural resource of statewide, national, and international significance, containing irreplaceable resources, and it is the policy of the state to recognize, preserve, and protect those resources of the delta for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29702. Section 29702.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the basic goals of the state for the Delta are the following: (a) Achieve the two coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place. (b) Protect, maintain, and, where possible, enhance and restore the overall quality of the Delta environment, including, but not limited to, agriculture, wildlife habitat, and recreational activities. (c) Ensure orderly, balanced conservation and development of Delta land resources. (d) Improve flood protection by structural and nonstructural means to ensure an increased level of public health and safety.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29703. Section 29703.

The Legislature further finds and declares as follows: (a) The delta is an agricultural region of great value to the state and nation and the retention and continued cultivation and production of fertile peatlands and prime soils are of significant value. (b) The agricultural land of the delta, while adding greatly to the economy of the state, also provides a significant value as open space and habitat for water fowl using the Pacific Flyway, as well as other wildlife, and the continued dedication and retention of that delta land in agricultural production contributes to the preservation and enhancement of open space and habitat values. (c) Agricultural lands located within the primary zone should be protected from the intrusion of nonagricultural uses.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29703.5. Section 29703.5.

The Legislature further finds and declares both of the following: (a) The Delta Protection Commission created pursuant to Section 29735 provides an existing forum for Delta residents to engage in decisions regarding actions to recognize and enhance the unique cultural, recreational, and agricultural resources of the Delta. As such, the commission is the appropriate agency to identify and provide recommendations to the Delta Stewardship Council on methods of preserving the Delta as an evolving place as the Delta Stewardship Council develops and implements the Delta Plan. (b) There is a need for the five Delta counties to establish and implement a resources management plan for the Delta and for the Delta Stewardship Council to consider that plan and recommendations of the commission in the adoption of the Delta Plan.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29704. Section 29704.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the leveed islands and tracts of the delta and portions of its uplands are floodprone areas of critical statewide significance due to the public safety risks and the costs of public emergency responses to floods, and that improvement and ongoing maintenance of the levee system is a matter of continuing urgency to protect farmlands, population centers, the state’s water quality, and significant natural resource and habitat areas of the delta. The Legislature further finds that improvements and continuing maintenance of the levee system will not resolve all flood risks and that the delta is inherently a floodprone area wherein the most appropriate land uses are agriculture, wildlife habitat, and, where specifically provided, recreational activities, and that most of the existing levee systems are degraded and in need of restoration, improvement, and continuing management.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29705. Section 29705.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the delta’s wildlife and wildlife habitats, including waterways, vegetated unleveed channel islands, wetlands, and riparian forests and vegetation corridors, are highly valuable, providing critical wintering habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds using the Pacific Flyway, as well as certain plant species, various rare and endangered wildlife species of birds, mammals, and fish, and numerous amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates, that these wildlife species and their habitat are valuable, unique, and irreplaceable resources of critical statewide significance, and that it is the policy of the state to preserve and protect these resources and their diversity for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29706. Section 29706.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the resource values of the delta have deteriorated, and that further deterioration threatens the maintenance and sustainability of the delta’s ecology, fish and wildlife populations, recreational opportunities, and economic productivity.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29707. Section 29707.

The Legislature further finds and declares that there is no process by which state and national interests and values can be protected and enhanced for the delta, and that, to protect the regional, state, and national interests for the long-term agricultural productivity, economic vitality, and ecological health of the delta resources, it is necessary to provide and implement delta land use planning and management by local governments.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29708. Section 29708.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the cities, towns, and settlements within the delta are of significant historical, cultural, and economic value and that their continued protection is important to the economic and cultural vitality of the region.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29709. Section 29709.

The Legislature further finds and declares as follows: (a) Regulation of land use and related activities that threaten the integrity of the delta’s resources can best be advanced through comprehensive regional land use planning implemented through reliance on local government in its local land use planning procedures and enforcement. (b) In order to protect regional, state, and national interests in the long-term agricultural productivity, economic vitality, and ecological health of delta resources, it is important that there be a coordination and integration of activities by the various agencies whose land use activities and decisions cumulatively impact the delta.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29710. Section 29710.

The Legislature further finds and declares that agricultural, recreational, and other uses of the delta can best be protected by implementing projects that protect wildlife habitat before conflicts arise.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29711. Section 29711.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the inland ports of Sacramento and Stockton constitute economic and water dependent resources of statewide significance, fulfill essential functions in the maritime industry, and have long been dedicated to transportation, agricultural, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, and navigation uses consistent with federal, state, and local regulations, and that those uses should be maintained and enhanced.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29712. Section 29712.

The Legislature further finds and declares as follows: (a) The delta’s waterways and marinas offer recreational opportunities of statewide and local significance and are a source of economic benefit to the region, and, due to increased demand and usage, there are public safety problems associated with that usage requiring increased coordination by all levels of government. (b) Recreational boating within the delta is of statewide and local significance and is a source of economic benefit to the region, and to the extent of any conflict or inconsistency between this division and any provisions of the Harbors and Navigation Code, regarding regulating the operation or use of boating in the delta, the provisions of the Harbors and Navigation Code shall prevail.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29713. Section 29713.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the voluntary acquisition of wildlife and agricultural conservation easements in the delta promotes and enhances the traditional delta values of agriculture, habitat, and recreation.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29714. Section 29714.

The Legislature further finds and declares that, in enacting this division, it is not the intent of the Legislature to authorize any governmental agency acting pursuant to this division to exercise their power in a manner which will take or damage private property for public use, without the payment of just compensation therefor. This section is not intended to increase or decrease the rights of any owner of property under the California Constitution or the United States Constitution.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29715. Section 29715.

To the extent of any conflict or inconsistency between this division and any provision of the Water Code, the provisions of the Water Code shall prevail.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 29716. Section 29716.

Nothing in this division authorizes the commission to exercise any jurisdiction over matters within the jurisdiction of, or to carry out its powers and duties in conflict with the powers and duties of, any other state agency.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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