Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5840. Section 5840.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Urban American River Parkway Preservation Act.
CHAPTER 10. Urban American River Parkway Preservation [5840. - 5843.]
Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 10.
in effectCal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5841. Section 5841.
(a)
“American River Parkway Plan” means the revised, updated management plans for the lower American River adopted by the County of Sacramento on September 10, 2008, by Resolution No. 2008-0946, and by the City of Sacramento on November 6, 2008, by Resolution No. 2008-731, and endorsed by the City of Rancho Cordova on September 15, 2008, by Resolution No. 110-2008.
(b)
“Lower American River” means that portion of the American River between Nimbus Dam and the confluence of the American River with the Sacramento River and the adjacent lands as described in the American River Parkway Plan.
(c)
“American River Parkway” means the area described in the American River
Parkway Plan.
Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5841.5. Section 5841.5.
(a)
The American River Parkway and its environs contribute to the quality of life within the City of Sacramento, the City of Rancho Cordova, and the County of Sacramento, enhance the image of the cities and the county as desirable places to live, provide for the public safety and welfare of the community, and thereby contribute to the economic well-being of the community.
(b)
The lower American River serves as a floodway channel, protecting the community from runoff, rainfall, and snowmelt.
(c)
The lower American River sustains a myriad of fish populations, including steelhead, king salmon, striped bass, shad, and other fish and wildlife populations, which in
turn annually support millions of recreation user-days and commercial, scientific, and educational uses and benefits.
(d)
The recreation capacity of the American River Parkway is immense, including such diverse activities as hiking, bicycling, picnicking, birding, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, sailing, and power cruising.
(e)
It is essential that the function of the lower American River and its environs, as a regional open-space resource within the center of the City of Sacramento, the City of Rancho Cordova, and County of Sacramento, be supported and maintained.
(f)
Actions undertaken by a state agency can drastically affect the American River Parkway and negate planning steps taken by appropriate local agencies.
(g)
Adoption of the
American River Parkway Plan by the State of California provides necessary recognition so that local planning efforts are eligible to receive planning grants through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, technical staff assistance through the National Park Service, and financial assistance through the Soil Conservation Service’s Cooperative River Basin Planning Program.
Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5842. Section 5842.
(a)
The Legislature hereby adopts the American River Parkway Plan so as to provide coordination with local agencies in the protection and management of the diverse and valuable natural land, water, native wildlife, and vegetation of the American River Parkway.
(b)
Actions of state and local agencies with regard to land use decisions shall be consistent with the American River Parkway Plan, subject to the following provisions:
(1)
This chapter does not impair the authority and responsibilities of state or local public agencies in maintaining and operating the flood channel, levees, and pump stations, except that these operations, as nearly as practicable, shall
be consistent with the American River Parkway Plan.
(2)
This chapter does not affect the existing authority of the City of Sacramento to conduct or settle litigation involving the validity or application of the American River Parkway Plan.
(3)
This chapter does not prohibit the reasonable expansion of the water treatment facility operated by the City of Sacramento.
(4)
This chapter does not impair the authority and responsibilities of state agencies in managing the California Exposition flood plain or Bushy Lake area pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 5830).
(5)
This chapter does not affect the exercise of existing water rights.
(c)
Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the
Legislature finds and declares that Chapter 10 of the American River Parkway Plan, titled Area Plans, which consists of maps, policies, and narrative, may be amended through a local amendment process. However, Area Plans may be amended only to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the state-adopted Area Plan policies contained in Chapter 2 of the American River Parkway Plan. The Legislature recognizes that amendments to Area Plans shall be carried out by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in accordance with the public hearing process described in Chapter 11 of the American River Parkway Plan, titled Implementation, and recognizes the roles and responsibilities of public agencies set forth in the public hearing process including coordination with the city councils of the Cities of Sacramento and Rancho Cordova.
Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5843. Section 5843.
It is the intent of the Legislature that the duties and responsibilities provided for in this chapter be accomplished by utilizing existing staff resources and that no additional funding be provided other than that which is appropriated by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026