Chapter 3 - Establishment and Functions of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy

California Public Resources Code — §§ 33200-33215

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Sections (35)

Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 211, Sec. 1. (SB 238) Effective January 1, 2014.

(a)The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is hereby established within the Natural Resources Agency. The conservancy is composed of nine voting members and three ex officio members. The voting members are as follows:
(1)The Superintendent of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, or his or her designee.
(2)A member representing the City of Los Angeles, appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council.
(3)Three public members who shall be residents of either the County of Los Angeles or the County of Ventura, one of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be

appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. At least one of the public members shall reside within the San Fernando Valley statistical area, as defined in Section 11093 of the Government Code. The seat of a public member shall be deemed vacant if the member changes his or her residence to a county other than Los Angeles or Ventura County.

(4)An elected official who is a representative nominated by the city councils of those cities which have at least 75 percent of their areas within the zone who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles or a member appointed by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles, or that member’s designee.
(5)An elected

official who is either a member of the City Council of the City of Thousand Oaks or a member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura and who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura, or the elected official’s designee.

(6)The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or an employee of the agency designated by the secretary.
(7)The Superintendent of the Angeles District of the Department of Parks and Recreation, or his or her designee.
(b)(1) (A) The California Coastal Commission and the State Coastal Conservancy shall each appoint an ex

officio member who shall be either a member or employee of their respective agency. The ex officio member appointed by the California Coastal Commission and the State Coastal Conservancy shall be nonvoting members, except that the ex officio member appointed by the State Coastal Conservancy may vote on any matter relating to a project undertaken within the coastal zone portion of the zone.

(B) On the 10th working day after certification pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 30500) of Division 20 of any local coastal program, or any portion thereof, for any portion of the zone, the ex officio member appointed by the California Coastal Commission may vote on any matter relating to a project undertaken within the coastal zone portion of the zone and the ex officio member appointed by the State Coastal Conservancy may not vote on

the matter.

(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Supervisor of the Angeles National Forest shall also serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the conservancy.
(B)The Supervisor of the Angeles National Forest may vote on a matter relating to a project located within, adjacent to, or substantially affecting, the Angeles National Forest.
(c)The chairperson and vice chairperson of the conservancy shall be selected by the voting members of the conservancy for a one-year term. A majority of the total authorized and appointed voting membership of the conservancy constitutes a quorum for the transaction of any business under this division.
(d)(1) The following members of the conservancy shall be compensated for attendance at regular meetings of the conservancy at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100) per day:

(A) The public members.

(B) The member appointed by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles or that member’s designee, unless the member or designee is also a member of the board of supervisors, in which case no compensation shall be paid.

(C) The member appointed by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura or that member’s designee, unless the member or designee is also a member of a board of supervisors, in which case no compensation shall be paid.

(D) The members appointed by the State Coastal Conservancy and the California Coastal Commission if these members are not employees of their respective agency or are not full-time compensated elected officials.

(E) The appointed member representing the City of Los Angeles.

(2)All members of the conservancy shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties.

Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 991, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.

Three Members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and three Members of the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, shall meet with the conservancy on a regular basis and participate in its activities, to the extent that such participation is not incompatible with their respective positions as Members of the Legislature.

Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1304, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1993.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, placement of the conservancy within the Resources Agency shall not confer upon the Secretary of the Resources Agency any authority to approve or deny specific projects proposed to be undertaken by the conservancy, except pursuant to his or her membership in the conservancy as provided in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 33200, nor shall it restrict the conservancy from carrying out the purposes of this division.

Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 598. Effective January 1, 2007.

(a)The State Coastal Conservancy, pursuant to Division 21 (commencing with Section 31000), has the prime responsibility for carrying out projects identified in certified local coastal programs for jurisdictions within the coastal zone portion of the zone, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has the prime responsibility pursuant to this division to undertake projects within the coastal zone portion of the zone that implement the park, recreation, conservation, and open-space provisions of the plan.
(b)This section does not affect any project undertaken by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy or the State Coastal Conservancy prior to January 1, 1983, nor shall this section be construed to affect the existing review and approval powers of the California Coastal Commission.
(c)The State Coastal Conservancy does not have jurisdiction in the zone outside the coastal zone portion of the zone.

Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 1087.

The conservancy may apply for grants from any source to be used for the purposes of this division, and shall apply for all grants authorized pursuant to Section 507 of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 460kk). The proceeds of such grants shall be deposited in the separate federal grant account in the fund.

Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 310, Sec. 1. (SB 1380) Effective January 1, 2021.

(a)For purposes of this section, “encroachment” means any unauthorized or unlawful interference with, or physical intrusion onto, or alteration of, the conservancy’s property, either above ground or below, including, but not limited to, buildings, walls, driveways, patios, swimming pools, gutters, and irrigation lines.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 33203 or any other provision of this division, the conservancy’s acquisition of real property or interest therein initiated after January 1, 2021, to address or resolve an encroachment on real property owned by the conservancy pursuant to this division is not subject to the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), unless the

value of the real property or interest therein exceeds five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) per lot or parcel, as adjusted for annual changes to the Consumer Price Index for the State of California, as calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the conservancy may request the State Public Works Board to review and approve specific acquisitions.

(c)Nothing contained in subdivision (b) shall apply to the exercise of the power of eminent domain pursuant to this division.
(d)At least 45 days prior to the conservancy taking action pursuant to subdivision (b), the executive director of the conservancy shall provide written notice of the proposed acquisition of real property or of any interest in real property to both of the following:
(1)(A) Adjacent landowners, as

indicated in the appropriate county tax roll.

(B)If an adjacent landowner objects to the proposed action, the conservancy shall hold a noticed public hearing on the objection to the acquisition before voting to recommend an action by the conservancy.
(2)(A) The city council of the city in which the real property is located or to the board of supervisors of the county in which the real property is located if the real property is located in an unincorporated area.
(B)If the city council or county board of supervisors votes to oppose the proposed action, the conservancy shall hold a noticed public hearing on the objection to the acquisition before voting to recommend an action by the conservancy.
(e)The value of the real property

or interest therein subject to acquisition pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be determined by an independent third-party appraisal.

Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1616, Sec. 5.

The conservancy may acquire, pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 33207.5 and the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), real property or any interests therein, including development rights and easements for all the purposes specified in this division. For purposes of this section, the State Public Works Board may use the power of eminent domain. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, the Director of General Services, when so requested by the conservancy and when the conservancy finds it necessary to meet the provisions of this division, shall, without delay, lease, rent, sell, transfer, or exchange any land or interests therein acquired pursuant to this division. Any moneys received by the state, upon disposition of lands acquired pursuant to this division, shall be deposited in the fund and shall be available for the purposes of this division.

The Department of General Services and the conservancy shall jointly develop and implement appropriate procedures to insure that land acquisitions, options to purchase, land disposals, and other property transactions under this division are carried out efficiently, equitably, and with proper notice to the public.

The conservancy may coordinate with the Department of Parks and Recreation any acquisition with park and recreation development potential and may contract with the Department of Parks and Recreation as necessary in order to do so.

The conservancy may, by interagency agreement, cooperate with resource conservation districts in order to carry out the purposes and objectives of this division.

Added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1048, Sec. 1. Effective September 27, 1985. Operative January 1, 1986, by Sec. 6 of Ch. 1048.

Notwithstanding Section 33203 or any other provision of this division, the executive director of the conservancy shall give notice of any proposed acquisition of real property, or of any interest in real property, by eminent domain to the city council of the city in which the property is located, or to the board of supervisors of the county in which the property is located if it is in an unincorporated area, at least 45 days prior to the conservancy requesting any action by the State Public Works Board pursuant to Section 15854 of the Government Code. If the city council or board of supervisors disapproves of the proposed action, the conservancy shall hold a noticed public hearing on the objections to the use of eminent domain prior to any vote recommending that action by the State Public Works Board.

Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1616, Sec. 6.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, the conservancy may acquire and improve real property, or any interests therein, anywhere within the zone upon a finding that the action is consistent with the plan. If the proposed acquisition or improvement is within the coastal zone, the executive director of the conservancy shall submit the proposal to the State Coastal Conservancy for review at least 60 days prior to approval by the conservancy. If the State Coastal Conservancy has not, within 60 days from the date of submission, acted to disapprove the proposed acquisition or improvement on the grounds that the project is in conflict with or would jeopardize an approved project of the State Coastal Conservancy or a proposed project as identified in a written preproject feasibility report as adopted by the State Coastal Conservancy, the acquisition or improvement may proceed pursuant to this section.

Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1616, Sec. 7.

The conservancy may, in accordance with the priorities of the plan, do the following:

(a)Award grants or make interest-free loans to cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and recreation and park districts for the purpose of restoring areas which, because of scattered ownerships, poor lot layout, inadequate lot size, inadequate park and open space, incompatible land uses, or other conditions, are adversely affecting the Santa Monica Mountains environment or are impeding orderly development. Any funds over and above eligible project costs which remain after completion of a restoration under this subdivision shall be transmitted by the city, county, resource conservation district, or recreation and park district, as the case may be, to the state and deposited in the fund and shall be available for expenditure, when appropriated by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding the programs specified in this division.
(b)Undertake, or award grants or make interest-free loans to any state agency, city, county, resource conservation district, or recreation and park district for the purposes of undertaking, the acquisition of critically needed buffer zones to ensure that the character and intensity of development surrounding lands acquired by the federal government as part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is generally compatible with, and does not adversely impact, the recreational and natural resource values of the national recreation area. In the acquisition of interests pursuant to this subdivision, the conservancy shall place principal reliance on acquisition of development rights and other less than fee interests.
(c)Award grants to state agencies, cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and park and recreation districts for the purpose of acquiring sites identified as necessary for park, recreation, or conservation purposes and for development of essential related public facilities.
(d)Acquire, or award grants or make interest-free loans to other state agencies, cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and recreation and park districts for the purpose of acquiring, sites identified as necessary for park, recreation, or conservation purposes, when a state or local agency is unable, due to limited financial resources or other circumstances of a temporary nature, to acquire the site. Priority shall be given under this subdivision to sites under immediate development pressure. Fee title and options to purchase may be acquired and the land may be held for subsequent conveyance to the appropriate public agency if the conservancy finds that the site would otherwise be lost to public use. Repayment of any loans or other reimbursements to the conservancy for projects funded from the federal grant account of the fund under this subdivision shall be deposited in the account and may be used for the purposes of this division when authorized by the Secretary of the Interior.
(e)Award grants to cities, counties, or state agencies for the purpose of enhancing of resources which, because of improper location of improvements, or incompatible land uses, have suffered loss of natural and scenic values. Grants under this subdivision shall be utilized for the assembly of parcels of land to improve resource management, for relocation of improperly located or designated improvements, and for other corrective measures which will enhance the natural and scenic character. Grants under this subdivision may not be utilized as a method of acquisition of public park, wildlife, or natural areas, except as such uses may be incidental.
(f)The conservancy may act pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section only if it finds that the local regulatory provisions do not adequately accomplish the objectives of such subdivisions.

The conservancy may act pursuant to subdivisions (a), (c), and (e) of this section only if the project is not a more intense land use than is consistent with the local area and general plans of the city or county having jurisdiction over the affected land. The conservancy may undertake a project itself or award a grant or make a loan pursuant to subdivision (b) only if it notifies the governing body of the city or county in whose jurisdiction the project is located and the governing body has not, by a four-fifths vote, disapproved the project. If the governing body does not disapprove a project within 45 days after receiving notice of the project proposal from the conservancy, the project shall be deemed approved by the governing body.

Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 433, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.

(a)The conservancy may award grants to nonprofit organizations qualified as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3)), and private educational institutions that file the statement with the Superintendent of Public Instruction required by Section 33190 of the Education Code, to carry out improvements, maintenance, acquisitions, or educational interpretation programs that directly relate to a project that the conservancy is otherwise authorized to undertake pursuant to this division.
(b)Grants awarded pursuant to this section are subject to the review and approval of the Department of General Services. The conservancy shall not award a grant under this section for a project that is not for the purposes specified in subdivision (a). No nonprofit organization may expend any portion of a grant to engage in any activity not expressly authorized pursuant to subdivision (a).
(c)The executive director shall submit a notice to the Department of Finance 30 days prior to award of a grant under this section. The notice shall specify the recipient organization, the amount to be granted, and the purposes for which the grant is awarded. The period for notice under this subdivision may be concurrent with the review of the Department of General Services under subdivision (b).

Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 433, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1999.

(a)The conservancy may award grants to school districts and other local agencies for any of the purposes for which it may award grants to nonprofit organizations pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 33204.2.
(b)Grants awarded to school districts pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be subject to both of the following conditions:
(1)The grants shall not include cash grants of state funds.
(2)Grants permitting the use of facilities shall be limited to facilities that are owned by the conservancy.

Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1062, Sec. 1.

(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The existing parks and open space owned by federal, state, and local agencies within the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor, as defined in Section 33105.5, are important recreational and environmental resources for the people of California, especially residents of the San Fernando, La Cresenta, and San Gabriel Valleys, and it is in the public interest to facilitate the connection of existing parks and open-space resources and to provide for further improvement of underutilized public easements and other existing public open spaces.
(2)There is a need for overall trail and recreational access planning and coordination between the 11 local agencies, two joint powers park agencies, two state agencies, and three federal agencies with jurisdiction over lands in the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor.
(b)The conservancy, using the voluntary cooperation of governmental jurisdictions within the corridor, shall prepare and adopt a coordinated trail development plan and recreational access program for the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor that includes, but is not necessarily limited to, all of the following:
(1)Identification of major hiking and equestrian trails and important secondary and feeder trails that cross jurisdictional lines, and a priority program for improving those trails.
(2)Identification of special purpose trails, where appropriate, for special population groups and special user groups, such as mountain bicycles where the special purpose trails will have no significant environmental impact.
(3)Identification of, and a priority program for implementing, those additional recreation access needs, including new or expanded trails that should be added to the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor, and additional or upgraded facilities, parks, or open spaces that may be necessary.
(4)Identification of underused existing public open spaces and recommendations for providing better public use and enjoyment of these areas.
(c)Notwithstanding Section 33105.5, the conservancy may make minor boundary changes to the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor solely for the purpose of implementing the plan prepared pursuant to this section. Any boundary change shall be in the form of maps and descriptions which shall be included in the plan submitted pursuant to subdivision (d) and shall be filed with the Secretary of State not later than July 31, 1990.
(d)The conservancy shall hold at least one public hearing in each city and the unincorporated area of each county within the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor prior to the submission of the plan and program pursuant to this subdivision. The plan and program prepared under subdivision (b), and any changes to the corridor boundary, shall be coordinated with each affected jurisdiction prior to adoption by the conservancy. The plan and program shall be submitted to the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife at least 30 days prior to the approval of any acquisition or improvement under the plan or program pursuant to this division, but not later than June 30, 1990.
(e)Upon adoption by a local government of the plan and program prepared under this section, the plan and program shall be part of the plan that the local government implements for purposes of compliance with Section 33009.

Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 407, Sec. 1. (AB 110) Effective January 1, 2010.

(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)The boundary of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor should be determined exclusively upon the best scientific and resource-based information regarding trail, recreational, and environmental resources in the area.
(2)Landowners, local government entities, members of the public, and other affected parties should be afforded maximum participation in the process by which the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor is delineated.
(b)(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 33105.5, if the conservancy determines,

based on relevant scientific information and land use planning studies, and after holding at least one public hearing in the area that would be affected by a revision of the boundaries of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor, that a boundary revision in the vicinity of the City of Santa Clarita, including Whitney Canyon, Elsmere Canyon, and their adjacent watersheds, is necessary, the executive director shall prepare and file with the Secretary of State, the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, a revised map showing the changes in the boundaries of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor.

(2)A revised map prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be supported by relevant scientific information and be in accordance with the purposes and objectives of Section 33204.3.
(3)(A) An owner of property located

in Elsmere Canyon, at any time, may request of the conservancy, in writing, that his or her property be included within the boundaries of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor. Upon receipt of the request, the conservancy may, in accordance with the procedures prescribed in paragraphs (1) and (2), revise the map showing the boundaries of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor to include within the corridor the property in Elsmere Canyon that is the subject of the request.

(B)Subparagraph (A) does not affect the inclusion of the property in the corridor pursuant to other provisions of this section or other provisions of law.
(c)Notwithstanding Section 33201, this section does not affect the jurisdiction of the State Coastal Conservancy.

Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 634, Sec. 2.

(a)The conservancy shall conduct a study and implement a program to provide recreational access from downtown Los Angeles and the inner city to the zone in order to provide recreational opportunities for all income and ethnic groups wishing to enjoy the Santa Monica Mountains. In undertaking the study, the conservancy shall cooperate with the National Park Service, the El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park Advisory Committee, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the City of Los Angeles.
(b)The executive director of the conservancy shall file by June 30, 1983, with the Secretary of State and the City Council of the City of Los Angeles a map showing a feasible recreational trail corridor between El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park and Griffith Park.

Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1280, Sec. 1.

On January 1, 1984, the Department of Parks and Recreation shall transfer Fryman Canyon, which was acquired pursuant to Section 4 of Chapter 809 of the Statutes of 1980, to the conservancy. Fryman Canyon shall be deemed to have been acquired by the conservancy pursuant to Section 33204, but may be transferred by the conservancy only to the National Park Service, without payment of any compensation, in accordance with Section 33205.

Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 208. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.

(a)(1) Notwithstanding the requirements in Section 33105.5, if the conservancy determines, based on relevant scientific information and land use planning studies and after holding at least one public hearing in the area that would be affected by a revision of the boundaries of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor, that a boundary revision within and in the vicinity of the City of Moorpark, as described in paragraph (2), is necessary, the executive director shall prepare and file with the Secretary of State, the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water a revised map showing the changes in the boundaries of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor.
(2)The conservancy shall determine

potential boundary revisions of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor for the area within the city limits of the City of Moorpark; the area north of the city limits and south of Broadway Road between Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park and Grimes Canyon Road; and the area west of the city limits of the City of Moorpark, south of Los Angeles Avenue, north of the Arroyo Simi, and east of the Gabbert Canyon Drainage Channel.

(3)A revised map prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be supported by relevant scientific information and shall be in accordance with the purposes and objectives of Section 33204.3.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 33201, this section does not affect the jurisdiction of the State Coastal Conservancy.

Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1549, Sec. 2.

The conservancy shall not hold lands acquired in accordance with subdivision (d) of Section 33204 more than 10 years from the time of acquisition. A city, county, recreation and park district, the National Park Service, or a state agency may acquire the land any time during that period for park, recreation, or resource preservation purposes. The acquisition price to the agencies shall be based upon the cost of acquisition under this division, plus administrative and management costs in reserving the land, unless the conservancy determines that the agency will operate and maintain the property for park, recreation, or resource preservation purposes in accordance with standards set by the conservancy, and that the property will not be converted to other uses without the approval of the conservancy. In the cases where the conservancy makes this determination, it may transfer the property without consideration or it may set another acquisition price as mutually agreed upon by the parties. However, in any case where there is a transfer without consideration, or where the consideration is less than acquisition and administrative and management costs, the property shall first be offered to the Department of Parks and Recreation, and, if the department is unwilling or unable to accept the property, the conservancy may then transfer or sell the property to a city, county, recreation and park district, or the National Park Service pursuant to this section. The conservancy shall include in each instrument transferring title of state property to the National Park Service a provision which assures that the property is operated in a manner suitable for park, recreation, or resource preservation purposes. The conservancy shall include in each instrument transferring title of state property to a state or local agency a provision for reversion of the property to the state if the property ceases to be used for park, recreation, or resource preservation purposes. Lands acquired under subdivision (d) of Section 33204 shall not be disposed of pursuant to Section 11011.1 of the Government Code.

If, at the expiration of the 10-year period, no agency is willing or able to acquire the lands, the conservancy shall request the Real Estate Services Division of the Department of General Services to dispose of the lands at fair market value subject to restrictions that are consistent with this division.

Any funds received by the state upon disposition of lands acquired in accordance with subdivision (a) or (d) of Section 33204 shall be deposited in the fund and shall be available for the purposes of this division. Any funds received by the state under this section upon disposition of lands acquired with funds granted pursuant to Section 507(n) of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460kk(n)) shall be deposited in the federal grant account in the fund and shall be available for the purposes of this division when authorized by the Secretary of the Interior.

Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1280, Sec. 2.

(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, concurrent with the transfers described in subdivision (b), the Department of Parks and Recreation shall transfer Stunt Ranch, which was acquired pursuant to Section 3 of Chapter 1305 of the Statutes of 1980, to the conservancy, and Stunt Ranch shall be deemed to have been acquired by the conservancy pursuant to Section 33204. Subject to the approval of the Director of Parks and Recreation, the conservancy, not sooner than January 1, 1986, may transfer in fee only to the National Park Service to be used for the benefit of the state park system, without payment of compensation, in accordance with Section 33205 of the Public Resources Code, that portion of Stunt Ranch not transferred to the regents pursuant to subdivision (c), subject to rights reserved to the regents by subdivision (c). If operating funds for Stunt Ranch become available to the Department of Parks and Recreation prior to a transfer to the National Park Service, the conservancy shall, upon the request of the Director of Parks and Recreation, retransfer the property, without payment of compensation, to the Department of Parks and Recreation and the property shall be operated as a unit of the state park system, subject to rights reserved to the regents by subdivision (c).
(b)If the conservancy acquires property of the regents commonly known as “362 acres more or less in Upper Temescal Canyon” (hereafter called Upper Temescal Canyon) and “40 acres more or less in Arroyo Sequit” (hereafter called Arroyo Sequit property), the executive director, on behalf of the conservancy, shall do the following:
(1)Transfer Upper Temescal Canyon to the Department of Parks and Recreation as an addition to Topanga State Park.
(2)Offer to transfer, without compensation, the Arroyo Sequit property to the Department of Parks and Recreation for state park system purposes. If the department does not accept the offer of the Arroyo Sequit property within a reasonable time, the conservancy may transfer the Arroyo Sequit property in fee to the National Park Service to be used for the benefit of the state park system, without payment of compensation, in accordance with Section 33205.
(c)If the conservancy acquires the properties specified in subdivision (b) by March 1, 1984, the executive director of the conservancy shall transfer in fee that portion of Stunt Ranch as may be needed by the regents for scientific and educational purposes, upon terms mutually agreed upon by the executive director, on behalf of the conservancy, and the regents. The Department of General Services shall appraise Upper Temescal Canyon, the Arroyo Sequit property, and the Stunt Ranch property and the costs of the appraisal shall be borne equally by the conservancy and the regents. The executive director, on behalf of the conservancy, the Director of Parks and Recreation, and the regents shall each certify that the properties transferred to and offered to the Department of Parks and Recreation pursuant to subdivision (b) are of equivalent value to that portion of Stunt Ranch transferred to the regents pursuant to this subdivision. Subject to the approval of the Director of Parks and Recreation, the executive director shall also execute an agreement with the regents, which shall be effective upon execution, for the use of such other areas of Stunt Ranch as may be necessary for scientific and educational purposes. The agreement may provide that any transfer of other portions of Stunt Ranch to the National Park Service or to the Department of Parks and Recreation shall reserve to the regents the right to continue scientific and educational use under substantially the same conditions as existed prior to the transfer.
(d)The Legislature finds and declares that the transfers of and reservations of rights in, property provided for by this section are in the public interest, further the objectives of, and benefit, the state park system, and further the interest in protecting the Santa Monica Mountains Zone as declared in Section 33001.
(e)In the event of any conflict between Sections 92671 to 92673, inclusive, of the Education Code and this section, the provisions of this section shall prevail.
(f)Notwithstanding the provisions of the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) and any other provision of law, the executive director of the conservancy may take such actions as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 1087.

The conservancy may lease lands acquired in accordance and for purposes consistent with this division. Revenue from leases of land acquired with funds granted pursuant to Section 507(n) of the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 460kk(n)) shall be deposited in the federal grant account in the fund and shall be available for the purposes of this division when authorized by the Secretary of the Interior. When leases are made to private individuals or private nonprofit tax-exempt organizations of lands acquired pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 33204, the conservancy shall annually, upon appropriation of such amounts by the Legislature, transfer 24 percent of the gross income of such leases to the county in which such lands are situated.

The county shall distribute any payment received by it pursuant to this section to itself, to each revenue district for which the county assesses and collects real property taxes or assessments, and to every other taxing agency within the county in which the property is situated. The amount distributable to the county and each such revenue district or other taxing agency shall be proportionate to the ratio which the amount of the taxes and assessments of each on similar real property similarly situated within that part of the county embracing the smallest in the area of the revenue districts or other taxing agencies other than the county, levied for the fiscal year next preceding, bears to the combined amount of the taxes and assessments of all such districts and agencies, including the county, on such property levied for that year. The county auditor shall determine and certify the amount distributable to the board of supervisors, which shall thereupon order the making of the distribution.

Any money distributed pursuant to this section to any county, revenue district, or other taxing agency shall be deposited to the credit of the same fund as any taxes or assessments on any taxable similar real property similarly situated.

Where a county receives a payment pursuant to this section in an amount of twenty-five dollars ($25) or less in respect to any parcel of leased property, all of such payment shall be distributed to the county for deposit in the county general fund.

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