Wildlife, coastal, and park land conservation is in the public interest and is necessary to keep these lands in open-space, natural, and recreational uses, to provide clean air and water, to protect significant environmental and scenic values of wildlife and plant habitat, riparian and wetland areas, and other open-space lands, and to provide opportunities for the people of California to enjoy, appreciate, and visit natural environments and recreational areas.

It is the intent of the People of California in enacting this division that it be carried out in the most expeditious manner possible, and that all state officials implement this division to the fullest extent of their authority.