Bill > AB1987

This bill makes several changes related to the management and operation of department-managed lands, which are areas acquired for public shooting grounds, wildlife management, and other conservation purposes. It allows the Department of Fish and Wildlife to enter into agreements with nonprofit conservation groups or resource conservation districts for the management and operation of these lands, specifically including the administration of hunting or other public use programs. The bill also clarifies that funds collected from agricultural leases on these lands *shall* be used for their management, maintenance, restoration, and operations, rather than *may* be used. Furthermore, it expands the topics that the department must solicit public comment on regarding hunting programs to include "wetland floodup" in addition to habitat conditions on Type A and Type B Wildlife Areas, which are specific types of wildlife areas managed for public hunting. To support these areas, the bill creates a new "Waterfowl Management Areas Operations and Maintenance Account" within the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, into which all revenues from waterfowl hunting reservation applications and entry passes for Type A and Type B Wildlife Areas will be deposited and continuously appropriated for their operation, maintenance, and related administrative costs. Finally, the bill makes a minor, nonsubstantive change to the definition of "water" for certain water code provisions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1987