Article 1. Declaration of California Government Code >> Division 1. >> Title 5. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 6.6. >> Article 1.

It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to provide a means whereby any county or city may acquire or approve an open-space easement in perpetuity or for a term of years for the purpose of preserving and maintaining open space.

The Legislature finds that the rapid growth and spread of urban development is encroaching upon, or eliminating open-space lands which are necessary not only for the maintenance of the economy of the state, but also for the assurance of the continued availability of land for the production of food and fiber, for the enjoyment of scenic beauty, for recreation and for the use and conservation of natural resources.

The Legislature hereby declares that open-space lands, if preserved and maintained, would constitute important physical, social, economic or aesthetic assets to existing or pending urban development.

The Legislature further declares that the acquisition of open-space easements is in the public interest and constitutes a public purpose for which public funds may be expended or advanced.