Article 1. State Policy of California Water Code >> Division 6. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 10. >> Article 1.

The Legislature finds and declares it to be necessary for the general public health and welfare that preservation of fish and wildlife be provided for in connection with the construction of state water projects. The Legislature further finds and declares it to be necessary for the general public health and welfare that facilities for the storage, conservation or regulation of water be constructed in a manner consistent with the full utilization of their potential for the enhancement of fish and wildlife and to meet recreational needs; and further finds and declares that the providing for the enhancement of fish and wildlife and for recreation in connection with water storage, conservation, or regulation facilities benefits all of the people of California and that the project construction costs attributable to such enhancement of fish and wildlife and recreation features should be borne by them. The Legislature further finds and declares it to be the policy of this State that recreation and the enhancement of fish and wildlife resources are among the purposes of state water projects; that the acquisition of real property for such purposes be planned and initiated concurrently with and as a part of the land acquisition program for other purposes of state water projects; and that facilities for such purposes be ready and available for public use when each state water project having a potential for such uses is completed.

It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for the planning and construction of water storage, conservation, and regulation facilities and associated fish and wildlife and recreation features consistent with this declaration and to make provision for funds therefor on a continuing basis, and to provide for the operation and maintenance of such fish and wildlife and recreation features. In enacting this chapter, however, it is not the intent of the Legislature to diminish any existing powers of the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Parks and Recreation, or the Department of Fish and Game, but rather to provide specifically for the preservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources and for a system of public recreation facilities at state water projects as part of a coordinated plan for multipurpose use of these projects.