BILL NUMBER: AB 606	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gatto

                        FEBRUARY 16, 2011

   An act to add Section 1507 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to
fish and wildlife resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 606, as introduced, Gatto. Hunting and fishing.
   Existing law authorizes the Department of Fish and Game to enter
into contracts for fish and wildlife habitat preservation,
restoration, and enhancement with public and private entities
whenever the department finds that the contracts will assist in
meeting the department's duty to preserve, protect, and restore fish
and wildlife.
   The Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 specifically authorizes the
Wildlife Conservation Board to authorize the Department of Fish and
Game to acquire real property, including easements, for the benefit
of wildlife.
   The Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Wetlands Mitigation Bank Act of
1993 (mitigation bank act) provides for the establishment of wetlands
mitigation bank sites to increase the total wetlands acreage and
values within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley.
   This bill would require the department to permit recreational
activities, including, but not limited to, hunting and fishing, on
land subject to a wildlife conservation easement, on land subject to
a fish and wildlife habitat contract, or on a qualified mitigation
bank site subject to a memorandum of understanding under the
mitigation bank act, except as specifically prohibited in the
applicable easement, contract, or memorandum of understanding.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 1507 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to
read:
   1507.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares that lawful
recreational activities, including, but not limited to, hunting and
fishing, are compatible uses of lands subject to easements or
agreements for wildlife purposes.
   (b) Except as specifically prohibited in the applicable easement,
contract, or memorandum of understanding, the department shall permit
recreational activities, including, but not limited to, hunting and
fishing, on the following:
   (1) Land subject to a wildlife conservation easement pursuant to
Article 3 (commencing with Section 1345) of Chapter 4.
   (2) Land subject to a contract for fish and wildlife habitat
preservation, restoration, and enhancement pursuant to Section
1501.5.
    (3) A qualified mitigation bank site subject to a memorandum of
understanding pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 1784) of
Chapter 4.