Amended in Assembly May 31, 2016

Amended in Assembly April 5, 2016

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly BillNo. 2087


Introduced by Assembly Member Levine

February 17, 2016


An act to addbegin delete Article 4end deletebegin insert Chapter 9end insert (commencing withbegin delete Section 2090) to Chapter 1.5 ofend deletebegin insert Section 1850) toend insert Divisionbegin delete 3end deletebegin insert 2end insert of the Fish and Game Code, relating to fish and wildlife.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2087, as amended, Levine. Regional conservation frameworks.

Existing law establishes the Department of Fish and Wildlife in the Natural Resources Agency. Under existing law, the department has jurisdiction over the conservation, protection, and management of fish, wildlife, native plants, and habitat necessary for biologically sustainable populations of those species. The California Endangered Species Act prohibits the taking of an endangered, threatened, or candidate species, except as specified. Under the act, the department may authorize the take of listed species if the take is incidental to an otherwise lawful activity and the impacts are minimized and fully mitigated.begin insert Existing law prohibits an entity from substantially diverting or obstructing the natural flow of, or substantially changing or using any material from the bed, channel, or bank of, any river, stream, or lake, or from depositing certain material where it may pass into any river, stream, or lake, without first notifying the department of that activity, and entering into a lake or streambed alteration agreement if required by the department to protect fish and wildlife resources. end insert

This bill would authorize the department, or any other public agency, to propose a regional conservation framework that would be required to contain specified information, including a regional conservation assessment. The bill would authorize the department to approve a regional conservation framework, or approve the framework with amendments, for a period of up to 5 years after certain public meetings and a public comment period regarding the proposed framework have been held and after it finds that the framework meets certain requirements. The bill would authorize a conservation action, as defined, and a habitat enhancement, as defined,begin delete implemented in accordance withend deletebegin insert that measurably advanceend insertbegin insert the conservation objectives ofend insert an approved frameworkbegin insert and that meetend insertbegin insert other specified requirements,end insert to be used tobegin delete fulfill, in whole or in part, compensatory mitigation requirements set forth in an incidental take permit issued by the departmentend deletebegin insert create mitigation credits that may be used, within the framework area, to compensate for take or other adverse impacts of activities authorizedend insert pursuant to the California Endangered Speciesbegin delete Act or compensatory mitigation requirements established by any state or local agencyend deletebegin insert Act, to reduce adverse impacts to fish and wildlife resources from activities authorized pursuant to a lake or streambed alteration agreement to less than substantial, or to mitigate significant effects on the environmentend insert pursuant to the California Environmental Qualitybegin delete Act or any regulatory program within the agency’s jurisdiction, as prescribed. Theend deletebegin insert Act. To create these mitigation credits, theend insert bill wouldbegin delete also authorize a conservation action or habitat enhancement implemented in accordance with an approved framework to be used to create mitigation credits under a written mitigation credit agreement between the department and the person or entity.end deletebegin insert require a person or entity to enter into a mitigation credit agreement with the department that meets specified requirements. The bill would authorize the department to collect fees from a person or entity that proposes to enter into a mitigation credit agreement, and from a public agency that proposes a framework, to pay for all or a portion of the department’s costs relating to the mitigation credit agreement or proposed framework.end insert

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

begin deleteP3    1

SECTION 1.  

Article 4 (commencing with Section 2090) is
2added to Chapter 1.5 of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code, to
3read:

4 

5Article 4.  Regional Conservation Frameworks
6

 

end delete
7begin insert

begin insertSECTION 1.end insert  

end insert

begin insertChapter 9 (commencing with Section 1850) is
8added to Division 2 of the end insert
begin insertFish and Game Codeend insertbegin insert, to read:end insert

9 

begin insert
10Chapter  begin insert9.end insert begin insertRegional Conservation Frameworksend insert
end insert
11

 

12

begin delete2090.end delete
13
begin insert1850.end insert  

(a) The Legislature finds and declares thatbegin delete there is a
14needend delete
begin insert it would be beneficialend insert to identify wildlife and habitat
15conservationbegin delete needsend deletebegin insert initiativesend insert at a regional scale, including actions
16needed to address the impacts of climate change and other wildlife
17stressors, in order to guidebegin insert voluntaryend insert investments in conservation,
18infrastructure planning, sustainable communities strategies, and
19compensatory mitigation for impacts to natural resources, including
20impacts to threatened and endangered species, other sensitive
21species, natural communities, ecological processes, and wildlife
22corridors.

23(b) The purpose of thisbegin delete articleend deletebegin insert chapterend insert is to promote the
24begin insert voluntaryend insert conservation of natural resources, including biodiversity
25 and ecological processes, in order to maintain the continued
26viability of biological communities and to enhance their resiliency
27to climate change and other threats. In order to further this goal,
28it is the policy of the statebegin insert to encourage voluntary mechanismsend insert to
29conserve biological and other natural resources and to identify
30natural resource conservationbegin delete needs,end deletebegin insert actions,end insert including actions
31needed to promote resiliency to the impacts of climate change and
32other wildlife and fisheries stressors.

33(c) In enacting thisbegin delete article,end deletebegin insert chapter,end insert it is the intent of the
34Legislature to promote conservation planning that identifies
35wildlife, fishery, and habitat conservation needs, including actions
36needed to promote the resiliency to the impacts of climate change
37and other wildlife stressors, in order to guidebegin insert voluntaryend insert investments
38in conservation, infrastructure and land use planning, and
P4    1compensatory mitigation for impacts to natural resources, including
2impacts to threatened and endangered species, other sensitive
3species, natural communities, ecological processes, and
4connectivity.

5

begin delete2091.end delete
6
begin insert1851.end insert  

For purposes of thisbegin delete article:end deletebegin insert chapter:end insert

7(a) “Areas of Conservation Emphasis” means the biodiversity
8analysis completed by the department in 2010, or the latest update
9of that analysis.

begin delete

10(b) “California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project” means
11the final report prepared jointly by the department and the
12Department of Transportation in February 2010.

end delete
begin delete

13(c)

end delete

14begin insert(end insertbegin insertb)end insert “Conservation action” means the permanent protection of
15habitat, and restoration and management actions on permanently
16protected habitat that help to offset the impacts of threats tobegin delete coveredend delete
17begin insert focalend insert species and help to achieve biological goals and objectives
18for thosebegin delete coveredend deletebegin insert focalend insert species.begin delete A conservation action may include,
19but is not limited to, a conservation action implemented as part of
20a natural community conservation plan approved by the department
21pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of
22Division 3, purchase of credits from a conservation or mitigation
23bank approved by the department pursuant to Chapter 7.9
24(commencing with Section 1797) of Division 2, or purchase of
25credits from an in-lieu fee program approved by the department.end delete

begin delete

26(d) “Covered

end delete

27begin insert(end insertbegin insertc)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insert“Focal end insertspecies” means those species within thebegin delete coveredend delete
28begin insert frameworkend insert area that are both of the following:

29(1) Endangered, threatened, or candidate species pursuant to
30begin delete this chapterend deletebegin insert Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of
31Division 3end insert
or other sensitive species.

32(2) Analyzed within and protected by conservation actions set
33forth within the framework.

begin delete

34(e)

end delete

35begin insert(end insertbegin insertd)end insert “Habitat enhancement” means an action to improve the
36quality of wildlife habitat, or to address risks or stressors to
37wildlife, thatbegin insert has long-term durability butend insert does not involve land
38acquisition or the permanent protection of habitat, such as
39improving in-stream flows to benefit fish species, enhancing habitat
40connectivity, or invasive species control or eradication. begin delete A habitat
P5    1enhancement may include, but is not limited to, a habitat
2enhancement implemented as part of a natural community
3conservation plan approved by the department pursuant to Chapter
410 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3, purchase of
5credits from a conservation or mitigation bank approved by the
6department pursuant to Chapter 7.9 (commencing with Section
71797) of Division 2, or purchase of credits from an in-lieu fee
8program approved by the department.end delete
begin insert If a habitat enhancement is
9used to create end insert
begin inserta mitigation creditend insertbegin insert, “long-term durability” means
10that the habitat enhancement will remain in effect for at least as
11long as the impact that is being mitigated.end insert

begin delete

12(f)

end delete

13begin insert(end insertbegin inserte)end insert “Hydrologic Unit Code Watershed” means a watershed as
14described and delineated by the United States Geological Survey.

begin delete

15(g)

end delete

16begin insert(end insertbegin insertf)end insert “Permanently protect” means doing both of the following:

17(1) Recording a conservation easement, in a form approved in
18advance in writing by the department, or establishing perpetual
19protection of land in a manner substantially similar to a
20conservation easement and approved in advance in writing by the
21department, that prevents development, prohibits inconsistent uses,
22and ensures that habitat forbegin delete coveredend deletebegin insert focalend insert species is maintained.

23(2) Providing secure, perpetual funding for management of the
24land.

begin delete

25(h)

end delete

26begin insert(end insertbegin insertg)end insert “Pressure” means an anthropogenic or natural driver that
27could significantly change ecological conditions. Pressures may
28be positive or negative depending on intensity, timing, and
29duration.

begin delete

30(i)

end delete

31begin insert(end insertbegin inserth)end insert “Sensitive species” means any special status species
32identified by a state or federal agency, and any species for which
33the department has determined that listing as endangered,
34threatened, or a candidate is reasonably foreseeable within the
35term of the framework.

begin delete

36(j)

end delete

37begin insert(end insertbegin inserti)end insert “Stress” and “stressor” mean a degraded ecological condition
38resulting directly or indirectly from negative impacts of pressures,
39for example, habitat fragmentation.

begin delete

40(k)

end delete

P6    1begin insert(end insertbegin insertj)end insert “USDA Ecological Subsection” means a subsection as
2described and delineated by the United States Department of
3Agriculture, the Forest Service and the Natural Resource
4Conservation Service.

5

begin delete2092.end delete
6
begin insert1852.end insert  

(a) The department may approve a regional conservation
7framework pursuant to thisbegin delete article.end deletebegin insert chapter.end insert A regional conservation
8framework may be proposed by the department or any other public
9agency.

10(b) The purpose of a regional conservation framework shall be
11tobegin delete guideend deletebegin insert provide voluntary guidance forend insert one or more of the
12following in ways that will enhance the long-term viability of
13native species, habitat, and other natural resources:

14(1) Identification of wildlife and habitat conservationbegin delete needs,end delete
15begin insert priorities,end insert including actions needed to address the impacts of
16climate change and other wildlife stressors.

17(2) Investments in natural resource conservation.

18(3) Infrastructure planning.

19(4) Identification of conservation priorities for land use planning.

20(5) Identification of priority locations for compensatory
21mitigation for impacts to species and natural resources.

22(c) A regional conservation framework shall include all of the
23following:

24(1) An explanation of the conservation purpose of and need for
25the framework.

26(2) The geographic area of the framework and rationale for the
27selection of the area.

28(3) The focal species included in, and their current known or
29estimated status within, the framework.

30(4) Other important species, habitat, and other natural and
31 seminatural resource conservation elements within the framework
32area, and an explanation of the criteria, data, and methods used to
33identify those important conservation elements.

34(5) A summary of historic, current, and projected future stressors
35and pressures in the framework area on the focal species, habitat,
36and other natural resources.

37(6) Conservation goals and measurable objectives for the
38important conservation elements identified in the framework that
39address or respond to the identified stressors and pressures.

P7    1(7) Conservation actions, including a description of the general
2amounts and types of habitat that, if restored or enhanced and
3permanently protected, could achieve the conservation goals and
4objectives.

5(8) A description of how the conservation actions and habitat
6enhancements were prioritized and selected in relation to the
7conservation goals and objectives.

8(9) An explanation of how the framework is consistent with or
9complements any natural community conservation plan, habitat
10conservation plan, recovery plan, and other conservation or
11recovery plan that overlaps with the framework area.

12(10) A description of how the framework’s conservation goals
13and objectives provide for adaptation opportunities against the
14effects of climate change for species covered by the framework.

15(11) Incorporation and reliance on, and citation of, the best
16available scientific information, and a brief analysis of gaps in
17relevant scientific information.

18(12) A regional conservation assessment that provides context
19at an ecoregional or subecoregional scale for the development of
20the framework. If a regional conservation assessment has already
21been prepared, the regional conservation framework may
22incorporate the assessment by reference, and shall update or
23supplement the assessment as necessary for the framework. A
24regional conservation assessment shall do all of the following:

25(A) Identify and summarize relevant regional pressures,
26stressors, and conservation priorities, including priority
27conservation areas and habitat connectivity values, included in all
28of the following:

29(i) Conservation plans, such as the State Wildlife Action Plan
30and natural community conservation plans.

31(ii) Analyses designed to identify areas of high biological
32diversity, such as the Areas of Conservation Emphasis.

33(iii) Analyses designed to identify areas of high value for habitat
34
begin delete connectivity, such as the California Essential Habitat Connectivity
35Project.end delete
begin insert connectivity.end insert

36(B) Identify the best available scientific information and
37analyses, including geospatial information regarding the
38distribution of species and natural communities.

39(C) Use spatial analysis to identify ecological relationships
40between existing protected areas and priority conservation areas.

P8    1(D) Enable and promote consistency among regional
2conservation assessments throughout California by using standard
3or prevalent vegetation classifications and standard ecological
4subdivision classifications for terrestrial and aquatic data.

5(E) Be consistent with approved natural community conservation
6plans, regional habitat conservation plans, and recovery plans
7within the ecoregion or subecoregion included in the assessment.

8(F) Briefly assess the climate change vulnerability of identified
9priority conservation areas.

10(G) Compile input and summary priority data in a consistent
11format that could be uploaded for interactive use inbegin delete aend deletebegin insert an Internetend insert
12 Web portal and would allow stakeholders to generate queries of
13conservation values in subregions within the region.

14

begin delete2093.end delete
15
begin insert1853.end insert  

(a) The department may prepare or approve a regional
16conservation framework, or approve the framework with
17amendments, for a period of up to five years after finding that the
18framework meets the requirements of Sectionbegin delete 2092.end deletebegin insert 1852.end insert

19(b) The level of detail necessary for each regional conservation
20framework shall be at the discretion of the department and shall
21be assessed independently for each framework, taking into account
22the requirements of Sectionbegin delete 2092end deletebegin insert 1852end insert and the intended uses and
23scope of the framework. It is the intent of thisbegin delete articleend deletebegin insert chapterend insert to
24establish general guidelines and requirements that allow sufficient
25flexibility to develop each regional conservation framework based
26on the best available information regarding the framework area.

27(c) (1) Prior to submitting a draft regional conservation
28framework to the department for approval, a public agency
29proposing a framework shall hold at least two public meetings to
30allow interested persons and entities to receive information about
31thebegin insert proposedend insert draft frameworkbegin insert early in the process of preparing itend insert
32 and to have an adequate opportunity to provide written and oral
33comments. At least one of the public meetings shall be held at a
34location within the framework area.begin insert A public agency shall provide
35public notice of the meetings that shall include, at a minimum,
36notice to the county clerk of each county within the geographical
37scope of the framework, with a request to post the notice in the
38office of the county clerk, and publication in at least one newspaper
39of general circulation.end insert

begin insert

P9    1
(2) At least 60 days before submitting a draft regional
2conservation framework to the department for approval, the public
3agency proposing the framework shall notify the board of
4supervisors in each county within the geographical scope of the
5framework and provide the board of supervisors with an
6opportunity to submit written comments.

end insert
begin delete

7(2)

end delete

8begin insert(end insertbegin insert3)end insert Within 30 days of deeming a draft regional conservation
9framework complete, the department shall make the draft
10framework available to the public on its Internet Web site for
11review and comment for a period of at least 30 days.

12(d) The department shall make all approved regional
13conservation frameworks, including all updates to scientific
14information and analyses used in a regional conservation
15framework, available on its Internet Web site.

begin insert
16

begin insert1854.end insert  

(a) Regional conservation frameworks and mitigation
17agreements shall not affect the authority or discretion of any public
18agency, except as specifically provided in this chapter. Nothing
19in this chapter increases the authority or jurisdiction of the
20department to regulate any land use, species, habitat, area,
21resource, plan, process, or corridor.

22
(b) The approval or existence of a regional conservation
23framework or mitigation credit agreement pursuant to this chapter
24does not do any of the following:

25
(1) Establish a presumption under the California Environmental
26Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the
27Public Resources Code) that any project’s impacts are, or are not,
28potentially significant.

29
(2) Prohibit or authorize any project or project impacts.

30
(3) Create a presumption or guarantee that any proposed project
31will be approved or permitted, or that any proposed impact will
32be authorized, by any state or local agency.

33
(4) Create a presumption that any proposed project will be
34disapproved or prohibited, or that any proposed impact will be
35prohibited, by any state or local agency.

36
(5) Alter or affect, or create additional requirements for, the
37general plan of the city, county, or city and county, in which it is
38located.

39
(6) Have a binding or mandatory regulatory effect on private
40landowners or project proponents.

end insert
P10   1

begin delete2094.end delete
2
begin insert1855.end insert  

(a) A conservation action or habitat enhancement that
3measurably advances the conservation objectives of an approved
4regional conservation framework may be used tobegin delete fulfill, in whole
5or in part, compensatory mitigation requirementsend delete
begin insert create mitigation
6credits that can be used to compensateend insert
for impacts to species,
7habitat, and other natural resources, as provided in this section.
8To be usedbegin delete for compensatory mitigation,end deletebegin insert to create mitigation
9credits,end insert
a conservation action or habitat enhancement shall be
10implemented in advance of the impacts.

11(b) For a conservation action or habitat enhancement identified
12in a regional conservation framework to be usedbegin delete for compensatory
13mitigation purposesend delete
begin insert to create mitigation creditsend insert pursuant to this
14section, the regional conservation framework shall include, in
15addition to the requirements of Sectionbegin delete 2092,end deletebegin insert 1852,end insert all of the
16following:

17(1) An adaptive management and monitoring strategy for
18conserved habitat and other conserved natural resources.

19(2) A process for updating the scientific information used in the
20framework, and for evaluating the effectiveness of conservation
21actions and habitat enhancements identified in the framework
22offsetting identified threats to focal species and to achieve the
23framework’s biological goals and objectives, at least once every
24five years.

25(3) Identification of a public or private entity that will be
26responsible for the periodic evaluation and for updating the
27framework periodically to incorporate the best available scientific
28information and analyses.

29(c) Abegin delete conservation action or habitat enhancement implementedend delete
30begin insert mitigation credit createdend insert in accordance with an approved regional
31conservation framework may be used for the following:

begin delete

32(1) To fulfill, in whole or in part, compensatory mitigation
33requirements set forth in a permit issued pursuant to subdivision
34(b) of Section 2081 if the department determines that the
35conservation action or habitat enhancement meets the requirements
36of Section 2081.

37(2) To fulfill, in whole or in part, compensatory mitigation
38requirements established by any state or local agency pursuant to
39the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13
40(commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code)
P11   1or any regulatory program within the state or local agency’s
2jurisdiction, if the agency determines that the conservation action
3or habitat enhancement meets California Environmental Quality
4Act requirements for mitigation for the potential environmental
5impacts of a proposed project, as identified in an environmental
6impact report or a mitigated negative declaration prepared for the
7project.

8(d) The department shall ensure the long-term durability of a
9habitat enhancement. If a habitat enhancement is used to provide
10compensatory mitigation, the habitat enhancement shall remain in
11effect for at least as long as the impact that is being mitigated.

12(e) A conservation action or habitat enhancement implemented
13in accordance with an approved regional conservation framework
14may be used to create mitigation credits under a written mitigation
15credit agreement between the department and the person or entity,
16including a state or local agency, that implements the conservation
17action or habitat enhancement.

end delete
begin insert

18
(1) To compensate for take or other adverse impacts of activities
19authorized pursuant to Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section
202050) of Division 3 within the regional conservation framework
21area.

end insert
begin insert

22
(2) To reduce adverse impacts to fish and wildlife resources
23from activities authorized pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing
24with Section 1600) within the regional conservation framework
25area to less than substantial.

end insert
begin insert

26
(3) To mitigate significant effects on the environment within the
27regional conservation framework area pursuant to the California
28Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section
2921000) of the Public Resources Code) and Guidelines for
30Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act
31(Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 15000) of Division 6 of Title
3214 of the California Code of Regulations).

end insert

33begin insert(d)end insertbegin insertend insertbegin insertTo create mitigation credits pursuant to this section, a
34person or entity, including a state or local agency, shall enter into
35a mitigation credit agreement with the department.end insert
The mitigation
36 credit agreement shall establish the type and number of mitigation
37credits created by the conservation action or habitat enhancement
38and the terms and conditions under which the mitigation credits
39may be used. The person or entity may create and use,begin delete or sellend deletebegin insert sell,end insert
40 or otherwisebegin delete transfer,end deletebegin insert transferend insert the mitigationbegin delete credits to offset
P12   1environmental impacts,end delete
begin insert credits,end insert upon department approval that the
2credits have been created in accordance with the agreement. To
3enter into a mitigation credit agreement with the department, a
4person or entity shall submitbegin delete the followingend deletebegin insert a draft mitigation credit
5agreementend insert
to the department for its review, revision, andbegin delete approval:end delete
6
begin insert approval. The department may enter into a mitigation credit
7agreement if it determines that the mitigation credit agreement
8provides all of the following:end insert

9(1) The person or entity’s contact information.

10(2) A description of the proposed conservation action or habitat
11enhancement.

12(3) A location map, address, and size of the site where the
13proposed conservation action or habitat enhancement will be
14implemented.

15(4) Color aerial and ground-level photographs that reflect current
16conditions on the site and surrounding properties.

17(5) A draft of the proposed mitigation credit agreement that
18includes an explanation of how the proposed conservation action
19or habitat enhancement will be implemented and how the proposed
20mitigation credits will be created and used, including all of the
21following:

22(A) The proposed type and quantity of mitigation credits and
23the supporting rationale.

24(B) A proposed service area defined by a USDA Ecological
25Subsection or Hydrologic Unit Code Watershed unit.

26(C) An explanation of how the proposed conservation action or
27habitat enhancement is consistent with the regional conservation
28framework, including how the action will help to achieve the
29framework’s biological goals and objectives.

30(D) Metrics or indicators by which the proposed conservation
31action or habitat enhancement’s contribution to achieving the
32framework’s conservation goals and objectives can feasibly be
33measured with existing technology.

34(E) The proposed landownership of the site of the conservation
35action or habitat enhancement.

36(F) How the site of the conservation action will be permanently
37protected and managed in perpetuity, including, if applicable, a
38draft conservation easement.

P13   1(G) How the implementation of the conservation action or
2habitat enhancement, including long-term protection and
3management of the site, will be funded.

4(H) A draft of the long-term management plan for the site.

5(I) A draft long-term monitoring and adaptive management plan
6for the site.

7(J) Drafts of habitat restoration plans and performance criteria,
8if applicable.

9(K) An explanation of how the proposed mitigation credits will
10be accounted for, including the specific methods proposed for
11reporting and maintaining records of credit creation, release, and
12use,begin delete saleend deletebegin insert sale,end insert or transfer.

13(6) Other information, analysis, and legal or financial assurances
14of implementation as the department deems necessary or
15appropriate.

begin delete

16(f)

end delete

17begin insert(e)end insert Nothing in thisbegin delete articleend deletebegin insert chapterend insert is intended to limit or impose
18additional conditions on the creation or sale of mitigation credits
19by a conservation bank or mitigation bank approved by the
20 department pursuant to Chapter 7.9 (commencing with Section
21
begin delete 1797) of Division 2.end deletebegin insert 1797).end insert

begin delete

22(g)

end delete

23begin insert(f)end insert The creation of mitigation credits pursuant to this section
24from a conservation action or habitat enhancement implemented
25within the plan area of an approved natural community
26conservation plan shall not duplicate or replace mitigation
27requirements set forth in the natural community conservation plan
28and shall require the advance written approval of the plan’s
29implementing entity.

begin delete

30(h) The approval of a regional conservation framework pursuant
31to this article does not authorize any project or project impacts,
32nor does it create any presumption or guarantee that a proposed
33project will be approved or permitted or that a proposed impact
34will be authorized by any state or local agency.

end delete
begin insert
35

begin insert1856.end insert  

The department may collect fees from a person or entity
36that proposes to enter into a mitigation credit agreement, and from
37a public agency that proposes a regional conservation framework,
P14   1to pay for all or a portion of the department’s costs relating to the
2mitigation credit agreement or proposed framework.

end insert


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