Chapter 7.4Department-Managed Lands

Section § 1745

Explanation

This California statute discusses how lands managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife should be used and maintained. These lands can include shooting grounds, marine areas, and wildlife areas.

The statute allows these lands to be managed on a non-profit basis, potentially through agreements with nonprofit conservation groups. The main focus is on supporting recreational and non-hunting activities like camping and boating while prioritizing hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and education as compatible uses.

For other public uses, a special use permit might be required. Fees can be set to help cover management costs, and starting January 1, 2015, entry permits are required for nonconsumptive uses of these lands, meaning activities other than hunting and fishing. These permits must be bought if a sign indicating this requirement is posted and can be purchased online or on-site if possible.

Revenue from these permits supports the management of the lands, with a portion directed to specific lands where fees were collected. Free access may be allowed if deemed beneficial for the area.

(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(a)(1) “Department-managed lands” includes lands, or lands and water, acquired for public shooting grounds, state marine (estuarine) recreational management areas, ecological reserves, and wildlife management areas.
(2)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(a)(2) “Nonconsumptive uses” means compatible uses other than hunting and fishing.
(b)Copy CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(b)
(1)Copy CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(b)(1) Department-managed lands shall be operated on a nonprofit basis by the department.
(2)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(b)(2) The department may enter into contracts or other agreements for the management and operation of department-managed lands with nonprofit conservation groups, recognized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, or resource conservation districts, as described in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 9151) of Division 9 of the Public Resources Code.
(A)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(b)(2)(A) The contracts or other agreements authorized pursuant to this paragraph are not subject to Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code or Article 6 (commencing with Section 999) of Chapter 6 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code.
(B)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(b)(2)(B) The contracts or other agreements authorized pursuant to this paragraph shall adhere to the goals and objectives included in an approved management plan and shall be consistent with the purpose for which the lands were acquired and managed by the department. Any changes to the management plan shall be subject to public review and comment.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(c) Multiple recreational use of department-managed lands is desirable and that use shall be encouraged by the commission. Except for hunting and fishing purposes, only minimum facilities to permit other forms of multiple recreational use, such as camping, picnicking, boating, or swimming, shall be provided.
(d)Copy CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(d)
(1)Copy CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(d)(1) Hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, wildlife photography, conservation education, and fish and wildlife research are priority uses compatible with department-managed lands, except for ecological reserves where uses shall be considered on an individual basis.
(2)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(d)(2)  Public uses of department-managed lands not described in paragraph (1), or subdivision (c) or (f), shall be authorized by regulations adopted by the commission. The commission may require the purchase of a special use permit for these other uses.
(e)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(e) Except as provided in Section 1765 and subdivision (h), and to defray the costs associated with multiple use, the commission may determine and fix the amount of, and the department shall collect, fees for any use privileges. Only persons holding valid hunting licenses may apply for or obtain shooting permits for department-managed lands.
(f)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(f)  Commencing January 1, 2015, the department shall require the purchase of an entry permit for nonconsumptive uses of department-managed lands if the department finds that it is practical and would be cost effective for the state to collect entry permit fees.
(g)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(g) The following shall apply if the department requires the purchase of an entry permit pursuant to subdivision (f):
(1)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(g)(1) The department shall require the purchase of an entry permit for nonconsumptive uses of a department-managed land only if a sign providing notice of the requirement has been posted at the department-managed land.
(2)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(g)(2) To the extent feasible, the department shall allow nonconsumptive users to purchase an entry permit onsite.
(3)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(g)(3) The department shall use the Automated License Data System to sell an entry permit.
(4)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(g)(4) A nonconsumptive user shall have an entry permit in his or her immediate possession while on department-managed lands.
(h)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(h) Failure to obtain a permit as required pursuant to this section shall be an infraction as described in Section 12002.2.1. A person in possession of a valid hunting license, sport fishing license, or trapping license shall be exempt from a requirement to obtain a permit.
(i)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(i) The moneys generated pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Native Species Conservation and Enhancement Account within the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for the management and operation of its lands. To the extent that the department is able to identify the source of the fee revenue collected, the department shall provide no less than 35 percent of the funds generated pursuant to this section to the department-managed lands from which the fee revenues were collected.
(j)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745(j) The commission and department may continue to allow free access to a department-managed land if the commission or department finds the best interests of that area would be served by not fixing a fee for use privileges.
department-managed lands nonprofit management nonconsumptive uses hunting priority fishing priority wildlife viewing special use permits entry permits fee collection conservation education public recreational use permit requirements fee revenue allocation access fees wildlife management areas
(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 597, Sec. 1. (SB 1249) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Section § 1745.1

Explanation

This law allows the department to lease lands they manage for agriculture, like grazing, as long as it aligns with the land's original purposes and the department's management plan. The money earned from these leases goes into certain funds and can be used for managing and maintaining these lands when the Legislature approves it.

(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.1(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the department may lease department-managed lands for agricultural activities, including, but not limited to, grazing, where consistent with the purpose for which the lands were acquired and compatible with the department’s approved management plan for the area, if available.
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.1(b) The moneys collected from agricultural leases entered into pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be deposited by the department into the Wildlife Restoration Fund or the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, may be used to support the management, maintenance, restoration, and operations of department-managed lands.
land lease agricultural activities grazing department-managed lands Wildlife Restoration Fund Fish and Game Preservation Fund management plan fund appropriation revitalization efforts land maintenance department revenue land restoration State Legislature approval
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 115, Sec. 8. (AB 148) Effective July 22, 2021.)

Section § 1745.2

Explanation

This law allows the department to consider allowing beekeeping (apiculture) on wildlife areas they manage, as long as it aligns with the area's management goals. They need to decide which areas are suitable and set appropriate fees that cover costs. Money from these fees supports wildlife area upkeep. The department can consult experts and use simple leases for placing beehives temporarily, without needing competitive bids. Any beekeeping allowed before 2015 can continue without additional action.

(a)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(a) The department shall do both of the following:
(1)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(a)(1) Consider authorizing apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas, where deemed appropriate by the department.
(2)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(a)(2) Determine, when developing or amending its land management plans, the following:
(A)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(a)(2)(A) If the department-managed wildlife areas, or any portion of those areas, are suitable for apiculture and whether apiculture is consistent with the management goals and objectives for those areas on a temporary, seasonal, or long-term basis.
(B)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(a)(2)(B) If the administration of apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas, where deemed appropriate by the department, is meeting the management goals and objectives for those areas.
(C)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(a)(2)(C) The appropriate fee and lease rent to be assessed for conducting apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas. The amount of the fee shall be sufficient to recover, but not exceed, all reasonable administrative and implementation costs of the department. The lease rent shall take into account whether the lease is a nonexclusive use of the land.
(b)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(b) The department, in implementing this section, may consult with apiculture experts, including, but not limited to, the Department of Food and Agriculture, the University of California, other academic or professional experts, and interested stakeholders, when considering authorizing apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas consistent with the respective management goals and objectives for those areas.
(c)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(c) Moneys collected for conducting apiculture on department-managed wildlife areas pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall be deposited by the department into the Wildlife Restoration Fund or the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be used to support the management, maintenance, restoration, and operation of department-managed wildlife areas.
(d)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(d) The department may authorize the temporary placement of beehives on department-managed wildlife areas through simple lease or permit agreements specifying appropriate conditions. These agreements are not subject to competitive bidding requirements.
(e)CA Fish and Game Code § 1745.2(e) The department may continue any authorization for apiculture on department-managed areas that it granted before January 1, 2015, without taking further action.
beekeeping wildlife areas land management apiculture authorization management goals fee assessment lease rent administrative costs Wildlife Restoration Fund Fish and Game Preservation Fund temporary placement of beehives Department of Food and Agriculture University of California nonexclusive land use consultation with experts
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 115, Sec. 9. (AB 148) Effective July 22, 2021.)