This division shall be known and may be cited as the “Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Act of 2000.”
Chapter 1Intent
Section § 37000
This part of the law is called the 'Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Act of 2000'
Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit 2000 heritage preservation conservation environmental protection tax incentives California natural resources historic preservation state funding environmental preservation public lands wildlife conservation preservation act
Section § 37001
This section outlines California's approach to resolving conflicts over natural resource use without litigation and emphasizes protecting endangered species to promote economic development. It argues that efficient water allocation can benefit environmental needs without sparking disputes among users. The law aims to blend growth with environmental quality through public-private partnerships and favors conservation easements to protect lands while keeping them privately owned and taxable.
It values habitat conservation, especially through specific conservation plans, and seeks to encourage landowners to view habitats as assets. The section expresses the intent to offer tools for protecting wildlife, open spaces, and agricultural lands, stressing the ongoing need for funding these activities, with up to $100 million in tax credits for land donations.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(a) The continued economic development of California will be fostered and improved if conflicts over the use of natural resources can be resolved without litigation or disputes.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(b) The economic development of California can be facilitated if endangered species and other forms of plants, fish, and wildlife can be protected quickly and efficiently, so that development and agricultural use can proceed on other lands.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(c) Water allocation decisions could be eased if water could be provided for fish, wildlife, and aquatic and riparian habitat without objection by other water users.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(d) The intent of this division is to accommodate economic development and resolve land use and water disputes in a manner beneficial to all people in California, and to the benefit of California environmental quality.
(e)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(e) The further intent of this division is to foster partnerships between the public and private sectors to resolve disputes and promote economic growth and environmental quality.
(f)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(f) Conservation easements protect land, keep land in private ownership and on the tax rolls, and, where appropriate, are the preferred method to protect agricultural and habitat values.
(g)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(g) The value of wildlife habitat to the state is very high, especially in the case of implementing habitat conservation plans and multispecies conservation plans.
(h)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(h) Habitat stewardship shall be assisted and rewarded, and it is in the state’s interest to encourage landowners to perceive habitat as an asset rather than a liability.
(i)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(i) It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this division, to provide an additional tool for the protection of wildlife habitat, open space, and agricultural lands. However, there continues to be a recognized need for additional funding sources for park, wildlife, and recreation facilities, as well as for the preservation of open space and agricultural lands.
(j)CA Public Resources Code § 37001(j) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this division to protect wildlife habitat, open space, and agricultural lands by providing up to one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) in tax credits for donations of qualified land.
natural resource conflicts economic development endangered species protection water allocation public-private partnerships conservation easements habitat value landowner incentives habitat conservation plans wildlife habitat open space protection agricultural land preservation tax credits for land donations environmental quality park and recreation funding
