Chapter 9Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Reduction

Section § 75065

Explanation

This law outlines the allocation of $580 million to make California communities more sustainable and livable by investing in natural resources. It aims to reduce the impact of urban areas on global warming and improve their climate adaptability, enhancing life quality.

First, $90 million is designated for urban greening projects that promote energy and water conservation and improve air and water quality. Projects prioritizing multiple benefits, public land use, and needful communities will receive focus, with $20 million set aside for urban forestry initiatives.

Second, $400 million goes to grants for local and regional parks, emphasizing new park development or expansion in underserved areas, encouraging community involvement, and resource-efficient design.

Lastly, $90 million supports planning to encourage water conservation, reduce car use, promote compact development, and boost community center revitalization.

The sum of five hundred eighty million dollars ($580,000,000) shall be available for improving the sustainability and livability of California’s communities through investment in natural resources. The purposes of this chapter include reducing urban communities’ contribution to global warming and increasing their adaptability to climate change while improving the quality of life in those communities. Funds shall be available in accordance with the following schedule:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 75065(a) The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) shall be available for urban greening projects that reduce energy consumption, conserve water, improve air and water quality, and provide other community benefits. Priority shall be given to projects that provide multiple benefits, use existing public lands, serve communities with the greatest need, and facilitate joint use of public resources and investments including schools. Implementing legislation shall provide for planning grants for urban greening programs. Not less than $20,000,000 shall be available for urban forestry projects pursuant to the California Urban Forestry Act, Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 4799.06) of Part 2.5 of Division 1.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 75065(b) The sum of four hundred million dollars ($400,000,000) shall be available to the Department of Parks and Recreation for competitive grants for local and regional parks. Funds provided in this subdivision may be allocated to existing programs or pursuant to legislation enacted to implement this subdivision, subject to the following considerations:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 75065(b)(1) Acquisition and development of new parks and expansion of overused parks that provide park and recreational access to underserved communities shall be given preference.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 75065(b)(2) Creation of parks in neighborhoods where none currently exist shall be given preference.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 75065(b)(3) Outreach and technical assistance shall be provided to underserved communities to encourage full participation in the program or programs.
(4)CA Public Resources Code § 75065(b)(4) Preference shall be given to applicants that actively involve community based groups in the selection and planning of projects.
(5)CA Public Resources Code § 75065(b)(5) Projects will be designed to provide efficient use of water and other natural resources.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 75065(c) The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) shall be available for planning grants and planning incentives, including revolving loan programs and other methods to encourage the development of regional and local land use plans that are designed to promote water conservation, reduce automobile use and fuel consumption, encourage greater infill and compact development, protect natural resources and agricultural lands, and revitalize urban and community centers.
sustainability funding urban greening projects energy consumption reduction water conservation community benefits urban forestry park development underserved communities resource-efficient design planning incentives water conservation planning infill development natural resource protection automobile use reduction community revitalization
(Added November 7, 2006, by initiative Proposition 84.)

Section § 75066

Explanation

This law states that the funds mentioned in parts (a) and (c) of Section 75065 can only be used when specific new laws are passed to put those parts into action.

Appropriation of the funds provided in subdivisions (a) and (c) of Section 75065 may only be made upon enactment of legislation to implement that subdivision.
fund appropriation Section 75065 enactment of legislation subdivision implementation conditional funding legislative approval subdivision (a) subdivision (c) budget allocation legal implementation legislative requirement conditional appropriation funds activation subdivision-specific laws law enactment process
(Added November 7, 2006, by initiative Proposition 84.)