This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center Act.
Chapter 8Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center
Section § 5820
This law section designates the chapter as the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center Act, which is how it should be referred to in legal contexts.
Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center naming citation recreational area nature center outdoor education forest management public access conservation environmental law nature preservation legislation title public land use forest resources California outdoor centers
Section § 5821
This law highlights the importance of a program to help children in the state understand the outdoors and the significance of natural resources. It notes that the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center is ideal for this purpose and should be run by the Department of Parks and Recreation as part of the state park system for outdoor education.
The Legislature finds that there is need for a program to enable the children of the state to better comprehend the outdoors, particularly the social and economic importance of the study, conservation, protection, and utilization of natural resources. The Legislature further finds that the location and facilities of the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center are especially well suited to serve primarily as an outdoor education center under the control and management of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as a unit of the state park system.
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Section § 5822
This section states the intent of the California Legislature regarding the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center. The land and facilities, given to the state by the U.S., are to be used as a public park. The main focus is to operate it as an outdoor environmental education center for the benefit of the state's residents.
The Legislature hereby declares its intent that the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center, consisting of land and facilities deeded to the State of California by the United States of America for public park, recreational, and conservation purposes, shall hereafter be maintained, provided, and operated for the benefit of the people of the state, primarily as an outdoor environmental education facility.
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Section § 5823
This section defines specific terms used in this chapter related to the Department of Parks and Recreation in California. The 'Department' refers to the Department of Parks and Recreation. The 'Center' is the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center, which is a state-owned property of about 720 acres in Mendocino, California. The 'Area' is the Mendocino Woodlands Special Treatment Area within the Jackson State Forest, covering approximately 2,550 acres of state-owned lands. The descriptions include precise geographical locations for these areas.
As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 5823(a) “Department” means the Department of Parks and Recreation.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 5823(b) “Center” means the Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center, consisting of 720 acres, more or less, of state-owned land and improvements located within the east half of the Northeast Quarter and the east half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 13 of the east half and southwest quarter of the Northeast Quarter and the east half and southwest quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 24 of T. 17 N., R. 17 W., M.D.B.M.; the north half and southwest quarter of the Northwest Quarter and the north half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 18 of, and the west half of the Northwest Quarter of Section 30 of, T. 17 N., R. 16 W., M.D.B.M.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 5823(c) “Area” means the Mendocino Woodlands Special Treatment Area within the Jackson State Forest, consisting of 2,550 acres, more or less, of state-owned lands lying within the south half of Section 12 of; the Northwest Quarter, the west half of the Northeast Quarter, the west half of the Southeast Quarter, and the Southwest Quarter of Section 13 of, the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest Quarters of Section 14 of, the northeast quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 22 of, the north half of Section 23 of, the Northwest Quarter, the northwest quarter of the Northeast Quarter, and the northeast quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 24 of, T. 17 N., R. 17 W., M.D.B.M.; and the Southwest Quarter of Section 7 of the southeast quarter of the Northwest Quarter, the south half of the Northeast Quarter, the northwest, northeast, and southwest quarters of the Southeast Quarter and the Southwest Quarter of Section 18 of, and the Northwest Quarter and the west half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 19 of, T. 17 N., R. 16 W., M.D.B.M.
Department of Parks and Recreation Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Center Mendocino Woodlands Special Treatment Area state-owned land Jackson State Forest geographical location acreage T. 17 N. R. 17 W. M.D.B.M. T. 17 N. R. 16 W. M.D.B.M. land improvements land designation environmental area northeast quarter southwest quarter section descriptions
Section § 5824
This law transfers control of a 720-acre center, along with any improvements, to the state park system, shifting jurisdiction from the Department of Conservation to another department. This area will still allow access for timber cutting, overseen by the State Forester, as per certain forestry regulations.
The state retains ownership of the land and facilities. If the department decides the current use is not in the public’s best interest, the land can be legislatively returned to the Department of Conservation.
Jurisdiction and control of the center, consisting of 720 acres, more or less, and all the improvements thereon as described in subdivision (b) of Section 5823 is hereby transferred to the department from the Department of Conservation, and shall be administered as a unit of the state park system; except that access shall be provided through the center to the area, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 5823, for purposes of cutting timber under the authority of the State Forester exercised pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 4645) of Chapter 9 of Part 2 of Division 4, in a manner acceptable to the State Forester.
It is the intent of the Legislature that title in the aforementioned lands and facilities shall continue to vest in the State of California; and if for any reason their use for the purposes of this chapter be deemed by the department no longer to be in the public interest, then they shall be restored through future legislation to the jurisdiction and control of the Department of Conservation.
state park system jurisdiction transfer Department of Conservation timber cutting access State Forester authority public interest land use forestry regulations state ownership legislative restoration
Section § 5826
This law requires the department to work with the Department of Education and allows it to collaborate with other experts and agencies on outdoor education programs.
The department shall consult with the Department of Education, and may cooperate with individuals and agencies having jurisdiction or expertise in matters pertaining to the outdoor education programs contemplated in this chapter.
outdoor education Department of Education educational programs collaboration expert consultation outdoor programs education agencies consultation with experts program cooperation jurisdiction departmental collaboration
Section § 5827
This law allows a department to partner with nonprofit organizations to provide programs or services mentioned in a particular chapter. Before making any such agreements, the department must send the proposed agreement to the Legislative Analyst for a review and recommendations. The Legislative Analyst's feedback is not mandatory. However, if the Analyst does not respond within 30 days, it means the agreement is approved by default.
The department may enter into operating agreements with any qualified, nonprofit entity for the provision of any program or service contemplated in this chapter. Prior to entering into any such agreement, the department shall submit a copy of the proposed agreement to the Legislative Analyst for his review and recommendations, which shall not, however, be binding. Failure of the Legislative Analyst to respond within 30 days after submission of a proposed agreement shall be deemed to constitute approval by the Legislative Analyst of the proposed agreement.
operating agreements nonprofit entities program provision service provision Legislative Analyst review review process 30-day response period nonprofit partnership program agreements default approval nonprofit services department partnerships
Section § 5828
This law encourages the department to set up an advisory committee made up of people who are knowledgeable about the center and outdoor environmental education programs. The goal is to have these experts help in planning and implementing the initiatives described in this chapter.
The department is encouraged to establish an advisory committee of persons interested and knowledgeable in the operation and nature of the center, and in the formulation and conduct of outdoor environmental education programs, to assist it in formulating the plan and actions contemplated in this chapter.
advisory committee outdoor environmental education center operation knowledgeable persons education program planning expert assistance environmental education initiatives program formulation department collaboration committee establishment education plan development community involvement nature programs stakeholder engagement advisory support
Section § 5829
Before allowing any timber to be sold and cut from a specific area, the State Forester must ask the Department of Parks and Recreation for their advice. The goal is to avoid unnecessarily disrupting or losing important facilities or resources that are crucial for operations in that center.
Prior to authorizing the sale and cutting of timber from the area described in subdivision (c) of Section 5823, the State Forester shall solicit and consider the recommendations of the Department of Parks and Recreation with respect to the prevention of unnecessary or unreasonable interruption or loss of facilities or resources essential to center operations.
timber sale authorization State Forester consultation Department of Parks and Recreation resource protection facility preservation unreasonable interruption center operations prevention of loss timber cutting regulations parks recommendations essential resources avoid disruptions Forester duties timber area protection operational resources
