Administration and Control of Swamp, Overflowed, Tide, Or Submerged Lands, and Structures ThereonAdministration and Control Generally
Section § 6301
This law explains that the commission is the only authority that has control over all ungranted tidelands and submerged lands owned by the state of California. This includes the beds of navigable waters like rivers, lakes, and bays, which the state has or might acquire from the US government or other entities. It grants the commission full power to manage, lease, or dispose of these lands as allowed by law. However, it does not apply to certain lands mentioned in a specific 1947 statute.
Section § 6301.2
This section states that the Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1969, which deals with reorganizing California's executive branch, will not affect the management of state tidelands and submerged lands. This includes lands subject to tides and any lands granted to local agencies, such as those in Long Beach. The current authority and responsibilities of these lands will stay with the commission overseeing them. Additionally, when preparing the necessary legislative bill, the Legislative Counsel must ensure these responsibilities remain excluded from any reorganization transfers.
Section § 6301.5
This law allows a California commission to negotiate on behalf of the state with the U.S. federal government concerning offshore mineral leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. These negotiations can address issues like existing lease operations, rent payments, and whether new leases should be issued while any land disputes between the U.S. and California are resolved. Any such agreement must be approved by the California Attorney General and the Governor before becoming effective.
Section § 6301.6
This law describes how funds that are impounded under certain circumstances can be managed by the State of California. Specifically, the Director of Finance can invest these funds in U.S. government bonds or similar obligations and can sell or exchange these securities if it benefits the state. The State Treasurer is in charge of safely keeping these investments, and any interest or profits from these investments should be returned to the original fund where the money came from, increasing the amount of those impounded funds.
Section § 6301.7
This law allows a commission, with the Governor's approval, to make agreements with the U.S. government or its representatives about projects like filling, dredging, or building that impact the boundary between California's submerged lands and U.S. lands off the coast. The state can waive its rights to some lands involved as part of these agreements. Before any agreement is made, it must be determined to be good for the public.
Section § 6302
This law allows a commission to remove anyone unlawfully occupying state-controlled water areas, like rivers or lakes. They can take trespassers to court and get reimbursed for the costs of removing them.
Section § 6302.1
This California law allows a commission to immediately remove unattended vessels that block traffic, threaten safety, or cause environmental harm. If these vessels aren't claimed within 30 days, they're considered abandoned. The commission must notify the owner and any lienholders after removing such vessels. If a vessel is placed on state lands without permission, the commission must give a 30-day notice before removal and try to locate the owner. If unclaimed after these notices, it becomes abandoned property.
The commission can recover removal costs and, with a request, steps in to remove derelict vessels not in its jurisdiction. Owners can reclaim their vessels by paying removal and storage costs. The law defines a vessel broadly to include watercraft and related equipment.
Section § 6302.2
This law requires that a commission, working with other state and local agencies, create a plan by July 1, 2019, to remove abandoned commercial vessels. The priority is to remove those that pose the greatest risk to the environment and to public health and safety in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta area. The execution of the plan will start when funds are allocated by the Legislature and supplemented by any federal or private financial resources. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta includes specified counties within California.
Section § 6302.3
This law allows the commission to take ownership of abandoned vessels to either sell, destroy, or dispose of them. The commission doesn't need to address any liens before taking these actions. These vessels are not considered surplus state property.
Owners, lienholders, or interested parties must be notified of the hearing regarding the vessel and have the chance to speak before any decisions are made. The hearing will usually be informal unless specified otherwise by the commission.
After the commission decides, a 30-day delay is required to let the owner seek legal recourse, except if the property is returned to the owner.
Finally, the commission can recover the costs related to disposing of the vessel through the sale proceeds or court action, with any leftover funds going to the General Fund.
Section § 6302.4
This law allows certain officials, like employees of the commission, peace officers, and others from various government levels, to board vessels to enforce specific regulations. Additionally, when the commission buys or sells property related to these regulations, those transactions are not subject to the usual state contracting rules.
Section § 6303
This law gives the commission the authority to allow people or organizations to deposit or remove materials from certain types of state-owned lands, such as marshes and submerged lands, for reasons like improving navigation or flood control. If a contractor already has permission from the federal government or a public agency to dredge these areas, the commission can let them take sand, gravel, or other materials from state-owned lands as long as it's beneficial to the state.
This can be done without competitive bidding and under specific terms that serve the state's interests. However, the amount of material removed can't exceed what's specified in the contract or permit.
Section § 6303.1
This law states that if you knowingly fill, dredge, or reclaim state-owned land under navigable waters without the commission's written permission, you're committing a misdemeanor. This also applies to erecting, maintaining, removing, or altering structures on such land.
However, public agencies are allowed to make emergency changes, repairs, or removals to flood control structures on these lands without facing legal consequences.
Section § 6304
This law allows the commission to work together with the Coastal Engineering Research Board, part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They can use money allocated to them to fund joint projects with this board.
Section § 6305
Section § 6306
This law defines a 'local trustee of granted public trust lands' as any local government or district that has been given control of certain state lands, such as tidelands or water beds. These trustees must keep detailed financial records of all money earned from and spent on these lands, following standard accounting practices. The earnings must be used only for purposes like commerce, navigation, and fisheries, as outlined in the trust agreements.
Each trustee must submit an annual detailed financial report to the state commission by December 31. This report should include income summaries, spending details, and describe report organization. The commission can provide a standardized form for this reporting and must make reports publicly available online.
The costs incurred by these accounting duties should be covered by the trust's revenues. If the revenues aren't enough, trustees may be excused from certain duties or given more time to comply.
Section § 6306.1
This law allows the State Lands Commission and Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners to take necessary actions to enhance and restore Batiquitos Lagoon in San Diego as a way to mitigate the environmental impact of expanding the Port of Los Angeles. However, this restoration project must still comply with all regulatory requirements.
If any property interests are acquired as part of this project, they are held in trust for the public. Since there's inadequate space for mitigation in Los Angeles Harbor, harbor revenue funds may be used for this project at Batiquitos Lagoon, which benefits the port and community by enabling safer relocation of hazardous facilities and promoting commerce and recreation.
Lastly, the port must provide a boating sanitation facility, navigational aids, and free safety publications, as these provisions will be reviewed by the California Coastal Commission to ensure compliance with specific permit conditions.
Section § 6306.2
This law allows the City of Oakland to use revenue from granted tidelands to acquire, enhance, restore, or manage land outside their designated trust areas for a specific project under a permit from the Army. The following must be determined: no adequate mitigation areas exist within the current port district, the offsite mitigation aligns with public trust purposes, any acquired land will be transferred to the state for public trust, and the mitigation benefits the state. Additionally, the State Lands Commission can lease these lands as per designated regulations.
Section § 6307
The commission can exchange lands with private or public entities if certain conditions are met, such as benefiting the public trust and not obstructing navigation or fishing rights. Any exchange should have equal or greater value in what the trust receives, involve lands no longer useful for public trust, and serve the state's best interest.
The commission may adjust the public trust on lands involved and the exchange must meet purposes like enhancing navigation, flood control, shoreline configuration, public access, or resolving boundary issues. Mineral rights can also be exchanged. The new landowners can seek legal confirmation of their title through a quiet title action.
Section § 6307.1
This section outlines how California and Arizona can exchange land where state boundaries have shifted due to changes in the Colorado River. California can trade land located in Arizona for land in California that Arizona owns, ensuring the total value of exchanged lands is equal. If there's a value difference after all exchanges, cash payments are used to balance it out. Both states can also swap mineral rights as part of these deals. Any land California acquires becomes state-owned and must serve public trust purposes. Land exchanges in this context do not have to undergo typical environmental quality checks.
Section § 6308
If a lawsuit is started involving the ownership or borders of tidelands or submerged lands given to a county or city by the state, California must be included as a defendant. Summons should be delivered to the Chair of the State Lands Commission and the Attorney General, who will represent the state. No legal costs can be claimed from the state if it loses the case.
Section § 6309
This law gives the commission the responsibility to oversee the Shipwreck and Historic Maritime Resources Program, which involves managing salvage operations on California's tide and submerged lands. The commission has exclusive rights to grant permits for these operations, ensuring they're conducted in a way that protects the sites and adheres to state purposes. It also dictates that all salvage efforts must have a permit, with permits lasting a year and renewable based on compliance and progress.
The law allows the commission to oversee salvage operations, issue permits for both historic and non-historic recoveries, and to ensure observers can monitor the operations to maintain compliance. It emphasizes communication between permitholders and the commission during these activities.
Additionally, the law explains that the state retains title over recovered objects, but compensates permitholders with a percentage of the objects' appraised value. The commission has the authority to revoke permits if terms aren't met and can issue stop work orders promptly in case of non-compliance.
Finally, the law allows the commission to charge fees for permits, possibly requiring a bond to cover potential expenses related to the salvage project, ensuring compliance with all laws and agreements.
Section § 6310
If a city incorporates and its boundaries include tide and submerged lands that were previously managed by a county, ownership of these lands will only transfer to the city if the state legislature specifically approves it. Once approved, all related documents and records will be handed over to the city. The city must reimburse the county for any costs involved in this transfer process.
Section § 6311
This law states that any new grants of tidelands or submerged lands after January 1, 1971, intended for small craft harbors must include specific requirements. The grantees must submit a construction plan for harbor facilities to the Division of Boating and Waterways. They must do this soon after the grant is effective, and build the facilities within a set time frame after the plan is approved.
Section § 6311.5
This section defines responsibilities for local trustees, such as counties or cities managing public trust lands, to prioritize addressing sea level rise impacts. If their revenues are above $250,000 per year between 2009 and 2014, they must assess and report to the commission on how they plan to manage these impacts, including financial costs, mitigation plans, maps showing potential affected areas, and strategies for protecting resources.
Local trustees are encouraged to use existing climate and sea level data and collaborate with other stakeholders. Exemptions from these requirements can be obtained if certain conditions are met, like if the lands are not expected to be affected by 2100 or if assessment costs outweigh benefits. This law doesn't force trustees to take specific actions beyond submitting their assessments, nor does it conflict with federal regulations.
Section § 6312
This law ensures that when the state or any of its subdivisions takes over improvements on tidelands or submerged lands that were lawfully developed, they must pay fair compensation to those who made the improvements in good faith, based on agreements within their grants or patents.
However, parties involved can agree upfront that no compensation is needed for improvements. This law does not change anyone's land ownership rights and doesn't require compensation if government regulations affect plans for new improvements.
Also, the term “grant” here does not include legislative grants given to local government entities as trustees.
Section § 6313
This law states that all abandoned shipwrecks and historical sites in California's tidal and submerged lands are owned by the state and managed by a commission for public benefit. The commission can transfer control to other agencies or organizations. These sites include objects or structures significant to California's history or prehistory, particularly if they're over 50 years old.
Permits for salvaging these sites can be given for educational, scientific, or cultural reasons, but only to qualified individuals or groups. Detailed project plans are needed, highlighting the purpose, method, equipment, funding, and team qualifications, among other details, before permits are granted. Professional marine archaeologists must oversee these activities.
Applications for excavation are reviewed by the State Office of Historic Preservation and other experts. Recovered materials can be displayed publicly under specific contracts, ensuring proper security and preservation. Contracts with other entities can also allow public display, with the commission ensuring resources remain state property or are repurchased if necessary.
Section § 6314
This law makes it illegal to remove, damage, or destroy archaeological sites or historic resources on submerged state lands without permission. Violators can be fined up to $5,000, jailed for up to six months, or both. The commission or legal authorities can also seek civil damages for losses involving abandoned shipwrecks and related resources.
If a vessel is used to damage such sites, it can be held accountable for costs and damages. Confiscated artifacts taken improperly must be returned to rightful owners unless needed as criminal evidence.
Authorities are directed to work together to enforce these rules, and violators risk confiscation of artifacts found without proof of legal possession. Fines collected from a violation can be shared between the commission and the prosecuting district attorney.