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<ns0:Id>20250SB__094999INT</ns0:Id>
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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-02</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
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<ns0:MeasureNum>949</ns0:MeasureNum>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senator Becker</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Principal coauthor: Senator Laird)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Berman)</ns0:AuthorText>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Becker</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Laird</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Berman</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act to add Part 9 (commencing with Section 71470) to Division 34 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental protection. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>environmental protection</ns0:RelatingClause>
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<ns0:Subject>Environmental protection: Natural Resources Agency: landscape of statewide significance: Santa Cruz Mountains. </ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state’s natural and cultural resources.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains, as defined, as a landscape of statewide significance that requires special protection by the Natural Resources Agency and its boards, departments, and conservancies, as provided. The bill would require the agency, and to the extent that resources are available, and when appropriate, to protect, restore, and preserve the natural ecosystems of the Santa Cruz Mountains, among other things. </html:p>
<html:p>This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Santa Cruz Mountains
covering portions of the Counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz.</html:p>
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<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
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<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Part 9 (commencing with Section 71470) is added to Division 34 of the
<ns0:DocName>Public Resources Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:LawHeading id="id_360426DF-65A6-4648-B82C-98BDE01C825D" type="PART">
<ns0:Num>9.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_421E9B8C-2384-44AD-AC89-F14D47F6DDB5">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Landscape of Statewide Significance</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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<ns0:Num>71470.</ns0:Num>
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(a)
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The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
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<html:p>
(1)
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The habitat in and around the Santa Cruz Mountains contains rare and endemic species, including the San Francisco garter snake, the Santa Cruz kangaroo rat, the Santa Cruz cypress, and many more species found only in that region.
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<html:p>
(2)
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The Santa Cruz Mountains are also a resource of statewide cultural, historical, and environmental significance. They provide unique habitats for wildlife, offer recreational opportunities, and deliver significant ecological benefits. The range covers a vast area, spanning parts of the Counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, and is home to coast redwoods and diverse
ecosystems.
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<html:p>
(3)
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The Santa Cruz Mountains are a vital wildlife corridor, connecting coastal ranges and providing habitat for numerous species, including state-listed endangered species.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
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The area is a crucial source of natural resources that contribute to climate resilience through carbon sequestration, water management, watershed health, erosion control, and habitat preservation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
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For purposes of this section, “Santa Cruz Mountains” means the area defined by the following boundaries:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
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The County of San Mateo west of Highway 101, north of Interstate 380, and west of Interstate 280.
</html:p>
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(2)
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The County of Santa Clara west of Interstate 280, west of Route 85, and west of Highway 101,
excluding the portion of Hydrologic Unit Code 12 Upper Llagas Creek below 400 feet in elevation and all of the following Hydrologic Unit Code 12 watersheds:
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(A)
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Canoas Creek.
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(B)
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Metcalfe Canyon-Coyote Creek.
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(C)
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Little Llagas Creek.
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<html:p>
(D)
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Lower Llagas Creek.
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<html:p>
(3)
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The County of Santa Cruz north and east of State Highway 1.
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<html:p>
(c)
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The Santa Cruz Mountains are hereby designated as a landscape of statewide significance that requires special protection by the Natural Resources Agency and its boards, departments, and conservancies pursuant to subdivision (d).
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(d)
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To the
extent that resources are available, and when appropriate, the Natural Resources Agency shall do all of the following:
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<html:p>
(1)
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Protect, restore, and preserve the Santa Cruz Mountains’ natural ecosystems.
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(2)
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Restore and preserve wildlife habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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<html:p>
(3)
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Support healthy forest management in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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<html:p>
(4)
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Improve watershed management in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
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Develop and maintain trails for public access and other recreational opportunities in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the unique nature of the Santa Cruz Mountains as set forth in the findings and declarations specified in Section 1 of this act.</html:p>
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