It is the intent of the Legislature that this article accomplish all of the following:
(a) Support and encourage voluntary, long-term private stewardship and conservation of California’s oak woodlands by offering landowners financial incentives to protect and promote biologically functional oak woodlands over time.
(b) Provide incentives to protect and encourage farming and ranching operations that are operated in a manner that protects and promotes healthy oak woodlands.
(c) Provide incentives for the protection of oak trees providing superior wildlife values on private lands.
(d) Encourage local land use planning that is consistent with the preservation of oak woodlands, particularly special oak woodlands habitat elements.
(e) Provide guidelines for spending the funds allocated for oak woodlands pursuant to the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000 (the Villaraigosa-Keeley Act (Chapter 1.692 (commencing with Section 5096.300) of Division 5 of the Public Resources Code)).
(f) Establish a fund for oak woodlands conservation, to which future appropriations for oak woodlands protection may be made, and specify grant making guidelines.
(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 588, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.)