(a) The conservancy may acquire real property or any interest in real property pursuant to the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) within the conservancy’s territory from willing sellers and at fair market value, upon a finding that the acquisition is consistent with the purposes of the conservancy, as set forth in Section 32602. The conservancy may acquire the property itself or may coordinate the acquisition through other public agencies that have the authority to acquire property and that have available funding or land to exchange. The conservancy may hold a remainder interest in property in those instances in which an owner desires to sell the property and retain a life estate, and may create and administer a mitigation land bank and arrange land exchanges, consistent with the purposes set forth in Section 32602. The overall objective of the land acquisition program shall be to assist in accomplishing land transactions that are mutually beneficial to the landowner and the conservancy, and that meet the conservancy’s purposes. Neither the conservancy nor the State Public Works Board shall exercise the power of eminent domain pursuant to this division.
(b) To the extent not in conflict with any other law, the conservancy may exercise the right of first refusal for surplus public agency property located within its territory for the purposes of the conservancy set forth in Section 32602 subject to the conditions and provisions of the adopted San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Parkway and Open Space Plan, and shall conform to all relevant general and specific plans and zoning regulations of local agencies within the territory of the conservancy.
(c) Prior to entering into an agreement to acquire any interest in real property within the territory of the conservancy for open space or conservation purposes, the conservancy shall provide 30 days written notice to the legislative body of the affected local agency, if such a project was not included in the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Parkway and Open Space Plan.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 789, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)