Huron Hawk Conservancy.

Assembly Member Soria's legislation establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage and protect a 3,000-acre area north of Huron, California, transforming the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin into a regional park and nature reserve. The conservancy, operating within the Natural Resources Agency, would acquire and manage public lands for recreation, wildlife habitat restoration, and educational purposes.

The bill creates a 12-member governing board comprising local, state, and public representatives, including officials from Fresno County, the City of Huron, and state environmental agencies. Three public members would be appointed through a structured nomination process involving local nonprofit organizations focused on conservation and environmental justice. The board requires six members for a quorum and five affirmative votes for binding decisions.

The conservancy would receive funding through a dedicated state treasury fund, accepting revenues from member agencies, grants, and private contributions. While authorized to acquire property from willing sellers at fair market value, the conservancy cannot levy taxes, regulate land use, or exercise eminent domain. The legislation enables the conservancy to award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations, manage facilities, coordinate volunteers, and enter agreements with other entities for land management.

The area's transformation builds upon a 2022 initiative when Huron officials sought National Park Service assistance to develop the site, which is currently owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and co-managed by the Department of Water Resources. The legislation requires local agencies to participate in board appointments and governance, creating new administrative responsibilities that qualify for state mandate reimbursement.