California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: public access: nonmotorized recreation.

Assembly Member Rogers' legislation modifies California Environmental Quality Act exemptions for public access projects in parks and open spaces by extending eligibility to county park agencies while establishing new environmental planning requirements. The amended law allows agencies to bypass environmental review when providing nonmotorized recreational access to existing infrastructure, provided they adopt comprehensive natural resource management plans and limit physical alterations to minimal improvements like signage and portable restrooms.

The bill replaces the previous requirement that changes align with adopted agency plans, instead mandating that lead agencies develop specific natural resource management documents identifying sensitive species, cultural resources, and mitigation strategies. Agencies must demonstrate sufficient funding to implement these plans and hold public meetings with 30-day advance notice before determining a project's exemption status. The exemption remains unavailable for projects likely to significantly impact tribal cultural resources or protected species.

These provisions aim to balance expanded recreational access with environmental protection through detailed planning requirements. The law maintains existing protections for conservation easements and deed restrictions while adding a sunset date of January 1, 2030. Local agencies can fund the new requirements through their existing authority to levy service charges and fees, eliminating the need for state reimbursement of mandated costs.