SECTIONS 12840-12842

12840.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of Chapter 2(commencing with Section 12639) and Chapter 3 (commencing withSection 12800), the policy set forth in this chapter shall apply towatershed protection and flood prevention projects under Chapter 4(commencing with Section 12850), to small watershed projects approvedby the State Conservationist of the United States Department ofAgriculture, to small flood control projects authorized by Section12750, and to flood control projects authorized by Congress andadopted and authorized by the Legislature pursuant to Chapter 2(commencing with Section 12639). It is not the intent of this chapterto affect the responsibility for the maintenance and operation ofthose projects pursuant to the applicable provisions of law.12841.  The Legislature finds and declares that in order to protectthe general health and welfare of the public it is necessary toprovide for the preservation and enhancement of the state's fish andwildlife resources in connection with flood control and watershedprotection projects and to realize the full potential of suchprojects to provide recreational opportunities to the general public. The Legislature further finds and declares that in order toenhance the general public health and welfare it is necessary thatall flood control and watershed protection projects be designed,constructed, and operated so as to realize their full potential forthe enhancement of the state's fish and wildlife resources and toprovide recreational opportunities to the general public. TheLegislature further finds and declares that the realization of fishand wildlife enhancement opportunities and the provision ofrecreational opportunities is of benefit to all of the people ofCalifornia and that a portion of the costs of realizing thesebenefits from federal flood control and watershed protection projectsshould be borne by them. The Legislature further finds and declares that fish and wildlifeenhancement and recreational development should be among the purposesof all federal flood control and watershed protection projects andthat opportunities to attain these benefits should be realizedconcurrently with the realization of benefits from other projectpurposes.12842.  The Legislature further finds and declares that it is theintent of the Legislature that the planning and construction of allflood control and watershed protection projects shall include suchfeatures as may be determined to be necessary and desirable topreserve and enhance the state's fish and wildlife resources and toachieve the full utilization of such projects for recreationalpurposes consistent with the construction and operation of suchprojects to protect life and property.