(a) Each donee shall evaluate applications submitted to it and prepare a plan for the board that sets forth the donee’s priorities for acquisition of property that qualifies under the program. Consistent with the criteria established for the program, each donee may use its own priority lists and procedures in determining which properties or types of properties shall be given priority.

(b) Each donee or the board may request that the applicant supply further information reasonably necessary to allow the donee or the board to evaluate the proposed donation.

(c) The department may accept contributions of money from any taxpayer to pay or reimburse the costs of appraisal, escrow, title, and other transaction costs associated with the contribution of any particular property or set of properties, including any environmental assessments required by the department, and the costs of preparing any necessary management plan for the property or set of properties.

(d) Prior to acquiring an easement or other interest in land pursuant to this division, a public hearing shall be held by the donee, if the donee is a public agency, or by the board if the donee is a designated nonprofit organization, in the local community. Notice shall be given by the donee or the board to the county board of supervisors of the affected county, adjacent landowners, affected water districts, local municipalities, and other interested parties, as determined by the donee or the board.

(e) When submitting a donation of qualified property to the board for final approval, the donee shall provide the board with the fair market value of the property proposed for acceptance, based on appraisals that have been reviewed and approved by the Department of General Services.

(Amended (as added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 113) by Stats. 2000, Ch. 900, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2001.)