(a) Any Member of the Legislature, the California Coastal Commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the State Park and Recreation Commission, or the Secretary of the Resources Agency may nominate, for study by the Department of Parks and Recreation, any project within the coastal zone for acquisition with funds made available for the state park system pursuant to category (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 5096.151. Any of the commissions, and the conservancy, shall make nominations by vote of its membership.

(b) The Department of Parks and Recreation shall study any project so nominated. In addition to the procedures required by Section 5006, the Department of Parks and Recreation shall submit to the Legislature annually a report consisting of a prioritized listing and comparative evaluation of all projects nominated for study, in accordance with the following schedule:

(1) March 1, 1981, for projects nominated prior to January 15, 1981.

(2) November 1, 1981, for projects nominated prior to June 30, 1981, and after January 15, 1981.

(3) November 1, 1982, and each November 1 thereafter for projects nominated during the 12 months ending June 30, 1982, and each June 30 thereafter.

(c) In making the prioritized listing and comparative evaluation of potential acquisition sites, the department shall adhere to the following criteria and priorities:

(1) The first priority for the acquisition of coastal resources is as follows:

(A) Land and water areas best suited to serve the recreational needs of urban populations.

(B) Land and water areas of significant environmental importance, such as habitat protection.

(2) The second priority for the acquisition of coastal resources is as follows:

(A) Land for physical and visual access to the coastline where public access opportunities are inadequate or could be impeded by incompatible uses.

(B) Remaining areas of high recreational value.

(C) Areas proposed as a coastal reserve or preserve, including areas that are or include restricted natural communities, including, but not limited to, ecological areas that are scarce, involving only a limited area; rare and endangered wildlife species habitat; rare and endangered plant species range; specialized wildlife habitat; outstanding representative natural communities; sites with outstanding educational value; fragile or environmentally sensitive resources; and wilderness or primitive areas. Areas meeting more than one of these criteria may be considered as especially important.

(D) Highly scenic areas that are or include landscape preservation projects; open areas identified as being of particular value in providing visual contrast to urbanization, in preserving natural landforms and significant vegetation, in providing attractive transitions between natural and urbanized areas, or as scenic open space; and scenic areas or historical districts designated by cities and counties within the coastal zone.

(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 250, Sec. 1. Approved in Proposition 1 at the November 4, 1980, election. Operative December 1, 1980.)