(a) The people of California find and declare all of the following: (1) From Californiaâs beautiful rivers, streams, coastal shorelines, and other waterways, to our federal, state, local, and regional parks and outdoor settings, to our vast network of trails connecting people with natural landscapes, Californians value the rich diversity of outdoor experiences afforded to this state and its citizens. (2) Demand for local parks has exceeded available funding by a factor of 8 to 1, with particularly high demand in urban, disadvantaged communities. (3) Many Californians across the state lack access to safe parks, wildlife, trails, and recreation areas, which limits their ability to experience the outdoors, improve their physical and emotional health, exercise, and connect with their communities. (4) Investments to create and improve parks and recreation areas, and to create trail networks that provide access from neighborhoods to parks, wildlife, and recreational opportunities, will help ensure all Californians have access to safe places to exercise and enjoy recreational activities. (5) The California Center for Public Health Advocacy estimates that inactivity and obesity cost California over forty billion dollars ($40,000,000,000) annually, through increased health care costs and lost productivity due to obesity-related illnesses, and that even modest increases in physical activity would result in significant savings. Investments in infrastructure improvements such as biking and walking trails and pathways, whether in urban or natural areas, are cost-effective ways to promote physical activity. (6) Continued investments in the stateâs parks, wildlife and ecological areas, trails, and natural resources, and greening urban areas will help mitigate the effects of climate change, making cities more livable, and will protect Californiaâs natural resources for future generations. (7) Californiaâs outdoor recreation economy represents an eighty-seven-billion-dollar ($87,000,000,000) industry, providing over 700,000 jobs and billions of dollars in local and state revenues. (8) Californiaâs state, local, and regional park system infrastructure and national park system infrastructure are aging, and a significant infusion of capital is required to protect this investment. (9) There has been a historic underinvestment in parks, trails, and outdoor infrastructure in disadvantaged areas and many communities throughout California. (10) Tourism is a growing industry in California and remains an economic driver for the more rural parts of the state. (11) Californiaâs highly variable hydrology puts at risk the stateâs supply of clean and safe water. In recent years, California has experienced both the stateâs worst drought and also the wettest winter in recorded history. (12) Extreme weather changes such as prolonged drought, intense heat events, and a changing snowpack are real climate impacts happening right now in California, and these changes increase the need to safeguard water supply for the quality of life for all Californians. (13) Every Californian should have access to clean, safe, and reliable drinking water. (14) Californiaâs water infrastructure continues to age and deteriorate. (15) Encouraging water conservation and recycling are commonsense actions to improve Californiaâs water future. (16) Successfully implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in collaboration with local government and communities is a key state priority. (17) Flooding can devastate communities and infrastructure. (18) Protecting and restoring lakes, rivers, streams, and the stateâs diverse ecosystems is a critical part of the stateâs water future and ensures the quality of life for all Californians. (19) This division provides funding to implement the California Water Action Plan. (20) Periodic investments are needed to protect, restore, and enhance our natural resources and parks to ensure all Californians have safe, clean
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