5081.
There is hereby established the Local Environmental Enhancement Fund in the State Treasury. All moneys deposited in the fund are available for expenditure by the Natural Resources Agency, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this chapter. After retaining no more than 5 percent of the moneys annually deposited in the Local Environmental Enhancement Fund for the implementation of this chapter, the Natural Resources Agency shall allocate the remaining revenues in the fund to issue grants to cities and counties for local parks and for local programs aimed at reducing and cleaning up litter. A city or county receiving funds pursuant to this chapter shall provide local grants to eligible applicants consistent with these goals for any of the following purposes:(a) (1) Operating and maintenance costs at local parks, including, but not limited to, repair costs, for facilities, visitor centers, restrooms, campsites, and ranger stations.
(2) (A) Local state parks operated by nonprofit organizations or public-private nonprofit organization partnerships shall receive priority in receiving grants funds pursuant to this chapter.
(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, “private nonprofit organization” is an organization that is exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) (1) Property acquisitions, with priority for local parks in disadvantaged communities with few park resources.
(2) Property acquisition from a willing seller made pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be at a price exceeding the fair market value as determined by an independent and impartial appraisal meeting all of the following requirements:
(A) The appraisal meets all applicable requirements of state and local laws and policies and shall conform with the Uniformed Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
(B) The appraisal does not involve a fee based upon a percentage of the property’s appraised value.
(C) The appraiser performing the appraisal does not have a financial interest in the property being appraised, including, but not limited to, being the seller or donor, a party to the seller’s acquisition of the property, or employed by, or related to, the seller, donor, or a party to the seller’s acquisition.
(D) The appraiser selected by the acquisition agency or project partner that contracts for the appraisal is qualified to appraise the specific property based upon verifiable education, experience, and knowledge of appropriate methodologies, techniques, and the real estate market relevant to the specific property and any significant property-specific specialty interest, if applicable.
(3) The landowner may contribute to the costs of the appraisal, but shall not be named as a coclient of the appraiser or firm preparing the appraisal.
(4) A property acquisition shall not be approved without an assessment of the ability to fund ongoing operations and maintenance costs for the property.
(c) Expansion of access to local parks and recreation-related programming, including public outreach and education, improved transportation access, safety, and security.
(d) Local park improvement or rehabilitation projects that enhance the overall condition or recreational experience of a park unit.
(e) Protecting and restoring local park cultural and historical resources.
(f) Expansion and improvements of nonmotorized trail systems and networks for commuter and recreational benefits.
(g) Local litter abatement and cleanup programs, including beach cleanup programs.