31450.
(a) The Explore the Coast Program (hereafter the program) is hereby created in the conservancy to expand opportunities for all Californians to access and explore the state’s coastal resources.(b) The goals of the program are to increase recreational, educational, and stewardship opportunities for people to explore California’s spectacular coastal resources, especially people from communities that face barriers to accessing and enjoying coastal resources.
(c) The conservancy may award grants to public agencies, including federally recognized Indian tribes and other nonfederally recognized California Native American tribes listed on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission, and nonprofit organizations to carry out projects that help achieve the goals of the program.
(d) Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, those projects that involve providing transportation, physical activity programming, resource interpretation, education, multilingual translation, or communication for purposes of providing access to and enjoyment of coastal resources.
(e) When awarding grants under the program, the conservancy shall prioritize projects that provide students and youth with an opportunity to visit the coast for the first time.