Endowments
On September 28, 2012, the Governor signed SB 1094 into law amending Government Code sections 65965-65968, which, among other things, expanded authorization for holding mitigation lands and modified the requirements for mitigation endowments.
Entity Due Diligence
Process Updated April 5, 2021
Government Code § 65967(c) requires a state or local agency to exercise due diligence when approving governmental entities, special districts, and non-profit organizations proposed to hold conservation easements (CE) or manage and steward mitigation lands.
When CDFW issues permits for a project, the project applicant may be required to transfer an interest in real property to CDFW or to another entity to mitigate the impact that the project will have on fish and wildlife resources. That interest in real property may involve a transfer of fee title, the granting of a conservation easement, or both.
Pursuant to its regulatory authority under Fish and Game Code, CDFW shall exercise due diligence when reviewing the qualifications of any entity seeking to hold conservation easements for mitigation lands or any entity or individual seeking to manage and steward mitigation lands.
Staff in CDFW regions will review the qualifications of the entity proposed on a project-by-project basis. Because this determination is made on a project-by-project basis, a single entity may be approved to hold one CE or manage certain mitigation lands but denied to hold another CE or manage other mitigation lands.
CDFW may provide a checklist, to entities proposed to hold conservation easements or manage and steward mitigation lands, requesting a list of documents to review the entity’s qualifications. Document requests are based on the entity type, previous submittals, and property specific information.
The Entity Checklist template is below for reference. The Properties List Template is not required but can aid in completing the information requested in sections 15, 16, 19, 29, 30, 31 and 32.
For questions about this process, please email CDFW at mitland@wildlife.ca.gov.
Entities approved for specific projects starting April 2021
Determinations are made on a project-by-project basis. In the context of a specific permit or approval issued by CDFW, CDFW’s regional permitting staff undertake a project-by-project review to determine if the entity proposed for those roles and responsibilities has the qualifications and capacity to hold conservation easement(s) and/or manage and steward the specific mitigation land(s). Therefore, entities listed would not necessarily be approved for other projects.
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