(a) The department shall undertake the development of a vegetation mapping standard for the state.

(b) The development of a state vegetation mapping standard by the department shall be done in consultation with interested stakeholders, including, but not limited to, government agencies, nongovernmental conservation organizations, landowners, agriculture, recreation, scientific entities, and industry. Components of the standard shall include the following:

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(1) A published classification system for all natural and seminatural vegetation communities present in California with sufficient detail to meet the analytical needs of government and nongovernment entities. The classification shall be consistent with national standards adopted by the Federal Geographic Data Committee.

(2) Methods for field data collection, image interpretation, and digital map production and attribution.

(3) Manuals, training materials, tools, and database structures for use by parties interested in performing vegetation mapping according to the standard.

(4) Documented methods for performing postproject accuracy assessments to quantify the validity of the work. Private and public landowners shall be given reasonable opportunity to review, and comment on the accuracy of, the data collected on their lands.

(5) Mechanisms for integrating new map products that meet the standard into a cohesive database with the intent of eventually completing statewide coverage.

(c) The department shall submit a report to the budget committee of each house of the Legislature no later than January 10, 2008, providing its mapping standard and advising how the department will ensure that its standard will be updated to reflect changing technology and serve as the state’s center of expertise on vegetation mapping.

(d) The department may adopt regulations to implement this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 154, Sec. 40. (AB 1527) Effective January 1, 2016.)