The conservancy may award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of enhancement of coastal resources that, because of indiscriminate dredging or filling, improper location of improvements, natural or human-induced events, or incompatible land uses, have suffered loss of natural and scenic values. Grants under this chapter shall be utilized for the assembly of parcels of land within coastal resource enhancement areas to improve resource management, for relocation of improperly located or designed improvements, and for other corrective measures that will enhance the natural and scenic character of the areas. As provided in this chapter, the cost of acquisition of certain lands within coastal resource enhancement areas may be funded through the conservancy. Grants under this section may not be utilized as a method of acquisition of public park, wildlife, or natural areas, except as those uses may be incidental to a coastal resource enhancement project.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 958, Sec. 14. Effective January 1, 2003.)