(a) In accordance with the requirements of subdivision (c), the commission shall develop and adopt a plan and implementation program, including a finance and maintenance plan, for a continuous regional recreational corridor that extends around the delta, including, but not limited to, the delta’s shorelines in Contra Costa, Solano, San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Yolo Counties. This plan shall link the San Francisco Bay Trail system to the planned Sacramento River trails in Yolo and Sacramento Counties. This plan shall include a specific route of a bicycling and hiking trail, the relationship of the route to existing and proposed park and recreational facilities and land and water trail systems, and links to existing and proposed public transportation and transit. The transportation and transit links may include, but are not limited to, roadside bus stops, transit facilities, and transportation facilities. The continuous regional recreational corridor planned and executed pursuant to this chapter shall be called the Great California Delta Trail. The continuous regional recreational corridor shall include, but not be limited to, bikeway systems, and hiking and bicycling trails.

(b) The Great California Delta Trail plan shall do all of the following:

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(1) Provide that designated environmentally sensitive areas, including wildlife habitats and wetlands, shall not be adversely affected by the trail.

(2) Provide for appropriate buffer zones along those portions of the bikeway system adjacent to designated environmentally sensitive areas and areas with private uses, when appropriate.

(3) Provide that the land and funds used for any purposes under this chapter are not considered mitigation for wetlands losses.

(4) Provide alternative routes to avoid impingement on environmentally sensitive areas, traditional hunting and fishing areas, and areas with private uses, when appropriate.

(5) Provide that no motorized vehicles, except to the extent necessary for emergency services, including, but not limited to, medical and structural emergencies, and for handicap access, be allowed on the trail.

(c) The commission may develop and adopt the plan and the implementation program if it receives sufficient funds, from sources other than the General Fund, to either (1) finance the full costs of developing and adopting the plan or (2) develop and implement a defined portion of the plan, such as specific trail segments and related facilities identified in the plan. The commission shall submit the plan and the implementation program to the Legislature and each of the counties within the commission’s service area not later than two years after the commission determines that sufficient funds will be available to complete all or a defined portion of the plan and implementation program.

(d) The commission shall administer the funds used in the planning of the trail.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 51, Sec. 29. (SB 854) Effective June 27, 2018.)