(a)
The fundamental requirement for healthy, vigorous populations of fish and wildlife is habitat. Without adequate habitat, efforts to conserve and manage fish and wildlife resources will have limited success.
(b)
Assuring adequate habitat, with the resulting increase in the abundance of fish and wildlife, confers substantial benefits on the people of California through the opportunities afforded for the use, enjoyment, and appreciation of fish and wildlife resources, the perpetuation of species of fish and wildlife for their intrinsic and ecological values, and the enhancement of economic activities based on these resources.
(c)
Accordingly, the purpose of this chapter is to provide the financial means to correct the most severe deficiencies in fish and wildlife habitat currently found in California through a program of acquisition, enhancement, and development of habitat areas that are most in need of proper conservation and management.