Under existing law, the Department of Parks and Recreation has control of the state park system. Existing law prohibits commercial exploitation of resources in state park system units, but provides certain exceptions for commercial drilling for oil or gas and commercial fishing, as specified. Upon receiving prior approval from the Director of Parks and Recreation, existing law encourages qualified institutions and individuals to conduct nondestructive forms of scientific investigation within state park system units.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to later enact legislation that would expand the opportunities for scientific investigation within the California state park system.