The commission shall be responsible for the preparation of a public coastal access program which includes the elements set forth in this section and which, to the maximum extent practicable, is incorporated into the local coastal programs prepared, approved, and implemented pursuant to this division.
(a)
On or before January 1, 1981, the commission shall prepare a coastal access inventory. The coastal access inventory shall be updated on a continuing basis and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(1)
A list identifying lands held or operated for the purpose of providing public access to or along the coast. Each listing shall include a brief description of the type of access provided, access constraints, access facility ownership, and resources or uses for which access is provided or suitable.
(2)
A list of known offers to dedicate, accepted dedications, and any other legally binding actions taken that provide opportunities for any type of public use of or access to or along the coast. Each listing shall include a brief description of the legal status of the instrument granting or otherwise providing public access, whether public access is physically available, and if not, what action is necessary to be taken to accomplish actual public use.
(3)
A map showing the precise location of the listings included pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subdivision.
(b)
On or before June 1, 1980, the commission shall, in consultation with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the State Coastal Conservancy, and other appropriate public agencies, make recommendations to guide state, local, and to the extent permitted by law federal public agencies in the identification, development, and management of public accessways to and along the coast. The recommendations made pursuant to this section shall be consistent with the public access policies of this division and, with respect to recommendations relating to development of public accessways, consistent with the policy of protecting coastal resources.
(c)
On or before January 1, 1981, and from time to time thereafter, the commission, in consultation with the State Coastal Conservancy and other affected public agencies, shall identify the public agency or agencies it deems the most appropriate agency or agencies to accept responsibility for the management of those public coastal accessways listed pursuant to subdivision (a) for which no public agency has accepted such management responsibilities. In identifying the agency or agencies most appropriate to accept public access management responsibilities, the commission shall include its best estimate of costs for the development, operation, and maintenance of such accessways and shall recommend to the Governor and the Legislature a method of funding such costs. In preparing its recommendations for funding public coastal accessway operation and maintenance costs, the commission shall develop alternative, innovative funding techniques that take into account the appropriateness of local funding for the operation and maintenance of accessways that serve primarily local needs. If the commission identifies a state agency as the appropriate agency to assume management responsibility and such agency does not accept such responsibility, the agency shall, by December 31 of the year in which the commission completes its report, advise the commission of its reasons why it did not or cannot accept such responsibility. The State Coastal Conservancy shall take those actions it deems appropriate, including necessary agreements, to negotiate or otherwise accomplish the acceptance of management responsibility by the agency identified by the commission.
