(a) In carrying out its responsibilities pursuant to this chapter, the department shall solicit and utilize all relevant results of existing studies and information from local government, state, and federal agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, certified environmental documents, private and public landowners, and agricultural and rangeland information developed by the Department of Conservation and agriculture associations.

(b) The department shall seek input from representatives of other state agencies, local government, federal agencies, nongovernmental conservation organizations, landowners, agriculture, recreation, scientific entities, and industry in determining essential wildlife corridors and habitat linkages. Private and public landowners shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the wildlife characteristics of their land if it is identified pursuant to this chapter. The department shall utilize all relevant information when developing data sets and associated analytical products pursuant to this chapter.

(c) This chapter does not require, mandate, or authorize, under state or federal law, any state or local planning, zoning, or other land use action or decision.

(d) This chapter does not alter any legal rights and privileges, under state or federal law, of ownership or use of privately or publicly owned property.

(e) The Legislature finds and declares that the data sets and associated analytical products required pursuant to this chapter are for inventory and planning purposes and may not be suitable to support regulatory actions without additional specificity or information.

(Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 333, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2009.)