(a) A license for a wildlife habitat enhancement and management area may be issued to any landholder or combination of landholders upon approval by the commission of an application submitted by the landholder. As used in this article, “landholder” means any person who owns, leases, or has a possessory interest in land.

(b) Each license application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee in an amount established by the commission which, in conjunction with the fees collected pursuant to Section 3407, is calculated to meet the department’s actual costs in administering all aspects of the habitat enhancement and management program. The application shall be accompanied by a wildlife habitat enhancement and management plan and such other information about the proposed wildlife habitat enhancement and management area as may be required by the commission.

(c) An application for a license may be submitted by any number of landholders if all parcels to be included in the wildlife habitat enhancement and management area are contiguous and, in combination, are of a size suitable for the management of the species included in the wildlife habitat enhancement and management plan. The landholders shall designate one landholder who shall represent them in all dealings with the commission and the department. The designated landholder shall be responsible for the operation of the wildlife habitat enhancement and management area.

(d) A landholder who does not own the fee to the land may apply for a license pursuant to this article only if the owner signs the application.

(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 818, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1993.)