The conservancy may, in accordance with the priorities of the plan, do the following:

(a) Award grants or make interest-free loans to cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and recreation and park districts for the purpose of restoring areas which, because of scattered ownerships, poor lot layout, inadequate lot size, inadequate park and open space, incompatible land uses, or other conditions, are adversely affecting the Santa Monica Mountains environment or are impeding orderly development. Any funds over and above eligible project costs which remain after completion of a restoration under this subdivision shall be transmitted by the city, county, resource conservation district, or recreation and park district, as the case may be, to the state and deposited in the fund and shall be available for expenditure, when appropriated by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding the programs specified in this division.

(b) Undertake, or award grants or make interest-free loans to any state agency, city, county, resource conservation district, or recreation and park district for the purposes of undertaking, the acquisition of critically needed buffer zones to ensure that the character and intensity of development surrounding lands acquired by the federal government as part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is generally compatible with, and does not adversely impact, the recreational and natural resource values of the national recreation area. In the acquisition of interests pursuant to this subdivision, the conservancy shall place principal reliance on acquisition of development rights and other less than fee interests.

(c) Award grants to state agencies, cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and park and recreation districts for the purpose of acquiring sites identified as necessary for park, recreation, or conservation purposes and for development of essential related public facilities.

(d) Acquire, or award grants or make interest-free loans to other state agencies, cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and recreation and park districts for the purpose of acquiring, sites identified as necessary for park, recreation, or conservation purposes, when a state or local agency is unable, due to limited financial resources or other circumstances of a temporary nature, to acquire the site. Priority shall be given under this subdivision to sites under immediate development pressure. Fee title and options to purchase may be acquired and the land may be held for subsequent conveyance to the appropriate public agency if the conservancy finds that the site would otherwise be lost to public use. Repayment of any loans or other reimbursements to the conservancy for projects funded from the federal grant account of the fund under this subdivision shall be deposited in the account and may be used for the purposes of this division when authorized by the Secretary of the Interior.

(e) Award grants to cities, counties, or state agencies for the purpose of enhancing of resources which, because of improper location of improvements, or incompatible land uses, have suffered loss of natural and scenic values. Grants under this subdivision shall be utilized for the assembly of parcels of land to improve resource management, for relocation of improperly located or designated improvements, and for other corrective measures which will enhance the natural and scenic character. Grants under this subdivision may not be utilized as a method of acquisition of public park, wildlife, or natural areas, except as such uses may be incidental.

(f) The conservancy may act pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section only if it finds that the local regulatory provisions do not adequately accomplish the objectives of such subdivisions.

The conservancy may act pursuant to subdivisions (a), (c), and (e) of this section only if the project is not a more intense land use than is consistent with the local area and general plans of the city or county having jurisdiction over the affected land. The conservancy may undertake a project itself or award a grant or make a loan pursuant to subdivision (b) only if it notifies the governing body of the city or county in whose jurisdiction the project is located and the governing body has not, by a four-fifths vote, disapproved the project. If the governing body does not disapprove a project within 45 days after receiving notice of the project proposal from the conservancy, the project shall be deemed approved by the governing body.

(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1616, Sec. 7.)