Pub. Resources Code, § 32551

The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:

(a) The Baldwin Hills, southern Ballona Creek Watershed, and Upper Dominguez Channel area within the County of Los Angeles and the Cities of Los Angeles and Culver City, among other cities, constitutes an area with unique and important cultural, scientific, educational, recreational, and scenic resources, and includes land with the highest elevation in the Los Angeles Basin.

(b) The state recognized the importance of, and the need for, recreational venues in this area by purchasing and establishing the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in 1983, which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The County of Los Angeles operates the state recreation area pursuant to a contract with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

(c) In recognition of the evolving community needs in the Baldwin Hills area, in 1999 the Legislature directed the review and revision of the master plan for the existing state recreation area as well as the acquisition of other lands in the Baldwin Hills.

(d) As one of the last remaining urban open spaces in the County of Los Angeles, the Baldwin Hills, southern Ballona Creek Watershed, and Upper Dominguez Channel area should be held in trust to be preserved and enhanced for the enjoyment of, and appreciation by, present and future generations.

(e) The Baldwin Hills and Urban Watersheds Conservancy should be created to develop and coordinate an integrated program of resources stewardship so that the Baldwin Hills, southern Ballona Creek Watershed, and Upper Dominguez Channel area is managed for its optimum recreational and natural resource values based upon the needs and desires of the surrounding community.