The Legislature finds and declares that: (a) The lower American River is in the California Wild and Scenic Rivers System as designated in subdivision (e) of Section 5093.54, and has thus been determined by the Legislature as possessing extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, and wildlife values. (b) The County of Sacramento and the City of Sacramento have developed the American River Parkway, a 23-mile open-space greenbelt in the lower American River flood plain, and have promulgated land use regulations to prevent urban and other incompatible encroachment into the parkway. (c) The California Exposition flood plain contains an unprotected block of significant riparian habitat remaining in the lower American River flood plain, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that this riparian habitat is of vital importance and an integral part of the American River.
