The following definitions govern the construction of this chapter:
(a) “Acquisition” includes but is not limited to, gifts, purchases, leases, easements, the exercise of eminent domain if expressly authorized, the transfer or exchange of property for other property of like value, transfers of development rights or credits, and purchases of development rights and other interests.
(b) “Board” means the Wildlife Conservation Board.
(c) “Fund” means the Habitat Conservation Fund created by Section 2786.
(d) “Local agency” means a city, county, city and county, or a district as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 5902 of the Public Resources Code.
(e) “Riparian habitat” means lands which contain habitat which grows close to and which depends upon soil moisture from a nearby freshwater source.
(f) “Southern California” means the Counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.
(g) “Wetlands” means lands which may be covered periodically or permanently with shallow water and which include saltwater marshes, freshwater marshes, open or closed brackish water marshes, swamps, mudflats, fens, and vernal pools.
(Added June 5, 1990, by initiative Proposition 117.)