The director shall cause to be prepared a comprehensive plan for the development and operation of a statewide system of recreation trails. The plan, which shall be titled the California Recreational Trails System Plan, shall do all of the following:

(a) Assess the present and future demand for trail-oriented recreation uses.

(b) Recommend an integrated and interconnecting system of trail routes designed to provide a wide range of recreational opportunities and to ensure access and linkage to scenic, natural, historic, and recreational areas of statewide significance.

(c) Recommend priorities for funding to improve and expand nonmotorized natural surface trails, trail networks, greenway corridors, and other nonmotorized infrastructure that promote either new or alternate access to parks, waterways, outdoor recreational pursuits, and forested or other natural environments.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 522, Sec. 3. (AB 1789) Effective January 1, 2023.)