Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 4784

In furtherance of such contracts and agreements, and also independently of them, the department shall engage in experimental land clearance and revegetation of such lands in the interests of protection and improvement of range and forage lands and shall also engage in such research in connection with it as will enable it to determine the value of such methods in relation to the several purposes and interests of the people of the state as set forth in this article.