Article 2. The Inland Wetlands Conservation Program of California Fish And Game Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 4.3. >> Article 2.

The Inland Wetlands Conservation Program is hereby created in the board.

(a) The Inland Wetlands Conservation Program is the program designated for use of the funds allocated pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 2791, as enacted by the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990. The board shall administer the program.
  (b) The board is the agency designated for receipt of the funds allocated pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 2791, as enacted by the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990.
  (c) The purpose and goal of the program is to carry out the programs of the Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture.

The board may apply for and accept federal grants and receive gifts, donations, subventions, rent, royalties, and other financial support from public and private sources for the purposes of the program.

The board may acquire or accept the gift or dedication of fee title, easements, leases, development rights, or other interests in lands in inland areas necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

The board shall coordinate its activities in the program with federal surplus land sales in inland areas.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer any land, interest in land, or option acquired pursuant to this chapter for the purposes of carrying out the program.
  (b) The proceeds from any lease, rental, sale, exchange, or transfer of land, or any interest therein, or option thereon, shall be deposited in the fund.

The board may make grants or loans to nonprofit organizations, local governmental agencies, and state departments and agencies for the purpose of wetland and associated upland habitat acquisition, restoration, or enhancement in the same manner and subject to the same provisions as prescribed in Section 31116 of the Public Resources Code. Proceeds from repayment of any loans and the interest thereon shall be deposited in the fund.

The board may lease nonwetlands habitat in need of restoration to nonprofit organizations, local governmental agencies, and state departments and agencies under agreements in which the lessee agrees to restore the wetlands to their highest possible wetland value and maintain the wetlands at that highest possible wetland value. Proceeds from any lease or rental and interest thereon shall be deposited in the fund.

The board may acquire former wetlands and associated upland habitat, restore those areas, and sell the lands, or any interest therein, to private owners, local governmental agencies, and state departments and agencies or exchange them for other land, if an agreement is secured to keep and maintain the lands as wetlands in perpetuity. The agreement shall contain a reversion if the lands sold or exchanged are not maintained as wetlands. The agreement containing the reversion shall be set forth in any conveyance transferring any land, interest in land, or option subject to this section. Proceeds from the sales or exchanges shall be deposited in the fund.

Any funds remaining after an eligible acquisition, restoration, or enhancement of any project under this article shall be returned to the board and shall be deposited in the fund.

In reviewing any grant or loan application, preference shall be given to projects on wetlands that have a secure source of water or are adjacent to existing wetlands that are protected by public ownership or conservation easements, or both. The board shall give preference to wintering habitat in the central valley.

When creating new wetlands, the board shall give preference to lands most suitable for this purpose due to elevations, existence of levees, proximity to existing wetlands that are protected, and potential sources of water. These potential sources of water are limited to all of the following:
  (a) Water rights which are attached to the land to be restored including groundwater associated with the property.
  (b) Water willingly made available for a wetlands conservation project through water conservation.
  (c) Recycled water.
  (d) Undeveloped water supplies of the state.
  (e) Water marketed for wetlands purposes by a willing seller.
  (f) Water otherwise made available for wetlands purposes by private, nonprofit, local, and regional entities.

On or before January 1, 1992, and every third year thereafter, the board shall prepare and submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on activities of the board under this chapter and other activities relating to wetland acquisition by the board. The report shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
  (a) The status of wetland acquisition, restoration, and enhancement projects in inland areas.
  (b) The net increase of wetland habitat as a result of projects of the board, including the activities carried out pursuant to the program.