Section 14907 Of Article 2. The San Joaquin Valley Drainage Relief Program From California Water Code >> Division 7. >> Chapter 23. >> Article 2.
14907
. (a) Agreements to sell water that is conserved as a result
of the retirement of land pursuant to this chapter to public
agencies, nonprofit organizations, investor-owned water utilities,
corporations, or persons shall carry out the intent of the
Legislature set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 14901.5.
(b) (1) Agreements to distribute water that is conserved as a
result of the retirement of land pursuant to this chapter shall
maximize amounts for environmental purposes, including the
restoration and enhancement of riparian habitat, wetlands, fisheries,
and instream flows.
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that water distributed
pursuant to paragraph (1) be deemed contributions to a water
resources mitigation bank, if established by the state, to meet state
or federal requirements to dedicate water for environmental
purposes.
(c) Up to one-third of the amount of water conserved as a result
of the retirement of land pursuant to this chapter and not sold
pursuant to subdivision (a) may be used by local public agencies for
environmental purposes, including the restoration and enhancement of
riparian habitat, wetlands, fisheries, instream flows, or
replenishment of groundwater resources.