Section 79737 Of Chapter 6. Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coastal Waters, And Watersheds From California Water Code >> Division 26.7. >> Chapter 6.
79737
. (a) Of the funds authorized by Section 79730, two hundred
eighty-five million dollars ($285,000,000) shall be available to the
Department of Fish and Wildlife for watershed restoration projects
statewide in accordance with this chapter.
(b) For the purposes of this section, watershed restoration
includes activities to fund coastal wetland habitat, improve forest
health, restore mountain meadows, modernize stream crossings,
culverts, and bridges, reconnect historical flood plains, install or
improve fish screens, provide fish passages, restore river channels,
restore or enhance riparian, aquatic, and terrestrial habitat,
improve ecological functions, acquire from willing sellers
conservation easements for riparian buffer strips, improve local
watershed management, and remove sediment or trash.
(c) For any funds available pursuant to this section that are used
to provide grants under the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program, a
priority shall be given to coastal waters.
(d) In allocating funds for projects pursuant to this section, the
Department of Fish and Wildlife shall only make funds available for
water quality, river, and watershed protection and restoration
projects of statewide importance outside of the Delta.
(e) Funds provided by this section shall not be expended to pay
the costs of the design, construction, operation, mitigation, or
maintenance of Delta conveyance facilities.
(f) Funds provided by this section shall only be used for projects
that will provide fisheries or ecosystem benefits or improvements
that are greater than required applicable environmental mitigation
measures or compliance obligations, except for any water transfers
for the benefit of subsection (d) of Section 3406 of the Central
Valley Project Improvement Act (Title 34 of Public Law 102-575).
(g) In order to address the unique ecological, flood control,
water quality, and hydrological conditions associated with urban
creeks and watersheds on the California-Mexico border, the department
shall consult with the California-Mexico Border Relations Council to
establish criteria to fund projects that improve conditions for
cross-border urban creeks and watersheds.