(a) Of the funds authorized by Section 79730, eighty-seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($87,500,000) shall be available to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for water quality, ecosystem restoration, and fish protection facilities that benefit the Delta, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Projects to improve water quality or that contribute to the improvement of water quality in the Delta, including projects in Delta counties that provide multiple public benefits and improve drinking and agricultural water quality or water supplies.

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(2) Habitat restoration, conservation, and enhancement projects to improve the condition of special status, at risk, endangered, or threatened species in the Delta and the Delta counties, including projects to eradicate invasive species, and projects that support the beneficial reuse of dredged material for habitat restoration and levee improvements.

(3) Scientific studies and assessments that support the Delta Science Program, as described in Section 85280, or projects under this section.

(b) In implementing this section, the department shall coordinate and consult with the Delta city or Delta county in which a grant is proposed to be expended or an interest in real property is proposed to be acquired.

(c) Acquisitions pursuant to this section shall be from willing sellers only.

(d) In implementing this section state agencies shall prioritize wildlife conservation objectives through projects on public lands or voluntary projects on private lands, to the extent feasible.

(e) Funds available pursuant to this section shall not be used to acquire land via eminent domain.

(f) Funds available pursuant to this section shall not be expended to pay the costs of the design, construction, operation, mitigation, or maintenance of Delta conveyance facilities.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 188, Sec. 8. (AB 1471) Approved in Proposition 1 at the November 4, 2014, election.)