(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.

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(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.

(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 959, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993. Section operative July 1, 1993, pursuant to Section 14920.)