Section 91032 - Designated amount for projects that protect and restore rivers, wetlands, streams, lakes, and watersheds, and improve the resilience of fish and wildlife Of the funds made available by Section 91030, three hundred thirty-five million dollars ($335,000,000) shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for projects that protect and restore rivers, wetlands, streams, lakes, and watersheds, and improve the resilience of fish and wildlife. Projects shall improve climate resilience, water supplies, or water quality. To the extent feasible, preference shall be given to natural infrastructure projects. At least 40 percent of the allocation made pursuant to this section shall benefit disadvantaged communities, severely disadvantaged communities, or vulnerable populations. The funds made available pursuant to this section shall be allocated as follows:
(a) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) shall be available pursuant to Division 22.8 (commencing with Section 32600) for projects that improve the climate resiliency or the protection of the Los Angeles River Watershed or are consistent with the Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan.(b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) shall be available pursuant to Division 23 (commencing with Section 33000) for projects that improve the climate resiliency or the protection of the Los Angeles River Watershed and are a part of the revitalization plan developed by the Upper Los Angeles River and Tributaries Working Group pursuant to Section 33220 or the Los Angeles River Master Plan.(c) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the Riverine Stewardship Program established pursuant to Section 7049 of the Water Code for projects that improve climate resiliency.(d) Twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy for the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program.(e) Twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available for multiple-benefit urban stream and river projects under the Urban Streams Restoration Program established pursuant to Section 7048 of the Water Code that protect and restore riparian habitats, improve climate resilience, enhance natural drainages, protect and restore watersheds, and provide public access.(f) Twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the Natural Resources Agency for projects that improve conditions on wildlife refuges and wetland habitat areas. Projects may include the acquisition and delivery of water from willing sellers and water conveyance rights to achieve compliance with subsection (d) of Section 3406 of the federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act (Title 34 of Public Law 102-575) and the acquisition of water and conveyance rights for the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.(g) Ten million dollars ($10,000,000) shall be available to the Wildlife Conservation Board for the Lower American River Conservancy Program.(h) Twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy to protect and restore watersheds through the Coyote Valley Conservation Program in the County of Santa Clara.(i) Twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) shall be available to the State Coastal Conservancy to protect and restore watersheds through the West Coyote Hills Program.(j)(1) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) shall be available to the water board for loans or grants for projects that will address water quality problems arising in the California-Mexico cross-border rivers and coastal waters. Funds may be made available under this subdivision for water quality projects in the Tijuana River Valley Watershed, as described in the Tijuana River Plan created pursuant to Section 71107, and for projects consistent with the New River Water Quality, Public Health, and River Parkway Development Program, as described in Section 71103.6.(2) Grants or loans awarded under this subdivision for projects located outside of California shall have a documented water quality benefit to California and its residents.(3) Funding may be awarded to bilateral financial institutions as a state match pursuant to this subdivision only after federally committed funds have been secured and are available for expenditure on a one-to-one basis.(k) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be available to improve the climate resiliency or for the protection of the Clear Lake Watershed.Ca. Pub. Res. Code § 91032
Added by Stats 2024 ch 83 (SB 867),s 2, eff. 11/6/2024 upon the approval by the voters of the Safe Drinkiing Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Approved in Proposition 4 at the November 5, 2024, election.).