It is the intent of the people that:
(a) The investment of public funds pursuant to this division will result in public benefits that address the most critical statewide needs and priorities for public funding.(b) In the appropriation and expenditure of funding authorized by this division, priority will be given to projects that leverage private, federal, or local funding or produce the greatest public benefit.(c) A funded project advances the purposes of the chapter from which the project received funding.(d) In making decisions regarding water resources, state and local water agencies will use the best available science to inform those decisions.(e) Special consideration will be given to projects that employ new or innovative technology or practices, including decision support tools that support the integration of multiple jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, water supply, flood control, land use, and sanitation.(f) Evaluation of projects considered for funding pursuant to this division will include review by professionals in the fields relevant to the proposed project.(g) To the extent practicable, a project supported by funds made available by this division will include signage informing the public that the project received funds from the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014.(h) Projects funded with proceeds from this division will be consistent with Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of this code and Section 13100 of the Government Code.(i) Projects funded with proceeds from this division will promote state planning priorities consistent with the provisions of Section 65041.1 of the Government Code and sustainable communities strategies consistent with the provisions of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 65080 of the Government Code, to the extent feasible.(j) California's working agricultural and forested landscapes will be preserved wherever possible. To the extent feasible, watershed objectives included in this division should be achieved through use of conservation easements and voluntary landowner participation, including, but not limited to, the use of easements pursuant to Division 10.2 (commencing with Section 10200) and Division 10.4 (commencing with Section 10330) of the Public Resources Code and voluntary habitat credit exchange mechanisms.Added by Stats 2014 ch 188 (AB 1471),s 8, eff. 11/5/2014.