The sum of eight hundred twenty-five million dollars ($825,000,000) shall be available for appropriation by the Legislature from the fund for the balanced implementation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. Expenditures and grants pursuant to this chapter shall be limited to the following:
(a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) for surface water storage planning and feasibility studies.
(b) Seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) for the water conveyance facilities described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 79190.
(c) Seventy million dollars ($70,000,000) for Delta levee restoration. Money expended pursuant to this subdivision shall be subject to Section 79050.
(d) One hundred eighty million dollars ($180,000,000) for water supply reliability projects that can be implemented expeditiously and thereby provide near-term benefits, including, but not limited to, projects that facilitate groundwater management and storage, water transfers, and acquisition of water for the CALFED environmental water account. In acquiring water, preference shall be given to long-term water purchase contracts and water rights. Money allocated pursuant to this subdivision shall be subject to Article 4 (commencing with Section 79205.2) of Chapter 9 of Division 26.
(e) One hundred eighty million dollars ($180,000,000) for ecosystem restoration program implementation of which not less than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be allocated for projects that assist farmers in integrating agricultural activities with ecosystem restoration.
(f) Ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) for watershed program implementation.
(g) One hundred eighty million dollars ($180,000,000) for urban and agricultural water conservation, recycling, and other water use efficiency projects.
(Added November 5, 2002, by initiative Proposition 50.)
All appropriations pursuant to this chapter shall include money for independent scientific review, monitoring, and assessment of the results or effectiveness of the project or program expenditure.
(Added November 5, 2002, by initiative Proposition 50.)
Consistent with the CALFED Programmatic Record of Decision, priority shall be given to projects that achieve multiple benefits across CALFED program elements. Not more than 5 percent of the money available pursuant to this chapter may be used for administrative costs.
(Added November 5, 2002, by initiative Proposition 50.)
For the 2004–05 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter, not less than 50 percent of the funds made available pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 79550 for acquisition of water for the CALFED environmental water account shall be expended for long-term water purchase contracts, permanent water rights, and associated costs.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 728, Sec. 186. (SB 71) Effective January 1, 2013.)