Wat. Code, § 79709

(a) Funds expended pursuant to this division for the acquisition of a permanent dedication of water shall be in accordance with Section 1707 where the state board specifies that the water is in addition to water that is required for regulatory requirements as provided in subdivision (c) of Section 1707. The expenditure of funds provided by this division may include the initiation of the dedication as a short term or temporary urgency change, that is approved in accordance with Section 1707 and either Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 1435) of, or Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 1725) of, Part 2 of Division 2, during the period required to prepare any environmental documentation and for approval of permanent dedication.

(b) Funds expended pursuant to this division for the acquisition of long-term transfers of water shall be transfers in accordance with Sections 1735, 1736, and 1737 if the state board, after providing notice and opportunity for a hearing, approves such a petition. Funds expended pursuant to this division shall prioritize permanent transfers. Long-term transfers shall be for a period of not less than 20 years, except for any water transfers for the benefit of subsection (d) of Section 3406 of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (Title 34 of Public Law 102-575).

(c) Funds expended pursuant to this division for any acquisition of water shall only be done pursuant to this section and shall only be used for projects that will provide fisheries or ecosystem benefits or improvements that are greater than required applicable environmental mitigation measures or compliance obligations in effect at the time the funds from this division are made available for the project and funds shall not be credited to any measures or obligations, except for any water transfers for the benefit of subsection (d) of Section 3406 of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (Title 34 of Public Law 102-575).