Section 78543.

(a) No expenditure of funds may be made under this article unless the Department of Fish and Game makes a written determination as part of its review and approval of a plan or project pursuant to Section 12314 or 12987 that the proposed expenditures are consistent with a net long-term habitat improvement program, and have a net benefit for aquatic species in the delta. The Department of Fish and Game shall make its determination in a reasonable and timely manner following the submission of the project or plan to that department. For the purposes of this article, an expenditure may include more than one levee project or plan.

(b) The memorandum of understanding entered into pursuant to Section 12307 shall be amended to require, in accordance with this section, that projects or plans be consistent with a net long-term habitat improvement program in the delta. The memorandum of understanding shall define the term "net long-term habitat improvement program in the delta" for purposes of this section. The memorandum of understanding in effect prior to the amendment required by this section shall continue to apply to levee projects and plans until the memorandum of understanding is amended.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 135, Sec. 1. Approved November 5, 1996, by adoption of Proposition 204.)