(a) A local agency may, by ordinance or by resolution adopted after notice and hearing, establish a district to provide for the improvement or maintenance of natural habitat. The local agency may perform those functions or contract with the state, another local agency, or a special district to perform those functions. If a local agency establishes a district, it may provide for the levy of assessments for not more than 30 years to pay the cost and incidental expenses of implementing a long-term natural habitat maintenance plan approved by the Department of Fish and Game pursuant to § 2901 of the Fish and Game Code. Any assessments levied pursuant to this section shall be levied only in accordance with a plan for the conservation of natural habitat approved by the Department of Fish and Game. No plan shall be approved by the Department of Fish and Game unless it contains provisions for the recovery of all costs incurred by the department in its review of the plan for the conservation of natural habitat.

(b) The legislative body of the local agency establishing a district shall serve as the legislative body of the district.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, assessments levied pursuant to this article shall not be reduced or terminated if doing so would interfere with the implementation of an approved plan for the conservation of natural habitat.

(d) This article applies only to the implementation of a long-term natural habitat maintenance plan by a district, and does not alter, limit, or otherwise affect any other district that has been, or may be, established pursuant to law, including, but not limited to, any other district relating to wildlife habitat.

(e) The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, Division 3 (commencing with Section 56000) of Title 5, does not apply to a district formed pursuant to this article.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 296, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2004.)