(a) (1) The funds in the Coastal Wetlands Fund may be expended by the Department of Fish and Game and the State Coastal Conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the maintenance of coastal wetlands property owned by the state, a conservancy of the state, a local government agency, or a nonprofit organization.

(2) The funds in the Coastal Wetlands Fund may be expended by the state pursuant to this section in the form of grants.

(3) An applicant may apply to the State Coastal Conservancy for a grant pursuant to the grant application procedures in Division 21 (commencing with Section 31000) to perform maintenance of coastal wetlands property owned by the state, a conservancy of the state, a local government agency, or a nonprofit organization.

(b) The Department of Fish and Game and the State Coastal Conservancy may accept contributions to the Coastal Wetlands Fund. The sources of contributions that may be accepted include, but are not limited to, private individuals and organizations, nonprofit organizations, and federal, state, and local agencies including special districts. The contributions accepted may include moneys identified pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)) or the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.) as acceptable mitigation for development projects. The Department of Fish and Game and the State Coastal Conservancy shall deposit a contribution accepted pursuant to this subdivision in the Coastal Wetlands Fund, subject to the requirements of Section 5818.1.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 184. Effective January 1, 2009.)