(a) The department shall, when authorized by the board, construct in accordance with law such facilities as are suitable for the purpose for which the real property or rights in real property or water, or water rights were acquired. Each completed project shall be managed and maintained by the department.

The department, with the approval of the board, may enter into agreements with any other department or agency of this state, any local agency, or nonprofit organization, to provide for the construction, management, or maintenance of the facilities authorized by the board, and such other department or agency of this state, local agency, or nonprofit organization, and each of them may construct, manage, or maintain those facilities pursuant to the agreement. Work performed by a local agency or nonprofit organization under those agreements is exempt from Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 14250), of Part 5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt any work from Part 7 (commencing with Section 1720) of Division 2 of the Labor Code.

(b) The department, when authorized by the board, may apply for and accept federal grants, and receive gifts, donations, and other financial support from public or private sources to be used for fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, including riparian habitat restoration projects on real property or waters for which the state obtains an interest. Funds received from any of those sources shall be deposited in the Wildlife Restoration Fund.

(c) The board may award grants or loans to nonprofit organizations, local governmental agencies, federal agencies, and state agencies for the purposes of fish and wildlife habitat restoration, enhancement, management, protection and improvement of riparian resources, and for development of compatible public access facilities in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as prescribed in Section 31116 of the Public Resources Code. Proceeds from repayment of any loans and the interest thereon shall be deposited in the Wildlife Restoration Fund.

(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 762, Sec. 2.)