(a) The director’s approval of a habitat restoration or enhancement project pursuant to Section 1652 or 1653 shall be in lieu of any other permit, agreement, license, or other approval issued by the department, including, but not limited to, those issued pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1600) and Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1900) of this division and Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3.

(b) This chapter shall not be construed as expanding the scope of projects requiring a permit, agreement, license, or other approval issued by the department.

(c) (1) If the director determines at any time that the project is no longer consistent with subdivision (c) of Section 1652 or subdivision (b) of Section 1653, as applicable, due to a material change between the project as submitted and the project being implemented or a change in the environmental circumstances in the area of implementation, the director shall notify the project proponent in writing and project implementation shall be suspended. Written notice from the director shall be delivered in person, by certified mail, or by electronic communication to the project proponent and shall specify the reasons why approval of the project was suspended. The approval for a project shall not be revoked pursuant to this subdivision unless it has first been suspended pursuant to this subdivision.

(2) Within 30 days of receipt of a notice of suspension, the project proponent may file an objection with the director. Any objection shall be in writing and state the reasons why the project proponent objects to the suspension. The project proponent may provide additional environmental protection measures, design modifications, or other evidence that the project is consistent with subdivision (c) of Section 1652 or subdivision (b) of Section 1653, as applicable, and request that the notice of suspension be lifted and approval granted.

(3) The director shall revoke approval or lift the suspension of project approval within 30 days after receiving the project proponent’s objection pursuant to paragraph (2).

(d) Pursuant to Section 818.4 of the Government Code, the department and any other state agency exercising authority under this section shall not be liable with regard to any determination or authorization made pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 167. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016. Repealed as of January 1, 2022, pursuant to Section 1657.)