(a) The conservancy shall act as a primary state agency to implement ecosystem restoration in the Delta.

(b) The conservancy shall support efforts that advance environmental protection and the economic well-being of Delta residents, including all of the following:

(1) Protect and enhance habitat and habitat restoration.

(2) Protect and preserve Delta agriculture and working landscapes.

(3) Provide increased opportunities for tourism and recreation in the Delta.

(4) Promote Delta legacy communities and economic vitality in the Delta, in coordination with the Delta Protection Commission.

(5) Increase the resilience of the Delta to the effects of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, in coordination with the Delta Protection Commission.

(6) Protect and improve water quality.

(7) Assist the Delta regional economy through the operation of the conservancy’s program.

(8) Identify priority projects and initiatives for which funding is needed.

(9) Protect, conserve, and restore the region’s physical, agricultural, cultural, historical, and living resources.

(10) Assist local entities in the implementation of their habitat conservation plans (HCPs) and natural community conservation plans (NCCPs).

(11) Facilitate take protection and safe harbor agreements under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.), the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code), and the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code) for adjacent landowners and local public agencies.

(12) Promote environmental education through grant funding.

(c) When implementing subdivision (b), the conservancy shall undertake efforts to enhance public use and enjoyment of lands owned by the public.

(Added by Stats. 2009, 7th Ex. Sess., Ch. 5, Sec. 37. (SB 1 7x) Effective February 3, 2010.)