(a)
Funds granted pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2620 for any purpose, other than acquisition, shall not be encumbered by the recipient until the conservancy has entered into an agreement sufficient to protect the public interest in any improvements constructed pursuant to this chapter with the entity that exercises legal control of the real property on which the improvement is constructed.
(b)
The conservancy shall not disburse any grant until the applicant, or any other appropriate managing or operating entity, has entered into an agreement with the conservancy or its designee, or both, sufficient to assure that the property acquired, enhanced, or developed, and any improvements thereon, shall be managed and operated for the purpose for which the grant was requested. No use of the property that is incompatible with that purpose shall ever be permitted.
(c)
The minimum amount for which an application for an individual project may be made is fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
(d)
Every application for a grant shall comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).
(e)
Notwithstanding Sections 31207 and 31257 of the Public Resources Code, funds granted pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2620 may be encumbered only for the acquisition, enhancement, or development, or any combination thereof, and the costs incurred by the recipient in planning, preparation of construction documents, fiscal management and accounting, and supervision of construction in connection with the project for which the grant was made. All expenditures made by a recipient of a grant shall be subject to being audited.
(f)
Funds granted pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2620 shall be available for encumbrance by the recipient for a period of three years after the date when the grant became effective.