(a)
Subject to appropriation pursuant to Section 3467, the director may enter into contracts with nonpublic entities which are owners of record, or with lessees, who have the owners of record execute the contract, of land determined by the director to be important for the conservation of waterfowl. The contract shall enforceably restrict the use of the land for the conservation of waterfowl and their habitat consistent with Section 8 of Article XIII of the California Constitution.
(b)
The director shall give priority to contracts that have the greatest potential for restoring, enhancing, and protecting high quality waterfowl habitat, especially that which is subject to destruction, drastic modification, or significant curtailment of habitat values.
(c)
Contracts entered into pursuant to this section are not subject to Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code.