(a)
The San Joaquin Valley Drainage Relief Program is hereby established in the department.
(b)
The department shall carry out the program and may develop, in consultation with the state board, the Department of Conservation, and the Department of Fish and Game, a land retirement demonstration program.
(c)
The department may adopt regulations to carry out the program.
(d)
The purpose of the program is to encourage the cessation of irrigation of retirement land and to otherwise assist in the resolution of the agricultural subsurface drainage problems in the San Joaquin Valley through the coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners who elect to participate in the program.