(a)
Except as provided in subdivision (b), prior to construction at a site of a flood control, channel clearance, or bank stabilization project, the board, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Game, shall prepare and adopt a mitigation plan which shall be implemented as part of the project. A mitigation plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)
A description of the actions that the board proposes to take to ensure that the project will meet all mitigation standards required by law with the objective of ensuring that the project causes no net loss of riparian, fishery, or wildlife habitat.
(2)
A designation of the agency or agencies responsible for implementing and maintaining each mitigation element of the plan.
(3)
A schedule for implementation of the mitigation ensuring that the mitigation measures will be accomplished prior to, or concurrent with, construction of the project, unless the board determines that to do so would be impracticable.
(4)
A financing plan for the mitigation identifying the source or sources of funds for the mitigation, the share of mitigation costs attributable to each source, and a schedule of when the funds are to be provided.
The plan may take into consideration the environmental benefits of restoring, maintaining, or increasing the sustainable diversity of native species and habitat which may result from the project, if these benefits have been approved by the Department of Fish and Game. The Department of Fish and Game may submit a review of the plan and its recommendations to the board for inclusion in the plan.
(b)
No mitigation plan is required when the board is responding to an emergency where no mitigation is required.
(c)
For any project authorized pursuant to Section 12668, the agreement set forth in subdivision (a) shall provide for the mitigation of the project with the objective of providing a net long-term enhancement of the riparian habitat and fishery in the project area. The degree of net enhancement required for each phase or part of the project shall not be so great as to cause the project to be infeasible.