RESERVATION AND APPROPRIATION FOR BAYS AND ESTUARIES AND INSTREAM USES

(a) Five percent of the annual firm yield of water in any reservoir and associated works constructed with state financial participation under this chapter within 200 river miles from the coast, to commence from the mouth of the river thence inland, is appropriated to the Parks and Wildlife Department for use to make releases to bays and estuaries and for instream uses, and the commission shall issue permits for this water to the Parks and Wildlife Department under procedures adopted by the commission. (b) The Parks and Wildlife Department in cooperation with the commission shall manage this water for the purposes stated in this section. (c) The Parks and Wildlife Department shall adopt necessary rules and shall enter into necessary memoranda of understanding with the commission to provide necessary rules and procedures for managing the water and for release of the water for the purposes stated in this section. (d) This section applies only to reservoirs and associated works on which construction begins on or after September 1, 1985. (e) This section does not limit or repeal any other authority of or law relating to the commission. (f) Operating and maintenance costs for the percentage of annual firm yield appropriated to the Parks and Wildlife Department shall be paid by local political subdivisions that are the project owners.