PRIORITY CONSERVATION MEASURES

(a) The state board may designate and give priority under the program to priority conservation measures that maximize public benefits to the state. Priority conservation measures include measures that: (1) improve soil health characteristics; (2) conserve and manage water resources; (3) prevent and manage flooding; (4) control invasive and nuisance species; (5) improve resilience to weather extremes, climate variability, and natural disasters; (6) protect and enhance native habitats, including the protection of endangered species; (7) mitigate and reduce soil erosion; (8) restore land damaged by development; and (9) sequester carbon to provide environmental benefits. (b) The state board may: (1) establish standards and specifications for each priority conservation measure designated under this section; and (2) consider local priorities and needs in designating a priority conservation measure under this section.