CA AB2697

Establishes the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program to provide direct payments or other incentives encouraging landowners to voluntarily cultivate or retain upland cover crops and vegetation on idled lands for waterfowl, upland game bird, and other wildlife habitat.

Requires the program to prohibit participating landowners from discing, spraying herbicides, mowing, chipping, or rolling vegetation from April 1 until July 1 or later each year to protect nesting and wildlife needs.

Prioritizes contracts with landowners on lands adjacent to waterfowl brood habitat (including rice cultivation areas) that establish nesting cover over multiple years and are consistent with Central Valley Joint Venture breeding goals.

Allows one-year or multi-year contracts, field rotation on an annual basis, and activities by mosquito control agencies; prohibits water diversions for transfers unless approved by the State Water Resources Control Board or Department of Water Resources.

Program implementation is contingent on voter approval of the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018 on November 6, 2018, or on securing sufficient federal grants or other funds as determined by the department.