(1) The department may accept contributions from public or private entities for the purpose of leasing appropriation rights to maintain or enhance instream flows for the benefit of fisheries.
(a) Any contributions accepted by the department under this section must be deposited in the fish and wildlife mitigation trust fund established in 87-1-611.
(b) The department shall expend money obtained under this section and deposited in the fish and wildlife mitigation trust fund exclusively to lease existing rights for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing instream flows for fisheries.
(2) The department may also expend other departmental funds to lease existing rights for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing instream flows for fisheries, including but not limited to departmental funds in the river restoration special revenue account established under 87-1-258.