Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, the sum of one hundred forty million dollars ($140,000,000) is hereby continuously appropriated from the fund to the Wildlife Conservation Board, without regard to fiscal years, for expenditure by the board and for grants, for the acquisition from willing sellers of land and water resources, including the acquisition of conservation easements, to protect regional water quality, protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and to assist local public agencies in improving regional water supply reliability.