Cal. Wat. Code § 8621
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of Chapters 1 and 3 of Part 6 of Division 6, the board, with the approval of the Department of Finance, may, when a saving to the State will result, in lieu of acquiring all or any portion of the lands, easements, or rights of way, in connection with a flood control project, execute a substitute plan which includes provision for the State to construct works or contribute to the United States a portion of the construction cost of the flood control project when such works to be constructed by the board or the changes in the design of the project are made which, while resulting in new or added state expenditures for construction, will reduce the costs of the lands, easements or rights of way which otherwise might be required. Any funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated or allocated to the board for the acquisition of lands, easements, or rights of way may be used for the purposes specified in this section.
In carrying out the provisions of this section, the board may negotiate with the United States and adopt on behalf of the State, any necessary revision of a project authorized by Chapter 2 of Part 6 of Division 6, but no money shall be expended pursuant to this section to meet the requirements of the United States for local cooperation in connection with such authorized project unless the United States agrees to accept the substitute plan as meeting the requirements for local cooperation.
Ca. Water Code § 8621