The department, with regard to the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and the Salmon Falls Bridge, may recommend to the Legislature that state financial assistance be provided (1) where it is necessary to make the alternative solution financially attractive to the local area compared to the development which would eliminate or substantially impair the significant instream beneficial uses, and (2) where the value of the instream beneficial uses that would be preserved are greater than the proposed state financial assistance.
Ca. Water Code § 10602