It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination:
(a)
That the construction and maintenance on privately or publicly owned land of works for resource conservation is in the general public interest and for the general public benefit.
(b)
That the expenditure of state, county, city, district, or other public funds that are available or may become available for planning, designing, or implementing the above and for the construction or maintenance of such control or preventive works on privately or publicly owned land constitutes expenditure for the general public benefit.