(a) For the purposes of this article, the department shall give highest priority to projects that include either of the following:
(1) Projects that have been assigned high priority for completion by the department for flood protection purposes and by the Department of Conservation for purposes of preserving agricultural land in accordance with the Agricultural Land Stewardship Program Act of 1995 (Division 10.2 (commencing with Section 10200) of the Public Resources Code).
(2) Projects that have been assigned high priority for completion by the department for flood protection purposes and by the Department of Fish and Game for wildlife habitat protection or restoration purposes.
(b) For restoration, enhancement, and protection projects, the services of the California Conservation Corps or community conservation corps shall be used whenever feasible.