California Code, Public Resources Code - PRC § 3256

(a) The division is hereby authorized to accept, and hold for and in the name of the state, by gift, exchange, purchase, negotiation, or eminent domain proceedings, any and all property or appurtenances of every kind and description thereto, including land, leases, easements, rights-of-way, oil, gas, or other mineral rights as the supervisor determines to be required and necessary to carry out operations to effect the purpose of this article.

(b) When the division cannot acquire any such necessary property or interest therein by agreement with the owner, any such property or interest therein authorized to be acquired under this article shall be acquired pursuant to provisions of the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code);  except that, notwithstanding any provision thereof, the division, in the name of and for the state, may take immediate possession and use of any property required to carry out operations to effect the purpose of this article after eminent domain proceedings are first commenced according to law in a court of competent jurisdiction, and thereupon giving such security as the court in which the proceedings are pending directs to secure to the owner of the property sought to be taken immediate compensation for the taking and any damage incident thereto, including damages sustained by reason of an adjudication that there is no necessity for taking the property.