California Department of
Fish and Wildlife
Capitol Grounds:
Public Policy and Funding
Helen Birss
March 9, 2016
Capitol Grounds:
Public Policy and Funding
• State Policy Issues
• Current Funding Opportunities
• Tips on Writing Competitive Grant
Applications
State Policy Issues
• The Water Quality, Supply, and
Infrastructure Improvement Act of
2014 (Proposition 1)
• AB 32: Cap & Trade
• California Water Action Plan
• State Wildlife Action Plan
Proposition 1 - Overview
• The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure
Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1)
• Provides funding to implement the three objectives
of the California Water Action Plan:
1. More reliable water supplies
2. Restoration of important species and habitat
3. More resilient, sustainably managed water
resources system
Proposition 1 - Overview
Chapter 6.
(CWC §§79730-79738)
Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coastal Waters, and
Watersheds
• CWC §79737
$285,000,000
– Statewide watershed protection and restoration
outside of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta)
• CWC §79738
$87,500,000
– Water quality, ecosystem restoration, and fish
protection facilities that benefit the Delta
Proposition 1 - Intent
Funds are to be invested in projects that provide:
• Multiple benefits
– Address critical statewide needs and priorities
• Cost effective outcomes
• Best available science
• Innovation
• Work with willing landowners
The Global Warming Solutions Act
of 2006 (AB 32)
• Reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
• Required Air Resources Board (ARB) to develop a
Scoping Plan to achieve this goal.
• Cap-and-Trade program implemented to cap GHG
allowances and create regulatory carbon market.
• Cap-and-Trade proceeds deposited into Greenhouse
Gas Reduction Fund.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
• Legislature and Governor appropriate Greenhouse
Gas Reduction Funds (GGRF) for projects that
support the goals of AB 32.
• ARB administers GGRF and guidance for State
agencies, including:
– Funding and Reporting Guidelines
– Methodologies for quantifying GHG reductions
– Metrics and recordkeeping
Auction Proceeds:
Flow of Funding
Annual Budget
Appropriations
(June)
4 Auctions & Reserve Sales
each fiscal year
(Jul–Jun)
GHG Reduction
Fund
Authority
State
Agencies
$
California Water Action Plan: Actions for
Reliability, Restoration, and Resilience
• Action 3: Achieve the Co-Equal Goals for the Delta
• Action 4: Protect and Restore Important Ecosystems
– Restore Key Mountain Meadow Habitat
– Manage Headwaters for Multiple Benefits
– Bring Back Salmon to the San Joaquin River
– Restore Coastal Watersheds
– Water for Wetlands and Waterfowl
– Eliminate Barriers to Fish Migration
– Assess Fish Passage at Large Dams
– Enhance Water Flows in Stream Systems Statewide
State Wildlife Action Plan
• A plan for conserving California's wildlife resources
while responding to environmental challenges
– Considers the health of wildlife
– Prescribes actions to conserve wildlife and vital
habitat before they become more rare and more
costly to protect
– Promotes wildlife conservation while furthering
responsible development and addressing the
needs of a growing human population.
CDFW Grant Programs
• Progress to Date and Upcoming
Solicitations
– Proposition 1 Grant Programs
– Wetlands Restoration Grants for Greenhouse Gas
Reduction Grant Program
– Fisheries Restoration Grant Program
Proposition 1
Progress to date
• FY 15/16
• 190 proposals received requesting $218 million
• $31.4 million awarded to 24 projects (used entire
15/16 allocation)
$24.6 – Watershed
$ 6.8 - Delta
Proposition 1 – 15/16
24 projects awarded
5 Planning
12 Implementation
7 Scientific Studies,
Monitoring and
Assessment (Delta)
Proposition 1 – 15/16
Project Examples:
• Native Trout Preservation in Santa Ana Watershed
• San Gabriel Watershed Restoration Program
• North Campus Open Space Coastal Wetland
Restoration Project
• Sequoia National Forest Prioritized Meadow
Restoration
Upcoming Solicitation
Proposition 1: 16/17 Solicitation Overview:
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CDFW will have $31 million available for grants
PSN being revised based on lessons learned
Priorities may change annually
Grants will be executed ~6 months from award
(late 2016/early 2017)
• Typical grant term 3 years
Watershed Restoration
Grant Program ($24 million)
Anticipated Watershed Priorities (FY 16/17):
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Restore Mountain Meadow Ecosystems
Manage Headwaters for Multiple Benefits
Protect and Restore Anadromous Fish Habitat
Protect and Restore Coastal Wetland Ecosystems
(CWC §79737[b] and California Water Action Plan)
Delta Water Quality and
Ecosystem Restoration
Grant Program ($7 million)
Anticipated Delta Priorities (FY 16/17):
• Improve Water Quality or Contribute to the
Improvement of Water Quality
• Habitat Restoration, Conservation, and
Enhancement
• Scientific Studies and Assessments to Support
Implementation of the Delta Science Plan
(CWC §79738 and California Water Action Plan)
Eligible Entities
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Public agencies
Nonprofit organizations
Public utilities
Federally recognized Indian tribes
State Indian tribes listed on the Native American
Heritage Commission's California Tribal
Consultation List
• Mutual water companies
(CWC §79712[a])
Proposal Review
and Selection
Administrative
Review and Final
Approval
Solicitation
Technical
Selection Panel
Proposals Awarded
Review Process
Approval Process
Timeline
Draft Solicitation
Public draft
Mid March, 2016
Public Meeting
Early April , 2016
Solicitation Release
Mid April, 2016
Proposals Due
Early June, 2015
CDFW Wetlands Restoration for
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant Program
Progress to Date
• Grant Program Developed in 2014.
• Priorities – Further the Goals of AB 32 and the
California Water Action Plan
– Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Increase
Sequestration
– Co-Benefits - Restore Wetlands and Mountain
Meadows
– Provides ecological benefits
– Benefit Disadvantaged Communities.
Wetlands Restoration for
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program
FY 2014-15
• Solicitation Released November, 2014
• 27 proposals received, requesting $49 million
• $21 million available in local assistance
Wetlands Restoration for
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program
Funded 12 projects to restore or enhance
approximately 2,500 acres of wetlands and
mountain meadows
• 1 Delta Project
• 3 Coastal Projects
• 8 Mountain Meadow Projects
Wetlands Restoration for
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program
FY 14-15 Delta Project
• Sherman Island Restoration Project ($10,386,139
to Reclamation District 341)
– Will restore approximately 1,700 acres of
permanent wetlands on Sherman Island
– Will sequester an estimated 11.5 metric tons
CO2-eq per acre per year or nearly 20,000
metric tons CO2-eq per year for the entire
project once restored wetlands are mature.
Wetlands Restoration for
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program
FY 2016-17 Solicitation
• Governor’s budget identifies $60 million
available to restore and enhance
– Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
– Coastal wetlands
– Mountain meadows
Wetlands Restoration for
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program
• Must include implementation that results in
quantifiable GHG emission reductions and provides
co-benefits.
• Must include monitoring and assessment to
document reductions and co-benefits
• May include research and planning if directly tied
to restoration or enhancement action
Timeline
Draft Solicitation
Public draft
Early June 2016
Public Meeting
Late June 2016
Solicitation Release
Early July, 2016
Proposals Due
Mid August 2016
Fisheries Restoration
Grant Program
• Fisheries Restoration Grant Program
– Established in 1981 in response to rapidly declining
populations of wild salmon and steelhead trout
and deteriorating fish habitat in California.
– 2016 Solicitation
• Proposals Due March 14, 2016
• Geographic area – Coastal Counties and Central
Valley
• Restoration and recovery of anadromous
salmonids – (State or Federal recovery plan)
Tips on Writing Competitive
Grant Applications
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Read Solicitation and instructions carefully
Annual Solicitations may be different
Clearly address the criteria outlined in the solicitation
Make a clear tie between your project and the Solicitation
Priorities
Help the Grantors reach their goals (CWAP, SWAP, other
planning documents)
Budget
Take the time to proof read the proposal
Request post-award de-briefing
Resources
For more info: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Grants
Thanks!
[email protected]