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
Chapter 6. Proposition 1 - Overview (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) Authority State Agencies GHG Reduction Fund $
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)
Project Examples: Proposition 1 15/16 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: 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): 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 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 Solicitation Administrative Technical Review and Final Approval 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 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! Helen.Birss@wildlife.ca.gov