The Delta Conservancy will begin public meetings on their proposed Grant Guidelines and Grant Application Packet for the spending of Proposition 1 funds.
The guidelines for the Conservancy’s Ecosystem Restoration and Water Quality Grant Program establish the process and criteria that the Conservancy will use to administer the $50 million allocated by the bond for multi-benefit ecosystem restoration and water quality projects in the Delta. The Conservancy plans to grant up to $9 million each year for 5 years.
The Conservancy will fund two types of grants: Category 1 grants which cover planning, permitting, and other preparatory costs, and Category 2 grants, which fund the on-the-ground work.
Eligible restoration projects include channel margin and riparian habitat restoration projects; projects to reduce impact of climate change; aquatic, wetland restoration and protection projects, fish passage barrier removal projects; and projects that benefit endangered, threatened, or migratory species. Water quality projects include those that reduce pollulted runoff, improve water management, address mercury contamination from legacy mines, or restore natural system functions. Agriculture sustainability projects, such as projects that support agricultural sustainability in areas where agriculture is impacted by restoration or other water-related projects will also be considered. Ineligible projects include mitigation projects, or projects to ‘design, construct, operate, mitigate, or maintain Delta conveyance facilities.’
The projects must be within or near the statutory Delta and Suisun Marsh, but can be outside of the Delta only under certain conditions. Emphasis will be placed on those projects which use public lands and maximize voluntary landowner participation. Proposed projects must also be consistent with statewide priorities as identified in Prop 1, the California Water Plan, the Delta Plan, and the Conservancy’s strategic plan.
Eligible grant applicants include 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, and mutual water companies.
The Delta Conservancy will hold three public meetings to gather public comment and familiarize potential grantees with the application process.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015: 10 a.m. – Noon; Delta Conservancy Conference Room, 1450 Halyard Way, Suite 6, West Sacramento, CA 95691
Wednesday, May 13, 2015: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Roberts-Union Farm Center, 4925 W. Howard Rd., Stockton, CA 95206
Thursday, May 14, 2015: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Jean Harvie Community Center, 14273 River Rd., Walnut Grove, CA
Public comments on the Proposition 1 Draft Grant Guidelines will be accepted through Friday, May 15, 2015.
For more information …
- Click here to review the Guidelines.
- Click here for the grant application packet.
- More information from the Delta Conservancy by clicking here.
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