NRCS Invites Proposals for 2018 Conservation Innovation Grants

NRCS Invites Proposals for 2018 Conservation Innovation Grants

DAVIS, Calif., Feb. 23, 2018 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Up to $375,000 is available for one- to three-year grants. The maximum award amount for any project will not exceed $75,000 in FY 2018. Proposals are due by April 17, 2018.

CIG is a voluntary program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. The proposed projects should augment existing NRCS technical tools (planning, assessment and/or delivery) to better facilitate conservation on farms and ranches.

In 2018 NRCS California is prioritizing proposals that improve the “technical toolbox” to address the following on-farm resource concerns: soil and water quality, wildlife habitat, water conservation, forest health, air quality, waste recycling and energy conservation. Applicants are encouraged to explore the full program announcement to better match their proposals to these needs. Please see www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ca/programs/financial/cig/

Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process and in 2018 will not include a pre-proposal process.  Eligible applicants include state and local government, nongovernment organizations, Tribal governments, eligible private business and individuals. Applicants may contact Erik Beardsley at Erik.Beardsley@ca.usda.gov for more information.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on April 17, 2018. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov. In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to Erik.Beardsley@ca.usda.gov. Both submissions must be received by the submission due date.

Contacts: Anita Brown, Public Affairs Director (530) 792-5644
Alan Forkey, Farm Bill Programs Manager (530) 792-5653

Upper Feather River RWMG Solicitation for Implementation Projects

NEWS RELEASE

Upper Feather River Solicitation for Implementation Projects

By the Upper Feather River Integrated Regional Water Management Group

The Upper Feather River Regional Water Management Group (RWMG) has opened a solicitation for its Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan implementation projects. The purpose of the solicitation is to perform periodic updates to the IRWM Plan implementation project list. Projects should address adopted Plan goals and objectives, California Water Plan resource management strategies, and Department of Water Resources’ priorities for projects. Projects developed through this process will undergo a review and selection process for inclusion in the IRWM Plan as implementation projects, which will then be eligible for future Department of Water Resources IRWM grant funding opportunities. Benefits of having a project included in the IRWM Plan also extend to supporting other local and regional efforts to secure competitive statewide grant funding.

Application forms and information are available at (http://featherriver.org/documents/). This is an open solicitation with RWMG review and consideration scheduled to occur quarterly. In order for projects to be eligible for the next Department of Water Resources IRWM implementation grant, projects should be submitted for inclusion in the Plan now. Project applications may be submitted at any time and will be considered for inclusion in the Plan at the next RWMG meeting, which will be posted on the calendar.

The Upper Feather River (IRWM) Plan was updated and accepted by the Department of Water Resources in December 2016 after a two-year process involving extensive input from residents, Tribes, and water managers in the region. The RWMG, which is the governing body responsible for updating and implementing the Plan, is committed to ensuring that the region remains active in the California Water Plan and IRWM Program. Please see our website for further information on the program, news, and upcoming meetings (http://featherriver.org/).

Questions may be directed to Uma Hinman at UFR.contact@gmail.com or (916) 813-0818.

A Risk Assessment of California’s Key Source Watershed Infrastructure – Pacific Forest Trust

In 2016, California enacted AB 2480, which defined source watersheds — the forests, meadows, and streams that supply water to its reservoirs — as an integral part of the state’s water system infrastructure. The law acknowledges that source watershed restoration and conservation are an essential complement to built water system infrastructure repair and maintenance, and necessary for a more reliable water supply. This report presents the first comprehensive assessment of conditions and restoration needs for the five source watersheds that deliver water to the Shasta and Oroville reservoirs, the state’s two largest reservoirs and the core of the state’s water supply. Together, these reservoirs provide drinking water for over 28 million Californians and agricultural water for millions of acres of farmland. The report can be viewed here.

Proposed 2018 California Water Bond

The Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018 is a citizen’s initiative water bond that will appear on the November 2018 statewide California ballot. It will invest $8.877 billion dollars in California water infrastructure, including key categories like: safe drinking water, Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGMA) implementation, watershed restoration, fish and wildlife habitat conservation, infrastructure repair, and many other important water management programs.

For more information on the water bond, click the link: https://waterbond.org/

California Plan eNews – 2/14/18

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Webinar will provide preview of Update 2018 public review draft
  • Next California Water Commission meeting set for Feb. 21, in Sacramento
  • $85 million in groundwater sustainability funding recommended by DWR
  • Little Hoover Commission calls for changes in the way the state’s forests are managed
  • Council endorses three-year plan to improve equity in government practices
  • Arizona receives framework for developing direct potable reuse
  • State scorecard on water efficiency to be discussed at upcoming webinar

The Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program Annual Summit – March 7, 2018

Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program Annual Summit

The Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program will be holding their annual summit in Sacramento on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

Taking A Regional Approach to Implementing California’s Climate Goals

For more information on the program, click the link:  http://restorethesierra.org/2018wipsummit/

California Water Plan eNews – 2/7/18

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • CWC releases results of initial review for proposed water storage investment projects
  • How seagrass and kelp may help with a problem off the California coast
  • $3.4 million available for projects to restore forest areas damaged by wildfires
  • Sierra Nevada watershed summit will look at regional approach to climate goals
  • DWR lists projects that deliver the latest climate science and information
  • Water conflict management and diplomacy to be discussed during webinar next week