USDA Rural Development Loan Opportunities

Eligible rural communities and water districts can apply online for funding to maintain, modernize or build water and wastewater systems. They can visit the interactive RD Apply tool, or they can apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.

USDA is providing the funding through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. It can be used to finance drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

CA Water Plan eNews – 8/15/18

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Listening sessions scheduled to review new water conservation legislation
  • Russian River Pilot workshop materials made available online
  • $395 million in federal funding available under two mitigation programs
  • WestFAST newsletter takes extensive look at the wildfires in the West
  • CALFIRE issues assessment of state forest and rangeland sustainability
  • Analytics platform will be presented at State Water Board’s brown bag seminar

CA Water Plan eNews – 8/8/18

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Adaptation forum will cover strategies for creating resilient communities
  • Two-day workshop will include a close look at California’s climate change assessment
  • The potential of delta salinization to be discussed during Davis symposium
  • California’s new laws on water use goals to be addressed during webinar
  • White paper explores the development of cash reserve policies for utilities
  • Comments being accepted on draft plan for protecting California’s marine areas
  • New management plan for Inyo National Forest will cover 10–15 years

River Parkways Grant Program Prop 68 Funding Opportunity

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ALERT

Proposition 68 Opportunity

 

The River Parkways grant program has been refunded with Proposition 68 dollars. Concept proposals for this first round of funding will be due September 27, 2018. Technical Assistance Workshops are scheduled for August 14 (Sacramento or webcast) and August 16 (Azusa).

The purpose of this program is to support the acquisition, restoration, protection, and development of river parkways. River Parkways are defined as outdoor areas adjacent to a river or stream, set apart to conserve scenic, natural, open space or recreational values to afford public access to open space, low impact recreational activities, and/or wildlife habitat. Projects must involve natural creeks, streams, and/or rivers, even if they flow only during the rainy season, or channelized or culverted creeks, streams, and/or rivers. Projects must provide public access or be a component of a larger parkway plan that provides public access. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount and no match required, though projects that leverage funding are more competitive.

Eligible projects include:

  • Creation or expansion of trails for walking, bicycling, and/or equestrian activities that are compatible with other conservation objectives
  • Improvement of existing river parkways by providing amenities such as picnic and rest areas or shade ramadas
  • Conversion of channelized streams or rivers to a more historical flow pattern that will promote the structure, function, and dynamics of riparian and riverine habitat
  • Acquisition of land that will be managed to increase the size and quality of existing riparian habitat
  • Expansion of existing river parkway by acquiring adjacent lands to accommodate periodic flooding
  • Restoration of land to natural floodplain forms, including wetland areas that will accommodate periodic flooding
  • Conversion of riverfront land from industrial use into public multiuse areas, such as floodplains, wetlands, public trails, etc.
  • Revitalization of urban neighborhoods by removing abandoned structures along the riverfront to provide open space river access for the public
  • Construction of an overlook area for a restored wetland with interpretive signage, where the public can observe the project benefits
  • Construction of a boardwalk adjacent to sensitive habitat to allow public viewing without disturbing flora or fauna

 

California Water Plan eNews – 8/1/18

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Flood-MAR workshop and webinar will seek public input on strategy
  • Delta’s contaminants and nutrients are examined in science board’s review
  • Discussing tribal perspectives on landscape and cultural resources restoration work
  • PPIC panel discussion will look at ways to improve California’s drought resilience
  • Caltrans study looks at the ways California will be getting around in the future

SNC Funding Opportunities Newsletter – 7/23/18

Sierra Nevada Conservancy
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER
August-September 2018

Funding Research Memos for fuel reduction, parks and trails, habitat preservation, environmental education, and other program areas are available on the SNC funding opportunities webpage. This is a great way to find funding opportunities for your projects!

Upcoming Grants that Might be of Interest:

Is your project a part of your local Integrated Regional Water Management Plan? This could be important, not just to get IRWM funding, but to get advances on the newly passed Prop 68-funded grants. Section 80150 of the CA Public Resources Code states that projects included and implemented in an IRWM Plan may be eligible for advance payment of any Prop 68 grant awards if the project proponent is a nonprofit organization and the grant is for less than $1 million. Advance payment of grant funds is rare and can be very helpful in managing cash flow, so this is worth pursuing.  Contact your local Regional Water Management Group (your County should be able to give you a contact) for more information, or contact the IRWM Regional Office nearest to you.

Your SNC Area Representative can help you set up an individual consultation with the SNC Funding Team to get advice about specific funding opportunities or general fund development strategies. To take advantage of this resource, contact your Area Representative.

Grant Writing Workshops are available to help build the capacity of organizations that serve the Sierra Nevada Region. If you are interested in organizing or attending a workshop, contact your Area Representative. Upcoming workshops are scheduled in Shasta and Amador counties, and additional workshops can be scheduled upon request.

 

CA Wildlife Conservation Board Proposal Solicitation – due 9/4/18

Proposition 1 – Stream Flow Enhancement Program

The California Wildlife Conservation Board is accepting proposal applications for this program now through Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 5pm. Information can be found at the following website: https://www.wcb.ca.gov/

Who is eligible for funding?

  • Grant applications can be submitted to the Program from state agencies or other political subdivisions of the state, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes, and state Indian tribes listed on the Native American Heritage Commission’s California Tribal Consultation List. Public utilities and mutual water companies can also be eligible for funding if projects serve a definite public purpose and are in compliance with existing water management acts.

What type of projects will be funded?

Funding shall be used for projects that will provide fisheries or ecosystem benefits and achieve the Program’s purpose.

Projects are categorized as:

  • Planning, Scientific Studies, Monitoring, and Assessment
    1. Grants can be allocated to projects focused on program development, project design, implementation strategies, baseline data collection, and environmental review. Additionally, grants are intended to support planning projects with a high probability to qualify for future implementation funding.
    2. Funds can be used for monitoring the effectiveness of previously funded stream flow enhancement projects, projects enhancing future stream flow management decisions, or assessing natural resources relative to stream flow.
  • Implementation
    1. Implementation grants support projects that provide direct and measurable enhancement of stream flow. Highest priority is given to “shovel ready” projects where initial planning, design, and approval are largely completed.
  • Acquisition
    1. Grants can be allocated to fund fair market value purchases of land, water rights, or interests in land or water. Acquisitions must provide a direct and measurable enhancement of stream flow.

California Water Plan eNews – 7/3/2018

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • CWC set to award $2.7 billion in funding at this month’s meeting
  • Report finds U.S. water use reaches lowest level in 45 years
  • EPA-sponsored WaterSense lists accomplishments in annual report
  • Webinar to explore groundwater research and policies in California
  • Pacific Institute has ideas for expanding the way California captures its stormwater
  • Fire-prevention travel tips included in latest edition of the WestFAST newsletter
  • Blueprint outlines a way arts and culture can connect people with water

Sierra Nevada Conservancy Watershed Improvement Program – Request for Applications

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) is pleased to announce a Request for Pre-Applications to the Watershed Improvement Program Grant Program, funded through Proposition 1 and Proposition 68, to support forest health projects that result in multiple watershed benefits. Please read SNC’s Grant Guidelines for a complete description of Grant Program requirements and visit the SNC Website for details on the application process.

SNC strongly encourages applicants to meet with their Area Representative to discuss projects prior to preparing their Pre-Application. For general questions regarding the Grant Program, please contact SNC at grants@sierranevada.ca.gov or (530) 823-4689.

California Water Plan eNews – 5/16/18

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Paleoclimatology will be the focus of this year’s extreme precipitation symposium
  • Discussing the lessons learned from last year’s California wildfires
  • OEHHA report examines dozens of climate change indicators in California
  • Remote attendance is still an option for those interested in science symposium
  • Grant applications being accepted for large-scale restoration projects
  • East vs. West: webinar will examine various instream flow policies
  • July workshop will take aim at strengthening coastal resilience