2016 State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program – Request for Grant Applications – 6/29/16

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Uma Hinman

Background and Purpose

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is pleased to announce, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR), a competitive grant application process for the 2016 State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Round II. The 2016 SWEEP funding arises from the Budget Act of 2015, SB 101, (Chapter 321, Statues of 2015), which authorizes CDFA to “support greenhouse gas emission reductions through water and energy efficiency grants promoting water and energy savings.” SWEEP is funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund referred to as the “California Climate Investment” program. The program’s objective is to provide financial incentives for California agricultural operations to invest in water irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and save water.

Funding and Duration

The 2016 SWEEP Round II will disperse up to $18 million to California agricultural operations investing in irrigation systems that reduce GHG emissions and save water. The maximum grant award is $200,000 with a recommended 50 percent match of the total project cost. The maximum grant duration is 12 months and grant funds cannot be expended before December 1, 2016 or after November 30, 2017. Therefore, project installation must be completed no later than November 30, 2017. CDFA reserves the right to offer an award different than the amount requested.

The deadline to submit an application is August 5, 2016 at 5:00 P.M. Late applications cannot be accepted. See website for more information and application forms.

California Water Plan eNews – 6/29/16

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Uma Hinman

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

Daily blogs by CDFA secretary chronicle climate-smart agriculture tour in Israel
Applications being accepted for $18 million in agricultural irrigation systems grants
Updated mapping tools provide latest data on disadvantaged and distressed communities
Virginia Tech research team to discuss water findings in Flint, MI
Database provides stream and climate scenario information for California
Next month’s Colorado roundtable will discuss water sustainability in the West
Looking at potential water accounting ideas that might work in California

Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Opportunities – 6/22/16

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Uma Hinman

The Habitat Conservation Fund grant program allocates approximately $2 million each year for grants to cities, counties, and districts to provide for nature interpretation and other programs which bring urban residents into park and wildlife areas, to protect various plant and animal species, or to acquire or develop wildlife corridors and trails. Eligible applicants are cities, counties, and districts (park and open space district). A 1:1 match is required from local, private, non-state sources.

There are several categories of funding, including

deer and lion habitat
rare, endangered, threatened or fully protected habitat
anadromous salmonid and trout habitat
riparian habitat
wetlands
trails
wildlife area activities

The deadline for the upcoming 2017/2018 funding cycle is October 3, 2016.

This year the HCF staff will give a grant workshop in Truckee, CA. The workshop will be held Tuesday, July 19 from 9 – noon in the Community Rec Center Meeting Room 2, 8924 Donner Pass Road.

To RSVP, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2016HCFworkshop

SWEEP Funding Opportunity – 6/20/16

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Uma Hinman

SACRAMENTO, June 20, 2016 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will begin accepting applications today, June 20, 2016, for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). An estimated $18 million will be available for competitive grant funding to provide financial assistance to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water at California agricultural operations. This project is part of the California Climate Investments, which use proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade auctions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a variety of additional benefits to California communities.

Agricultural operations can apply for funding of up to $200,000 per project for irrigation projects that provide quantifiable water savings and greenhouse gas reductions.

Prospective applicants must access the “Application Guidelines” at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/SWEEP for detailed information on eligibility and program requirements. To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts an online application tool, Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). All prospective applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov. Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday August 5, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

CDFA will hold four application workshops to provide information on program requirements and the FAAST application process (see below). CDFA staff will provide guidance on the application process, provide several examples and answer any questions. There is no cost to attend the workshops. Individuals planning to attend should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov with his or her contact information, number of seats required and the workshop location. CDFA has also prepared informational video clips to assist applicants with the 2016 SWEEP application. These video clips can be viewed on the SWEEP webpage.

SWEEP Application Workshops:

Yolo County

June 22, 2016 (Wednesday) from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
•Yolo County Farm Bureau
Conference Room 1st Floor,
69 West Kentucky Ave.
Woodland, CA 95695

Imperial County

June 23, 2016 (Thursday) from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Imperial County Farm Bureau
Conference Room 1st Floor
1000 Broadway
El Centro, CA 92243

San Luis Obispo County
June 27, 2016 (Monday) from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau
Board Room
4875 Morabito Place
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Fresno County
June 29, 2016 (Wednesday) from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
American Pistachio Growers
Conference Room
9 River Park Place East, Suite 410
Fresno, CA 93720

California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Public Affairs
1220 N St., Ste. 214, Sacramento, CA 95814
916-654-0462, www.cdfa.ca.gov

California Water Plan ENEWS – 6/8/16

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Uma Hinman