Will There Be a Water Bond on the 2018 California Ballot?

Article – The Planning Report, August Issue

The Planning Report unpacks the four potential bond measures California voters may face in 2018 to fund new water projects statewide. Brian Jordan, vice president of civil engineering firm Tetra Tech, offers a private-sector perspective on the need facing infrastructure industries. Advocating the ability of a new bond to fill those gaps is Jerry Meral, who built a deep expertise as longtime executive director of the Planning and Conservation League and at the California Department of Water Resources, the California Natural Resources Agency, and the Environmental Defense Fund.

Article may be viewed at this link: Will There Be a Water Bond on the 2018 California Ballot?

Coastal Conservancy Prop 1 Grant Solicitation for Watershed Protection and Restoration Projects

The Conservancy announces a new Proposition 1 Grant Solicitation, applications are due Oct 31, 2017.  Conservancy Proposition 1 grants fund multi-benefit ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration projects. Priority project types include: water sustainability improvements, anadromous fish habitat enhancement, wetland restoration and urban greening. The grant application has two parts: a cover sheet and a project description.

CA Water Plan eNews – 8/2/17

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Looking at water system consolidation to improve the quality of drinking water
  • Seminar will explore the benefits of using floating islands to treat stormwater
  • Climate change and flood risks in the Central Valley to be discussed during webinar
  • DWR posts last month’s webinar, slides on hydrologic warning systems
  • Water-budget framework plans to be discussed at webinar later this month
  • Traditional ecological knowledge to be shared during environmental roundtable
  • New video explains the balancing act required to meet ecological needs of the Delta

EPA’s Water Infrastructure & Water Resiliency Finance Center Launched

US EPA Water Finance Clearinghouse!

Last week, we launched the Water Finance Clearinghouse! We had an overwhelming response; some of our mailing list recipients reported they couldn’t access the site. We resolved the issue and it is live now.

The Clearinghouse allows you to search a database with more than $10 billion in water funding sources and over 600 resources to support local water infrastructure projects.

Communities across the nation have aging or inadequate water infrastructure. We found that over $600 billion is needed for water infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years. The Clearinghouse helps financing get where it’s needed most by offering up-to-date finance information with the click of a button.

To learn more about the Clearinghouse, you can register for a webinar on how to use the Clearinghouse:

·    August 3

·    August 14

·    August 18

·    August 24

·    August 31

All webinars will be held 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern. You can register for a webinar at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/4533646364837520386
More information on the Clearinghouse, visit: https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/water-finance-clearinghouse

About WIRFC

EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center is an information and assistance center identifying water infrastructure financing approaches that help communities reach their public health and environmental goals.

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Office of Water
Office of Wastewater Management | Email | Website

California Water Plan eNews – 7/12/17

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • New documents posted for two California Water Plan Update 2018 workshops
  • Drought preparedness workshops set for August in Southern California
  • Caltrans water quality efforts to be discussed during next STORMS seminar
  • Annual report covers accomplishments by the Strategic Growth Council
  • California headwater issues in the spotlight at Sierra Water Workgroup summit
  • S. Forest Service provides preview of new plan for Inyo National Forest
  • Webinar series looks at climate change as a public health issue

SNC Funding Opportunities Newsletter – August-September 2017

Sierra Nevada Conservancy

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER

August – September 2017

Upcoming Grants that Might be of Interest:

  • The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment: Northern California Environmental Grassroots Fund (due August 1) provides modest general support grants to small grassroots organizations that address tough environmental problems such as sustainable agriculture, climate change, environmental degradation of rivers and wild places, and environmental health.
  • The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (due August 1) seeks to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by making strategic investments that will protect agricultural lands from conversion to residential development.
  • The Wildlife Conservation Board’s Streamflow Enhancement Program (due August 31) funds projects that enhance the amount, timing and/or quality of water available for anadromous fish, and special status species; or provide resilience to climate change.
  • Schwemm Family Foundation Grants (due August 31) seek to sustain and protect resilient, local ecosystems and related biodiversity by focusing on proactive conservation, comprehensive restoration, and related education efforts.
  • Sierra Nevada Conservancy Watershed Improvement Program grants (pre-proposals due September 1) support forest health projects that result in multiple watershed benefits.
  • The Wildlife Conservation Board’s Public Access Grant Program (due September 15) provides funding for projects that improve access to hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities, such as fishing piers, trails, interpretive signage, parking and restrooms, etc.
  • The CA State Parks Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program (due September 1) helps fund outdoor environmental education facilities, such as public outdoor structures and exhibits.
  • The US Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Grant Program (due September 1) funds programs that benefit wildlife and their habitat, particularly species of tribal cultural or traditional importance.
  • The Polaris Industries R.A.I.L.S. Grant Program (due September 1) assists national, state, and local organizations in the United States in ensuring the future of ATV riding.
  • The National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town Program: Arts Engagement, Cultural Planning, and Design Projects” (due September 11) supports creative placemaking projects that contribute towards the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core.
  • Strong Foundation Grants (due September 15) support environmental and conservation efforts, eco-spirituality, grassroots action, environmental education, capacity building, citizen participation, collaborative efforts, planning and training.
  • Clif Bar Family Foundation Small Grants (due October 1) support efforts to protect the Earth’s beauty and bounty, create a robust and healthy food system, increase opportunities for outdoor activity, reduce environmental health hazards, and build stronger communities.
  • The CA Department of Parks and Recreation Habitat Conservation Fund grants (due October 2) fund nature interpretation programs that bring urban residents into park and wildlife areas, projects that protect various plant and animal species, and acquisition and development of wildlife corridors and trails.
  • The CAL FIRE State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund (SRAFPF) and Tree Mortality (TM) grant program (expected to become active in September or October) funds the removal hazardous trees that pose a threat to public health and safety.

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.

Congratulations to the California recipients of this year’s USFS Wood Innovation grants, including the Camptonville Community Partnership, the Plumas Unified School District, and the Town of Mammoth Lakes, all of which received funding for bioenergy project planning and development.

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.

Grant Research Memos on a variety of topics are available on the SNC website under Other Funding Opportunities.

California Water Plan eNews – 6/28/17

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Save the dates for two Update 2018 workshops in July
  • Applications being accepted for forest health project grants
  • Lessons learned on California tree mortality to be shared at symposium
  • Panel discussion will focus on increasing the Bay Area’s drought resilience
  • Study finds value in adding storage capacity to California’s water system
  • Two water efficiency groups in negotiations to formalize a working relationship

California Water Plan eNews – 6/21/17

This week’s California Water Plan eNews includes:

  • Update 2018 workshop to cover performance assessments and sustainability indicators
  • Grant applications being accepted for water desalination projects
  • Governor’s office releases language revisions for water conservation legislation
  • Calling on utility managers and staff to take part in water technology survey
  • Delta Plan amendment, levee strategy on agenda for tomorrow
  • A look at the erosion hazards brought on by coastal storms
  • Annual speaker series will include environmental justice and integrated planning

Sierra Nevada Conservancy Prop 1 Grant Opportunity

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals through its Proposition 1 Grant Program 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.

All applicants must submit a Pre-Application through SNC’s online portal between now and September 1, 2017.

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 us at grants@sierranevada.ca.gov or (530) 823-4689. Please visit www.sierranevada.ca.gov for further information.

 

CALFIRE Grant Opportunity – due

CAL FIRE Grant

 

Provided by Elissa Brown, Fund Development Coordinator

(559) 877-2432

Elissa.Brown@sierranevada.ca.gov>
The State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund (SRAFPF) and Tree Mortality (TM) Grant Program has $15.75 million available for projects that focus on supporting local efforts to remove dead and dying trees that pose a threat to public health and safety and for projects that reduce the wildfire threat to habitable structures within State Responsibility Areas (SRA). CAL FIRE will be hosting 11 State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fee Grant Workshops statewide. All workshops are free of charge. The purpose of the workshops is to provide information about the grant process, invoicing, CEQA and other aspects of the SRA Fire prevention fee grants. All current recipients of the SRA Fire Prevention Fee grants, organizations who have applied in the past, and organizations looking to apply in the future are welcome to attend.