Legacy Disposal Site Abatement Partial Grant Program

The Legacy Disposal Site Abatement Partial Grant Program, administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), supports local governments with the cleanup and remediation of legacy disposal sites. These are solid waste disposal sites that were closed according to local regulations prior to the establishment of the state's current landfill permitting and closure requirements. The program's primary goal is to restore such sites in a manner that safeguards public health and environmental safety, especially when the responsible party for the contamination is either unknown, unwilling, or financially unable to conduct necessary remediation. This financial assistance is made available through reimbursement grants designed to alleviate the fiscal burden on eligible public entities that demonstrate both a financial need and the capacity to cover their share of ineligible or excess costs. CalRecycle, the state agency responsible for promoting waste reduction and environmental health in California, established this grant initiative under Section 48020 of the Public Resources Code. The agency aims to accelerate remediation efforts, especially in jurisdictions where unresolved waste sites pose a risk to the environment and community wellbeing. Grants of up to $750,000 in matching funds are available per project, with a total of $1,500,000 allocated for the fiscal year 2025–26. The grants are structured as reimbursement-based, meaning applicants must first cover costs and then submit for reimbursement, highlighting the importance of demonstrating both financial hardship and the ability to front project expenses. Eligible applicants include public entities within the state of California, such as cities, counties, districts, and state agencies. An important eligibility note concerns charter cities: pursuant to California Labor Code section 1782, charter cities or joint powers authorities with such cities must certify compliance with relevant labor standards to be eligible. Each applicant must submit sufficient documentation demonstrating their financial need and their ability to meet matching fund requirements. The application process includes several key deadlines. For Cycle 105, questions regarding the application are accepted until October 15, 2025, with final applications due by November 12, 2025. Required authorization documents, such as a governing board resolution and an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing and Practices (EPPP) Policy, must be submitted by December 2025. If funding remains available, Cycle 107 offers a second round with an extended timeline, culminating in a March 11, 2026, application deadline and April 2026 submission of supporting documents. Applications must be submitted through CalRecycle’s online Grants Management System (GMS), and applicants needing assistance must reach out via email to [email protected] before 4:00 p.m. on the application due date. Grant awards will be considered and potentially approved by CalRecycle in December 2025 for Cycle 105, with conditional grant agreements following shortly thereafter. The grant term ends on June 30, 2028, which is also the deadline for final reporting and reimbursement claims. Applications are evaluated based on compliance with the program’s criteria, completeness of required documentation, and alignment with the objectives of environmental protection and public health improvement. Applicants should monitor the Q&A section for updates during the submission period. This program is recurring, with application cycles announced based on fund availability. In the event of insufficient applications or unused funds in the current round, a subsequent cycle may be activated, ensuring continued access to financial support for public entities addressing legacy waste site challenges in California. The structured timeline, clear eligibility requirements, and substantial grant ceiling make this program a significant opportunity for local governments seeking to address environmental liabilities effectively.