Division of Boating and Waterways Public Beach Restoration Program FY26

The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is offering grant opportunities through two coastal protection programs: the Shoreline Erosion Control Program and the Public Beach Restoration Program. These programs provide funding to public agencies to assist with projects aimed at protecting California's coastal areas from erosion and restoring public beaches. Both programs follow a two-step application process that involves submitting a letter of intent followed by a full application. For Fiscal Year 2026/2027, the deadline for submitting a letter of intent is Monday, December 16, 2024, by 5:00 pm. The letter of intent should provide a brief project description and must be emailed to Casey Caldwell (casey.caldwell@parks.ca.gov). This step helps DBW determine whether the proposed project aligns with the programs' goals and allows the agency to offer guidance on the viability of a full application. Detailed instructions and a sample letter of intent are provided by DBW. If the project is deemed suitable for grant funding, the applicant will be invited to submit a full application. The full application must be submitted via DBW’s Online Grant Application (OLGA) system by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 3, 2025. The system enforces the deadline automatically, and no extensions will be granted. Applicants will receive further instructions on accessing OLGA once they are invited to proceed to the full application stage. The review process for full applications is integrated into the state's budget-making process, with funding decisions being confidential until the Governor’s proposed budget is released in January 2026. Final decisions are expected in June 2026, with grant agreements being prepared in the months following the budget's approval. The Shoreline Erosion Control Program offers funding for planning and constructing measures to control beach erosion and stabilize shorelines, including seawalls and other hard structures. This program can cover up to 50% of nonfederal project costs and is authorized by California’s Harbors and Navigation Code. In contrast, the Public Beach Restoration Program supports the placement of sand on beaches or in nearby environments to counteract erosion, covering up to 85% of nonfederal costs for projects at non-state beaches. Both programs emphasize cooperation with public agencies and are governed by state statutes, with individual project approvals dependent on the state budget. There are no preset funding limits or total available amounts for these programs. In recent years, DBW has awarded grants ranging from $40,000-$50,000 for study projects to as much as $11.5 million for large-scale beach restoration efforts. However, funding is determined annually based on state budget priorities, and the number of funded projects can vary significantly from year to year. Public agencies can apply for grants to support both specific projects and broader regional sediment management studies. In-kind contributions, such as personnel time or materials provided by the local agency, can count toward the match requirement for these programs, but they must be pre-approved by DBW. For further information about the grant process, recent recipients, or the eligibility of specific projects, interested agencies can contact Casey Caldwell via email or phone.