Proposition 68 Rivers and Streams Grant Program – Severely Disadvantaged Communities

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) provides funding to award grants to projects that improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention. Project priorities include, but are not limited to, reconnection of rivers with their floodplains, riparian and side-channel habitat restoration, and restoration and protection of upper watershed forests and meadow systems that are important for fish and wildlife resources. Proposition 68 requires that at least 15 percent of the funds available pursuant Chapter 10 shall be allocated for projects serving severely disadvantaged communities. A severely disadvantaged community is defined as a community with a median household income less than 60 percent of the statewide average (PRC § 80002[n]).