The Legacy Disposal Site Abatement Partial Grant Program, administered by CalRecycle, is designed to support public entities in California in the remediation of closed landfill and disposal sites. Its primary objective is to expedite cleanup efforts to enhance public health, safety, and environmental quality. The program provides financial assistance to address legacy disposal sites that were previously closed in accordance with local laws but before the implementation of California’s current permitting and closure requirements.
Eligible applicants include counties, cities, districts, state agencies, and joint powers authorities. Projects must focus on disposal sites that are no longer in compliance with present-day regulations, aiming to prevent further environmental degradation or public hazards. Allowable expenses under the grant include waste removal and disposal, installation of security measures such as fencing and signage to deter illegal dumping, and site stabilization through grading, slope repair, and drainage enhancements. Additionally, eligible costs cover health and safety measures necessary for project implementation, including contractor expenses, agency labor, equipment rentals, design preparation, and consulting services directly associated with qualified activities. However, preventative and outreach measures are capped at 25% of the total award.
Each fiscal year, CalRecycle allocates $1.5 million to this program, with a maximum of $750,000 available per applicant per fiscal year. This limitation ensures equitable distribution of funds and supports a variety of local and state projects. Applications are processed through CalRecycle's online Grants Management System (GMS). Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) are published both on the CalRecycle website and the California Grants Portal. While no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers are specified, applicants must ensure all documentation is submitted through the GMS platform by the designated deadlines.
For the Fiscal Year 2025–26, application materials for Cycle 105 were due on October 15, 2025. If the annual allocation has not been fully exhausted, Cycle 107 is anticipated to open in Winter 2025–26, following the same funding structure and application procedures. Applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the Solid Waste Disposal and Codisposal Site Cleanup Grant Listserv to receive timely updates.
While the program does not appear to require cost-sharing or matching contributions, applicants must carefully budget and document all expenses to ensure compliance with funding guidelines. Award decisions are made following a review of project scope, eligibility, and alignment with CalRecycle’s goals. No specific contact name is provided, but general inquiries can be directed through the CalRecycle website’s contact system.
