Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Clean Up and Abatement Grant Program

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery administers the Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program pursuant to Section 48100 of the Public Resources Code. This program is designed to address illegal dumping on agricultural lands by providing financial assistance to eligible public entities to remediate solid waste on farm and ranch properties. The program recognizes the environmental, public health, and economic impacts of illegal disposal and aims to restore affected lands to safe and productive use. The funding opportunity is structured across multiple cycles within a fiscal year, allowing applicants several opportunities to apply. The primary purpose of the grant is to support the cleanup and abatement of illegally dumped waste on properties that are zoned or authorized for agricultural or rangeland use. Eligible activities include removal, transportation, and disposal or recycling of waste materials, as well as site restoration and implementation of preventative measures such as fencing, signage, or surveillance. The program also allows reimbursement for previously remediated sites if adequate documentation is provided. However, funds cannot be used for partial cleanups; each site must be fully remediated using grant funds or a combination of grant and supplemental resources. Funding for the program totals 1,000,000 dollars for the fiscal year, with a maximum award of 200,000 dollars per applicant and a cap of 50,000 dollars per individual site. There is no matching fund requirement, although applicants may supplement projects with in-kind services or other funding sources. Administrative costs are limited to seven percent of direct project costs, and all expenditures must align with eligible cost categories defined by the program. The grant term begins upon issuance of a Notice to Proceed and extends through April 4, 2028, giving grantees approximately two years to complete their projects. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, resource conservation districts, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Private property owners are not eligible to apply directly but may request that an eligible local agency submit an application on their behalf. To qualify, sites must meet strict criteria, including that the waste was illegally dumped without the consent of the property owner and that the responsible party cannot be identified or compelled to perform cleanup. The site must also pose a threat to public health, safety, or the environment. Applications must be submitted through CalRecycle’s Grants Management System. Applicants are required to complete multiple components, including detailed site information, budget forms, work plans, and supporting documentation such as photographs, maps, and affidavits. The submission process involves completing several system tabs and uploading required documents, followed by certification and formal submission. Additional required documents may be submitted by a secondary deadline if not included initially. Applications are evaluated based on completeness, eligibility, and the severity of the threat posed by the illegal dumping site. Priority is given to projects that address the most significant public health and environmental risks. In cases where funding demand exceeds availability, standard and previously remediated site applications are prioritized over pilot applications. Award decisions are made by CalRecycle leadership following staff review and recommendations. The program operates on a recurring, multi-cycle schedule with application deadlines occurring quarterly within the fiscal year. For the current cycle, deadlines occur on July 8, 2025, October 7, 2025, January 6, 2026, and April 7, 2026. Awards are typically announced within three months following each deadline. A pilot option is available in the final cycle to allow applicants additional time to submit supporting documentation. Overall, the program represents an ongoing state investment in environmental protection and agricultural land preservation.

Ensure all required documents are complete and consistent across tabs; prioritize sites with highest public health risk; include strong documentation and detailed work plans