California Natural Resources Grants

Introduction EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list. Related Transportation Facility EEM projects must mitigate, either directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of a) the modification of an existing Transportation Facility or b) the construction of a new Transportation Facility (hereafter Related Transportation Facility or RTF). The EEM project can be the required mitigation for the RTF or enhancement to mitigation required for the RTF. Statewide Project Goals Agency grant programs assist state and local entities to develop more sustainable communities, increase adaptability to climate change using nature-based strategies, and protect biodiversity in compliance with Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30 x 30 California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Projects that demonstrate the following multiple benefits will be more competitive: • Improved air and/or water quality. • Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy. • Increased reliability of local water supplies. • Increased adaptability to climate change. • Increased protection and restoration of biodiversity Eligible Projects Examples The list below isn't comprehensive, but provides examples of project elements that meet statutory conditions. Urban Forestry: • Planting of trees and plants along urban streets and medians. • Greening existing public lands and structures, including school campuses and urban parks. • Greening vacant lots and abandoned sites. • Restoration of urban creeks. Resource Lands: • Removal of invasive and restoration of natural plant species. • Enhancement or restoration of natural areas such as inland wetlands, forests, oak woodlands, mountain meadows, creeks, and streams with riparian or riverine fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors and fish passages, coastal estuaries, grazing land and grasslands. • Acquisitions in fee title or through conservation easements to safeguard regional water supplies, protect riparian and wildlife habitats, conserve agricultural lands for secure wildlife migration corridors, and provide public access for compatible wildlife/nature-oriented recreation by the wider community. • Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity Resource Lands for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, biodiversity, etc. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency: Project examples listed under Urban Forestry and Resource Lands categories may be eligible for the Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency category, if the mitigation or enhancement measures for the RTF were infeasible or beyond the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Lead Agency for the RTF. Project Criteria Questions Applicants must choose only one project category and respond to all questions in the selected category. If a question doesn't apply to the project, indicate Not Applicable with a brief explanation.

The UST Cleanup Fund provides a means for petroleum UST owners and operators to meet the federal and state requirements of maintaining financial responsibility to pay for damages arising from unauthorized releases from their petroleum USTs. The Fund assists a large number of small businesses and individuals by providing reimbursement for expenses associated with the cleanup of leaking USTs.

This funding is available to current property owners for cleanup and investigation of unauthorized petroleum releases from underground storage tanks, covering activities like site assessments, soil and groundwater investigations, and corrective action planning.

This grant provides funding to public agencies for the development and improvement of boat launching facilities, including ramps and parking areas, to enhance access for both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.

Eligible Applicants: Local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations qualified to do business in California, Public Utilities, Federally and non-federally recognized Native American tribes on the Native American Heritage Commission’s list, and Mutual water companies. Eligible Uses: Eligible projects include recycled water treatment; recycled water storage, distribution, and pumping; groundwater recharge; and indirect potable reuse. Ineligible Uses: Operation and maintenance costs.  Eligible Costs: All costs necessary to determine the feasibility of using recycled water and to select an alternative to offset or augment the use of fresh/potable water from state or local supplies may be eligible for the planning grant. Eligible Communities: All community types are eligible for funding.  This includes small and large communities, non-disadvantaged, disadvantaged, and severely disadvantaged communities. For more information, please review the Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) Guidelines: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/docs/wrfp_guidelines.pdf  

This funding program provides financial assistance to small community water systems and public water systems serving disadvantaged communities to help them improve their drinking water infrastructure and ensure safe, clean water access.

This funding opportunity is designed to help organizations enhance their ability to develop projects that protect California's agricultural lands and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance for water and energy audits to local governments, Native American tribes, and designated management agencies to improve their wastewater management facilities and practices.

Grants will be awarded for specific eligible activities, such as speaking on a panel, participating in a working group, or participation in other decision-making processes. The PP Grant Account cap per organization of $15,000 will ensure a proportional distribution of funds over time and across various organizations. Submissions for grant awards will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the grant period and payment for these discrete engagements will be prompt.

This grant provides funding to public agencies in California for the development and improvement of boat launching facilities to enhance recreational water access and support community development.

This grant provides funding for local agencies, nonprofits, and tribes in California to develop projects that recycle water for various uses, including treatment, storage, and groundwater recharge.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for local agencies and nonprofit organizations in California to develop projects related to recycled water treatment, storage, and distribution, benefiting communities of all types.

EBIP is intended to encourage adoption for low-income individuals of electric bicycles as a replacement for motor vehicle trips. Consistent with the goals of SB 375, EBIP would increase access to clean transportation options while offsetting vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by way of incentivizing electric bicycles (e-bikes). A portion of project funds would support the development and administration of a virtual bike safety class, so that consumers understand bicycle road safety. EBIP will provide incentives for eligible e-bikes to income-qualified consumers at the time of purchase, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Furthermore, EBIP will pilot an approach that aims to 1) help people replace car trips with e-bike trips, 2) increase access to electric bicycles, and 3) reduce GHG emissions. EBIP will be administered and implemented through a partnership between CARB and a Grantee, selected via this completive solicitation. Eligible applicants wishing to apply for the role of project administrator must submit an application via mail or in person to CARB no later than 5:00 p.m. (PDT) May 11, 2022. More information regarding the application process can be found in Section IX, Application Instructions of this solicitation.

This program provides financial assistance to small disadvantaged communities in California to improve their drinking water infrastructure and ensure access to safe and reliable drinking water.

This funding program provides financial assistance to small disadvantaged communities in California for projects that improve water quality and wastewater treatment services.

Conservancy priority for the funding is for projects that advance the evaluation of sea otter reintroduction as a potential recovery strategy for southern sea otters in California. This may include activities such as conducting biological and socioeconomic studies, stakeholder engagement, risk and impact analyses, baseline assessments, and other research and planning.   Other projects that plan, implement, or conducted research related to other critical recovery actions of the Federal Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan will be considered as a second priority.  

The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) leads California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The principal goal of the Conservancy's Science and Lake Improvement Account program (SB 630, 2013) is to support near-shore environmental improvement program activities and projects, particularly projects that manage aquatic invasive species or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe.More specifically, such projects manage aquatic invasive species, or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe, including planning and site improvement or reconstruction projects on public land, and land acquisitions from willing sellers. SB 630 (2013) allocates the Conservancy approximately $350,000 annually. Please contact staff at [email protected] and 916.402.7508 for more information.

This funding furthers the purposes of the Conservancy’s mission, enabling legislation Public Resources Code, Division 22.9, Sections 32630 et al. (“the San Diego River Conservancy Act”), the Conservancy’s Strategic Plan Update 2018-2023, and other state approved priorities and plans.

This funding opportunity is designed to support projects that improve water quality and supply, restore aquatic habitats, and enhance ecosystem functions, particularly benefiting native fish populations and promoting public-private partnerships.

This grant provides financial assistance to small businesses in California for upgrading, removing, or replacing underground storage tanks to meet safety regulations.