CDFW sponsors several grant programs to assist in funding NCCPs and Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). Three of these important programs are administered by the Habitat Conservation Planning Branch.
The NCCP LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT (LAG) Program provides state funds for urgent tasks associated with the implementation of approved NCCPs or NCCPs anticipated to be approved within 12 months of grant application.
The 30x30 GRANT Program provides state funds to enhance NCCP and HCP planning, implementation, land acquisition, monitoring, and adaptive management efforts.
CDFW is also the state sponsor of the federal ESA NONTRADITIONAL SECTION 6 GRANT Programs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) offers funding through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund to support conservation planning and purchases of vital habitat for threatened and endangered fish, wildlife, and plant species. The grants are authorized by Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act(opens in new tab).
Natural Community Conservation Planning Local Assistance Grants and 30x30 Grants
The rolling solicitation for the Natural Community Conservation Planning 30x30 Grant Program is open. We are currently seeking land acquisition pre-applications only. The Land Acquisition Proposal Solicitation Package and Pre-Application templates are linked in the sidebar.
Projects will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Pre-applications will be considered until December 2024 or until the funding has been fully dedicated to projects, whichever comes first.
We are not currently soliciting for implementation projects, however a sample NCCP LAG Proposal Solicitation Package (PDF)(opens in new tab) is available which provides information on the grant and application process which may be useful for those considering applying in the future. Preparers of LAG proposals may also find it useful to look at examples of the type and substance of NCCP LAG projects previously funded.
Endangered Species Act Conservation Planning Grant Program (Nontraditional Section 6)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administers four grant programs through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) and authorized through Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973(opens in new tab). There are three Nontraditional Section 6 grants available: Conservation Planning Assistance (CPA; see below), Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition (HCPLA; see below), and Recovery Plan Land Acquisition (RLA) (coordinated by the CDFW Wildlife Branch). The fourth type of Section 6 Grant available is known as the Traditional Section 6 Program and supports recovery projects for Threatened and Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery, and is also administered by CDFW Wildlife Branch.
CDFW and local partners have been very successful in the national competition for Nontraditional Section 6 grant funds. A combination of these factors for most California plans has led to significant Nontraditional Section 6 Conservation Planning Assistance and HCP Land Acquisition (PDF)(opens in new tab) grants to California each year.
The solicitations for the FY2024 Nontraditional Section 6 grant program have opened. Proposals need to be developed in collaboration with the local CDFW office and the USFWS Field office. Templates are available in the sidebar.
Conservation Planning Assistance Program
The Endangered Species Conservation Planning Assistance (CPA) Grant Program provides funding to States and Territories for tasks necessary in the planning, amendment, or renewal phases of Habitat Conservation Plans, Safe Harbor Agreements and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances. Funding may be used to support development and planning activities such as document preparation, public outreach, baseline species surveys, habitat assessments, and inventories associated with one of the three conservation planning tools listed previously. The preparation of environmental compliance review documents, such as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), is also an eligible use of grant funds.
FY24 Conservation Planning Assistance (CPA) Notice of Funding Opportunity(opens in new tab) includes information on eligibility and approved uses of these grants.
The FY24 solicitation is now open. Completed proposal packages will be due to the local CDFW office in early November 2023.
Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Program
The Endangered Species Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition (HCPLA) Grant Program provides funding to States and Territories for the acquisition of threatened and endangered species habitat in support of approved HCPs. Grants do not fund any mitigation required of an HCP permittee but are instead intended to support land purchases that complement actions associated with the HCP.
FY24 Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition (HCPLA) Notice of Funding Opportunity(opens in new tab) includes information on eligibility and approved uses of these grants.
The FY24 solicitation is now open. Completed proposal packages will be due to the local CDFW office in early November 2023.