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.
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 (PDF)(opens in new tab).
Natural Community Conservation Planning Local Assistance Grants Program
The next NCCP LAG solicitation is slated for Spring 2023. Proposal Solicitation Notice and Application template provided for reference.
For general information, the most recent Proposal Solicitation Package (PDF)(opens in new tab) contains comprehensive instructions for requirements for each section of the Proposal Application Form (Word) and also provides information on the grant and application process. Preparers of LAG proposals may also find it useful to look at examples of the type and substance of NCCP LAG projects previously funded.
Sample NCCP LAG Documents
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.
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.
FY23 Conservation Planning Assistance (CPA) Notice of Funding Opportunity, which includes information on eligibility and approved uses of these grants.
The FY23 solicitation has closed. Award announcements from the US Fish and Wildlife Service are expected in Summer 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.
FY23 Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition (HCPLA) Notice of Funding Opportunity, which includes information on eligibility and approved uses of these grants.
The FY23 solicitation has closed. Award announcements from the US Fish and Wildlife Service are expected in Summer 2023.