CDFW News

WCB Approves $59.6 Million for Wildlife Crossings, Salmon Recovery, Biodiversity and Public Access Projects

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:01:42 GMT

Photo of mountain lion by Dan Potter.

Funding Supports Biodiversity Hotspots and Expanded Access to Nature Across California

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved $59,642,096 in grants for 27 projects across 18 counties to protect biodiversity, restore important wildlife habitats and improve public access to nature. Among these, five projects advance the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, restoring floodplains, improving stream complexity, and enhancing spawning and rearing habitat for coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead. Projects also include investments in wildlife corridors, oak woodlands and grasslands, and wildlife-oriented recreation.

The board met at the California Natural Resources Agency headquarters in Sacramento.

WCB’s grants advance Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, a globally adopted target known as 30x30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians and adapt to climate change.

Advancing Wildlife Crossings in Southern California

A $5.5 million grant to Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) will fund environmental review and design for two wildlife crossings over State Route 62 near Yucca Valley, reconnecting habitat between the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountains, including Joshua Tree National Park. An additional $4 million grant to Temecula-Elsinore-Anza-Murrieta Resource Conservation District (TEAM RCD), in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will advance design of a crossing over Interstate 15 in western Riverside County, restoring connectivity between the Santa Ana and Palomar mountains for mountain lions and other wide-ranging species.

“Desert communities exist at the intersection of people, wildlife and wide-open landscapes,” said Kelly Herbinson, executive director of MDLT. “The proposed wildlife crossings will restore natural movement of animals, reduce dangerous wildlife-vehicle collisions and strengthen the ecosystems that sustain us. Thanks to WCB and our partners, we can invest in solutions that protect wildlife while supporting safer roads and resilient communities.”

“WCB’s support will enhance highway safety and ensure wildlife can continue their path without entering human communities,” said Teri Biancardi, president of TEAM RCD. “This planning effort will demonstrate how restoring wildlife corridors goes hand in hand with local residents’ quality of life.”

Investing in the Governor’s Salmon Strategy

A $2.9 million grant to California Trout Inc. will restore 0.33 miles of the East Fork Scott River at Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve in Siskiyou County. The project, led in part by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB), will add side channels, alcoves and large wood structures, reconnect floodplains and improve summer flows for coho salmon.

"Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve incorporates multiple cold-water tributaries in one corridor,” said Eli Scott, senior environmental scientist for NCRWQCB. “This project is a huge opportunity to build habitat for coho salmon and give them a foothold."

A $1.1 million grant to Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) will support Lagunitas Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement, Phase 2a, in cooperation with the California Department of Water Resources. The project restores stream habitat for coho salmon, steelhead and other native species.

"We are grateful to WCB for their support on this project," said Jed Smith, president of the MMWD Board of Directors. "Through this collaboration, we are making meaningful progress in enhancing Lagunitas Creek and strengthening our watershed."

A $$1.85 million grant to Chico State Enterprises will restore floodplains and habitat on lower Battle Creek in Tehama County for endangered salmon and steelhead, including construction of a side channel, removal of 1,700 linear feet of defunct levee and placement of large wood and boulders to create salmon habitat.

A $1.5 million grant to Sonoma County Regional Parks will restore stream complexity and spawning habitat for coho, Chinook and steelhead on Mark West Creek in Sonoma County.

A $3.65 million grant to the Yosemite River Alliance will restore nearly a quarter mile of the Tuolumne River near La Grange, reconnecting the river to its historic floodplain to improve spawning and rearing conditions for fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead.

Enhancing Biodiversity at Pepperwood Preserve

A $1.75 million grant to Pepperwood Foundation (PF), in cooperation with Conservation Corps North Bay, will restore 893 acres of oak woodland and grasslands in Sonoma County. The project reduces fuel loads, enhances biodiversity, restores native grasslands and oak woodlands, and brings back cultural burning as part of land stewardship.

“The Pepperwood project will enhance wildlife habitat in a biodiversity ‘hot spot’ in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma County,” said Michael Gillogly, preserve manager for PF. “Oak woodlands and native grasslands provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators threatened by poor stewardship and development. The project includes indigenous cultural fire, forest thinning, grassland restoration and invasive species treatments.”

Expanding Public Access at Watsonville Slough

A $4.88 million grant to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County (LTSCC) will construct a five-mile trail network and new visitor amenities at Watsonville Slough Farm. The project will provide free access to wetlands, grasslands and working agricultural lands, with bilingual interpretation, educational programming and improved connections for underserved communities.

“I am so pleased that the Watsonville Slough Trails project has been approved!” said Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. “The project will open the outdoors for young people and others who have historically been excluded from such opportunities. Hats off to WCB for its vision and support, which will enable people to explore and feel inspired by the natural world in this beautiful region of the Central Coast."

“At LTSCC, we believe everyone should be able to connect with nature and learn from our incredible wild and working lands,” said Sarah Newkirk, executive director of LTSCC. “This funding from WCB will help people of all ages immerse themselves in nature and learn about the native habitat and sloughs that make Santa Cruz County special.”

About the Wildlife Conservation Board

Established in 1947, the Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and the public’s use and enjoyment. WCB works in partnership with Tribes, conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California to safeguard biodiversity and expand access to nature.

For more information about WCB, visit wcb.ca.gov. To explore the newly funded projects, visit WCB’s StoryMaps pages.

###

Media Contact:
Mark Topping, WCB Communications, (916) 539-4673

CDFW Awards $2.5 Million for Golden Mussel Response and Boating Access Projects

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 12:55:22 GMT

Announces Availability of Additional $2 Million for Boating Access Projects

Today the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced the award of $2.5 million in grants for five projects to support public recreational boating access to state waterways. These projects will help prevent the spread of invasive golden mussels, improve public access to California’s waterways, expand recreational boating opportunities, and promote stewardship of aquatic resources.

”Supporting safe and reliable access for all boaters and anglers means investing in boating facilities as well as protecting our waterways from invasive species,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “A portion of this grant funding will directly support California’s response to limiting the spread of golden mussels as part of a larger ongoing coordinated effort.”

Looking ahead, CDFW also announced today that the Boating Access Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Boating Access Proposal Solicitation Notice (PDF) and has approximately $2 million to award. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2025, through the CDFW WebGrants Portal. Contact BoatingAccess@wildlife.ca.gov with any questions.

CDFW will hold an online Public Workshop (PDF) on Oct. 2, 2025, at 10 a.m., to provide an overview of the Boating Access Program, including eligible activities, program requirements, and granting process. Workshop attendance is not a requirement for submitting a proposal.

Below is a list of awarded projects which will soon begin work supported by CDFW Boating Access Grant Program funds. The Boating Access projects are supported with federal funding from the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which provides funds to state fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education.

Invasive Golden Mussel Program

($1.3 million to CDFW)

After the discovery of the invasive golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in Oct. 2024, CDFW responded with approximately $1.3 million in Sport Fish Restoration/Boating Access grant funding to support the program and projects that prevent the spread of invasive mussels in California waters. Funds will support the purchase of decontamination units, high-pressure wash stations, improvements to boat ramps and wash stations, and hands-on training for facility staff in boat inspection and decontamination procedures. More information can be found on CDFW’s golden mussel page.

Other Boating Access Project Highlights

Alviso Marina County Park Boat Ramp Replacement

($226,000 to county of Santa Clara, Parks and Recreation Department)

“The County of Santa Clara deeply values its long-term partnership with CDFW,” said Todd Lofgren, Director of Santa Clara County Parks Department. “Alviso Marina County Park is well-loved by boaters, as it provides one of the few clear routes through the salt marshes out to the open waters of San Francisco Bay, and the repair and replacement of the launch and dock is a community need that the Department is excited to deliver on with CDFW’s support.” The project will repair the boat launch ramp, the replacement of existing wooden planks on three public access boardwalks, and improvements to the facility parking lot.

Copco Valley Public Access and Recreational Boating Facility for a Renewed Klamath River

($582,915 to Klamath River Renewal Corporation)

As the Klamath River recovers and flows change following the dam removal in 2024, there are new recreational opportunities and increased public interest in the area. To meet capacity and safety needs, the construction of the Copco Valley recreation site will be a critical access point on the Klamath River for boating, fishing, and other uses. The project will not only support recreation and public interest opportunities but further allow the public to see first-hand the positive impacts of dam removal on conservation, wildlife, and the local communities and economies.

Arena Cove Boating Access Project

($224,000 to City of Point Arena)

This project will enhance boating access from Arena Cove, which is a major point of entry for many residents of Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Project activities will include the replacement of the aging boat launch hoist, boarding float and gangway, all of which are essential components of boating access from Arena Cove. The urgent facility repairs address site safety, negative environmental impacts of old equipment and ensure continued boating access in the future.

Santa Ana Launch Ramp Slurry/Crack-fill FY25/26

($223,000 to Casitas Municipal Water District)

This project will support vital maintenance of the Lake Casitas Santa Ana Boat Launch Facility in Ventura County and encourage public use of the lake for boating and recreation. Refurbishment of the existing parking lot will allow continued public use of the boat launch facility, which is currently largely unused due to deferred maintenance.

Background

In late 2023 CDFW announced availability of funding for the Boating Access Grant Program. The Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFRA) created the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Program provides funds to state fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education. The funding for this grant program comes through revenue from manufacturers’ excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats, and a portion of gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats. The Boating Access sub-program of the Sport Fish Restoration Grant program provides federal funds for facilities that create or add to public access for recreational boating and improvements to waterways that increase access to recreational boating opportunities.

Photo courtesy of Santa Clara County, Parks and Recreation Department. A damaged boat launch to be repaired by the Alviso Marina County Park Boat Ramp Replacement project.

###

Media Contacts:
Matt Wells, CDFW Watershed Restoration Grant Branch, (916) 216-7848
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

CDFW Awards $15 Million for Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Restoration Projects

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 15:33:33 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today announced the selection of 15 projects that will receive funding for the restoration, enhancement and protection of salmon and steelhead (anadromous salmonid) habitat in California watersheds. The total funding for these projects amounts to more than $15 million in grant awards.

Among these 15 projects, the Salmon River Restoration Council was awarded $1,888,060 for the Windler Floodplain Habitat Enhancement Project. The project will enhance salmonid rearing habitat at the Windler River bar, on a reach of the North Fork Salmon River, by lowering the floodplain and increasing connectivity. The project also includes riparian revegetation, which will increase shade and diversity along channels and across the river bar.

“As climate-driven disruptions to California’s ecosystems continue to evolve, so must our efforts to support the critical work our partners are doing to restore and protect habitat throughout our rivers and streams,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Supporting these restoration efforts is a necessary and critical step forward to improving native fish health and resiliency. With these funds, we are enhancing the incredible resilience of these species for more sustainable populations over time.”

Projects were awarded through CDFW’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP). This program was first established in 1981and since 2000, has included funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, established by Congress to reverse the declines of Pacific salmon and steelhead throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. This award also includes funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to help support the recovery, conservation and resilience of Pacific salmon and steelhead.

In response to the 2024 Fisheries Habitat Restoration Grant Solicitation, CDFW received 48 proposals requesting more than $39 million in funding. The proposals underwent a thorough technical review involving subject matter experts from CDFW and NOAA. For additional information and a complete list of all FRGP-awarded projects, visit FRGP’s Funded Project Summaries page.

Highlighted Project Summaries

Ventura River Arundo Removal and Riparian Restoration - South Santa Ana Site

($846,598 to Ojai Valley Land Conservancy)

The project will treat and remove 2 acres of arundo and more than 30 invasive plants identified throughout the 5-acre worksite along the Ventura River. It will also restore 2.7 acres of riparian habitat by planting 300 native plants and seeding native grasses.

South Fork Usal Creek Log Jam-boree

($1,669,436 to Trout Unlimited, Inc.)

The project will install approximately eight engineered large wood jams and 142 non-engineered log jams within 3.5 miles of South Fork Usal Creek, covering almost all the anadromous channel. This is expected to increase stream habitat complexity, pool frequency, pool depth, over-summer rearing habitat and winter high-flow velocity for salmonids within the project area.

Albion River Instream Coho Habitat Enhancement Project

($1,281,076 to Trout Unlimited, Inc.)

The project will install approximately 53 engineered large wood structures composed of approximately 200 logs that will promote deposition of coarse sediment to create an alluvial channel bed through select reaches on the Fork Albion River. Additionally, two undersized and failing culverts will be replaced.

Huckleberry Creek Coho Refugia Project

($194,030 to Eel River Watershed Improvement Group)

The project is designed to improve the geomorphic function and ecological complexity in Huckleberry Creek for salmonid habitat through a process-based approach. A total of approximately 32 large wood structures will be constructed along a 1.2-mile reach of Huckleberry Creek. The roughness elements added to the stream will increase pool and flatwater area and depth, increase shelter complexity, sort substrate for spawning habitat, increase the frequency of side channel and flood plain inundation and provide refugia during high flows.

Robinson Creek Instream Habitat Enhancement

($236,622 to The Conservation Fund)

To increase salmonid spawning habitat, the project is designed to install 106 large wood debris structures at 38 selected sites in Robinson Creek.

Chamberlain Creek Fish Passage Implementation Project

($1,378,920 to the Mendocino Land Trust)

The project will remove a current fish passage barrier and replace it with a new engineer-designed road-stream crossing culvert that will allow for unimpeded upstream/downstream migration of all aquatic species, including salmonids such as coho salmon, as well as Pacific lamprey.

North Fork Elk River Channel Instream Habitat and Upslope Restoration Project

($1,455,436 to Trout Unlimited, Inc.)

The project will enhance and improve instream salmonid habitat within a 1.8-mile reach of the lower North Fork Elk River by installing over 50 large wood structures and decommissioning portions of the Elk River Mainline Road, which runs parallel to the channel and encroaches onto the floodplain.

Sebbas Creek Off-Channel Project

($799,895 to the Eel River Watershed Improvement Group)

The project will create approximately 20,000 square feet of off-channel habitat, depending on stream flow conditions in Sebbas Creek, and includes installation of three engineered deflector jams and grading and the installation of several engineered “roughness” element log features. Additionally, there will be two grade-control log structures.

Soda Creek Fish Passage and Habitat Enhancement Project

($1,452,926 to Trout Unlimited, Inc.)

The project will replace a rusted, failing culvert that is a partial barrier to coho salmon and steelhead, as well as restore 500 feet of channel by constructing four alcoves with pools and large wood structures near the mouth of Soda Creek.

LA River California Environmental Flows Framework Study

($785,000 to Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority)

The project will utilize the California Environmental Flows Framework to inform tradeoffs between ecological and non-ecological goals. Project outcomes will help define environmental flow recommendations to inform future decision making, while emphasizing ecological attributes.

California Conservation Corps Fortuna Fish Habitat Assistant

($273,374 to California Conservation Corps - Fortuna)

The Fish Habitat Assistant will independently develop and implement at least two fish habitat restoration projects, conduct public outreach, assist with project implementation and monitoring, train staff in stream habitat restoration techniques and attend workshops.

California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program in Partnership with AmeriCorps

($688,041 to California Conservation Corps)

The California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) in Partnership with AmeriCorps, will engage 44 WSP corpsmembers throughout coastal California to enhance anadromous watersheds through restoration and protection, support community education and outreach events, recruit volunteers for hands-on restoration projects and professional development.

SRF 2025 and 2026 Coho Confabs

($46,940 to Salmonid Restoration Federation)

The project will produce two annual Coho Confabs to educate and train restoration specialists and watershed restoration groups on coho salmon recovery strategies, restoration techniques, and best management practices to restore coho habitat and recover the species.

Northern California Rural Land and Water Best Management Practices Education Series: Phase 2

($99,967 to Salmonid Restoration Federation)

The project will educate interested parties in Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, Mendocino and Siskiyou counties about coho recovery strategies, including flow enhancement and habitat restoration techniques, as well as associated legal considerations such as water rights, regulatory compliance and permitting. The Salmonid Restoration Federation will create education materials, curriculum, and a series of workshops on water transactions, a sediment and erosion control field school, a large wood field school, and beaver co-existence and beaver dam analog techniques workshops. These materials and workshops are designed to reach landowners, tribal restoration crews, municipalities, watershed planners and ranchers.

The awarded projects further the objectives of state and federal fisheries recovery plans that focus on removing barriers to fish migration, restoring riparian habitat, recovering wildfire impacts detrimental to rivers, and creating a more resilient and sustainably managed water resources system (e.g., water supply, water quality and habitat) that can better withstand drought conditions. These projects also further the goals of the California Water Resilience Portfolio, State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future (PDF) and fulfillment of CDFW’s mission.

###

Media Contacts:
Matt Wells, Watershed Restoration Grants Branch, (916) 216-7848
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

Wildlife Conservation Board Awards $52.3 Million in Grants to 24 Habitat Conservation and Restoration Projects

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:50:50 GMT

Awards Include Funding for the Restoration of 67 Acres of Wetland Habitat in the City of Salinas, Providing Park Space and Recreation Access to Disadvantaged Communities in Monterey County

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved 24 habitat protection and restoration projects spanning 25 counties across more than 21,600 acres at its Nov. 21 quarterly meeting.

One of the grants restores 67 acres of wetland, riparian, and upland habitat at Carr Lake in the heart of the city of Salinas, providing much needed open space to a community area with limited access to parks and nature.

The WCB’s $4 million grant to the Big Sur Land Trust—in a cooperative project with the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Water Resources, and the State Coastal Conservancy—increases biodiversity, decreases and treats stormwater flows and improves public access to nature.

More than 1.7 miles of trails will be constructed, providing access to disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged communities in the area to participate in recreation such as hiking and birdwatching.

“After 8 years and with over 6,000 residents weighing in on a community-led process to design a new multi-benefit wetland restoration and park development project in Salinas, we are grateful to WCB for considering a grant for the project that will close our funding gap, allowing us to move forward to create a place in the heart of the city for residents to enjoy and learn about the natural world while helping strengthen the city’s resiliency to climate change,” said Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis, president and chief executive officer of Big Sur Land Trust.

WCB’s grants advance Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, an initiative known as 30x30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians, and fight and adapt to climate change.

Other funded projects include:

• A $2.4 million grant to the Tule River Indian Tribe—in a cooperative project with the California Natural Resources Agency—for the return of 14,675 acres of ancestral lands, restoring Tribal sovereignty and conserving habitat in Tulare County. The Hershey Ranch project reconnects the Tribe with their ancestral land, increasing connectivity between the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains, conserving grassland, blue oak woodlands and riparian habitat. This area also represents a potential summer range for the Yowlumni wolf pack and provides the opportunity for future stream restoration and managed public access.

“The Tule River Tribe expresses its gratitude to the Wildlife Conservation Board for aiding the Tribe in its efforts to restore its ancestral homeland,” said Charmaine McDarment, chairwoman of the Tule River Tribal Council. “As the climate crisis brings new pressures to address the effects of environmental mismanagement and resource degradation, the Tribe’s partnership with WCB is an important example of building relationships based in collaboration and trust.

“The Tribe remains committed to supporting co-stewardship efforts and fighting to ensure that disproportionate harms to Native American lands, culture, and resources are resolved in a manner that centers and honors Native American connections to ancestral lands.”

• A $4.5 million grant to The Nature Conservancy to restore delicate habitats on two Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara. These islands are a biodiversity hotspot, hosting nearly 1,000 species and subspecies of native plants, many of which are classified as endangered or threatened.

The islands were once on the brink of ecological collapse from the effects of overgrazing and browsing by introduced herbivorous animals. The project, known as Building Resilience on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands, is a cooperative project with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Coastal Conservancy, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Institute of Environmental Studies.

“The Channel Islands hold a special place in the heart of many Californians and are home to more endemic species than anywhere else in the state including 28 Californian special status species,” said Jennifer Baker, program director for The Nature Conservancy.

“The Nature Conservancy and Channel Islands National Park are invigorated by the Wildlife Conservation Board’s ongoing partnership to magnify the rich vibrancy of these islands with projects that will restore the water cycle, stabilize soils, and rebuild the abundance of plants and wildlife, ensuring this biodiversity hotspot continues to thrive.”

• A $4.9 million grant to the Sonoma Land Trust—in a cooperative project with the State Coastal Conservancy—to preserve and protect 1,459 acres of tidal wetland habitat within the Bay Area, benefiting several listed wildlife species and protecting a key stop along the Pacific Flyway. Future work will reestablish tidal flow and habitat connection between the ranch and other protected areas, providing contiguous habitat and protecting local communities from flood and sea level rise.

“The acquisition of Kiser Ranch signals a major milestone in realizing the vision of restoring the vast marshes and wetlands where Sonoma Creek flows into San Pablo Bay,” said John McCaull, land acquisition director for the Sonoma Land Trust.

“Restoration of the property will boost San Francisco Bay biodiversity by converting this hay farm to mixed tidal wetlands, providing habitat for special-status plants, fish, birds, and other wildlife. Without the support of WCB we could not have achieved this important milestone.”

• A $5 million grant to the Santa Clara Open Space Authority to preserve and protect 142 acres of wetland, oak woodland and riparian habitat between the Santa Cruz and Diablo mountain ranges, serving as a key migration corridor for wildlife. This area, known as Coyote Valley, is home to several listed species, including the western burrowing owl and the American badger. The property serves as a key area for flood mitigation for downstream urban centers, including the city of San José.

“As Coyote Valley's permanently protected lands continue to grow, the Open Space Authority is dedicated to planning the restoration of these precious areas that provide important climate resilience for both people and wildlife,” said Andrea McKenzie, general manager of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

“As part of the Fisher Creek floodplain, these lands serve as a natural guardian that absorbs and regulate water flow, especially during heavy rains. Coyote Valley also serves as a vital lifeline for wildlife traveling between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east.”

For more information about the WCB, please visit wcb.ca.gov. To learn more about the newly approved habitat conservation and restoration projects, please visit our StoryMaps pages.

###

Photo courtesy of Big Sur Land Trust.

Media Contact:
Mark Topping, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 539-4673

CDFW Funds 10 Projects Across the Golden State to Boost Recreational Boating Access

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:40:00 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced the award of $7.5 million in grants for 10 projects that support public recreational boating access to state waterways. These projects are federally funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which provides funds to state fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access and aquatic education. More information about the program and the annual solicitation can be found on the CDFW Boating Access Grants page.

“California is home to some of the richest aquatic environments in the world, and this grant program exists to ensure all Californians have the opportunity to experience the joy and freedom of being out on the water,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “These projects provide the requisite care and maintenance to keep access to the water for boaters safe and reliable.”

The following 10 projects will soon enter into grant agreements and commence work.

Sly Park Boat Launching Facility Upgrades
($240,000 to El Dorado Irrigation District)

The project will update and expand two boat-launching facilities in the Sly Park Recreation Area. Updates will increase access for boaters and anglers with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements by providing compliant restrooms, parking stalls and fish cleaning stations at each location. The updates will also increase safety for boaters and anglers by widening a ramp and boat-launching facility, installing lighting at the boat launches and restrooms and installing animal-resistant garbage enclosures.

Turney Street Dock Improvement Project
($170,000 to the city of Sausalito)

“The Turney Street Dock is the only public, free dock in southern Marin County and serves as an important public use access point for motorized and non-motorized recreation, and emergency access for Richardson Bay and the whole San Francisco Bay,” said Catie Thow Garcia, the city of Sausalito’s Resiliency and Sustainability Manager. “I heard from the Sausalito and southern Marin County community members that the Turney Street Dock is in a state of disrepair, and with the support of the Sausalito City Council and the Department of Public Works, chose to pursue funding to create plans for its improvement. The city of Sausalito is excited to begin this project that will provide plans to improve public access and ensure boaters enjoyment and safety in the bay. We are extremely thankful that the state, through the Department of Fish and Wildlife, prioritizes public access to the bay as it is crucial to Sausalito’s culture as a waterfront community.”

Redding Boating and Fishing Access Maintenance and Operations
($428,000 to the city of Redding)

This project will enhance and maintain public fishing and river access by operating and maintaining six city of Redding facilities along the Sacramento River.

Orange County Sailing and Events Center Reconstruction Project
($3.2 million to Orange County Parks)

This project will rehabilitate the deteriorating Orange County Sailing and Events Center floating docks and improve dock facilities to comply with ADA access requirements. “While the rest of the Dana Point Harbor received a greenlight for revitalization in 2018, the county side of our harbor continued to degrade,” said Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley. “Now, the county of Orange can completely replace our remaining public docks because of the grant award from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Boating Access Program,”. “These new docks expand access to recreational boating, public programming, sailing lessons for disabled and low-income youth and a greater connection to our gorgeous ocean for all.”

Steamer Landing Dock and Boating Program
($203,000 to Friends of the Petaluma River)

"The Friends of the Petaluma River public boating and environmental education programs are key to connecting our community to the Petaluma River,” said Friends of the Petaluma River Executive Director Stephanie Bastianon. “With support from CDFW's Boating Access Program, Friends will improve our dock facilities to support ADA access, promote boating usage and water education and support recreational fishing throughout the river. Funds will be used to develop Steamer Landing Park into a vibrant space for the community to experience the river with ease and excitement."

Harbor Park Beach and Boat Launch
($1.6 million to the Port of San Diego)

This project will complete the designs and permits needed to begin construction on the Harbor Park Beach and Boat Launch. “We did a lot of outreach for Harbor Park and community members emphasized they want more access to the water and more water recreation opportunities on the Chula Vista Bayfront,” said Ann Moore, Chula Vista appointee to the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “This grant will help us take the next steps in delivering an expanded beach and a boat launch for personal watercraft like kayaks and standup paddle boards. We are grateful to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Boating Access Program for selecting our project and to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the funding.”

Adaptive Paddling Access at Lake Tahoe
($844,000 to the California Tahoe Conservancy)

“Not enough opportunities exist for people with disabilities to safely paddle at Lake Tahoe,” said Jason Vasques, Executive Director of the California Tahoe Conservancy. “The Adaptive Paddling Access at Lake Tahoe Project will greatly improve accessibility for people with disabilities at the popular Patton Landing Beach, complementing programs operated at the same site by the nonprofit Tahoe Waterman Foundation.”

Enhancing Public Access and Amenities on the Truckee River for Visitors and Paddlecraft
($106,000 to Nevada County)

This project will promote boating access for paddle craft, improve recreational access for all visitors and empower residents to become stewards of the Truckee River.

“The Truckee River has long been a key gateway for eastern Nevada County to the outdoor, wild and beautiful landscapes that make it a very special place to live,” said Nevada County Supervisor Hardy Bullock. “Many community and agency stakeholders have worked to enhance water quality, reduce impacts and promote infrastructure that allows residents and visitors to recreate responsibly near this waterway, the tail waters of Lake Tahoe and the water of the Washoe Tribe. These improvements will allow diverse communities to access the river in a sustainable way, thanks to the support of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.”

Heenan Lake Angler Access Enhancement
($133,000 to the CDFW North Central Region)

The Heenan Lake Angler Access Enhancement Project will create accessible entry roads, parking and a fishing dock. This project will improve access to a popular fishing spot and support the state of California's efforts to recruit, retain and include anglers who have historically been excluded.

Avila Pier Renovation
($556,000 to the Wildlife Conservation Board)

Additional funding for an ongoing CDFW Boating Access Grant Program grant managed by the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to fully support renovation of the Avila Pier in San Luis Obispo County.

Background

In late 2023 CDFW announced availability of funding for the Boating Access Grant Program. The Sport Fish Restoration Act created the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, administered by USFWS. Funding for this grant program comes through revenue from manufacturers’ excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats and a portion of gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats. The Boating Access sub-program of the Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program provides federal funds for facilities that create or add to public access for recreational boating and improvements to waterways that increase access to recreational boating opportunities.

CDFW anticipates releasing the next solicitation for proposals for the Boating Access Grant Program in as early as October 2024, with up to $2 million available for new projects — check the Boating Access Program website for details.

###

Media Contacts:
Matt Wells, CDFW Watershed Restoration Grant Branch, (916) 216-7848
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714