Background
The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) provides funding to implement the three broad objectives of the California Water Action Plan: more reliable water supplies; the restoration of important species and habitat; and a more resilient, sustainably managed water resources system (water supply, water quality, flood protection, and environment) that can better withstand inevitable and unforeseen pressures in the coming decades. In addition, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking projects that contribute to implementation of the State Wildlife Action Plan, the Sacramento Valley Salmon Resiliency Strategy, the Delta Plan, California EcoRestore, the Safeguarding California Plan, the California Biodiversity Initiative, and that fulfill CDFW’s Mission.
The Project Solicitation and Evaluation Guidelines for Proposition 1 Grant Programs (PDF)(opens in new tab) were finalized in June 2015 and revised in August 2021 and July 2023. These Guidelines provide the basic requirements for project proposals; however, the information in the latest solicitation supersedes any discrepancies among the documents. The following entity types are eligible for funding by Proposition 1 grants: state and local public agencies within California, federally recognized Indian tribes and State Indian tribes listed on the Native American Heritage Commission’s California Tribal Consultation List, non-profit organizations, public utilities and mutual water companies.
The CDFW Watershed Restoration Grants Branch distributes Proposition 1 funds on a competitive basis through 1) the Watershed Restoration Grant Program and 2) the Delta Water Quality and Ecosystem Restoration Grant Program. Program priorities include:
Watershed Restoration Grant Program
- address large-scale wildfire recovery response and prevention
- manage headwaters for multiple benefits
- protect and restore mountain meadow ecosystems
- protect and restore anadromous and other non-game native fish habitat
- protect and restore coastal wetland ecosystems
- protect and restore cross-border urban creeks and watersheds
Delta Water Quality and Ecosystem Restoration Grant Program
- improve water quality in the Delta
- improve habitats in the Delta
- plan for multi-benefit Delta restoration through regional partnerships
- conduct scientific studies to support implementation of the Delta Science Plan and the 2017-2021 Science Action Agenda
Proposition 1 funds support four types of projects: 1) planning, 2) acquisition, 3) implementation, and 4) scientific studies. Scientific studies are only funded under the Delta Program.
For information about other CDFW grants, visit the Grants Opportunities page.
Not required for applications - CDFW tools to assist in restoration planning:
Restoration Grant Information