Department of Water Resources highlights $6.48M Riverine Stewardship grant for habitat and fish passage

Gabriel Edwards, with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), gave an overview of DWR funding resources and said the Riverine Stewardship Program is currently DWR's only active grant program.

"Right now, the riverine stewardship program is DWR's only active funding program. This program supports fish passage and ecological improvements for streams. There's 6,480,000.00 available," Edwards said.

Why it matters: The program funds habitat restoration and green infrastructure to improve water quality and supply and must be consistent with Water Code section 79205.6, Edwards said. Eligible applicants include tribes, local public agencies and certified nonprofits; projects are limited to certain counties within the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Delta export service area, and areas outside the Delta receiving state water project or Central Valley Project diversions from the Delta.

Examples and next steps: Edwards listed example project types including gravel injection, fish passage barrier removal, and improvements to water conveyance within riverine habitat. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended. He advised applicants to consult program guidelines on DWR's grants and loans web pages and the CFCC handbook for links and contact information for program staff.