Calif. accepting applications for $510M in drought relief programs

California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that it is accepting applications for funding through drought relief programs.

The department is preparing to provide up to $510 million in financial assistance through multiple initiatives: $300 million for water infrastructure improvements, yard transformations, and water supply resiliency; $200 million to help groundwater-reliant communities; and $10.7 million to promote farmers’ water conservation while supporting soil health, birds, and fishes.

“All communities are impacted by climate change and several years of extreme drought conditions. California is moving aggressively to transform the way we use and manage water so we can thrive in a hotter, drier future,” says DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Newsom and the state Legislature, we are deploying much-needed funding to support communities, farmers and wildlife as we stretch existing supplies and build climate resilience.”

In addition to the $510 million in grant funding announced today, DWR says that it will also unveil a new program this fall to provide $50 million to protect drinking water wells in vulnerable communities. The program will create a financial incentive for farmers to temporarily fallow agricultural lands to reduce pressure on shallow drinking water wells and groundwater basins. The program will promote the acceleration of the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. In the coming weeks, DWR will engage farmers, groundwater agencies, and other agricultural interests to roll out this program.

A deeper description of DWR’s announced funding efforts are as follows:

$300 Million through the Go Golden Program

The department is offering $300 million through the 2022 Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program under a new “Go Golden” program.

The program provides financial assistance and resources to help large organizations, water agencies, and communities build resilience, replace thirsty lawns with California native landscaping, and promote water conservation as the golden standard of life.

The program supports projects that build climate resiliency and emphasize water conservation efforts. This follows the award of $268 million under DWR’s 2021 Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief program. Eligible projects include water infrastructure repairs, water conservation programs, and fish and wildlife protection. DWR says that about $85 million of the available funding will be set aside to support underrepresented communities and Tribes.

DWR began accepting applications on October 10. Interested parties can visit the 2022 Urban Community Drought Relief Funding webpage for more information about the program guidelines and additional resources.

$200 Million through the Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program

With many municipal, agricultural, and disadvantaged communities relying on groundwater for up to 100 percent of their water supply needs, DWR is offering $200 million in funding through a second solicitation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program.

The funding will help regional groundwater agencies comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and follows the release in May of $150 million to groundwater agencies in California’s 20 critically overdrafted basins.

The $200 million solicitation will support planning efforts and projects in medium and high priority groundwater basins to help local agencies reach their groundwater sustainability goals. Eligible projects include groundwater recharge projects, projects that prevent or clean up contaminated groundwater supplies that serve as a source of drinking water, and other projects that support water supply reliability for people, farms, and the environment. The funding will also support revisions or updates to an existing groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) or Alternative to a GSP.

Applications are accepting until Nov. 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant program webpage offers information on program guidelines and additional resources.

$10.7 Million through the Delta Drought Response Pilot Program

DWR partnered with the Sacramento San-Joaquin Delta Conservancy to offer $10.7 million in a second round of funding through the Delta Drought Response Pilot Program. The program works with farmers in the Delta to implement measures expected to conserve water, protect Delta water quality, promote soil health, and mitigate drought impacts on fish and migratory birds.

With California’s extended drought and climate change resulting in less water and habitat for wildlife, farmers could receive a bonus of $75 per acre for short-term shallow flooding or $40 per acre for providing nesting habitat through delayed harvest. The Delta Conservancy will conduct the 2023 program through a reverse auction. Bids, which can be submitted through the Delta Conservancy’s website, will be accepted through October 18, 2022.

For questions about the Delta Drought Response Pilot Program and future solicitations, interested parties can contact the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy at [email protected].