Available Grants and Programs that Support Open Space Conservation in the Sacramento Region

From RUCS Wiki

APPENDIX C-1 Available Grants and Programs that Support Open Space Conservation in the Sacramento Region

Contents 1 Habitat and Agricultural Land Conservation 2 Water Quality 3 Water Supply 4 Flood Control 5 Economic Development 6 Infrastructure 7 Farm Services Administration 8 Technology

Habitat and Agricultural Land Conservation

• Department of Conservation
  • California Farmland Conservancy Program
    • Provides grants to local governments and qualified nonprofit organizations for: voluntary acquisition of conservation easements on agricultural lands that are under pressure of being converted to non-agricultural uses; temporary purchase of agricultural lands that are under pressure of being converted to non-agricultural uses, as a phase in the process of placing an agricultural conservation easement; agricultural land conservation planning and policy projects; and, restoration of and improvements to agricultural land already under easement
    • [1]

• Wildlife Conservation Board
  • Ecosystem Restoration on Agricultural Lands (ERAL)
    • Assist Farmers in Integrating Agricultural Activities with Ecosystem Restoration and Wildlife Protection
    • Eligible applicants include nonprofit conservation and agricultural organizations, and federal, state or local governmental agencies, including eligible resource conservation districts, agricultural land trusts and farm bureaus.
    • Funded under Proposition 84
    • [2]

• • Enhancement or Restoration of Inland Wetlands (sections specific to agriculture)
    • Enhance 307,000 acres of wildlife friendly agriculture. At least 170,000 acres of this acreage needs to be rice that is not deeply plowed after harvest and is shallowly flooded in winter. The remainder can be rice or corn that is not plowed following harvest, but can be left dry in winter.
    • Protect wildlife friendly agricultural lands through conservation easements in the American, Butte, Sutter, San Joaquin and Delta Basins
    • Protect agricultural lands through conservation easements in the American, Butte, Sutter, Delta and San Joaquin Basins to buffer existing wetlands from urban and residential development
    • [3]

• • Rangeland, Grazing and Grassland Protective Act of 2002
    • Projects must protect the integrity of the rangeland, grazing lands and grasslands
    • [4]

• Farm Services Agency
  • Conservation Reserve Program
    • Providesannual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland
    • Based on the agriculture rental value of the land, and it provides cost-share assistance for up to 50 percent of the participant\’s costs in establishing approved conservation practices
    • Contracts for 10 to 15 years
    • [5]

• • Grassland Reserve Program
    • Protect, restore, and enhance grasslands
    • Emphasizes support for working grazing operations: enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity: and protection of grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under threat of conversion to cropping, urban development, and other activities that threaten grassland resources
    • Participants voluntarily limit future use of the land while retaining the right to conduct common grazing practices; produce hay; conduct fire rehabilitation; and construct firebreaks and fences
    • Contract options available include permanent easement, 30 year easement, rental and restoration
    • [6]

• US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • North American Wetlands Conservation Act
    • Provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States
    • Both small and large grants
    • Requires 50% match
    • [7]

• Resources Agency
  • California River Parkways And Urban Streams Restoration Grant Program
    • Funding for both programs is available through the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 - Proposition 84
    • Funds available for River Parkway grants that protect and restore riparian and riverine habitat; and directly improve the quality of life in California by providing important recreational, open space, wildlife, flood management, water quality, and urban waterfront revitalization benefits to communities in the State
    • Funds available for Urban Streams Restoration to reduce property damage caused by flooding or erosion, restore, enhance or protect the natural ecological values of streams and to promote community involvement, education, or stewardship
    • [8]

• Department of Fish and Game
  • Private Lands Management Program
    • Pays ranches and farmers to improve habitat for wildlife through fishing and hunting
    • [9]

• Natural Resource Conservation Service
  • Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program
    • Provides matching funds (up to 50%) to help purchase development rights to keep productive farm and ranchland in agricultural uses
    • [10]

• Local Funding Sources
  • Local Jurisdictions with mitigation ordinances sometimes collect in-lieu fees which are used to purchase easements for habitat or agricultural land.

Water Quality

• State Water Resources Control Board
  • Proposition 40 ( The California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002)
    • Provides grants to protect rivers, lakes, and streams to improve water quality and ensure clean drinking water
    • To preserve open space and farmland threatened by unplanned development; to protect wildlife habitat
    • [11]

• • Proposition 50 (Water Quality, Supply and Safe Drinking Water Projects)
    • Specified CALFED Bay-Delta Program projects including urban and agricultural water use efficiency projects;
    • Competitive grants for water management and quality improvement projects;
    • Development of river parkways;
    • Improved security for state, local and regional water systems;
    • Grants for desalination and drinking water disinfection
    • [12]

• Proposition 84 (Storm Water Grant Program)
  • • Provide matching grants to local public agencies for the reduction and prevention of Storm Water contamination of rivers, lakes, and streams
    • [13]

• Ca Department of Public Health
  • Clean Water State Revolving Fund
    • Eligible projects include publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities, local sewers, sewer interceptors, and water reclamation facilities, as well as, nonpoint source pollution control projects
    • Loans (20 year term with an interest rate equal to one-half the most recent State General Obligation Bond Rate, typically 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent)
    • Local public agencies, non-profit organizations, and private parties are eligible
    • [14]

• Natural Resource Conservation Service
  • Environmental Quality Incentive Program
    • Awards cost share assistance to projects which provide significant environmental benefit identified by local, state and national priorities
    • State: [15]
    • National: [16]

Water Supply

• Department of Water Resources
  • Agricultural Water Use Efficiency
    • Agricultural and urban water use efficiency implementation projects or studies that carry out the goals of the California Bay Delta Program\’s Water Use Efficiency Program.
    • [17]

• • Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
    • Promote and practice integrated regional water management to ensure sustainable water uses, reliable water supplies, better water quality, environmental stewardship, efficient urban development, protection of agriculture, and a strong economy
    • [18]

• Natural Resource Conservation Service
  • Conservation Innovation Grant
    • 50% coast share up to $75,000
    • Project must encompass the development, field testing, evaluation and implementation of conservation adoption incentive systems OR promising conservation technologies, practices, systems, procedures and approaches under the topics of Natural Resources and Technology
    • [19] (page contains links to both national and state programs)

Flood Control

• Department of Water Resources
  • Flood Protection Corridor Program
    • Grants for nonstructural flood management that enhances wildlife habitat or protect agricultural uses on private lands
    • [20]

Economic Development

• USDA - Rural Development
  • Rural Energy for America
    • REAP offers grants, guaranteed loans and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses plan, purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements in rural areas
    • Grants and loans are awarded via a national competition
    • index.htm

• • Rural Business Opportunity Grant Program
    • Identify and analyze business opportunities that will use local rural materials or human resources. This includes opportunities inexport markets, as well as feasibility and business plan studies.
    • Federal Register Notice.pdf

• • Rural Business enterprise Grant Program
    • Program objective is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas
    • [21]

Infrastructure

• CDFA
  • Specialty Crop Block Grant Funds
    • Enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops by creating and expanding partnerships, promoting and developing new and existing markets, reaching new consumers and ensuring the long term viability of California specialty crop agriculture
    • [22]

• • Ca Organic Program
    • Cost share for organic certification
    • Up to $750/year
    • [23]

Farm Services Administration

• • Disaster Assistance Programs
    • Supplemental Revenue Assistance provides benefits for farm revenue losses due to natural disaster
    • Legislated through 2011
    • [24]

• • Beginning Farmer Downpayment Loan
    • Direct and guaranteed loans to beginning farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources
    • [25]

• • Direct Farm Ownership Loan
    • A loan made to eligible applicants to purchase, enlarge, or make capital improvements to family farms, or to promote soil and water conservation and protection. Maximum direct loan amount is $200,000. A percentage of direct Farm Ownership loan funds is targeted for beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged applicants
    • [26]

• • Direct Operating Loan
    • A loan made to an eligible applicant to assist with the financial costs of operating a farm. Maximum direct loan amount is $200,000. A percentage of direct Operating Loan funds is targeted for beginning farmers
    • [27]

• USDA
  • Agricultural Marketing Servcie
    • Competitive grant funds for agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers\’ market authorities and Tribal governments
    • Grants are targeted to help improve and expand domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities
    • [28]

• • Risk Management Agency
    • Purpose of this cooperative partnership agreement program is to deliver training and information in the management of production, marketing, and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers in small sessions
    • Priority to educate producers of crops not insurable with Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and forage
    • [29]

• • Beginning Farmer/Rancher Development
    • To fund a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)
    • [30]
    • [31]

Technology

• NRCS
  • Conservation Innovation Grant
    • 50% coast share up to $75,000
    • Project must encompass the development, field testing, evaluation and implementation of conservation adoption incentive systems OR promising conservation technologies, practices, systems, procedures and approaches under the topics of Natural Resources and Technology
    • [32] (page contains links to both national and state programs)

• USDA
  • Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
  • [33]
    • Research and Education
      • Grants involve scientists, producers and others using interdisciplinary approaches to address issues related to sustainability in agriculture
    • Personal Development Program
      • Grants focus on training agricultural professionals to help them spread knowledge about sustainable agriculture concepts and practices
    • Farmer Rancher Grant
      • one- or two-years grants conducted by agricultural producers with support and guidance from a technical advisor
      • Producers typically use their grants to conduct on-site experiments that can improve their operations and the environment and can be shared with other producers.
      • Grant recipients may also focus on marketing and organic production
    • Sustainable Ag Tours Grant
      • Grants are designed to enhance farmer and rancher networking with other producers, researchers and agricultural professionals
      • Targeted for producers to conduct or attend on-farm demonstrations or educational outreach tours in the area of sustainable agriculture