The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is excited to announce the release of the Restoration Grant Program draft guidelines authorized and funded by Proposition 1 (Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014), which was passed by California voters last November.

CDFW is now seeking public input on these guidelines via email, mail and a series of public meetings.

"This is an important opportunity to continue and expand upon the work we do across the state to restore habitat for fish and wildlife and protect important landscapes, while fostering partnerships and selecting the best projects through a competitive process," said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham.

For CDFW, this bond act provides, in total, $285 million for ecosystem restoration projects outside the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) and $87.5 million for projects that benefit the Delta.

Ecosystem restoration provides important benefits to water supply and sustainability as well as fish and wildlife habitat throughout California. Ecosystem restoration is also a climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy.

The public is encouraged to review and comment on the draft guidelines which can be found both at the CDFW Grants Web site, https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Explore/Grant-Opportunities , and the Bond Accountability Web site, http://bondaccountability.resources.ca.gov/Guidelines.aspx?PropositionPK=48 .

Written comments should be emailed to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Restoration Grant Program, 1416 Ninth St., Sacramento, CA 95814.

CDFW will hold three public meetings in March and April 2015 for the purpose of receiving comments on the draft guidelines.

The meeting dates and locations will be posted on the CDFW Grants Web site when available.

The purpose of the guidelines is to establish the process, procedures and criteria through which CDFW will administer competitive grants for multi-benefit ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration projects in accordance with statewide priorities, including those in the California Water Action Plan.

To achieve this, CDFW is creating two new grant programs.

The Watershed Restoration Grant Program will focus on watershed restoration outside of the Delta and the Delta Water Quality and Ecosystem Restoration Grant Program will focus on water quality, ecosystem restoration and fish protection facilities that benefit the Delta.