Inform DWR on Climate Bond Grant Funding by March 6

By Morgan Leskody posted yesterday

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The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is soliciting input on its Watershed Resilience Program and funding under Proposition 4, the $10 billion Climate Bond passed by voters in 2024. Interested special districts should complete DWR’s SURVEY by the deadline of March 6, 2026.

Specifically, the Watershed Resilience Program will combine funding from Proposition 4 Sections 91019 (for projects that increase water conservation in agricultural and urban areas) and 91031 (for projects related to integrated regional water management to improve climate resilience on a watershed basis) into one grant program. After removal of state administration costs, approximately $152 million will be available for grants. DWR is considering two solicitations:

Implementation Grant Solicitation
Watershed Resilience Planning Grant Solicitation

Implementation Grant Solicitation: Types of applicants may include Regional Water Management Groups (RWMGs), watershed networks, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), regional climate collaboratives, or similar partnerships. DWR recognizes that there are numerous required planning processes at both the state and federal levels, including Integrated Regional Water Management Plans, Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs), Urban Water Management Plans, Agricultural Water Management Plans, Stormwater Resource Plans, Hazard Mitigation Plans, and Climate Adaptation Plans. Implementation projects would be evaluated on ability to promote climate resilience, equity, collaborative planning and provide watershed scale benefits, consistent with Proposition 4.

Watershed Resilience Planning Grant Solicitation: DWR is considering funding watershed resilience plans similar to the Watershed Resilience Pilot Program. In 2024, DWR launched a Watershed Resilience Pilot Program that included five watersheds throughout the state. The pilots are establishing a watershed network, conducting a climate vulnerability assessment, prioritizing climate risks, and formulating adaptation strategies and implementation strategies. The work of the pilots will be documented in watershed resilience plans scheduled to be completed by April 2026. DWR is considering a phased approach in which planning funding would be offered after implementation funding. This would allow additional time for applicants to build partnerships and prepare their planning grant applications.

Outreach events are planned to begin in Spring 2026 and DWR expects to begin the process of soliciting proposals in the latter part of 2027.

Survey choices are provided for illustrative purposes to help DWR understand preferences and do not reflect final program design or funding criteria. Survey responses will inform development of the Proposition 4 Watershed Resilience grant solicitation(s). The survey is intended for DWR planning purposes only, and individual responses will not be used for direct follow-up.