<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3aHfQd_0vjqtBhb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3aHfQd_0vjqtBhb00" width="1632" height="1224" ></figure>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today announced the award of $41 million in grants for 20 restoration and protection projects throughout the state to benefit wetlands and meadows, Southern California steelhead and watersheds impacted by cannabis cultivation. Today’s awards continue the effort to support critical restoration projects with funding made available in late 2022 through the Nature Based Solutions Initiative and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, funding through CDFW’s Cannabis Program, as well as funding dedicated to improving Southern California steelhead habitat through Proposition 68. These projects also support key initiatives including California’s 30x30 initiative and California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future.“Supporting restoration and protection of California’s diverse ecosystems is critical to maintaining the health of our state’s natural resources and these grants reflect our ongoing commitment to safeguarding habitats that support wildlife, water quality and resilient landscapes,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Whether addressing the impacts of cannabis cultivation or restoring vital habitats for Southern California steelhead, these projects are key to a sustainable future for California’s environment and communities.”Cannabis Restoration FundingCDFW is awarding $19,206,000 in Cannabis Program restoration funding to eight projects to promote ecosystem restoration and ecological health throughout California.Streamflow Conservation Strategies for North Coast Timberlands($3,348,000 awarded to Trout Unlimited)This project will reduce the impacts of summer surface water withdrawals on high priority salmon streams managed by implementing water-saving improvements and re-surfacing 114 miles of native road.“We are excited to work with CDFW and private timber managers on developing balanced solutions to water use that protect natural resources and streamflow in watersheds that have been impacted by cannabis cultivation,” said Anna Halligan, North Coast Coho Project director for Trout Unlimited.Rock Creek Culvert Removal Fish Passage Project($749,000 awarded to Western Shasta Resource Conservation District)After suffering damage during 2018’s Carr Fire, an abandoned railroad grade crossing is in danger of failure and a fish passage barrier to the endangered Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon. This project will restore natural stream conditions by removing failed culverts and fill that spans the channel.Wood Creek Phase III: Felt Ranch Off-Channel Rearing Habitat($6,740,000 awarded to Northcoast Regional Land Trust)“The Wood Creek Phase III project will expand on previous successes to reroute Wood Creek from a roadside ditch back into a natural channel, restore and enhance habitat for salmon and other wildlife and reduce the duration of flooding in the Wood Creek drainage,” said Northcoast Regional Land Trust Executive Director Dan Ehresman.“We are grateful to CDFW, landowners Sean and Kathy O'Day, as well as the many other people, agencies and businesses who have worked hard to plan and permit this project that will benefit wildlife, agricultural production and surrounding communities for generations to come.Montague Water Conservation District Parks Creek Flow Enhancement($1,850,000 awarded to Montague Water Conservation District)Located on a major tributary to the Shasta River, this project will provide year-round fish passage and update infrastructure by installing a compliant fish screen. The resulting instream benefit will support the upper Parks Creek flow strategy developed with CDFW and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).Upper Green Valley Creek Coho Habitat Enhancement Planning Project($261,970 awarded to Sonoma Ecology Center)The project will improve rearing and spawning habitat for coho salmon in upper Green Valley Creek by installing large wood structures. These improvements will also benefit climate change resiliency and habitat sustainability in the high priority Russian River watershed.Upper Russian River Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem and Interconnected Surface Water Study($1,359,000 awarded to Ukiah Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency)The project will study surface water-groundwater interconnection and groundwater-dependent ecosystems that support Chinook salmon and steelhead in the upper Russian River and its tributaries.Restore Wildcat Creek at Brook Road($750,000 awarded to East Bay Regional Park District)Urbanization has dramatically altered historical flow and impaired the water quality of Wildcat Creek, an important tributary to the San Francisco Bay watershed.“The East Bay Regional Park District is grateful for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s funding for this critical investment in a degraded stretch of the Wildcat Creek,” said Katy Hornbeck, grants manager with the East Bay Regional Park District. “The restoration work will help create a healthy and resilient watershed — one that can withstand a changing climate and evolve to meet the needs of the riparian wildlife while still allowing for public access.”Fish Passage Construction on Trabuco Creek($9,305,000 awarded to California Trout, Inc.)For fish passage construction on Trabuco Creek, cannabis funding totals $4,149,000 and Proposition 68 for Southern California steelhead funding totals $5,156,000.“This large-scale fish passage project will remove the last two total barriers to endangered steelhead migration in Trabuco Creek in Orange County,” said Sandra Jacobson, director of the South Coast and Sierra regions for California Trout, Inc.“This project will construct specially designed fishway ramps to permanently restore historic access to 15 miles of upstream trout habitat. Identified as a restoration priority decades ago, this project implements the vision of a watershed-level restoration effort that connects floodplains, migratory pathways and diverse ecosystems. Protecting fish will ultimately restore our rivers, improving water quality for us all in the process.”Restoring Habitat for Southern California SteelheadCDFW is awarding $13,979,000 in Proposition 68 funding to three projects for the restoration of Southern California steelhead habitat.Harvey Diversion Fish Passage Remediation Project($6,923,000 awarded to California Trout, Inc.)“The full impact of Harvey Diversion on natural processes is hidden by its name, said Russel Marlow, senior project manager at California Trout’s Ventura office. “Harvey Diversion is a 30-foot diversion dam with a failed fish passage solution. Upstream of the diversion and currently totally inaccessible, is the highest quality habitat for dual-listed Southern steelhead in the Santa Clara River watershed. Restoring migration by remediating Harvey Diversion will enhance Santa Paula Creek's ecological health and achieve a milestone recommended action for Southern steelhead recovery efforts. Remediating Harvey Diversion will be a leading example that we are ready to be innovative, move away from hardened infrastructure and work with our California rivers. We can create working landscapes in Southern California that benefit people and nature.”Santa Margarita River Bridge Replacement and Fish Passage Barrier Removal Supplemental Funding($1,900,000 awarded to California Trout, Inc.)“What started as a high priority fish passage project in the Santa Margarita River to remove the last migration barrier for endangered Southern steelhead, became a multi-benefit community project that removes the top flooding hotspot in San Diego County, improves public access and safety for the nearby Santa Margarita Trail Preserve, restores natural river hydrology and preserves an essential wildlife corridor between the Santa Ana and Palomar mountains,” said Sandra Jacobson, director of California Trout’s South Coast and Sierra regions. “The solutions that have the best chance of success support both wildlife and people.”Restoring Wetlands and Mountain MeadowsAs part its Nature-Based Solutions Initiative, CDFW is awarding $8,085,000 in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds to nine projects that will restore and enhance wetlands and meadows throughout the state.Xabenapo (Old Robinson) Stream Habitat Enhancement($1,295,000 million awarded to Robinson Rancheria Pomo Indians of California)The acquisition of 99 acres on Middle, Robinson and Scotts creeks will benefit Clear Lake Hitch, waterfowl and deer. Planned restoration will increase spawning habitat for the endangered Clear Lake Hitch and proximity to the highway will allow for future wildlife corridor work and provide sanctuary for culturally significant waterfowl. “I am happy for Robinson Rancheria Tribe and grateful for our Fisheries Department for acquiring this grant and to be able to enhance the habitat for our four-legged and finned friends,” said Robinson Rancheria Pomo Indians of California Chairman Beniakem Cromwell.Dixie Fire Meadow Restoration Planning, North Fork Feather River Watershed($416,000 awarded to Sierra Institute for Community and Environment)"This project will accelerate restoration of key mountain meadow systems in the upper North Fork Feather River watershed that were heavily impacted by the 2021 Dixie Fire,” said Kyle Rodgers, Collaborative Forestry Program manager with the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment. “Being the state's largest single wildfire, there is an added urgency to improve the health of these meadow systems and restore their ability to provide diverse ecological services. Through this project, Sierra Institute and partners will create site-specific plans to restore meadow habitat that has been lost as a result of stream degradation and conifer encroachment."Salinas River Beaver Habitat Restoration Project 2024-27($455,000 awarded to San Luis Obispo Beaver Brigade)Aligning with CDFW’s Beaver Restoration Program, this project will protect and map existing beaver-managed wetlands in the upper Salinas River. "We are thrilled that we will have the ability to give the beavers in the Salinas River, and the Salinas River itself, some much needed attention," shared San Luis Obispo Beaver Brigade Executive Director Audrey Taub.Transforming French Creek for Coho Salmon and Beaver($1,620,000 awarded to Scott River Watershed Council)“The Scott River Watershed Council is honored to be supported by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for our project, which would not be possible without the partnership of The Nature Conservancy and Quartz Valley Indian Reservation and the many other collaborators,” said Betsy Stapleton, Scott River Watershed Council project development and permitting specialist. “A 1.5-kilometer reach of French Creek, a key Klamath Basin coho spawning and rearing stream, will be transformed into a highly productive, geomorphically dynamic system that supports abundant coho and beavers with naturally sustaining habitat for multiple aquatic and terrestrial species. We are excited to be able to nurture this important ecosystem to full health. Thank you, CDFW!”Allen Property Watershed and Oak Woodland Restoration($421,000 awarded to Mule Deer Foundation)This project will enhance, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat within the upper Klamath River system near the Oregon border. Restoration of 199 acres of mountain meadow habitat and 84 acres of oak woodlands and improvements to 27.5 miles of native surfaced roads will improve wildlife habitat and reduce sediment from entering the Klamath River.“The Mule Deer Foundation is looking forward to working with CDFW to restore wildlife habitat and assist with restoring the Klamath River to its original healthy ecosystem,” said Randy Morrison, Mule Deer Foundation director of Conservation Operations.Modoc Plateau Meadow Restoration Design($962,000 awarded to Trout Unlimited)“Trout Unlimited is excited and grateful for this opportunity to design and permit restoration projects for approximately 500 acres of priority meadows in the upper Pit River watershed,” commented Michael Cameron, Trout Unlimited’s Northern Sierra project manager. “We have a great partnership to begin this project, including CDFW, Modoc National Forest, Forest Creek Restoration, Lomakatsi Restoration Project, MTN consulting and others, and we look forward to getting started soon.”Clear Lake Shannon Wetlands Land Acquisition Phase 1 Project($975,000 awarded to Lake County Land Trust)“The Lake County Land Trust is excited about the approval of our acquisition of the 80-acre Shannon Wetlands property,” said Lake County Land Trust President Val Nixon. “This project advances our efforts to restore the wetlands surrounding Clear Lake and is an important step in providing improved habitat and protection for the iconic and threatened Clear Lake Hitch. We appreciate CDFW’s support and look forward to the future goal of restoring this land for the benefit of wildlife and the residents of the area.”San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Restoration ($1,496,000 awarded to Friends of San Diego Wildlife Refuges, Inc.)The focus of this project is the rehabilitation and enhancement of vernal pools and adjacent coastal sage scrub within the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.Restoring Mountain Meadows with Effective Grazing Management($445,000 awarded to Scott River Watershed Council)“Scott River Watershed Council is excited for the opportunity to work with local grazing permitees, the Klamath National Forest and private landowners to pilot the use of virtual fencing in the Klamaths,” said Megan Ireson, Mountain Meadow Project coordinator. “We hope to show that this approach both protects sensitive areas from deleterious cattle impacts and makes cattle management and tracking easier for their owners.”BackgroundIn late 2022, CDFW announced the availability of $200 million in new funding for restoration, including $100 million in emergency drought funding for protecting salmon against drought and climate change. Funding under the Addressing Climate Impacts and Nature Based Solutions initiatives provides grant funding for projects addressing water and habitat impacted by climate, as well as restoring wetlands and mountain meadows and creating wildlife corridors. Remaining funding for wetland and mountain meadow restoration is available through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.In early 2023, CDFW announced increased funding availability through the Cannabis Restoration Grant Program (CRGP). Funding under CRGP facilitates environmental stewardship by providing financial assistance for projects that support watershed-scale restoration, among other priorities.This funding also supports key initiatives including conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 under California’s 30x30 initiative, California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, Nature-Based Solutions and increasing the pace and scale of restoration through Cutting the Green Tape.California must get more restoration done faster. To achieve that goal, CDFW developed a single application for all programs and a single set of general grant program guidelines with an overview of eligible project types, priorities and information on the application process. Applications submitted under these new initiatives may also be considered for further evaluation under CDFW’s Proposition 1 and Proposition 68 grant programs. Since the beginning of 2023, CDFW has awarded close to $275 million through this application process.More information about these funding opportunities, including guidelines and how to apply, general information about CDFW’s grant programs, as well as a schedule for upcoming grant solicitations, once available, can be found on CDFW's main Grants page.###Media Contacts:Matt Wells, CDFW Watershed Restoration Grant Branch, (916) 216-7848Amelia Wright, CDFW Cannabis Program, (916) 215-9616Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

CDFW Awards $41M to Critical Restoration Projects Statewide

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today announced the award of $41 million in grants for 20 restoration and protection projects throughout the state to benefit wetlands and meadows, Southern California steelhead and watersheds impacted by cannabis cultivation. Today’s awards continue the effort to support critical restoration projects with funding made available in late 2022 through the Nature Based Solutions Initiative and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, funding through CDFW’s Cannabis Program, as well as funding dedicated to improving Southern California steelhead habitat through Proposition 68. These projects also support key initiatives including California’s 30x30 initiative and California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future.