Announcements
California Awards $35 Million to Four Regions to Improve Groundwater Sustainability
June 16, 2023 - SACRAMENTO – California’s latest drought-flood cycle has shown the need for local and regional strategies to manage and store floodwaters in wet periods to help ensure stable water supplies during times of drought.
The California Department of Conservation’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program awarded $35 million to regions that are adapting land use to improve sustainability of groundwater basins. Across Santa Cruz, Merced, Stanislaus, Kings, San Benito, Monterey, and Fresno counties, four regional organizations will receive grants to increase regional capacity to repurpose agricultural land, thereby reducing reliance on groundwater and increasing groundwater sustainability.
Tribal Set Aside- Open for applications!
The program has a $5.6 million tribal set aside to provide funds for tribes to plan for, develop, or implement multibenefit land repurposing projects within the eligible groundwater basins designated in the guidelines.
The application window for the tribal set aside grants is open and applications will be accepted on a rolling, non-competitive basis. Please see guidelines page for most current documents and application.
About the Program
To date, the program has received $90 million in appropriations. This current Round (Round 2) is funded by the Public Resources Trailer Bill (AB 211, Ch. 574, Stat. of 2022), which appropriated $40 million to the Department to fund groundwater sustainability projects that reduce groundwater use, repurpose irrigated agricultural land, and provide wildlife habitat.
The Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program seeks to use this funding to increase regional capacity to repurpose agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater while providing community health, economic wellbeing, water supply, habitat, and climate benefits.
Guidelines and Solicitation Notice Documents
Please follow this link to view the Round 1 and Round 2 MLRP Program Guidelines and documents.
Past Events and Announcements
Follow this link to view past events and announcements
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