Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Grant Program

On September 27, 2021, DWR announced the opening of the solicitation period for the FMPRA Grant Program with the release of the Final Guidelines and Grant Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) (PDF). This solicitation made $50.4 million available with approximately $5 million reserved for planning and monitoring projects that will lead to the successful selection, design, and implementation of a project type authorized under these Guidelines.

Solicitation of proposals for these funds began with the request for Concept Proposals to avoid the expense of preparing full proposals for all projects. A concept proposal had to be submitted for a full proposal to be considered for funding.

Concept proposals were due to the Department 30 days after the opening of the solicitation period. Feedback on concept proposals was provided within 45 days of the submittal deadline.

• Concept Proposal Submittal Deadline: 5:00 pm, October 27, 2021.

Applicants had 60 days to prepare their full proposal after receiving feedback on the concept proposal.

• Full Proposal Submittal Deadline: 5:00 pm, February 9, 2022.

Timeline for Solicitation Process

60-Day Comment Period Opens for Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Grant Program Draft Guidelines and PSP

The California Department of Water Resources is pleased to announce the release of the Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Grant Program draft guidelines and proposal solicitation and ranking process (PSP) for a 60-day public comment period. This is a statewide program that will implement flood risk reduction projects to reduce flooding associated with stormwater flooding, mudslides, and flash floods. Up to $25 million is available through Proposition 68 (2018).

The public comment period began on December 23, 2020, and it will close at 5 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2021.

• Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Program Draft Guidelines

Following the review of public comments, DWR will release the final Program Guidelines and PSP to begin the solicitation period.  Comments can be submitted by one of the following methods:

1.Electronic Mail

Send comments to FMPRA@water.ca.gov.

2.Hard Copy via U.S. Mail

Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Program
Attn: Mehdi Mizani Department of Water Resources
3464 El Camino Avenue, Suite 200
Sacramento CA, 95821

DWR will host a series of public meetings to provide information about the draft Program Guidelines and PSP and provide an opportunity to submit comments. Registration information is available on this webpage.

If you have any questions during the public comment period, contact us at FMPRA@water.ca.gov. 

Subscribe to the DWR Flood News mailing list to receive the latest information on new solicitations, upcoming workshops, document releases, and other Flood related updates.

On December 23, 2020, DWR opened the public comment period for the Draft Proposition 68 Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Grant Program Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation and Package (PSP) for projects that reduce flood risk associated with stormwater flooding, mudslides, and flash flooding. The Draft Guidelines and PSP can be found at: https://water.ca.gov/Work-With-Us/Grants-And-Loans/Flood-Management-Protection-Risk-Awareness-Program.

The release of these draft documents began the 60-day public comment period, which will close on Feb. 22, 2021. DWR will host three virtual public meetings to present the Draft Guidelines and PSP, as well as to solicit comments.The meeting information is below:

Prop 68 Implementation Workshop #1
Wednesday, February 3, 202
11 a.m. PDT.  
Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1107474703338424077?source=Flood+Listserv

Prop 68 Implementation Workshop #2
Thursday, February 4, 2021
11 a.m. PDT.  
Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4410575858456596749?source=Flood+Listserv

Prop 68 Implementation Workshop #3
Friday, February 5, 2021 
11 a.m. PDT.  
Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8640242059371421453?source=Flood+Listserv

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have any questions, please contact us at FMPRA@water.ca.gov. 

DWR hosted a listening session for local agencies on October 20, 2020, to gather input from potential grant applicants to better understand the current implementation, planning, and monitoring needs related to stormwater, mudslide and flash-flood projects.  

DWR prepared a list of questions that were discussed during the listening session. Interested parties could provide their answers to these questions prior to the meeting via the email provided below, which were incorporated into the discussion, or be prepared to discuss these topics during the listening session.

Questions Asked During the Floodplain Management, Protection, and Risk Awareness Program Listening Session

Objective: Provide local assistance to projects that reduce flood risks related to stormwater, mudslide, and flash flood-related protections.

1. What opportunities for collaboration do you foresee on projects that reduce risks on alluvial fans?
2. We are considering mudslide and/or flash flood risk reduction project types that construct or repair flow barriers/diversion structures, debris basins, clearing of debris basins due to past events (including post-fire), early warning systems, or acquisition and relocation programs. Does this list adequately address your anticipated need for these types of projects?
3. Do you have a need for studying, mapping, or planning to understand your jurisdiction’s needs for these types of projects? If so, what type of planning and monitoring activities do you envision? 
4. Projects that benefit a disadvantaged community will receive priority points during the evaluation process. What are the current needs of the disadvantaged communities in your jurisdiction related to stormwater, mudslide, and flash flood projects? 
5. Are there geographic areas you would recommend that DWR focus on? If so, which areas and what type of flood risks are these areas experiencing?
6. Is there any additional information that you would like to share with DWR toward funding relevant projects with this grant program? 
7. What is the best way for DWR to solicit input from you and other key stakeholders?