DWR announced more than $14 million in grant funding for projects that increase water quality, supply, and infrastructure in California communities.
Published:
Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program
The Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program provides funding for sustainable groundwater planning and implementation projects through a competitive grant solicitation process. Projects may include the development and implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) and those that provide investments in groundwater recharge with surface water, stormwater, recycled water, the prevention of groundwater contamination.
Then-Governor Jerry Brown signed into law in 2014 a three-bill legislative package collectively known as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). It established for the first time in California history a framework for sustainable groundwater management.
Current Grant Solicitation
On May 3, 2019, DWR released the Draft SGM Grant Program Proposition 68 2019 Guidelines and Planning Grant - Round 3 Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) to conduct the third SGM Planning Grant solicitation in mid-May to make approximately $47 million available for competitive grants.
The Proposition 68 SGM Implementation Grant solicitation is anticipated to open in early 2020. At least $88 million will be available for competitive grants for projects that address drought and groundwater investments. More details to come.
Funding Sources
The SGM Grant Program is funded by Proposition 68 and Proposition 1. Additional information can found below.Proposition 1, Chapter 10: Groundwater Sustainability
On November 4, 2014, California voters approved Proposition 1, which authorized $100 million be made available for competitive grants for projects that develop and implement groundwater plans and projects in accordance with groundwater planning requirements established under Division 6, commencing with §10000, Water Code §79775. DWR completed two grant solicitations for planning grants.
Proposition 68, Chapter 11.6: Regional Sustainability for Drought and Groundwater, and Water Recycling
On June 5, 2018, California voters approved Proposition 68, which amended the Water Code to add, among other
articles, §80146, authorizing the Legislature to appropriate funds for competitive grants for proposals that:
- Develop and implement groundwater plans and projects in accordance with groundwater planning requirements.
- Address drought and groundwater investments to achieve regional sustainability for investments in groundwater recharge with surface water, stormwater, recycled water, and other conjunctive use projects, and projects to prevent or cleanup contamination of groundwater that serves as a source of drinking water.
| Program Schedule and Key Dates | |
|---|---|
| Milestone or Activity | Tentative Schedule |
| Release Draft SGM Proposition 68 Guidelines and Planning Grant - Round 3 PSP for Public Comment | May 3, 2019 |
| Draft Guidelines and PSP Public Workshops | June 3 - June 14 |
| Release Final SGM Proposition 68 Final Guidelines and Planning Grant PSP: Grant solicitation opens | Summer 2019 |
| Announce Planning Grant Final Awards | Fall/Winter 2019 |
| Release Draft SGM Proposition 68 Implementation Grant PSP for Public Comment | Winter 2019/2020 |
| Release Final SGM Proposition 68 Final Implementation Grant PSP: Grant solicitation opens | Summer 2020 |
| Announce Implementation Grant Final Awards | Winter 2020/2021 |
On May 3, 2019, DWR released the SGM Grant Program Draft 2019 Guidelines and Planning – Round 3 PSP for public review and comments. The notice of the release of the draft solicitation documents was sent by email to potential applicants and interested parties. DWR will hold three public workshops to 1) present details on the solicitation process, the program, and draft solicitation documents, and 2) receive feedback from the public. A recording of the workshop presentation and a copy of the PowerPoint is now available online.
Proposition 1, Round 1, Counties with Stressed Basins Grants
In 2015, DWR received 23 applications requesting $7 million in grant funding. DWR awarded 21 grants for a total of $6.7 million in Proposition 1 grant funding and $5.8 million in local cost share.
- Final Awards | Table and Map
- Proposition 1 2015 Guidelines
- Proposition 1 Planning Grant Solicitation PSP
Proposition 1, Round 2, Sustainable Groundwater Planning Grant Program
In 2017, DWR received 78 applications requesting $86.3 million in grant funding and approximately $64 million in local cost share. DWR awarded 78 grants for a total of $85.8 in Proposition 1 funding. On April 4, 2018, DWR announced the final award to 78 grant applicants totaling $85.8 million for the SGWP Grant Program Solicitation. Information regarding the final awards can be found at the following links:
Grant Updates
Local agencies, State government representatives, and community members came together May 11 to celebrate the completion of the Upper Sausal Creek Erosion Control Restoration Project, a collaborative effort that provides improvements to the community of Oakland and local fish habitats.
Published:
Resources
- DWR’s Proposition 1 IRWM Implementation
- State Water Resources Control Board’s Groundwater Sustainability Funding
- DWR Requests Comments on Flood-MAR Research and Data Development Framework
- Disadvantaged Community (DAC) Mapping Tool
- Economically Distressed Area (EDA) Mapping Tool
- Water Management Planning Tool
Related Pages
- DWR Requests Comments on Flood-MAR Research and Data Development Framework
- Visit DWR’s Water-wise Landscaping Exhibit at the California State Fair
- Flood-MAR: Harnessing Flood Waters to Advance Sustainable Water Management
- Researchers Test New Approach to Improve Fish Habitat in Suisun Marsh
- Final Flood-MAR White Paper Recognizes State’s Role in Emerging Water Management Strategy
Contact Us
Kelley List, PG
(916) 651-9222
Zaffar Eusuff, PE, PhD
(916) 651-9266
Key Documents
- Proposition 68 SGM Grant Program 2019 Draft Guidelines
- Proposition 68 SGM Draft Planning Grant - Round 3 PSP
- Templates for Draft Planning Grant Solicitation:
- Exhibit A, Work Plan (Coming Soon)
- Exhibit B, Budget (Coming Soon)
- Exhibit C, Schedule (Coming Soon)
- Proposition 68 SGM Grant Program Agreement Template (Coming Soon)
- DWR CEQA Environmental Information Form (Coming Soon)