Active
Climate
Grant

Stream Flow Enhancement Funding

Ongoing
Total Funding
$30,000,000
Maximum Award
Overview

To fund projects that enhance stream flows across the state of California. The Stream Flow Enhancement Program (SFEP) defines enhanced streamflow to mean: a change in the amount, timing, and/or quality of water flowing down a stream, or a portion of a stream, to benefit fish and wildlife. Funded projects are also consistent with the objectives and actions outlined in the California Water Action Plan, with the primary focus on enhancing flow in streams that support anadromous fish; support special-status, threatened, endangered, or at-risk species; or provide resilience to climate change.

Funder

California Wildlife Conservation Board

Program

Stream Flow Enhancement Program (SFEP)

Total Funding

$30 million

Funding Source

State

Maximum Award

Award Details

Not specified

Eligibility

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, local governmental agencies, federal agencies, state agencies, and California Native American Tribes.

Eligible Activities

Examples of project types:

  • Water transactions such as acquisition of water or water rights
  • Water conservation projects (actions that provide more efficient use of water diverted or reduces the amount diverted from a stream, resulting in enhanced stream flow) coupled with adequate long term (≥20 years) protections for the conserved water
  • Changing points of diversion
  • Groundwater storage and conjunctive use
  • Reservoir operations both at existing and new storage sites
  • Habitat restoration projects that enhance stream flow and improve aquatic and riparian conditions
  • Acquisition of land or interests in land that lead to a direct and measurable enhancement to stream flow, improving upon existing flow conditions
  • Stream flow gauging
  • Scientific studies that assess effectiveness of previously implemented projects and/or inform design and implementation of future stream flow enhancement project(s)

Duration

Not specified.

Notable Requirements

Cost share is not required but may be beneficial, in particular to complete a larger project. Letters of support are not required from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) unless the project involves a property owned or to be owned by CDFW.

Preferences

Basic Review Criteria: Project Outcomes – Significance of the Benefits; Consistency with and Implementation of Regional, State, and Federal Plans; Durability of Investment/Climate Change Considerations; Approach and Feasibility; Monitoring and Reporting; Project Team Qualifications; Schedule and Deliverables; Project Readiness; Budget; Cost Share; Community Support and Collaboration.

How to Apply

Applications will be submitted in two phases, a pre-application and a full application. All applicants will follow this process using WCB’s Project Portal. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact WCB staff for a consultation prior to submitting a pre-application.

Ecosystem RestorationWater

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