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Home Water Branch ERP Grants & Projects 2005 Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) Final Recommendations

2005 AFI PSP Final Recommendations

Ecosystem Restoration Program Proposal Solicitation for Projects that Assist Farmers in Integrating Agricultural Activities with Ecosystem Restoration Selection Panel Final Recommendations

The CALFED Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP) Selection Panel has met and considered comments received in response to its Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) for projects that assist farmers in integrating agricultural activities with ecosystem restoration. The panel's final recommendations are presented below.

The complete list of projects considered for funding is posted below with the Selection Panel's final recommendations. The title, applicant, brief description and final recommendations for each proposal are also summarized below. A link to information the Selection Panelists considered to develop their recommendations - including the proposals, the Technical Panel, Regional Panel, external scientific and administrative reviews of the proposals - is also provided.

Explanation of Recommendation Categories: The Selection Panel's recommendations fall in three categories.

  • Fund. Proposals recommended for funding, in whole or in part. Conditions of approval may be included to address issues raised during the proposals' review.
  • Reconsider if Revised. Proposals that are high priorities and should be considered for funding if they are revised to address shortcomings identified in reviews. Revised proposals that are resubmitted for reconsideration will undergo a new round of review to examine whether the shortcomings that the Selection Panel identified have been resolved satisfactorily.
  • Do Not Fund. Proposals that have serious technical deficiencies or are of lower priority to the ERP at this time. This category also includes proposals that were rated both inadequate by the Technical Panel and medium or lower by the applicable Regional Panel.

The Department of Fish and Game has made additional recommendations that fall within the following category.

  • Directed Action. Proposals that are high priorities and should be considered for funding. These proposals should be funded with conditions drawn from the Selection Panel and other reviews imposed during the contracting phase.

A Note on "Amount". For proposals recommended for funding, the amount shown is an upper limit recommended by the Selection Panel. For proposals with conditions or recommended for reconsideration if revised, the amount provides general guidance on a target that the panel believes should be appropriate for the revised proposal's budget. In a few cases, the panel is providing only general guidance on the topics or tasks that should be included in a revised proposal.

The Selection Panel recommends that ERP implementing agencies' staff seek greater budget detail, revised budgets, and use other mechanisms to reduce costs in all the proposals recommended for funding or reconsideration. Overhead and administrative rates, fees paid for services and consultants, particularly private contractors, and the specific tasks and deliverables from consultants, should receive particular attention and detail.

Proposals not recommended for funding. Several technically strong proposals did not clearly or specifically address the priorities of this focused solicitation, including geographical priorities. Other meritorious proposals were only tangentially linked to assisting farmers in integrating agricultural activities with ecosystem restoration. The Selection Panel suggests that these applicants seek funding for these worthwhile projects through other, more appropriate sources or mechanisms.

Copies of the specific reviews of individual projects are available below.

To view a proposal, select the proposal title below. To view the detailed reviews of a proposal, select the recommendations. All documents are in Portable Document Format (PDF).

Proposals and Recommendations

Proposal ID: 0030

Applicant: Bioengineering Institute

Proposal Title: Selby Creek Stream Habitat Restoration and Riparian Revegetation Project

Amount sought: $475,000

Descritption: Proposal seeks to continue restoration efforts based on the Selby Creek Project (watershed plan) on Selby Creek in the Napa watershed. Proposed project will: gather technical information to describe the watershed, install bioengineering structures to control erosion (stabilize stream banks), expand and re-vegetate the floodplain and create fisheries habitat. Multiple partners (RCD, Napa County Supervisors, Napa Vintners Association involved in project restoration, community outreach, and education.

Proposal ID: 0032

Applicant: Western Shasta Resource Conservation District

Proposal Title: Farmer and Rancher Assisted Ecosystem Restoration and Watershed Stewardship Projects

Amount sought: $350,000

Description: Project seeks to conduct multiple projects on-the ground within the Cow Creek Watershed. It is anticipated that the project will improve water quality, riparian health and ecosystem restoration. The stated project objectives are to (1) improve salmonid recovery in salmon-bearing streams and (2) improve current range and wetland facilities. Public outreach activities are also proposed.

  • Initial Recommendation and Supporting Reviews: Fund $275,000
  • Final Recommendation: Fund $275,000

Proposal ID: 0040

Applicant: CSU, Chico Research Foundation

Project Title: Providing Landowner Incentives to encourage Riparian Restoration and Natural River Processes on Working Landscapes

Amount sought: $2,148,602

Description: The goal of the project is to encourage and facilitate the stewardship and restoration on agricultural lands within the Sacramento River Conservation Area. This will be accomplished through the initiation of a Coordinated Conservation Effort that provides landowners the incentives and assurances needed to incorporate habitat restoration into their agricultural activities. The key elements of this proposal are to (1) investigate and develop a regulatory assurances program to protect participating landowners for incidental take of endangered species, and (2) develop an assistance program to help landowners access incentive programs for habitat conservation.

Proposal ID: 0043

Applicant: California Land Stewardship Institute

Proposal Title: Fish Friendly Farming Environmental Certification Program

Amount sought: $1,000,243

Description: Proposed project would continue and expand the Fish Friendly Farming program in the Napa River watershed. The program assesses the site conditions on Napa Valley farms, develops plans for the application of BMPs (by private landowners) to improve water quality and associated salmonid habitat.

  • Initial Recommendation and Supporting Reviews: Fund
  • Final Recommendation: Fund

Proposal ID: 0044

Applicant: California Waterfowl Association

Proposal Title: Rice-Cover Crop Rotation Pilot Program

Amount sought: $1,649,051

Description: This project seeks to implement a 3-year pilot project to benefit ground nesting birds, giant garter snakes, and other wetland dependent species through altered crop rotations and semi-permanent wetlands.

  • Initial Recommendation and Supporting Reviews: Fund $1,649,051
  • Final Recommendation: Fund $1,649,051

Proposal ID: 0046

Applicant: Western Shasta Resource Conservation District

Proposal Title: Cow Creek Watershed Fish Passage Barrier and Habitat Evaluation

Amount sought: $472,229

Description: This project will locate and catalog diversions by type and identify fish passage improvement and screen opportunities for diversions in the watershed below natural barriers.

Proposal ID: 0049

Applicant: Placer County Resource Conservation District

Proposal Title: American Basin Working Landcapes Project

Amount sought: $1,860,898

Description: Proposed project will develop a GIS-based "working landscapes" model/plan for the American basin. Project will implement voluntary practices where appropriate, including easements, riparian restoration, wetland restoration, and other on-farm, and farm edge habitat restoration practices.

  • Initial Recommendation and Supporting Reviews: Fund $100,000
  • Final Recommendation: Fund $100,000
  • Department of Fish and Game Recommendation: Fund as a Directed Action $1,860,898

Proposal ID: 0054

Applicant: River Partners

Proposal Title: Riparian Sanctuary (Phase II) - Bringing Agricultural and Ecological Interests Together for Pumping Plant Protection and Riparian Restoration (Sacramento River Mile 178) - Design Development and Environmental Compliance

Amount sought: $660,665

Description: Project seeks funding for planning and design efforts to develop Second phase of multi-phase process to protect PCGID-PID's pumping plant and fish screen facility. This phase is focused on completion of environmental compliance, obtaining permits, advanced planning, and completion of construction plans.

Proposal ID: 0055

Applicant: The CSU, Chico Research Foundation

Proposal Title: Creating Conservation Partnerships, Research, and Incentives to Benefit Farmers and Ecosystem Restoration in the Sacramento Valley

Amount sought: $5,457,960

Description: This project proposes research, monitoring, implementation, and regulatory compliance in order to provide up-to-date information on what conservation and agricultural practices are benefiting MSCS-covered species.

Proposal ID: 0056

Applicant: Tuolumne River Preservation Trust

Proposal Title: Tuolumne River Land Protection, Riparian Restoration and Working Landscape Project

Amount Sought: $1,500,000

Description: Proposed project combines two sites, including one conservation easement and partial restoration, and one riparian restoration site. Proposal seeks to restore riparian corridor, improve channel connectivity and increase flooding frequency and incorporate a series of wildlife habitat friendly practices into on-going farming and ranching operations.

Proposal ID: 0057

Applicant: Resource Conservation District, East Merced

Proposal Title: Biotechnical Streambank Stabilization, Assessment and Demonstration on the Lower Merced River

Amount sought: $1,035,430

Description: Project seeks to investigate the feasibility of a biotechnical erosion control as an alternative to bank management. Specifically, the project will install and provide landowner education on erosion control, riparian and floodplain restoration in agricultural landscapes, and vegetated filter strips, hedgerows and other wildlife buffers.

Proposal ID: 0062

Applicant: University of California, Merced

Proposal Title: Sustaining Private Seasonal Wetland Habitat Value and Function Under Ag Waiver Mandated Salt Management

Amount sought: $1,492,107

Description: This project seeks to implement real-time water quality management on two duck clubs in the Grasslands Water District.

Proposal ID: 0068

Applicant: Yolo Basin Foundation

Proposal Title:Yolo Wildlife Area: An Evolving Model for Integration of Agriculture and Habitat Restoration in a Flood Control Setting

Amount sought: $1,231,400

Description: Implement a pilot project on the Yolo Wildlife Area to assess three different rice field treatments for value and use of aquatic birds and impact on rice production. The project also proposes to address mercury issues in the area as well as continue the Yolo Bypass Working Group.

Proposal ID: 0070

Applicant: Sonoma State University

Proposal Title: A socio-economic and behavioral analysis of farmers' decisions to adopt or reject the CALFED conservation initiatives

Amount sought: $175,228

Description: Project proposes to evaluate farmers/ranchers attitudes towards conservation and management changes, identify and appraise constraints, and identify the most important factors in influencing farmers' long term commitments to conservation innovation.

  • Initial Recommendation and Supporting Reviews: Fund $175,228
  • Final Recommendation: Fund $175,228

Proposal ID: 0073

Applicant: United States Geological Survey

Proposal Title: Sandhill Crane Use Of Agricultural Lands In The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Region

Amount sought: $493,033

Description: This project proposes to evaluate past Program investments in relation to their objectives to meet the needs of MSCS species such as the greater sandhill crane in order to develop recommendations to assist private farmers in contributing towards their recovery.

  • Initial Recommendation and Supporting Reviews: Fund $493,033
  • Final Recommendation: Fund $493,033

Proposal ID: 0074

Applicant: Agricultural Water Management Council

Proposal Title: Assessment Of Water Management Actions And Water Transfers On Giant Garter Snake And Other Wetland Dependent Species

Amount sought: $267,685

Description: Project proposes to monitor, assess, and report on the efficacy of water management actions on wildlife habitat, including a focus on giant garter snake habitat impacts of water transfers. Project will develop performance measures and protocols that growers and local agencies can use to develop/improve efforts designed to provide habitat.

Proposal ID: 0077

Applicant: Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District

Proposal Title: Petaluma River Watershed Agricultural Activities For Improving Water Quality

Amount sought: $1,910,954

Description: Project seeks to improve water and sediment quality, restore habitats (riparian and rangeland), and rehabilitate ecological processes. Objectives of the project are to assist farmers as well as policy makers in understanding and integrating BMPs through on-the-ground projects, public education and outreach, tours, and continued research to determine new BMPs that can be implemented at the ranch level.

Proposal ID: 0079

Applicant: University of California, Davis

Proposal Title: Scaling up riparian restoration; generating more cost-effective protocols

Amount sought: $101,220

Description: This project proposes to restore four agricultural riparian areas and conduct an assessment of restoration techniques to develop cost-effective restoration practices and distribute to stakeholders.

Proposal ID: 0083

Applicant: Agricultural Water Management Council

Proposal Title: Conservation Based Farming Practices Monitoring and Evaluation Project

Amount sought: $197,466

Description: Proposed project will develop monitoring, performance and data management tools for ERP based wildlife friendly agricultural projects in collaboration with ERP staff. The project proposes to improve the understanding of the effects of conservation-based farming practices, design technical protocols for growers, and promote the understanding of conservation-based farming practices.

Proposal ID: 0084

Applicant: United States Geological Survey-Western Ecological Research Center

Proposal Title: Wintering Waterbird Response to CALFED's Environmental Water Account Program: Modeling and Monitoring to Better Integrate Agriculture and Management of Wetland Dependent Birds

Amount sought: $1,140,163

Description: Project seeks to understand how water transfers from croplands affect wetland-dependent birds (e.g., greater sandhill cranes).

Proposal ID: 0086

Applicant: United States Geological Survey

Proposal Title: Evaluation Of Giant Garter Snake Response To CALFED's Environmental Water Account Program: Adaptive Management For Wildlife Friendly Farming

Amount sought: $1,187,367

Description: Evaluation of the effects of rice field fallowing on GGS in order to meet the needs for regulatory guidelines for the EWA program.

  • Initial Recommendation and Supporting Reviews: Fund $1,187,367
  • Final Recommendation: Fund $1,187,367

Proposal ID: 0088

Applicant: Yolo County Resource Conservation District

Proposal Title: Yolo-Solano Conservation Partnership for Habitat on Working Lands

Amount sought: $2,257,978

Description: Proposed project would continue to develop collaborations to address restoration permitting needs, increase technical and economic incentives for farmers to increase habitat, conduct economic assessments. Project would include riparian habitat enhancements, irrigation canal re-vegetation, farm pond habitats, and wildlife and vegetation monitoring along with studies on ecosystem services, outreach, and education.

  • Initial Recommendation and Supporting Reviews: Fund $2,257,978
  • Final Recommendation: Fund $2,257,978

Proposal ID: 0092

Applicant: San Joaquin County Resource Conservation District

Proposal Title: Gauging the Benefits of Riparian Restoration/Enhancement in a Working Agricultural Landscape

Amount sought: $1,174,003

Description: Restore and enhance native riparian habitat in working agricultural landscapes in the lower Mokelumne River Watershed. Identify and work with willing producers, provide incentives, recover at risk species, reduce occurrences of NIS, and measure benefits.

Proposal ID: 0093

Applicant: Delta Protection Commission

Proposal Title: Delta Working Landscapes

Amount sought: $1,274,066

Description: Work with local farmers to implement demonstration projects that improve habitat values while improving water quality, sediment transport, and levee stabilization. Evaluate operations of agriculture practices in the Delta that could be implemented elsewhere. Conduct an educational and outreach festival to inform the public on the values of the Delta.