California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Home Water Branch ERP Grants Program

ERP Grants Program

ERP administers a multi-agency Grants Program aimed at improving ecosystem health in the ERP Focus Area (JPG). The ERP Grant Program coordinates with the CDFW Regions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to fund grant projects to address ERP goals and objectives. The vast majority of these projects focus on fish passage issues, species assessment, sedimentation, ecosystem water quality or habitat restoration. The following table lists the types and number of projects funded by ERP through June 2012:

Types and Number of Projects Funded by ERP Through June 2012
Type of Project Amount Approved Project Count
Riparian Habitat $46,742,099 30
Fish Screens $130,584,064 65
Ecosystem Water and Sediment Quality $84,091,332 68
Hydrodynamics, Sediment Transport, and Flow Regimes $37,871,441 31
Upland Habitat and Wildlife Friendly Agriculture $57,952,260 13
Fish Passage $72,013,291 17
Local Watershed Stewardship $20,814,159 55
Shallow Water and Marsh Habitat $74,578,297 53
At-Risk Species Assessment $50,731,065 51
Non-Native Invasive Species $33,761,206 35
Administrative or Program Support $22,073,158 17
Harvestable Species Assessment $8,949,094 10
Technical Support $5,060,670 5
Environmental Water Management $8,200,853 9
Environmental Education $7,051,745 33
Lowland Floodplains and Bypasses $46,023,066 30
River Channel Restoration $25,005,948 18
Estuary Foodweb Productivity $2,172,064 4
Mine Remediation $2,177,550 4
X2 Relationships (Freshwater-Seawater Interface) $509,222 1
Total $736,362,584 549

More information on ERP projects can be accessed at the following links:

Grant Funding

The ERP uses several processes to achieve its goals and ecosystem restoration activities. ERP solicits grant projects through a Proposal Solicitation Process (PSP) or a Directed Action Process (DA). ERP utilizes both State and federal funding to accomplish projects and activities. In addition, ERP coordinates and collaborates with other funding entities to accomplish restoration activities. The primary sources of State funding for ERP projects include the following:

  • Proposition 204 - Safe, Clean, reliable Water Supply Act (1996)
  • Proposition 13 (PDF) - Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection, and Flood Protection Bond Act (2000)
  • Proposition 50 (PDF) - Water Quality, Supply and Safe Drinking Water Projects Act (2002)
  • Proposition 84 (PDF) - Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act (2006)

Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP)

The PSP process allows for an open solicitation, rigorous technical review, and public input. Solicitations are created to identify and award projects targeted at achieving ERP goals and objectives. ERP utilizes a PSP process to identify and fund restoration projects. Applicants submit proposals for consideration and the PSP outlines the process that is followed to award funding to priority projects. Potential projects are reviewed by the ERP Implementing Agencies who may recommend the project for funding to the CDFW Director. More information on PSPs can be accessed at the following links:

Directed Action (DA)

Addressing critical information needs may require soliciting specific study approaches or projects that fill gaps of strategic need, or ERP may be approached by those with projects that can help fill these gaps. ERP utilizes a DA process to identify proposals for projects addressing ERP implementation priorities of special near term importance and where a single eligible entity is known to be uniquely qualified to carry out tasks. These potential projects address an urgent or timely issue or a unique oppurtunity in response to immediate ERP priorities. These potential projects, after having been reviewed and recommended by the ERP Implementing Agencies, can be awarded through a directed action. Potential projects are reviewed by the ERP Implementing Agencies who may recommend the project for funding to the CDFW Director.

More information on DAs can be accessed at the following links:

For more information, contact Joshua Grover at Joshua.Grover@Wildlife.ca.gov or (916) 445-1231.