Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
Upcoming Workshop For 2021 Off-Highway Vehicle Grants and Cooperative Agreements
Mark your calendars for upcoming grant opportunities for local governments and other entities to manage off-highway vehicle recreation. On January 6-7, 2021, a virtual workshop will be held to offer technical assistance on applying for and/or learning about projects. These grant dollars support planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, administration, operation, enforcement, restoration, and conservation of trails, trailheads, areas, and other facilities associated with the use of off-highway motor vehicles, and programs involving off-highway motor vehicle safety or education. Applications are due March 1, 2021 and will be awarded mid-summer 2021. For more information and how to register, see here.
DWR Competitive Grants for COD Basins- Submission Deadline: January 8, 2021
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) released the final Proposition 68 Implementation Proposal Solicitation Package for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program. The program will award $26 million to critically overdrafted groundwater basins for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation projects that address drought and groundwater challenges, groundwater recharge projects, or projects that prevent or clean up contaminated groundwater used for drinking water. Round 1 grant applications must be submitted using DWR’s online submittal tool and will be accepted through January 8, 2021. A Round 2 solicitation is expected to open in Spring 2022, and will offer at least $77 million in additional grants for medium priority, high priority, and critically overdrafted basins. For more information visit the Grants and Loans webpage, or email SGWP@water.ca.gov.
California Water Commission Water Conveyance Public Workshops
The California Water Commission is conducting a series of public workshops as part of its efforts to assess a potential state role in financing conveyance projects that could help meet needs in a changing climate. The Commission encourages broad participation, with the goal of learning from diverse voices across the state. Workshops have already occurred for Southeastern California and Southern California have already. For more information, visit the Programs and Topics page.
Workshop Schedule
All workshops are from 2:45-5 p.m. (entry to meeting site opens at 2:30 p.m.)
Northern California – Tuesday, January 12, 2021 (register now)
Central California – Tuesday, January 26, 2021 (register now)
Online Tool Connects Residents in High Risk Areas with a Pathway to Home Insurance
As a result of the work of the California Tree Mortality Task Force, in 2018, the California Insurance Commissioner issued a report containing recommendations to address homeowners’ insurance cancellations and non-renewals in tree mortality and other high fire risk areas. The report identified Yapacopia, a public benefit corporation, as the provider of a free online service connecting homeowners in high risk areas—even those who have been denied previously— with insurers, insurance agents, and brokers. The MatchUP Insurance Finder connects county residents with insurance providers quickly. A unique webpage has been created for each county, providing information, links, and useful tools. In addition, Yapacopia will provide a webinar for any county to discuss wildfire preparation and recovery, and insurance issues. More information about Yapacopia and the MatchUP Insurance Finder is available here.
GO-Biz Announces Cannabis Equity Grants Available for Local Jurisdictions
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has announced $15 million is available in Fiscal Year 2020-21 for cities and counties to promote equity and eliminate barriers to populations and communities that were disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. Local Jurisdictions may be awarded up to $75,000 for assistance on cannabis equity program development, or up to $5 million in assistance for cannabis equity program applicants and licensees to gain entry to the state’s regulated cannabis marketplace. Grant applications must be submitted by February 1, 2021. Grants will be awarded no later than May 14, 2021. For more information on this grant and how to apply, see here.