Proposition 68: Fish and Wildlife Improvement Grant Program

The Proposition 68: Fish and Wildlife Improvement Grant Program provides funding to enhance fish and wildlife habitats across California. This initiative aims to restore rivers and streams, acquire water resources, and improve wetland conditions. Eligible projects include water transfers, habitat improvements, and land acquisitions that support aquatic and riparian ecosystems. With a total budget of up to $30 million, this program plays a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and resilience against climate change.

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, And Outdoor Access For All Act Of 2018 (Proposition 68) funding for CDFW grants for projects that:

• improve a community's ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change
• improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat
• develop future recreational opportunities, or
• enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention
• The CDFW Watershed Restoration Grants Branch distributes Proposition 68 funds on a competitive basis to projects that address these priorities:
• River and Stream Restoration - Restoration of rivers and streams for fisheries and wildlife
• Southern Steelhead Habitat Restoration - Restoration of Southern California Steelhead habitat

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration - Improvement of conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries
Proposition 68 funds supports three types of projects: 1) planning, 2) implementation, and 3) acquisition projects.
Funding is available for PRC section 80132(g) for to improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries. Eligible projects include acquisition of water from willing sellers, acquisition of land that includes water rights or contractual rights to water, short- or long-term water transfers or leases, provision of water for fish and wildlife, or improvement of aquatic or riparian habitat conditions.
Improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas and estuaries;Acquisition of water from willing sellers;
Acquisition of land that includes water rights of contractual rights to water;
Provision of water for fish and wildlife; and
Improvement of aquatic or riparian habitat conditions.
Funding
Funding for competitive grants will be contingent upon fund availability. Proposition 68, passed by California voters in June 2018, amended the PRC to add, among other articles, section 80132, subdivisions (d), (e)(2), and (g), authorizing the Legislature to appropriate up to $25,000,000 to CDFW to restore and protect rivers and streams in support of fisheries and wildlife, including $5,000,000 in the KlamathTrinity watersheds; up to $30,000,000 to CDFW to restore Southern California Steelhead habitat; and up to $30,000,000 to CDFW to improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries; respectively.