California Department of Conservation

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California Department of Conservation
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Watershed Coordinator Grant Program2000 - 2007
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Introduction

• Two-year pilot grant program was established by
  the California Legislature in 2000.
• Purpose To implement a coordinated, local
  approach to watershed planning and management,
  emphasizing partnerships and collaboration.
  Efforts emphasize local and regional needs,
  resulting in funding and implementation of
  diverse watershed improvement projects.
• 2 million used to fund 30 watershed coordinators
  to work on 30 impaired watersheds across the
  state.
• Funding provided only to RCDs since they already
  worked at the local level and were effective in
  dealing with diverse stakeholders.

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2000 - 2002 Program Results

• Over 17 million in outside funding obtained by
  coordinators for additional watershed work.
• 30 new watershed stewardship or working groups
  established.
• Over 320 new partnerships formed with landowners,
  nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational
  institutions, etc.
• More than 73 of performance measures were met
  during the grant period.

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2002 - 2003 Program Background

• CBDA recognized the programs benefit to meeting
  CALFED Watershed Program goals and provided 1
  million to continue the program within the CALFED
  Solution Area.
• 21 of the original 30 grantees were in the
  Solution Area and eligible for funding. Three
  grantees had secured their own funding and
  declined additional support.

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2002 - 2003 Program Results

• The 18 coordinators obtained another 14.5
  million in outside funding for watershed work.
• Coordinators planned and initiated 53
  on-the-ground projects, many of which were funded
  by grants obtained during the previous cycle.
• Coordinators were active in
• Formation of 18 new watershed stewardship groups.
• Establishment of 108 new water quality monitoring
  sites.
• Removal of invasive species.
• Assisting landowners with implementation of BMPs.
• Working with the local stakeholders in the
  development and implementation of watershed
  management plans.

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2004 2007 Program

• CBDA provided 9 million to fund a new Watershed
  Coordinator Grant Program for a 3-year period
  ending June 2007. The program was expanded to
  include nonprofits, local governments, and
  special districts.
• Conducted 5 RFP workshops across the state to
  solicit input and ensure that the program
  responded to local needs. More than 170 people
  attended the workshops.
• Funded 48 grants consisting of 60 watershed
  coordinator positions.
• Emphasized local, coordinated approach to
  watershed planning and management.

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2004 2007 Program

• Proposals demonstrating effective coordination
  within entire watersheds were awarded more
  points.
• Proposals were required to support CALFED
  Watershed Program goals and address at least one
  other CALFED program.
• Proposal selection committee consisted of CALFED
  staff and representatives from 5 other agencies.

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2004 2007 Program Results

• Since the start of the 2004 program, coordinators
  have requested over 107 million in outside
  funding and obtained over 31 million a 29
  funding success rate.
• An infrastructure of experienced and established
  coordinators are working in concert with local
  efforts to implement watershed improvement
  projects and helping to meet State and CALFED
  Program goals.

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Program Administration

• DOC authorized 2 limited-term positions to
  administer the 48 grants.
• Program RFP released on September 23, 2003.
• Proposal due date November 17, 2003.
• Proposal review completed January 2004.
• All 48 Grant agreements were prepared and ready
  for grantee signatures within one month by
  February 2004.

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Program Features

• Accountability demonstrated through quarterly and
  annual reporting which identifies progress on
  work plans and benefits to the watershed and
  CALFED Program goals.
• Required Performance Measures for each grant.
• Annual field reviews/site visits conducted by DOC
  staff.
• Invoicing facilitated using customized Excel
  spreadsheets. Individualized electronic forms
  created for each grantee to simplify
  reimbursement process.

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Success StoriesCache Creek Watershed Greg
DillsWest Lake RCD

• Facilitated the formation of seven watershed
  groups in different sub-watersheds.
• Worked on multiple large restoration projects.
• Coordinated and planned more than a dozen
  community clean-up events.
• Received the Individual Watershed Excellence
  Award from the Sacramento River Watershed
  Program.

Willow Creek
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Success StoriesSan Francisco Bay Doug
KernUrban Watershed Project

• Led effort to restore a creek that had been
  diverted underground at the Presidio. The
  restored creek will provide habitat and improve
  water quality. Designated as a community hero
  by the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy for
  his contributions.
• Worked with volunteers to remove hundreds of
  non-native plants, conduct water quality
  monitoring at numerous sites, and expand an
  educational outreach program.

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Success StoriesLower Mokelumne River Watershed
John BrodieSan Joaquin County RCD

• Led effort to create the groundbreaking Mokelumne
  River Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement between
  USFWS, CARCD, and private landowners.
• Coordinated the Murphy Creek Restoration Project,
  working with partners and students.
• Obtained a SWRQB grant for 1.38 million for
  outreach, education, water quality monitoring,
  and the implementation of the Lower Mokelumne
  River Watershed Stewardship Plan.

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Grant Program Highlights

• Since the start of the 2004 Program, coordinators
  have brought in over 31 million in outside
  funding
• Federal dollars 2,386,002
• Local dollars, consisting of local government and
  private contributions 12,300,027
• State funds obtained
• SWRCB 7,500,949
• CALFED 4,790,949
• Other 4,096,478

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Grant Program Highlights

• Coordinators are an effective delivery mechanism
  for promoting State and CALFED Program goals,
  pursuing funding opportunities and reducing
  duplication of effort.
• Strong emphasis on cooperation and partnerships
  has resulted in collaborative decision-making
  involving multiple, diverse stakeholders.
• Coordinators are now part of the community, are
  familiar with local watershed issues, and have
  built a strong foundation of improving watersheds
  and water quality throughout the state.