WEST SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy (Conservancy) approved approximately $4.4 million for four projects that restore and enhance ecosystems, improve water quality, and support water-related agricultural sustainability in the Delta. The Conservancy provides funding through a competitive grant process made possible by a voter-approved bond measure, Proposition 1 – the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014.
The approved projects will amplify the benefit of bond dollars by bringing in more than $1.9 million in private, State, and federal cost share dollars. The projects will restore upland and wetland ecosystems; enhance and connect habitats that are critical for migratory, threatened, and endangered species; create riparian habitat and improve water quality on working lands; and promote a better understanding of how to restore native vegetation. All projects must complete administrative and/or environmental compliance prerequisites before they receive funding.
“The Delta Conservancy is proud to partner with the organizations implementing these projects to create a more viable Delta ecosystem,” said Campbell Ingram, the Conservancy’s Executive Officer. “Each project is has support from members of the Delta community, and will provide benefits for natural and human communities.”
This is the second round of grants the Conservancy has awarded though Proposition 1, which provided a total $50 million for the Delta Conservancy for the competitive grants. The Conservancy will open a third grant solicitation in August of 2017 and anticipates awarding funding in the spring of 2018. The Conservancy plans to administer at least one grant cycle each fiscal year through 2020.
Working collaboratively and in coordination with local communities, the Delta Conservancy leads efforts to protect, enhance and restore the Delta economy, agriculture and working landscapes, and environment for the benefit of the Delta region, its local communities, and the citizens of California.
—Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
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