San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Grants

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

RMC’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) supports local communities with application assistance with the goal of facilitating access to the Conservancy’s funding programs. RMC recognizes barriers to accessing resources, including: •Familiarity with RMC’s grant application process, •Appreciation of the complexity of well-designed parks, open space, and multi-benefit projects, including strategic land acquisitions, •Commitment to work with and engage the community, •Ability to successfully manage projects to completion, •Ability to successfully operate and maintain completed projects. RMC offers a TAP program to help ensure eligible grantees receive funding and successfully complete and maintain their RMC Proposition 68 projects. TAP program provides information, tools, resources, and strategies to help applicants through the stages of project conceptualization, grant initiation, grant making, and project completion. In addition to RMC staff, these resources include peer-to-peer mentoring, access to best-practices, identifying technical resources, and providing professional grant writing and facilitation services. Some TAP resources are available to all applicants; however, applicants with projects in High-Need or Very-High-Need Areas have preferential access to TAP.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Lower Los Angeles River: The Lower Los Angeles River program area encompasses 1.5 miles on each side of the river’s lower 19-miles, from the City of Vernon to the City of Long Beach. The Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of the Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, and equity; the public realm; and water and the environment along and in the vicinity of the river. The Plan has been incorporated into the watershed (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, equity; public realm; water along in vicinity river. Plan has been incorporated into Los Angeles River Master Plan Update. Funding will support projects in line with the LLARRP, immediate drought response, and long-term water resilience. Funding for the SDAC specific grant program shall support Severely Disadvantaged Communities as defined by the state of California.  Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications. Applicants will be provided the Full Application upon RMC invitation. RMC staff are available to work with Applicants during the preparation of the Full Application, as needed. RMC may request Applicants to revise and resubmit Full Applications, as necessary. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact RMC staff for a consultation prior to submitting a Concept Proposal.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

RMC’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) supports local communities with application assistance with the goal of facilitating access to the Conservancy’s funding programs. RMC recognizes barriers to accessing resources, including: •Familiarity with RMC’s grant application process, •Appreciation of the complexity of well-designed parks, open space, and multi-benefit projects, including strategic land acquisitions, •Commitment to work with and engage the community, •Ability to successfully manage projects to completion, •Ability to successfully operate and maintain completed projects. RMC offers a TAP program to help ensure eligible grantees receive funding and successfully complete and maintain their RMC Proposition 68 projects. TAP program provides information, tools, resources, and strategies to help applicants through the stages of project conceptualization, grant initiation, grant making, and project completion. In addition to RMC staff, these resources include peer-to-peer mentoring, access to best-practices, identifying technical resources, and providing professional grant writing and facilitation services. Some TAP resources are available to all applicants; however, applicants with projects in High-Need or Very-High-Need Areas have preferential access to TAP.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Lower Los Angeles River: The Lower Los Angeles River program area encompasses 1.5 miles on each side of the river’s lower 19-miles, from the City of Vernon to the City of Long Beach. The Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of the Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, and equity; the public realm; and water and the environment along and in the vicinity of the river. The Plan has been incorporated into the watershed (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, equity; public realm; water along in vicinity river. Plan has been incorporated into Los Angeles River Master Plan Update. Funding will support projects in line with the LLARRP, immediate drought response, and long-term water resilience. Funding for the SDAC specific grant program shall support Severely Disadvantaged Communities as defined by the state of California.  Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications. Applicants will be provided the Full Application upon RMC invitation. RMC staff are available to work with Applicants during the preparation of the Full Application, as needed. RMC may request Applicants to revise and resubmit Full Applications, as necessary. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact RMC staff for a consultation prior to submitting a Concept Proposal.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Background: In July 2024, the Legislature approved Chapter 83 (SB 867, Allen), authorizing a $10 billion bond measure entitled the “Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024.” Largely designed to increase the state’s resilience to the impacts of climate change, the measure was placed on the statewide ballot as Proposition 4 and subsequently approved by voters in November. This bond measure builds on significant funding for climate-related programs—principally from the General Fund—the state made in recent years. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications. Applicants will be provided the Full Application upon RMC invitation. RMC staff are available to work with Applicants during the preparation of the Full Application, as needed. RMC may request Applicants to revise and resubmit Full Applications, as necessary. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact RMC staff for a consultation prior to submitting a Concept Proposal.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

The RMC awards grants and interagency agreements with the aim toward creating open space, habitat restoration, expanding green space in disadvantaged communities, and protecting the watersheds of the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers, Dominguez Channel, and Catalina Island.  The overall policy guidelines for the RMC are found in two primary references: the statute which created the RMC, Public Resources Code Section 32600, and Common Ground, from the Mountains to the Sea, the watershed and open space plan for the Los Angeles and San Gabriel River watersheds which was adopted by the RMC and further identifies the policies of the agency.  These and other relevant plans can be found at http://rmc.ca.gov/resources/. RMC’s area of jurisdiction includes a variety of natural resource and recreation areas, including the coast, wetlands, and forests. RMC’s jurisdiction also includes heavily urbanized areas south of the San Gabriel Mountains to the California coast. Thus, RMC encourages collaboration across jurisdictions and organizational partners to produce multi-benefit projects that address multiple regional needs, such as increasing access to open space, green workforce development, water quality improvements, flood control, and wildfire resilience.   The RMC further promotes project development that includes robust community engagement throughout the life of the project and has developed the Community Engagement Toolkit in an effort to support potential grantees in developing community based, multi-benefit climate resilient projects.  The RMC further encourages projects that leverage multiple funding sources to strengthen project goals. In addition to increasing access to natural areas, the RMC works to ensure residents have access to open space within their own communities, as evidenced by the large number of grants the RMC has awarded since 1999 for the purpose of planning, constructing, and improving parks and trails within communities and, particularly, within underserved communities that currently lack equitable access to open space.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

In certain years, the annual state budget has allocated General Funds directly to the RMC. These funds have been incorporated into the Non-Bond Priority Grant Program. The major funding priorities are described below. Lower LA River: The Lower Los Angeles River program area encompasses 1.5 miles on each side of the river’s lower 19-miles , from the City of Vernon to the City of Long Beach. The Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan(LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of the Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, and equity; the public realm; and water and the environment along and in the vicinity of the river. The Plan has been incorporated into thewatershed (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, equity; public realm; water along in vicinity river. Plan has been incorporated into Los Angeles River Master Plan Update. Funding will be support projects in line with the LLARRP, immediate drought response, and long-term water resiliency. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications. 

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Funding for projects will fall under three main categories: San Gabriel Mountains and Foothills Fire Prevention Planning and Management: Projects under this category will serve mainly the San Gabriel Mountains and Foothills. Work may include invasive species management and fuel break maintenance in the Angeles National Forest, fuel modification of open spaces in foothill communities, or protection of tribal cultural resources from fire impacts. Urban Wildlands and Hills Fire Prevention Planning and Management: Projects under this category will serve mainly the San Jose, San Rafael, Montebello, Puente, Chino, and Coyote Hills, which are urban wildlife corridors surrounded by urban development. Work may include fire prevention planning, fuel load reduction, invasive species management, and maintenance of defensible space. Forest Health: Fire Recovery, Response, Restoration, Education and Stewardship: Projects under this category will cover all regions in the Mountains, Hills, and Foothills. Work will improve forest health through a variety of actions with co-fire prevention benefits including native habitat revegetation, infrastructure improvements, and public stewardship building. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications.   

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Proposition 1 allocation to the RMC is pursuant to Chapter 6 Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coastal Waters and Watersheds and sets forth thirteen specific purposes and all grant funds must achieve at least four or more of the following objectives in order to receive funds: 1. Protect and increase the economic benefits arising from healthy watersheds, fishery resources and instream flow. 2. Implement watershed adaptation projects in order to reduce the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems. 3. Restore river parkways throughout the state, including but not limited to projects pursuant to the California River Parkways Act of 2004, in the Urban Streams Restoration Program established pursuant to Section 7048 and urban river greenways. 4. Protect and restore aquatic, wetland and migratory bird ecosystems including fish and wildlife corridors and the acquisition of water rights for instream flow. 5. Fulfill the obligations of the State of California in complying with the terms of multiparty settlement agreements related to water resources. 6. Remove barriers to fish passage. 7. Implement fuel treatment projects to reduce wildfire risks, protect watersheds tributary to water storage facilities and promote watershed health. 8. Protect and restore rural and urban watershed health to improve watershed storage capacity, forest health, protection of life and property, stormwater resource management, and greenhouse gas reduction. 9. Protect and restore coastal watershed including but not limited to, bays, marine estuaries, and nearshore ecosystems. 10. Reduce pollution or contamination of rivers, lakes, streams, or coastal waters, prevent and remediate mercury contamination from legacy mines, and protect or restore natural system functions that contribute to water supply, water quality, or flood management. 11. Assist in the recovery of endangered, threatened, or migratory species by improving watershed health, instream flows, fish passage, coastal or inland wetland restoration, or other means, such as natural community conservation plan and habitat conservation plan implementation. 12. Protect and enhance an urban creek as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 7048 and its tributaries pursuant to Division 22.8 (commencing with Section 32600) of, and Division 23 (commencing with Section 33000) of, the Public Resources Code and Section 79508. 13. Assist in water-related agricultural sustainability projects that promote water conservation. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications.   

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Proposition 1 allocation to the RMC is pursuant to Chapter 6 Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coastal Waters and Watersheds and sets forth thirteen specific purposes and all grant funds must achieve at least four or more of the following objectives in order to receive funds: 1. Protect and increase the economic benefits arising from healthy watersheds, fishery resources and instream flow. 2. Implement watershed adaptation projects in order to reduce the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems. 3. Restore river parkways throughout the state, including but not limited to projects pursuant to the California River Parkways Act of 2004, in the Urban Streams Restoration Program established pursuant to Section 7048 and urban river greenways. 4. Protect and restore aquatic, wetland and migratory bird ecosystems including fish and wildlife corridors and the acquisition of water rights for instream flow. 5. Fulfill the obligations of the State of California in complying with the terms of multiparty settlement agreements related to water resources. 6. Remove barriers to fish passage. 7. Implement fuel treatment projects to reduce wildfire risks, protect watersheds tributary to water storage facilities and promote watershed health. 8. Protect and restore rural and urban watershed health to improve watershed storage capacity, forest health, protection of life and property, stormwater resource management, and greenhouse gas reduction. 9. Protect and restore coastal watershed including but not limited to, bays, marine estuaries, and nearshore ecosystems. 10. Reduce pollution or contamination of rivers, lakes, streams, or coastal waters, prevent and remediate mercury contamination from legacy mines, and protect or restore natural system functions that contribute to water supply, water quality, or flood management. 11. Assist in the recovery of endangered, threatened, or migratory species by improving watershed health, instream flows, fish passage, coastal or inland wetland restoration, or other means, such as natural community conservation plan and habitat conservation plan implementation. 12. Protect and enhance an urban creek as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 7048 and its tributaries pursuant to Division 22.8 (commencing with Section 32600) of, and Division 23 (commencing with Section 33000) of, the Public Resources Code and Section 79508. 13. Assist in water-related agricultural sustainability projects that promote water conservation. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications.   

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

RMC Proposition 68 Project Goals and Objectives: Create, expand, and/or improve public open space throughout the region by improving water quality supply, create, enhance or improve a reliable water supply and/or restore an important species and habitat Improve access to open space and low impact recreation for all communities and promote healthy lifestyles Improve habitat quality, quantity, and connectivity through creation, enhancement, preservation, and restoration Connect open space with a network of trails, accessible as appropriate to the site Promote stewardship of the landscape via stakeholder involvement and long-term maintenance(long-term means for a period not less than 20 years) Encourage sustainable growth that balances environmental, social, and economic benefits Maintain and improve flood protection through natural and non-structural systems and ecosystem restoration Establish riverfront greenways to cleanse water, hold floodwaters and extend open space Optimize water resources by improving the quality of surface and ground water and enhance groundwater recharge, to reduce dependence on imported water Coordinate watershed planning across jurisdictions and boundaries Encourage multi-jurisdictional and multi-beneficial planning and implementation projects Involve the public through education and outreach programs Projects will utilize the best available science to inform decisions regarding, state and local water resources. In addition, special consideration will be given to projects that employ new or innovative technology or practices, including decision support tools that support the integration of multiple jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, water supply, flood control, land use, and sanitation. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications. Applicants will be provided the Full Application upon RMC invitation. RMC staff are available to work with Applicants during the preparation of the Full Application, as needed. RMC may request Applicants to revise and resubmit Full Applications, as necessary. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact RMC staff for a consultation prior to submitting a Concept Proposal.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy

Lower Los Angeles River: The Lower Los Angeles River program area encompasses 1.5 miles on each side of the river’s lower 19-miles, from the City of Vernon to the City of Long Beach. The Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of the Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, and equity; the public realm; and water and the environment along and in the vicinity of the river. The Plan has been incorporated into the watershed (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, equity; public realm; water along in vicinity river. Plan has been incorporated into Los Angeles River Master Plan Update. Funding will support projects in line with the LLARRP, immediate drought response, and long-term water resilience. Applications: Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications. Applicants will be provided the Full Application upon RMC invitation. RMC staff are available to work with Applicants during the preparation of the Full Application, as needed. RMC may request Applicants to revise and resubmit Full Applications, as necessary. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact RMC staff for a consultation prior to submitting a Concept Proposal.