California’s unique geography and climate have allowed the State to become one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Over a third of the country’s vegetables and two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts are grown in California. In an average year California’s agricultural industry irrigates 9.6 million acres using roughly 34 million acre-feet of water.

California’s growing demand for water has increased the pressure on California’s agriculture industry to use water more efficiently. To encourage the efficient use of agricultural water, the Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) operates the Agricultural Water Use Efficiency Grants Program (“Grant Program”). The Grant Program is funded with $30 million for agricultural water use efficiency projects.

Grants are available for two types of projects: “Implementation Projects” and “Other Projects.” “Implementation Projects” are projects that create measurable water conservation benefits.  “Other Projects” create potential water conservation benefits, such as research, training, education, and public outreach.

These grants are not available to anyone, only the following entities are eligible to apply: public agencies, local agencies, joint powers authorities, public water/irrigation districts, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, other political subdivisions of the state involved with agricultural water management.

Investor-owned utilities regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission and mutual water companies involved with agricultural water management are also eligible for “Implementation Projects.” Universities and colleges, state, and federal agencies are also eligible for “Other Projects.”

Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with others and submit proposals on a regional scale. A proposed project must generate State benefits to be eligible for grant funding.

A review panel (made of experts in the domain, water conservation and water use professionals, and economists) will score all proposals. Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Relevance and Importance
  • Feasibility
  • Project Benefits
  • Project Costs
  • Monitoring and Evaluation

DWR will review the panel’s evaluation and make the final funding decision. A public workshop will be held on February 10, 2016 and proposals are due by March 30, 2016.

For more information about the specific requirements of the Grant Program, please contact Wes Miliband at (916) 319-4676 or wes.miliband​@stoel.com.

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Few firms view their Environment, Land Use, and Natural Resources practices as core legal services. Stoel Rives is one of them. The firm ranks #8 in the United States according to Law360’s list of the largest practices of its kind. Our sophisticated compliance counseling, permitting, regulatory development, and litigation practices continue a long tradition of specialization and deep experience. Our environment, land use, and natural resource attorneys incorporate prior agency experience, technical acumen, and industry knowledge into their legal advice. They also build strong relationships with agency officials and industry associations. Our litigation successes include landmark decisions. More than 60 attorneys, paralegals, and compliance analysts comprise Stoel Rives’ nationwide Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources practice.