Central Valley Project Conservation

The Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation funds habitat conservation and restoration projects that protect, restore, and enhance federally listed endangered and threatened terrestrial species affected by the Central Valley Project (CVP) in California, with the most recent grant award issued on August 31, 2024 (CFDA 15.564).

The program compensates for species impacts resulting from CVP operation and maintenance through concrete conservation activities: land acquisition via conservation easements, riparian and alkali scrub habitat restoration across hundreds of acres, captive propagation and reintroduction of species such as blunt-nosed leopard lizards and large-flowered fiddleneck, disease mitigation research for listed kit foxes, genomic research on vernal pool invertebrates, and management infrastructure installation such as livestock grazing systems. Recent awards funded 400 acres of riparian habitat restoration for threatened yellow-billed cuckoos and valley elderberry longhorn beetles at Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge, 467-acre alkali scrub restoration for San Joaquin kit foxes and blunt-nosed leopard lizards, conservation easement acquisition on 3,602 acres of vernal pool grassland habitat, and a captive propagation facility for leopard lizards at Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

Awards are predominantly Project Grants (96 percent of the 25 grants in the portfolio) with a single Cooperative Agreement. The Bureau of Reclamation is the sole funding source across all 25 awards. Combined federal dollars obligated total $13.3 million against $17.1 million total obligated (reflecting $3.8 million in non-federal cost-share from recipients). Recent award magnitudes range from $333 thousand to $2.86 million, with typical mid-range awards between $400 thousand and $1 million. The program has maintained consistent activity over the past five years at one to three awards annually, with the earliest award in the portfolio dating to September 2014.

A competitive solicitation (R25AS00005) closed on December 10, 2024, for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 grants and cooperative agreements. The NOFO accepts applications from unrestricted applicant types and was amended from an initial due date of October 8, 2024. Projects may be renewed for up to five years total, contingent on congressional appropriation and availability of funds. Preapplication coordination with the regional assistance location is recommended to clarify environmental compliance requirements and other program requirements.