Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Restoration Program

Active

Assistance listing
66.126
Agency
Grant awards
109 $236,025,356 in federal obligations

Program facts

Also known as
SF Bay Program
Assistance types
  • Project Grant
  • Formula Grant
Treasury accounts
  • 68-0108-0-1-304
  • 68-0108-0-1-000
More information

Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.

About this program

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Region 9 is funding water quality improvements and wetlands restoration in San Francisco Bay and its nine-county watershed, with Assistance Listing 66.126. The most recent award was made on March 1, 2025, and a current competitive solicitation (EPA-R9-SFBAY-26-01) is open with a due date of March 3, 2026.

The program is actively disbursing grants. Since 2011, EPA Region 9 has made 109 total awards comprising $236 million in federal obligations; recipients have contributed an additional $161.6 million in non-federal matching funds, bringing total project value to $397.6 million. Award volume has accelerated notably: 2023 and 2024 each saw 24 awards, compared to 5 in 2021 and 2 in 2022. Four awards have been made in 2025 to date.

Funded projects restore impaired waters, reduce polluted runoff, and enhance aquatic habitat in the Bay and its tributaries across nine counties—Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco. Representative recent work includes nutrient management strategy implementation and bay regional monitoring ($12 million, San Francisco Estuary Institute, awarded October 2024); beneficial reuse of dredged sediment for wetland restoration ($12 million, California State Coastal Conservancy, awarded February 2025); invasive Spartina removal and native marsh plant installation ($2.5 million, awarded April 2024); trash capture device installation and stormwater treatment in underserved communities; and stream daylighting and riparian restoration. Horticultural projects also receive funding—for example, workforce development and community engagement in climate adaptation and estuary restoration.

The portfolio is overwhelmingly Project Grants: 108 of 109 awards (99 percent) are Project Grants, with a single Formula Grant. EPA Region 9 dominates funding, accounting for 82 awards and $213.8 million in federal dollars obligated (91 percent of total federal spending). The remaining EPA national organization contributes 26 awards and $22.2 million. Award sizes range widely; recent awards span from under $300 thousand to over $51 million. Incremental funding is standard: the program description states that "EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements" and approval of subsequent funding increments depends on satisfactory progress and continued relevance to EPA priorities.

The current open opportunity (EPA-R9-SFBAY-26-01, posted January 7, 2026, due March 3, 2026) accepts applications from a broad range of eligible entity types for competitive projects throughout the nine-county Bay Area. The previous Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunity (EPA-I-R9-SFBWQIF-24-25, posted October 25, 2024, due April 17, 2025) focused on climate resilience and underserved communities, required no local match, and offered awards ranging from approximately $200 thousand to $1 million. Application review takes approximately 180 days from receipt through selection, notification, work plan development, and award. Preapplication coordination is required; Environmental impact review is not required for this program. The program is subject to intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372 where applicable.

Objective and description

Objective

The goals of the SF Bay Restoration Program are to improve water quality and restore wetlands in the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Funded projects will reduce polluted run-off, restore impaired waters and enhance aquatic habitat. The SF Bay R

Description

The goals of the SF Bay Restoration Program are to improve water quality and restore wetlands in the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Funded projects will reduce polluted run-off, restore impaired waters and enhance aquatic habitat. Achieving significant environmental results related to wetlands restoration and water quality improvements is an overall program priority.

Eligibility

Applicant eligibility

State, local government agencies, districts, and councils; regional water pollution control agencies; State coastal zone management agencies; Federally and non-federally recognized tribes; public and private universities and colleges, public or private non-governmental, non-profit institutions are eligible to apply, unless restricted by the authorizing statutes. Non-profit organizations must have documentation of non-profit status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or their state of incorporation, except that non-profits organizations as defined in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 or superseding legislation are ineligible. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Beneficiary eligibility

The outcomes from the SF Bay Restoration Program will ultimately benefit the urban resident and business populations of the nine county San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the State of California in general.

Uses of assistance

Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation), Science and Technology Projects must demonstrate consistency with the San Francisco Bay Program Priorities and the San Francisco Estuary Partnership's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). Funded projects from eligible entities will improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat (i.e., wetlands) in San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial).This program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. A discretionary award means an award in which the Federal awarding agency, in keeping with specific statutory authority that enables the agency to exercise judgement ("discretion"), selects the recipient and/or the amount of Federal funding awarded through a competitive process or based on merit of proposals. A discretionary award may be selected on a non-competitive basis, as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.

Length and time phasing of assistance

Assistance agreements generally run for a four-year period with a maximum project period of seven years.

How to apply

Preapplication coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. EPA financial assistance programs and activities subject to intergovernmental review that are subject to review under State single point of contact procedures are identified at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-financial-assistance-programs-subject-executive-order-12372-and-section-204. Applicants for programs or activities subject to Intergovernmental Review that are not subject to State single point of contact review must provide directly affected State, areawide, regional, and local entities at least 60 days to review their application following notification by EPA that the application has been selected for funding as provided by 40 CFR 29.8(a) and (c). Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the NOFO. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the NOFO.

Criteria for selecting proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the NOFO.

Award procedure

The SF Bay Program has historically required the grants be awarded on a competitive basis. EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.

Deadlines

For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Time to approval or disapproval

Approximately 180 days from receipt of application, through selection and notification, and development and approval of work plan, to award of funds.

Renewals

None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to [EPA's] priorities, and availability of funds. Awardees may apply for no-cost time extensions with written justification during the lifetime of the grant.

Appeals

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures. Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.

Grant opportunities

Opportunity Status Posted Applications due
San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants EPA-R9-SFBAY-26-01 Closed
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund EPA-I-R9-SFBWQIF-24-25 Closed
San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund, Fiscal Year 2023 EPA-R9-SFBWQIF-23-02 Closed
Bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) - SAN francisco BAY water quality improvement fund, fiscal year 2023 EPA-I-R9-SFBWQIF-23-01 Closed
San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund, FY2022 EPA-R9-SFBWQIF-22-01 Closed
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) -San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund, Fiscal Year 2022 EPA-I-R9-SFBWQIF-22-02 Closed
San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund EPA-R9-SFBWQIF-20-01 Closed
San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund, FY2018 EPA-R9-SFBWQIF-18-01 Closed
San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund EPA-R9-SFBWQIF-17-01 Closed
San Francisco Bay Area Water Quality Improvement Fund (FY 2012 Funds) EPA-R9-WTR3-12-002 Closed
San Francisco Bay Area Water Quality Improvement Fund (FY 2011 Funds) EPA-R9-WTR3-12-001 Closed
Show all 11

Grant awards

Award Recipient Federal obligations Awarded
This agreement provides funding to the state water resources control board to fund staff time at the SAN francisco… 97T32301 State Of California Water Resources Control Board $3,810,452
This agreement provides funding to the california state coastal conservancy to facilitate the beneficial reuse of… 97T33201 State Coastal Conservancy $12,000,000
The purpose of the pcbs tmdl special studies and implementation project is to support protection and restoration of the… 97T23001 City Of San Pablo $8,000,000
This agreement provides funding to california state coastal conservancy (SCC). #8239; specifically, the recipient… 97T21701 State Coastal Conservancy $3,400,000
This agreement provides funding to the SAN francisco estuary institute (sfei) to implement the nutrient management… 97T22601 San Francisco Estuary Institute $38,500,000
This agreement provides funding to the SAN francisco estuary partnership. #8239; specifically, the recipient will… 97T06701 Association Of Bay Area Governments $5,657,072
This agreement provides funding to the SAN francisco estuary institute (sfei) to implement the wetland regional… 97T06101 San Francisco Estuary Institute $11,342,928
The east BAY regional park district's (ebrpd) project at brook road will correct hindered public access to tilden… 98T97201 East Bay Regional Park District $750,000
The aquatic park lagoon in west berkeley is a human made lagoon that receives both tidal waters from the SAN… 98T96801 City Of Berkeley $1,500,000
This award is to transform a 6.9-acre wastewater storage basin into a multi-purpose freshwater treatment wetland and to… 98T96701 City Of San Leandro $2,975,302

Latest 10 of 109 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Top recipients by federal obligations

Rank Recipient Federal obligations Share
1 San Francisco Estuary Institute $68,854,843 29%
2 Association Of Bay Area Governments $31,138,151 13%
3 State Coastal Conservancy $26,591,021 11%
4 City Of San Pablo $9,544,634 4%
5 East Bay Regional Park District $6,959,268 3%
6 Santa Clara Valley Water District $6,800,000 3%
7 County Of Napa $6,727,674 3%
8 City And County Of San Francisco $4,968,558 2%
9 County Of Marin $4,758,070 2%
10 County Of Contra Costa $4,300,000 2%

10 of 54 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Federal obligations by fiscal year

Fiscal year Federal obligations
FY2026 $13,684,899
FY2025 $69,025,553
FY2024 $46,042,328
FY2023 $49,494,024
FY2022 $1,540,001
FY2021 $6,327,630
FY2020 $6,366,054
FY2019 $7,972,000
FY2018 $1,322,000
FY2017 $3,831,000
FY2016 $4,210,000
FY2015 $8,748,200
FY2014 $4,955,021
FY2013 $941,941
FY2012 $5,652,059
FY2011 $5,912,646
Show all 16

Quick answers

What is Assistance Listing 66.126?

Assistance Listing 66.126 is Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Restoration Program, a federal grant program run by Environmental Protection Agency.

What is the CFDA number for Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Restoration Program?

Its CFDA number is 66.126: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.

How much funding has Assistance Listing 66.126 awarded?

109 grant awards under 66.126 have obligated $236,025,356 in federal funds to 54 recipients.

Who receives the most funding from 66.126?

The recipients obligated the most under Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Restoration Program are San Francisco Estuary Institute ($68,854,843), Association Of Bay Area Governments ($31,138,151) and State Coastal Conservancy ($26,591,021).

How much did 66.126 obligate in fiscal year 2025?

Grants under 66.126 obligated $69,025,553 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.

Are there open grant opportunities under 66.126?

No opportunity listed under 66.126 is open now. The latest, San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants, was posted on January 7, 2026.

On GovTribe

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