• Proposition 50 funding will benefit river parkway projects statewide
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA, June 27, 2007 -- Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman will announce grants totaling $32.7 million at an awards ceremony June 28 to help fund 35 statewide river parkway projects. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at Middle Sunrise Park at Sunrise Boulevard and South Bridge Street in Rancho Cordova.
"Protecting our watersheds is a primary goal of the Resources Agency and of benefit to all Californians," said Secretary Chrisman. "These projects will create or enhance miles of trails for families and communities throughout California, and will also restore and protect wildlife habitat for future generations."
The grants, made possible through Proposition 50, will be used by 31 cities, counties, public agencies and non-profit organizations for the acquisition, restoration, protection and development of areas along rivers, streams and creeks. In total, the grants will fund nearly 59 miles of trail creation or enhancement and more than 1,914 acres of wildlife habitat restoration.
"Working together, we can continue to restore, preserve, and enhance California's natural resources and provide access and recreation for both Californians and visitor to our state," Chrisman said.
In 2002, California voters passed Proposition 50, the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002, which authorized the Legislature to appropriate funds for the acquisition, restoration, protection and development of river parkways.
The California River Parkways Program, a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary for Resources, awards funds to public agencies and non-profit organizations to develop river parkways in their communities.
The grant program was developed with the assistance of a technical review committee consisting of biologists, geomorphologists (geologists who study landforms), ecologists, and recreation and public health professionals. The committee reviewed proposed project applications between January and March 2007 and conducted site visits in April and May, resulting in recommendations to the Secretary for these grant awards.
Proposition 50 funding is administered in three rounds, the first of which was awarded in June 2006 totaling $38.5 million and benefiting 37 projects. Applicants not receiving awards for this second phase of funding are encouraged to re-apply for the third round, totaling $20 million. Proposition 84 grants, which provide $66 million in River Parkways Program funding, will be rolled out over three years beginning in fiscal year 2008. Additionally, projects in the Los Angeles River Watershed will receive $1.6 million through a solicitation this summer.
All proposed projects awarded funding must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Funding for proposed project implementation is contingent upon satisfactory evidence of compliance.
To be approved by lead agency decision makers, the proposed projects may change as a result of the CEQA process. However, any changes to the proposed projects must continue to meet all the objectives of the River Parkways Program and be consistent with the intent cited in the original applications.
For additional information on the grant process, visit the Resources Agency's Proposition 50 Web site: http://www.resources.ca.gov/bonds_prop50riverparkway.html.
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