SWRCB Releases Proposed Amendments to Prop 1 Funding Guidelines

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) released their draft Amended Proposition 1 Groundwater Grant Program (GWGP) Funding Guidelines earlier this month. The proposals are intended to clarify eligibility requirements for drinking water treatment and wastewater projects that benefit disadvantaged communities. The deadline for submitting public comments is Monday, Jan. 4.

Proposition 1 authorizes $720 million to the SWRCB to provide competitive grants for projects that prevent or clean up contamination of groundwater that serves or has served as a source of drinking water. The Proposition 1 GWGP Funding Guidelines, which were initially adopted by the State Water Board in 2016, outline the process to solicit applications, criteria to evaluate and select eligible proposals, and requirements that apply to funded projects.

Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) staff have proposed amendments to clarify eligibility requirements and funding maximums for drinking water treatment and wastewater projects that benefit disadvantaged communities (DACs), and to broaden the types of wastewater projects that can qualify. These changes are intended to maximize utilization of existing DAC set-aside funds for beneficial projects.

The December 2020 Draft Amended Guidelines are available for review here.

To submit written comments, please use the subject line: “Comment Letter – Proposition 1 Groundwater Grant Program Guidelines” and should be submitted to the attention of:
Jeanine Townsend, Clerk to the Board
State Water Resources Control Board
1001 I Street, 24th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Comment letters may be submitted to Clerk to the Board via email (if less than 15 megabytes) at [email protected]. If the electronic comment letter is greater than 15 megabytes, it may be submitted by fax at (916) 341-5620. Couriers delivering hard copies of comment letters must check in with lobby security personnel, who can contact Ms. Townsend at (916) 341-5600.

State Water Board will consider adopting the Amended Guidelines as early as the Tuesday, February 2, 2021 State Water Board Meeting.