• Santa Clara Valley Water District is taking an aggressive approach to restoring and protecting watersheds, the heart of our water supply.

    Water District to Award Grants to Improve Watersheds, Create Trails and Preserve Land

     

    Enhancement Projects page Photo 1

    SAN JOSE, CA – On Wednesday, Dec. 15, the Santa Clara Valley Water District released Requests for Proposals (RFP) for three grant programs, offering $4.46 million in available funds. The majority of this funding is coming from the voter-approved Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan (Clean, Safe Creeks). Eligible applicants will compete for grants to create new trails and open spaces, construct environmental enhancement projects, and implement watershed stewardship projects; all of which help the water district to fulfill the outcomes of Clean, Safe Creeks.

    “Not only does our grant program help to meet specific objectives passed by the voters; it also helps us to fulfill our district mission,” said Board Chair Richard Santos.” As watershed stewards of Santa Clara County we work hard to manage the environment and natural resources and providing these grants helps us reach more communities.”

    Each of the grant programs has specific objectives that tie directly into the Clean, Safe Creeks plan.

    Trail and Open Space Grant Program – This grant program is consistent with Outcome 4 of Clean, Safe Creeks, which calls for additional open spaces, trails and parks along creeks and in the watersheds when reasonable and appropriate. The objective of the trails element is to provide public access to 70 miles of trails or open space along creeks and in the watersheds. Approximately $2 million in funding is available for this year’s grant cycle.

    Environmental Enhancement Implementation Grant Program – Outcome 3.2 of Clean, Safe Creeks calls for the creation of additional wetlands, riparian habitat and favorable stream conditions for fisheries and wildlife (equivalent to 100 acres of tidal or riparian habitat created or restored). This grant program has been developed to assist proponents of restoration and enhancement projects with the construction phase of relevant projects. Approximately $1.8 million in funding is available for this year’s grant cycle.

    Watershed Stewardship Grant Program – The objectives of this program align with outcomes 2.1, 2.5, 3, 3.2 and 4.1 of Clean, Safe Creeks; which, in summary, focus on continued reduction of pollutants from urban runoff, general surface water quality protection, healthy creek and bay ecosystems, creations of additional wetlands, and open spaces, trails and parks along creeks. In addition, this program helps fulfill the stewardship component of the District’s mission. Approximately $660,000 in funding is available for this year’s grant cycle.

    With 65.5 miles of trails completed through the Trail and Open Space Grant Program and development of joint use and joint trail agreements, the district is on track to surpass the goal set by Clean, Safe Creeks. Since its inception, the Environmental Enhancement Implementation Grant Program has funded the creation or restoration of 358 acres of habitat, exceeding the Clean, Safe Creeks outcome of 100 acres. To date, the Watershed Stewardship Grant Program has awarded approximately $943,000 in funding to 52 projects.

    The following entities are eligible to submit grant applications:

    • Cities
    • Towns
    • Santa Clara County
    • Open space districts
    • Internal units of the Santa Clara Valley Water District
    • Local non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status

    Applications will be reviewed and ranked based upon the evaluation criteria listed in each RFP. All RFP responses are due March 15, 2011 and project funding will be subject to board approval. To assist entities interested in applying for these grants, the water district will be holding workshops in January. RFPs are now available for their respective grant programs at http://www.valleywater.org/Services/HealthyCreeksandEcoSystems.aspx.

    Please direct all inquiries, correspondence and grant applications to Brian Mendenhall, Project Manager, at (408) 265-2607, ext. 3093 or via email atbmendenhall@valleywater.org.

    The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages wholesale drinking water resources and provides stewardship for the county’s watersheds, including 10 reservoirs, hundreds of miles of streams and groundwater basins. The district also provides flood protection throughout Santa Clara County.

    Contact: Marty Grimes
    Office: (408) 265-2607, ext. 2881
    Mobile: (408) 202-4398