Program: California River Parkways Program

Bond Act: Proposition 84

Agency of Appropriation: Secretary for Natural Resources

Bond Statute: 75050(d)

Implementing Statute: Public Resources Code 5750 - 5756

  • Front-end
  • In-progress
  • Follow-up (Audit)

The California River Parkways Program is a competitive grant program first created under the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 50). The program is administered by the Office of the Secretary for Resources and awards funds to public agencies and non-profit organizations to acquire, restore, protect or develop river parkways. Grant guidelines were developed and vetted through a public process in accordance with the bond statute and implementing legislation. In the fall, the Resources Agency solicits projects for funding consideration. The River Parkways Grant Committee evaluates complete and eligible applications using the evaluation criteria contained in the grant guidelines. Grants are then awarded funding in late June. Proposition 84 funds will be requested for this program for the 2008/09 Governor’s Proposed Budget. A copy of the grant guidelines and additional information on the current program are found on the California Natural Resources Agency website.

Projects selected for funding under the California River Parkways Grant program are required to spend grant funds according to the approved project scope and budget. The California Natural Resources Agency requires quarterly progress reports for all projects and conducts site visits during construction for each development project. Payment requests must include a certification by the grantee that each expense complies with requirements outlined in the grant agreement. Grantees must also submit supporting documentation for each expense, with reimbursements approved only for eligible expenses pursuant to program guidelines and contained within the approved project budget. The Resources Agency also withholds up to ten percent of each payment request to be released upon project completion.

Projects funded via the River Parkways Grant program receive a close-out visit conducted by the California Natural Resources Agency at the time the project is complete and prior to releasing final grant funds. The purpose of the close-out field visit is to ensure all project components were completed according to program guidelines and the terms of the grant agreement, including project scope and budget. All grantees must record a document against the project property that gives public notice of the Resources Agency’s rights as specified in the grant agreement. All grantees must comply with all current laws and regulations which apply to the project and submit documents summarizing total project costs and all additional funding sources.

Projects within this Program: