Program: Urban Forestry Program (CalFire)

Bond Act: Proposition 84

Agency of Appropriation: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Bond Statute: 75065(a), ref 1

Implementing Statute: California Urban Forestry Act of 1978, Public Resources Code 4799.06 et seq.

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

Bond expenditures will be made based under the broad guidance of the California Urban Forestry Act of 1978 and its implementing regulations (CCR 1550 et seq.); the Proposition 84 Bond Act language; and recent legislation (Chapter 488, Statutes 2006 (AB 32)), Executive Orders (S-03-05 and S-06-06), and other direction regarding the State’s climate change strategies. Some program elements will be achieved through staff-implemented projects, but most of the expenditures will be through competitive grants to agencies and nonprofit organizations. The implementing regulations for the California Urban Forestry Act provide specific guidelines for the operation of competitive grant programs, including applications, review, appeals processes, and matching funds requirements.

Grant guidelines for the Urban Greening Program will be developed and vetted through a public process, including review by the California Urban Forests Council and the California Community Forest Advisory Council. Eligible grant applications will be reviewed by a committee with interdisciplinary and multi-department/agency representation, using the evaluation criteria contained in the grant guidelines.

ts selected for funding under the grant programs are required to spend grant funds according to the approved project scope and budget. CAL FIRE – Urban Forestry requires quarterly progress reports for all projects, conducts site visits during implementation and provides direct technical assistance and oversight, as needed. Grantees must 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 Department also withholds up to ten percent of each payment request to be released upon satisfactory project completion.
ojects funded via the grant programs receive a close-out visit conducted by CAL FIRE-Urban Forestry staff 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 comply with all current laws and regulations which apply to the project and submit documents summarizing total project costs and all additional funding sources. Final payment is withheld until all documentation is provided and all conditions of the grant are met.

Projects within this Program: