2026 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition (Nontraditional Section 6)
🏛 Department of Fish and Wildlife (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 10, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for dam owners and entities responsible for State jurisdictional dams in California with deficiencies requiring remediation. Applicants may include government agencies, public authorities, and dam operators that manage facilities regulated by DWR's Division of Safety of Dams. Eligible projects focus on repair, retrofit, and rehabilitation of dams with condition assessments below "Satisfactory" or those with imposed reservoir restrictions. Geographic scope is limited to California dams under State jurisdiction.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The HCP Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the Service provides matching grants to states in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. The Service considers the use of federal acquisition dollars by states for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the ESA in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape. Please Note: This is a federal grant program administered by the State. Federal conditions are subject to change. The timeline for the FY2026 US Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants Funding Opportunity is set by the US Fish and Wildlife Service; it is unknown when that funding opportunity will be released. The application deadline listed in this solicitation may change to either an earlier or later date. The solicitation period is not expected to exceed four weeks. Contact your CDFW Region to coordinate on proposals. CDFW Regions submit proposals to nccp@wildlife.ca.gov. Resources for this solicitation are based on the FY2025 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants funding opportunity announcement from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (F25AS00035) and FY2025 CDFW requirements.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (California-specific)
- Dam condition assessment documentation
- Project scope and budget narrative
- Cost-sharing commitment letter
- Community/stakeholder engagement plan
- Public safety risk analysis
Program contact
- 📧 NCCP@wildlife.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-594-4485
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Dam owners and operators of State jurisdictional dams in California. This includes government agencies and public authorities managing facilities regulated by DWR's DSOD.
What types of projects are eligible?
Repair, retrofit, and rehabilitation of dams with deficiencies. Projects must address condition assessment issues or support dams with imposed reservoir restrictions.
What is the deadline?
Deadline information has not been publicly announced yet. Contact the California Department of Water Resources for updates on when applications will open.
How much funding is available?
Approximately $228.2 million is allocated for this program statewide. Individual award amounts vary based on project scope and need.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to contribute to project funding.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly document your dam's condition assessment and deficiencies before applying. Use DWR assessment reports as evidence.
- Show how your project reduces public risk or restores water storage capacity lost to reservoir restrictions.
- Demonstrate your organization's financial capacity to provide required cost-sharing contribution.
- Align your project timeline with California's water resilience and climate adaptation priorities.
- Engage downstream communities early; strong stakeholder support strengthens applications.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when applicants don't clearly link projects to DWR condition assessments or climate resilience goals. Weak cost-sharing plans or lack of financial documentation are common rejection reasons. Poor community engagement and failure to address public safety messaging reduce competitiveness.
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