Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program

Background

In 2021, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1 (Atkins, 2021) into law. Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) directs the state to provide funding to local and regional governments to develop sea level rise (SLR) adaptation plans and implementation projects. In 2022, The California Air Resources Board (CARB) awarded $37.5 million dollars to OPC to support the implementation of SB 1. In the Budget Act of 2023, OPC received an additional $54.5 million for the continued implementation of SB 1. The FY 24-25 Budget maintained $77 million in funding for the SB 1 Grant Program, with $36.8 million delayed for allocation in 2026. As of September 2024, $23.4 million is available for funding SB 1 projects. Ultimately, OPC’s SB 1 SLR Adaptation Planning Grant Program (SB 1 Grant Program) aims to provide funding for coastal communities to develop consistent SLR adaptation plans and projects to build resilience to SLR along the entire coast of California and San Francisco Bay.

The SB 1 Grant Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

September 30, 2024 – SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program – Updated Application Materials Available

The SB 1 Grant Program application materials have been updated to include a new project category for San Francisco Bay multi-jurisdictional adaptation plans under Track 1, Phase 3. Additional updates include revised Solicitation evaluation criteria (specifically under Relative Need for SLR Planning), updated full proposal components and guidance, and newly addressed questions in the Fact Sheet. Applicants submitting proposals for a San Francisco Bay Adaptation Plan should review the new Supplemental Questionnaire. 

All materials now reflect the latest information on SB 1 funding availability and the anticipated Track 2 (implementation) project release timeline of mid-2025.

SB 1 Grant Program

The SB 1 Grant Program contains two funding tracks: one for pre-planning and planning phases (Track One), and one for the project phase (Track Two).

Track 1

Track One proposals (projects in the Pre-planning, Data Collection, and Planning Phases) are now being accepted through a rolling, quarterly process.

See the SB 1 Grant Program Solicitation (PDF) for details on this funding opportunity. Applicants must use the SB 1 Track 1 Proposal Template and Instructions (.docx), and be sure to address the minimum criteria listed in the SLR Adaptation Criteria.

While the SB 1 Grant Program operates on a rolling, quarterly basis, and proposals can be submitted at any time, all projects must be brought to Council meetings for funding approval and award. The following interim deadlines are in place to ensure projects can be reviewed and considered for funding in time to be brought to our quarterly Council Meetings:

Applications may be accepted up to 10 days past these deadlines, pending available staff capacity. Please contact OPC staff (OPC-SB1@resources.ca.gov) if an extension is needed. Please note that application extensions are not guaranteed.

Track 1 Application Materials

• SB 1 Grant Program Solicitation (PDF)
• SLR Adaptation Criteria (PDF)
• SB 1 Track 1 Proposal Template and Instructions (.docx)
• San Francisco Bay Shoreline Subregional Adaptation Plan Supplemental Questionnaire (.docx)
• Sector Specific Letter of Intent (.docx)

Additional Information

An Informational Webinar was held on April 15, 2024.

• View the recording of the Informational Webinar

For applicants interested in applying by the December 20 deadline, an Office Hour will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Register for the Office Hour

Questions received and answers have been added to the SB 1 Grant Program Fact Sheet (PDF). It will be updated regularly to include relevant questions that arise.

Track 2

Track Two proposals (Implementation Project Phase) are anticipated to be accepted through a competitive process starting in mid-2025, subject to the availability of funding. This delay from the originally planned mid-late 2024 opening is due to adjustments in the SB 1 Grant Program’s funding allocation, with $36.8 million delayed until 2026, reducing the immediate funds available for Track Two projects.

In the interim, OPC is accepting Track Two Letters of Intent (LOI) for urgent projects that address near-term sea-level rise threats. Urgent projects that address near-term SLR threats, meet Phase 4 SLR Criteria requirements, and have completed necessary planning work may submit a request for consultation with OPC staff. Interested parties should completely fill out the Track 2 Letter of Intent (MS Word .docx). See the SB 1 Grant Program Solicitation (PDF) under “Track 2 Proposals & Urgent Phase 4 Projects” for more details.

This mechanism operates on an exceptional case-by-case basis to advance urgent projects, while the primary process for funding implementation projects will remain through the full Track 2 competitive solicitation process once it becomes available in 2025.

Further details for full proposal submissions for Track Two are anticipated to be made available in mid-2025.

Previously Awarded Projects

Since the launch of the SB 1 Grant Program, OPC has awarded funding to a range of Track 1 and Track 2 projects. The selected projects span all four phases of SLR adaptation.

To view details about the projects previously awarded under the SB 1 Grant Program, please refer to the following staff recommendations:

• SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – June 2024 (PDF)
• SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – September 2024 (PDF)

As of September 2024, $23.4 million remains available for future projects under the SB 1 Grant Program.

SB 1 Technical Assistance Program

The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program targets eligible SB 1 applicants facing significant and imminent sea level rise threats along the California coast and San Francisco Bay shoreline. The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program will prioritize applicants based on the following criteria: 

• Environmental Justice (EJ) Communities: EJ communities are communities disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices and social inequities, and historically underserved. OPC’s Equity Plan acknowledges that EJ communities often face heightened exposure to environmental hazards in contrast to surrounding communities. 

• Federally Recognized Tribes:  The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program aims to address the historical injustices against all California Native American tribes. Federally recognized tribes, along with applicants who intend to build meaningful partnerships with both federally and non-federally recognized tribes, will be prioritized to receive technical assistance. 

• Small and Rural Communities: The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program Team acknowledges that small and rural communities are often subject to their own set of climate adaptation challenges, including distance from critical services. Additionally, local government agencies in small and rural communities are often constrained on staffing and other capacity, making it challenging for them to respond to funding opportunities and fill planning gaps. 

• Other: This criterion offers an opportunity for applicants to submit their locally-specific barriers to SLR planning, including, but not limited to: Jurisdiction has not completed an SLR vulnerability assessment or an adaptation strategy. 

For more information on selection criteria and eligibility, please refer to the Criteria Explanation (PDF). 

Technical Assistance Services 

The program recognizes that applicants may require different levels of assistance. Technical assistance recipients will undergo categorization into low, medium, or high-level technical assistance based on the above criteria and an intake call, determining the tailored support they will receive. The table below outlines the available options for each category, offering a range of services that may be provided. 

Technical assistance services are subject to change throughout the program period. 

Instructions on How to Apply 

To apply, fill in the linked initiation form (hosted by Coastal Quest) to the best of your knowledge. Coastal Quest will review your eligibility and initiate an intake call. 

Not sure if you should apply? 

We strongly encourage you to fill out the form to the best of your ability. The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program team will determine your eligibility. If you have any questions, please send an inquiry to OPCSB1TA@coastal-quest.org. 

Contact

General Inquiries
OPC-SB1@resources.ca.gov

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