Environmental Enforcement Grants
The Environmental Enforcement and Training Account Grant Program (Penal Code section 14300 et seq. and Title 27, California Code of Regulations, section 10014 et seq.) provides a non-general fund source of financial assistance for environmental enforcement, education and training to enhance statewide enforcement of environmental laws. Funding sources primarily include court-approved and administratively ordered contributions from environmental enforcement settlements.
Section 14300 provides for disbursement of account funds as follows:
- 25% to the Environmental Circuit Prosecutors Project
- 25% to the California District Attorneys Association for environmental enforcement training.
- 25% to the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards & Training, who may decline all or part of the funds, with any funds so declined going to the Secretary for re-allocation for environmental training of peace officers.
- Remaining balance to the Secretary for grants related to environmental enforcement, education and training.
Every year approximately 25% of the fund is available for CalEPA grants described above. These grants are awarded once a year. Grant amounts vary annually.
Who May Apply: Grants may be awarded to public agencies and private nonprofit entities for training public prosecutors, peace officers, firefighters, and state or local environmental regulators in the investigation and enforcement of environmental laws. Local environmental regulators may request local assistance grants to assist in the investigation and enforcement of environmental laws, based upon a showing of substantial need and a lack of other available funding sources.
Local environmental regulators may request local assistance grants to assist in the enforcement of environmental laws, based upon a showing of substantial need and a lack of other available funding sources.
How to apply: Depending on funding availability, applications for grants are accepted August 1st through August 31st every year. Due to limited funding, applications will not be solicited for the 2020 grant cycle. Please check back again in July 2021 for the next grant cycle.
Applications should be sent to:
Jessica Aresca
CalEPA, Office of the Secretary
1001 I Street, MS 25C
Sacramento, CA 95814
Questions concerning the grant process or on making a contribution to this fund may be directed to Jessica Aresca.
Grant Distribution Reports:
- CalEPA Environmental Enforcement and Training Grant Program – Report on the 2017 Distribution (PDF)
- CalEPA Environmental Enforcement and Training Grant Program – Report on the 2016 Distribution (PDF)
- CalEPA Environmental Enforcement and Training Grant Program – Report on the 2015 Distribution (PDF)
- CalEPA Environmental Enforcement and Training Grant Program – Report on the 2014 Distribution (PDF)
- CalEPA Environmental Enforcement and Training Grant Program – Report on the 2013 Distribution (PDF)
- CalEPA Environmental Enforcement and Training Grant Program – Report on the 2012 Distribution (PDF)
- CalEPA Environmental Enforcement and Training Grant Program – Report on the 2011 Distribution (PDF)