Environmental Enforcement and Training Grants

Grants Unavailable for 2021-22

CalEPA is only authorized to disburse funds when the balance in the Environmental Enforcement and Training Account reaches $100,000. In years when sufficient funds are available, applications will be accepted between March 1 and March 31, for one-year grants commencing the following July 1. Unfortunately, this year’s fund balance falls short of the minimum dollar threshold. No funds will be disbursed for FY 2021-22. Please check back again in March 2022 for the next grant cycle.

About the 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.) was established to provide 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.

Penal Code Section 14314 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

Approximately 25% of the fund is normally available for CalEPA grants described above. These grants are awarded once a year, but only when there is an amount of $100,000 in the account. Grant amounts vary annually.

Grant Cycle:

The program normally operates on the following annual cycle:

March 1 Announce availability of funds to disburse funds under the program

March 1-30 Applications for discretionary grants accepted

Early May Grant applicants notified

July 1 – June 30 Grants in effect

Who May Apply

When funds are available, grants may be awarded to public entities and private nonprofit organizations for training public prosecutors and investigators, among others, in the investigation and enforcement of environmental laws and to further support the Environmental Circuit Prosecutor Project. 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. Individuals are not eligible to receive grants.

Future Applications:

Due to limited funding, CalEPA is not accepting applications for the 2021-22 grant cycle. When applications are accepted, applications for these grants must address the items set forth in Title 27, California Code of Regulations, section 10015. Grants are awarded based on the criteria and process set forth in Title 27, California Code of Regulations, section 10016.

Questions:

Questions concerning the grant process or on making a contribution to this fund may be directed to Jessica Aresca.

Jessica Aresca
CalEPA, Office of the Secretary
1001 I Street, MS 25C
Sacramento, CA 95814