1. (a) Acquisition Projects that:

   1. (1) Must be from willing sellers at a price no greater than fair market value, and the property must carry a perpetual deed restriction in favor of the Conservancy to ensure use consistent with its conservation mission.
   2. (2) Preserve and maintain natural and cultural areas that are critical to and for species that are endangered or threatened or that are critical to the health of the natural ecosystem.
   3. (3) Support land conservation, where conserved land reduces greenhouse gas emissions by both preventing emissions and sequestering existing gases.
   4. (4) Support the California 30x30 initiative (Governor's Exec. Order No. N-82-20 (Oct. 7, 2020)) in acquiring private lands and returning them to conservation or expanding existing conservation areas or create new ones and protect vital ecosystems.

2. (c) Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Projects that:

   1. (1) Remove invasive plants that contribute to global warming, use excessive amounts of water, or harm endangered or threatened species of plants or animals and replace them with native plants.
   2. (2) Enhance watershed related natural features, such as washes, channels, streams or riverbeds.
   3. (3) Improve groundwater supply by enhancing flow into the aquifer through washes, alluvia fans, or streams.
   4. (4) Improve the ecosystem through restoration work that supports biodiversity, resilience to disturbances, and the ability to support a wide range of plants and animal life, including healthy soil, dust suppression, and clean water.
   5. (5) Prevent wildfires through the removal of invasive plant species to enhance fire prevention by reducing fuel loads, preventing fire spread, and allowing native fire-resistance vegetation to thrive.

3. (d) Increase Public Access. Eligible projects include:

   1. (1) Enhancing access to outdoor recreation, including but not limited to:

      1. (A) Visitor-serving improvements (including buildings, visitor center facilities, native plant landscaping and shade infrastructure), in parks, public open spaces or recreational areas.
      2. (B) Trails through urban or natural landscapes, whether for hiking, biking, walking or equestrian use.
   2. (2) Community access project improvements, such as disabled access improvements, interpretative features that provide education about habitat conservation, cultural artifacts or local history.
   3. (3) Restoration projects that support natural features and habitat areas that expand public access and enhances access to outdoor recreation.

The following projects are eligible for a Grant:

Note: Authority cited: Sections 32501, 32503, 32510, 32534, 32537, 93020 and 90135, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 32537 and 93020, Public Resources Code.

History

1. New section filed 12-24-2025 as an emergency; operative 12-24-2025 (Register 2025, No. 52). Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 90135(e), this action is a deemed emergency and shall remain in effect until repealed or amended by the San Joaquin River Conservancy.