1. (a) All proposals shall be reviewed by a review committee of state-staff experts on watershed health, wildfire resilience, climate change, tribal traditional ecological knowledge, or other relevant qualifications based on the nature of the funding available and the Conservancy's priorities.

   1. (1) If state staff with relevant expertise are unavailable, the Conservancy may invite non-state staff experts to participate in the review committee.
   2. (2) All review committee members are subject to applicable laws on conflict of interest.

2. (b) Each Proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

   1. (1) Alignment with and response to the program declarations listed in Section 1 of Proposition 4, including advancing funding to Vulnerable Populations, Disadvantaged Communities, or Severely Disadvantaged Communities, and advancement of Environmental Justice principles.

   2. (2) Alignment with program priorities which shall include the following:

      1. (A) Ability to protect, conserve, and watersheds and healthy chaparral and forest lands.
      2. (B) Ability to mitigate climate change impacts upon communities, fish and wildlife, and natural resources and increase public access.
      3. (C) Ability to protect and restore chaparral, local native species and other ecosystems by mitigating the threat of invasive species and advancing biosecurity initiatives.
      4. (D) Ability to support workforce development that addresses needs related to the objectives of Proposition 4 and are designed to create career pathways for individuals from Disadvantaged Communities, Severely Disadvantaged Communities, or Vulnerable Populations.
   3. (3) Demonstration of public benefits anticipated to be derived from the project, including direct and meaningful community benefits, workforce development and training, or the inclusion of community partnerships, where applicable, including tribally-led projects or partnerships.
   4. (4) Demonstration of readiness and capacity to complete the proposed project.
   5. (5) Inclusion of services by the California Conservation Corps or certified community conservation corps, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 14507.5, where determined feasible by the applicant.
   6. (6) Inclusion of innovative and/or effective methodology supported by science.
   7. (7) Relative need of the project, based on geographic or environmental vulnerability factors, as described in the request for proposals pursuant Section 14004.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 33204, 33204.2 and 33204.27, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 33204, 33204.2, 33204.27, 90110, 91032(b), 91520(j), 93020(a)(8), 94020 and 94030, Public Resources Code.

History

1. New section filed 12-29-2025 as an emergency; operative 12-29-2025 (Register 2026, No. 1). 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 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.