The Coastal Conservancy acts with others to preserve, protect and restore the resources of the California Coast. Our vision is of a beautiful, restored and accessible coastline.

The Coastal Conservancy is seeking project proposals from government agencies and nonprofit organizations for development of the California Coastal Trail and other coastal access improvement projects in San Diego County.

PROJECT PROPOSALS

The Conservancy is calling for proposals for projects in San Diego County that will help meet the public access goals contained in the Conservancy's 5-year Strategic Plan adopted in 2007 . The completion of the California Coastal Trail (CCT) is the core public access goal of the Strategic Plan. Other high-priorities include the development of regional trail systems which connect inland populations with the coast, revitalization of urban waterfront areas through the creation of parks and other recreational facilities, and the opening of inaccessible areas of the coast to the public.

We are specifically interested in receiving project proposals that will accomplish the one or more of the following:

• Determine optimal alignments for the California Coastal Trail (CCT)
• Design and construct sections of the CCT for which alignments have been established
• Open currently inaccessible areas of the coast to public use
• Improve or replace deteriorated and/or unsafe access facilities
• Create new access opportunities for underserved user groups, such as people with physical disabilities and low-income populations
• Facilitate the development of regional trail systems, including river parkways, which connect inland populations with the coast
• Close gaps in existing trail systems
• Resolve disputes such as those between private landowners and the public or between different user groups
• Protect or enhance sensitive natural resources in areas that are impacted by public use

We are seeking proposals for projects in all stages of development. In the case of projects still in the early planning or conceptual stage, Conservancy staff can work with project proponents to further refine project concepts and develop projects suitable for future funding. However, the project should be one that can be implemented within the next three to five years.

To be considered for funding or for further development, proposed projects must meet the following minimum criteria:

• The project must be located within the Coastal Zone, or must provide a connection to a coastal area
• The project must serve more that the local community or neighborhood

AVAILABLE FUNDING

The Conservancy has no minimum or maximum grant amounts. The Conservancy awards funds on the basis of project needs, benefits and competing demands for funds within the region.

The primary source of funding for future Conservancy projects is the voter-approved bond fund "The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006" (Proposition 84). Funds allocated to the Conservancy by Proposition 84 are subject to legislative appropriation, however, the Conservancy expects to spend approximately $10 million for public access projects in San Diego County over the next five years.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

All government agencies (federal, state, local, and special districts) and certain nonprofit organizations are eligible for funding. To be eligible to receive Conservancy project funding, a nonprofit organization must exist under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and must demonstrate that the organization's purposes are consistent with the Coastal Conservancy's enabling legislation (Division 21 of the Public Resources Code).

SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
Project proposals should not exceed five pages, exclusive of attachments.

Please provide responses to the following:

1. Provide an overview of the proposed project. Be sure to include the following information at a minimum:
   • As thorough a description as is possible of the work to be performed.
   • Estimated project cost
   • Expected sources and amounts of funding for the project including local, state and/or federal and private.
   • Approximate timeline for project initiation and completion.
   • Names and contact information of people able to provide additional information about the proposed project.


2. Provide a map showing the project location. Additional photos and other graphics are encouraged.



3. Indicate whether the proposed project located in the Coastal Zone. If not, briefly describe the proposed project's relationship to coastal resources.



4. Briefly summarize the proposed project's goals, objectives and potential benefits. Be sure to include an explanation of how the project will meet a greater-than-local needs.



5. Name and briefly describe the organization that will be responsible for completing the project. If a non-profit organization, please provide a copy of your IRS letter or other evidence indicating that the organization is established under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.



6. Indicate whether this organization is currently a beneficiary of other Coastal Conservancy grants or has been in the past. If so, name the projects.



7. List any organizations, public agencies, elected officials, or community groups that support the proposed project. (Please do not include letters of support at this time.)

Send the project proposal, along with the requested supporting materials, to:

Prentiss Williams
State Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, 13th Floor
Oakland, CA 04612
prentiss@scc.ca.gov

Proposals should be received by the Conservancy no later than MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008. Submittals via email are acceptable, however total email size cannot exceed 2 megabytes.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Further information may be obtained from the Conservancy's website. The website contains links to the Conservancy's 2007 strategic plan, the Conservancy's enabling legislation, current and past meeting agendas and staff recommendations, and to the California Coastal Trail Project website. Additional information and background documents can also be provided upon request.

Questions about the proposal process or requests for additional information should be directed to:

Prentiss Williams, Project Manager
Telephone: (510) 286-3773
FAX: (510) 286-0470
Email: prentiss@scc.ca.gov

CALIFORNIA CONSERVATIONS CORPS

The Coastal Conservancy encourages all its partners to consider using the California Conservation Corps for construction projects.