The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on Friday announced the selection of 67 projects that will receive funding for coastal salmon and steelhead habitat restoration, response to the statewide drought and forest legacy restoration.

The grants, which total $16,720,061, are distributed through CDFW’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP) and include approximately $661,000 awarded to drought restoration projects, $2.5 million awarded for timber legacy restoration projects and $13.4 million for anadromous salmonid restoration projects. FRGP monies come from a combination of state sources and the federal Pacific Coast Salmon Restoration Fund.

In response to the February 2015 FRGP solicitation, CDFW received 143 proposals requesting more than $45 million in funding. The drought solicitation was subsequently released in June and 25 proposals were received requesting approximately $2.5 million. All proposals underwent an initial administrative review and those that passed were evaluated through a technical review process that included reviews by CDFW and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists.

The 67 approved projects will further the objectives of the state and federal recovery plans, including removing barriers to fish migration, restoring riparian habitat, monitoring of listed populations, and creating a more resilient and sustainably managed water resources system (e.g., water supply, water quality and habitat) that can better withstand drought conditions. These projects further the goals of California's Water Action Plan and CDFW’s recently approved and awarded State Wildlife Action Plan.

The list of approved projects can be found on the FRGP website.