BOEMRE Approves $3 Million in Grants for California State Projects
Grants Advance Conservation and Restoration Efforts in Coastal California

Created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, CIAP provides funding to the six Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas producing states to conserve and protect the coastal environment. CIAP is an ongoing program with grant funding that is allocated based on the offshore energy revenues collected by the United States.  

“BOEMRE is committed to investing in efforts to conserve these vulnerable coastal areas,” said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich. “We will continue to do what we can through CIAP to support projects that the state has identified as priorities.” 

“This infusion of millions of dollars will help California continue its commitment to conserving both our ocean and coastal resources and the economy they support,” said Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird. “The projects funded by this grant are examples of the important work under way to protect critical California coastal environments for current and future generations.” 

The four grants will support the following projects: 

• $1,410,000 to create a comprehensive geologic and habitat base map series of California coastal and marine areas. Accurate statewide mapping of seafloor substrates, marine habitat types and bathymetry (underwater topography) of California’s coastal and nearshore waters is a crucial component necessary to guide multiple ocean management decisions, such as monitoring marine reserves, understanding sediment transport and sand delivery, describing tsunami potential and developing an ocean circulation model.
• $772,000 to fund the treatment and management of unpaved roads that are causing erosion and sedimentation problems within coastal parks. This project will reduce the impact of erosion and runoff from poorly sited and improperly maintained roads before they harm aquatic and riparian natural resources in California’s coastal watersheds.
• $700,000 to support coastal regional sediment management plans. These plans are intended to formulate regional consensus-driven sediment management policy and guidance in order to restore, preserve and maintain coastal beaches and other critical areas of sediment deficit.  
• $150,000 for coastal dune restoration at Morro Dunes Natural Preserve located within Montaña de Oro State Park. Park officials will control several invasive plant species over a 500 acre area that will help preserve the highly productive coastal dune scrub. Portions of this area are listed as “Critical Habitat” for threatened and endangered species.