Proposed Updates to Rounds 1 & 2 Guidelines
March 24, 2025: DOC has prepared an updated set of proposed revisions to the Round 1 & 2 Guidelines . We released draft guidelines for a first phase of review on December 20th with a public comment period that extended through February 14th. During that public comment period, interested parties submitted written comments, met individually with DOC, and participated in virtual office hours. Following the close of the public comment period, DOC staff compiled a response to comments document, met with relevant state governmental agencies, and integrated feedback from all interested parties into updated proposed revisions. Prior to releasing the updated revisions, DOC staff held two virtual work sessions to discuss progress with, and solicit input from, interested parties on March 3rd and March 4th. All of the feedback received to date has been used to create the currently proposed revisions.
Two revisions are proposed in order to clarify existing requirements within the program. The first revision provides a definition for the term “meaningful benefit to disadvantaged communities.” The second revision includes clarification on how DOC staff will comply with existing statutory requirements related to the certification and future extraction of groundwater recharge achieved through the program.
Release of these updated proposed revisions will initiate a second phase of public comment that will allow two weeks for the public to provide input on the updated proposal, from March 24, 2025, to April 7, 2025. During this second phase of public comment, DOC staff encourages interested parties to submit written comments, and will hold two virtual office hours sessions, while also making ourselves available for one-on-one meetings with specific commenters when requested
- March 24, 2025: Second round of revisions and response to initial public comments posted for review and feedback.
- March 26 and April 4, 2025: Virtual office hours will be held on March 26 from 3:00-4:00pm as well as on April 4 from 1:00-2:00pm to discuss the revised language, solicit further feedback from grantees, partners, and stakeholders, and workshop project examples brought forward by attendees.
Individuals interested in attending either of these meetings should email mlrp@conservation.ca.gov.
- Mid-April, 2025: DOC staff will seek to finalize the revised guidelines based on feedback received from grantees. Should additional significant changes to the guidelines be necessary to respond to comments, DOC staff will offer additional opportunities to review, discuss, and edit the guidelines before finalizing.
2023 MLRP Annual Report Released
The Statewide Support Entity (SSE) and the California Department of Conservation (DOC) are excited to share the 2023 MLRP Annual Report, available in English and Spanish.
The program was launched in August 2022 with a set of ambitious and diverse regional objectives to find shared solutions for resilient landscapes for California's uncertain groundwater future. Since then, the program has seen significant progress toward program and block grantee goals. This new report focuses on MLRP goals and accomplishments, current progress, partner involvement, and engagement with MLRP stakeholders and communities.
About the Program
To date, the program has received $90 million in appropriations. This current Round (Round 2) is funded by the Public Resources Trailer Bill (AB 211, Ch. 574, Stat. of 2022), which appropriated $40 million to the Department to fund groundwater sustainability projects that reduce groundwater use, repurpose irrigated agricultural land, and provide wildlife habitat.
The Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program seeks to use this funding to increase regional capacity to repurpose agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater while providing community health, economic wellbeing, water supply, habitat, and climate benefits.
Awarded Projects
Please follow this link to view the MLRP awarded projects
Past Events and Announcements
Follow this link to view past events and announcements
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