DWR Seeks Proposals for Habitat Restoration Projects

In an effort to quicken the pace of habitat restoration in California’s biggest estuary, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has invited private companies, non-profit groups and individuals to submit proposals to create wetlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

These projects will advance California EcoRestore, a program to fulfill Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s direction to State agencies to begin restoration of at least 30,000 acres in the Delta over the next five years.

In addition, the Brown Administration’s five-year Water Action Plan calls for restoration of important ecosystems.

DWR will weigh proposals received through the RFP process and enter into agreements with the proponents of acceptable projects. These may be private companies, non-profit groups, individuals, or a combination of such.

Respondents to the RFP must demonstrate control of property desirable for habitat restoration. Proposals will be judged competitively based on factors that include location, cost, site quality, site design, property characteristics and project schedule and readiness.

Projects must be completed within five years, according to the California Department of Water Resources.

The department is prepared to award contracts worth a total of $42.5 million over the next five years for acceptable proposals.

Proposals must be received by November 30, 2016.