Proposition 68 - Parks & Water Bond

Corpsmember wearing blue helmet and proper PPE uses chainsaw to cut downed tree branches in wooded park

Corpsmember Eric Schreiber removes an invasive plant with a chain saw to reduce fire fuel loads and restore natural habitat at Lower Bidwell Park in Chico.

Proposition 68 – the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 – was approved by voters in November 2018.

Funding from Prop 68 is intended to fund projects that plan, develop, and implement climate adaptation and resiliency projects, including those that create or rehabilitate state or local parks, provide flood protection, protect natural resources and water supply, and improve water quality.

Partnering with the CCC

View the Prop 68 Corps Consultation Process – Revised August 2020 (PDF)

View the Prop 68 Corps Consultation Form – Revised December 2019 (PDF)

Proposition 68’s Section 80016 gives preference, to the extent feasible, for receipt of a grant to those who use the services of the California Conservation Corps and certified local conservation corps. Additionally, use of the corps also increases the public benefit of these projects by creating workforce development opportunities for young adults, which may assist an applicant’s ability to comply with Proposition 68 Section 80001(b)(5).

Grant applicants are encouraged to contact the CCC or a certified local corps during the development of project proposals to determine how a corps program can be included.

Organizations seeking funds for a Proposition 68 project should carefully read the administering agency’s guidelines and then consult with representatives of the CCC or the California Association of Local Conservation Corps (CALCC) to determine the feasibility of a corps’ participation.

The CCC provides supervised work crews of 10-15 young adults trained and equipped to work safely on a wide variety of projects related to the priorities of Proposition 68.

Examples of projects include:

  • Watershed and riparian zone restoration
  • Habitat restoration
  • Creation, restoration, or rehabilitation of trails
  • Landscaping and irrigation installation
  • Fencing
  • Native planting
  • Construction of park infrastructure
  • Invasive species removal/vegetation management
  • Fire fuel load reduction/forest thinning
  • Erosion control measures
  • Construction of pedestrian/bike paths

Benefits of Partnering with the CCC

Utilizing the Corps is included in the legislation to increase the public benefit of projects by creating workforce development opportunities for young adult Corpsmembers, many of whom live and work in disadvantaged communities.

  • The Corps provide comprehensive job training, career development, and educational opportunities to young adults.
  • Natural resource projects serve as pathways for young adults to enter specialized fields, including firefighting, forestry, energy conservation, and other environmental fields.
  • Corpsmembers often work on projects in their own community, strengthening their connection to the direct benefits of the project and honoring the intent of Prop 68 to provide community access for all.
  • CCC Corpsmembers are hard-working, enthusiastic and eager to learn.

Consulting the CCC for Proposition 68 Application

Grant applications for planning or acquisition projects with no field work or hand labor do not need to consult with the CCC or local corps.

To complete the Corps Consultation Form, you will need ready:

  • Project Title
  • Project Description
  • Project Map
  • Project Implementation Timeline

Within 10 business days of receipt of a completed Corps Consultation Form, CCC and CALCC representatives will send to the applicant via email a completed Corps Consultation Review Document with the Corps’ determination. The applicant will include a copy of this document as part of their grant application as verification of consultation.

For more information about consulting with the CCC, please email Prop68@ccc.ca.gov, or contact Andrea Gabriel at (916) 341-3272.

For questions regarding how your application will be scored or general questions about your application, please contact the administering agency of the program to which you are applying.

Prop 68 CCC Projects

The CCC also received an allocation of $40 million for natural resource conservation projects that assist with climate adaptation and resiliency. Approximately half of the money appropriated is available for certified local corps projects. Applicants can develop projects directly with the CCC for projects that assist with climate adaptation and resiliency, including:

  • Rehabilitation or improvement of local and state parks
  • Restoration of watersheds and riparian zones
  • Regional and community-level fuel load reduction
  • Compost application and food waste management
  • Resources conservation and restoration projects; and
  • Facility or equipment acquisition, development, restoration, and rehabilitation.

If you are a sponsor interested in developing a project directly with the CCC, contact Ka-Ryn Escovedo at (916) 341-3126.