The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) last week called for concept proposals from cannabis cultivators for its upcoming Cannabis Restoration Grant Program (CRGP). The agency said in a press release the grant program will help cover costly remediation projects addressing “environmental damage in watersheds affected by cannabis cultivation and related activities.”
CDFW will be accepting proposal solicitations from fall 2021 through spring of 2023. The application process is split into three steps: consultation, pre-application, and full application. Consultation is optional, according to the release, but will afford prospective applicants the chance to discuss their proposal’s applicability and eligibility with CDFW staff.
“We expect our new qualified cultivator program will help with remediation projects that may be unaffordable for many smaller cultivators, and also promote environmentally sustainable practices. We hope this support will help cultivators progress from provisional to annual license status.” — Jeremy Valverde, CDFW’s Cannabis Program Director, in a statement
For the full details on the program’s concept consultation and funding priorities, CDFW has prepared a Concept Consultation Request Overview for download.
“This is a great opportunity to assist our local small cannabis farms in overcoming the financial barriers that many face on the road to compliance,” said Peggy Murphy, Humboldt County’s Economic Development Specialist. “I look forward to hearing more about this funding opportunity, participating in the solicitation process and helping members of our cannabis community access this valuable resource.”
Last month, two California cannabis brands faced steep fines for breaking state environmental laws including the alleged use of illegal pesticides and herbicides, the improper removal of vegetation, and other violations.
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