Refugio Beach Oil Spill Settlement: South Coast Shoreline Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grants Program: 2023 Request for Proposals

Pre-proposal Due Date: March 20, 2023
Full Proposal Due Date: July 17, 2023

Overview

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, together with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Parks and Recreation, California State Lands Commission, and Regents of the University of California (collectively the “State Trustees”) requests pre-proposals pursuant to a second request for proposals (“RFP”) under the South Coast Shoreline Parks and Outdoor Recreation Grants Program (“Program”) for recreational projects that compensate the public for the loss of use and enjoyment of public beaches, parks, and other public or natural resources as a result of the Refugio Beach oil spill.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established the Program with funds it received, on behalf of the State Trustees, pursuant to a consent decree settling a civil action brought by the United States and the People of the State of California [Case No. 2:20-cv-02415 (C.D. Cal.)]. The first RFP was released in October 2021 with the goal of allocating available funds to a variety of recreationally based projects downcoast of El Capitan State Beach in Santa Barbara County to Long Beach in Los Angeles County based on the geographic distribution of Refugio Beach oil spill recreational impacts to the extent practicable. Project selections were made based on the evaluation of full proposals submitted and the amount of funds available per locale. After projects were selected from the first RFP, available funds remained for the locales of Coal Oil Point Nature Reserve, Ventura County, and Los Angeles County. The goal of this second RFP is to allocate remaining available funds to a variety of recreationally based projects at Coal Oil Point Nature Reserve and in the counties of Ventura and Los Angeles.

Geographic Focus

Project proposals are expected to focus on directly benefiting shoreline, near-shore, and/or water-based recreation at Coal Oil Point Nature Reserve and in the counties of Ventura and Los Angeles. Projects benefiting recreation at the Channel Islands will be considered.

Funding Available

Up to $600,000 in grant funds is available for projects through this second RFP. Multi-year projects will be considered. However, since the Program has limited funding, shovel-ready projects with either a low probability for cost overruns or a mechanism to address cost overruns are preferred. Matching funds and/or in-kind contributions are encouraged, but not required.

Funding will be allocated to address recreation impacts associated with the Refugio Beach oil spill to the extent practicable (see Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan), but will focus on areas in Coal Oil Point Nature Reserve and in the counties of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. Below are approximate funding allocations by project location.

Table 1: Approximate Geographic Distribution of Awards

Locale1 Funding Target2
Coal Oil Point Nature Reserve $25,000
Ventura County $200,000
Los Angeles County $375,000

1. For water-based recreation, “Locale” refers to the shoreline point of departure for the recreational activity.

2. More than one project may be selected within an identified geographic locale.

Program Funding Priorities

Grants will be awarded for implementation of projects that enhance the recreational use and enjoyment of fishing, boating, other water-based, shoreline, or near-shore recreation at Coal Oil Point Nature Reserve and in the counties of Ventura and Los Angeles. Grants for planning projects will not be considered unless they include or are closely tied to the implementation of a project (through other identified funding or matching funds).

Applicants must specifically identify in the proposal the primary locale(s) where the project will benefit outdoor recreation:

  • Coal Oil Point Nature Reserve
  • Ventura County
  • Los Angeles County

Evaluation Criteria

A full list of evaluation criteria can be found in the Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan for the Refugio Beach Oil Spill (p. 59) and includes whether the project: 

  • provides tangible benefits for enhancing recreational opportunities that were affected by the spill
  • is technically and procedurally sound, and not already been funded or completed
  • complies with applicable laws throughout the entire project life 
  • is cost effective
  • provides a broad range of recreation benefits
  • begins benefiting the public in the short-term
  • will provide benefits to the public over the long-term
  • avoids collateral injury from project implementation
  • has a high likelihood of success
  • has the potential for cultural resources conservation and/or education
  • includes a complete and accurate estimate of project costs 
  • is beneficial to public health and safety
  • provides opportunities for collaboration
  • avoids duplication of other efforts already ongoing at the same location
  • is able to document benefits to the public

Projects that are not technically feasible, do not comply with applicable laws, or are otherwise not expected to provide tangible benefits to fishing, boating, other water-based, shoreline, or near-shore recreation will not be considered.  Unforeseen project delays could result in the cancellation of a grant award to allow funding of alternative projects.

Eligibility

Local, state, and federal agencies, local and regional park districts, and non-governmental organizations may apply for funding. 

Funds granted under this Program may not be used for political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, or projects that are legally-required mitigation projects.

Timeline

The anticipated timeline for this RFP is as follows:

March 20, 2023 (2pm Pacific time) Pre-proposals due date
May 2023 Full proposals invited
July 17, 2023 (2pm Pacific time) Full proposals due date
November 2023 Grant awards announced

How to Apply

All application materials must be submitted online through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Easygrants system.

Go to the Easygrants online system to register. New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting the application (if you already are a registered user, use your existing login). Enter your applicant information. Please disable the pop-up blocker on your internet browser prior to beginning the application process.

Once on your homepage, click the “Apply for Funding” button and select this RFP’s “Funding Opportunity” from the list of options.

Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once an application has been started, it may be saved and returned to at a later time for completion and submission.

Additional information to support the application process can be accessed on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation website’s Applicant Information page.

For more information or questions about this RFP, please contact:  

Eliza Braendel
Senior Manager, Impact-Directed Environmental Accounts (IDEA)
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
(415) 593-7628
Eliza.Braendel@nfwf.org