To: Board of Supervisors
From: Internal Operations Committee
Report Title: Allocation of Fish and Wildlife Propagation Funds
Recommendation: Recommendation of a Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the allocation of Fish and Wildlife Propagation Funds in the amount of $81,375 to fund 11 eligible projects that protect, conserve, propagate, and/or preserve fish and wildlife, as recommended by the Fish and Wildlife Committee.
2. STIPULATE that within 18 months of contract or agreement execution, or within one month of project completion, whichever is sooner, recipients must submit a final project report which includes invoices and receipts documenting how funds were spent and the results of the project.
3. AUTHORIZE the Fish and Wildlife Committee or the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to approve written grantee requests for modifications to the budget allocations described in their grant applications, not to exceed the grant amount.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund. As of October 12, 2026, the fund’s balance was $453,425.88. Recommended allocations total $81,374.59.
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee (FWC) reviewed 16 grant applications for the 2027 Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund, recommending full or partial funding for 11 projects. In 2010, the Board of Supervisors directed the Internal Operations Committee (IOC) to review FWC’s annual grant recommendations before the Board’s authorization. On October 19, 2026, the IOC endorsed the funding recommendations of FWC. This report outlines the grant program, FWC’s process, and the recommended grant projects.
I. Background
Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund
The Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund was established in accordance with the California Fish and Game Code (Code) 13100 as a repository for fines collected for certain violations of the Code and other regulations related to fish and game. The most common fines are small ($25-$150) and are processed through the four Superior Courts in Contra Costa County. A portion of the fines are deposited into the Fund. The fines typically stem from hunting or fishing violations (e.g. not possessing a valid license) and illegal dumping. Occasionally portions of larger fines that result from violations, such as failure to obtain appropriate permits for activities such as streambed alteration, illegal take of a special status species, or pollution of waters, are deposited into the Fund. In 2022, the Fund received a $497,500 deposit resulting from the settlement of The People of the State of California v. LP, SFPP, involving a Kinder Morgan pipeline rupture in November 2020 that released gasoline into a drainage canal. This substantial, one-time deposit has been instrumental in sustaining the Fund. Over the past five years, regular deposits totaled $131,634.18, excluding the settlement proceeds, averaging approximately $26,327 annually. Deposits were particularly low in fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The settlement has provided an important source of funding that has allowed the grant program to continue supporting fish and wildlife conservation projects despite relatively modest annual revenues.
As of October 12, 2026, the fund had an available balance of $453,425.88, after accounting for previously approved grant commitments that have not yet been paid. If the recommended 2027 grant awards totaling $81,374.59 are approved, the remaining available balance would be $372,051.29.
FWC Grant Program
The Board has charged the FWC with coordinating a process by which fine money could be appropriately “expended for the protection, conservation, propagation, and preservation of fish and wildlife” [Fish and Game Code 13100]. Since 1996, the FWC has implemented a structured process for reviewing funding requests. The FWC developed a grant application packet (attached), which includes a cover letter to explain the grant process and funding priorities, an application to solicit relevant information about the project, and a copy of the expenditure criteria established by California law for the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund.
Public Outreach to Advertise the Grant Program
The application packet was distributed on May 28 and June 1 to the Fish and Wildlife Committee and Contra Costa Watershed Forum mailing lists, all Contra Costa County school districts, and local colleges and universities including Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, Los Medanos College, UC Berkeley, Cal State East Bay, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Saint Mary’s College. The CCC Office of Communications and Media issued a press release to local and regional media outlets announcing the availability of the grant application packet. County Supervisors included the announcement in their email newsletters. It was also posted as a newsflash on the Department of Conservation and Development website and shared on its social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and X). In addition, the packet was available on the Committee’s website and upon request.
FWC Review Process for 2027 Grant Awards
The FWC considered 16 grant applications requesting a total of $156,904.19 at its August and September meetings. Several applicants attended and were available to respond to questions regarding their proposals.
II. Grant Funding Recommendations for 2027
At its September 16, 2026 meeting, the FWC recommended full or partial funding for 11 of the proposed projects totaling $81,374.59. The recommended projects include public education, wildlife rehabilitation, habitat improvement, and scientific research across Contra Costa County. The attached grant recommendations chart provides information on all applications received, including the applicant organization, project title, type of organization, project category, geographic location, requested and recommended funding amounts, staff summary of the request, and FWC rationale for the recommendation.
Members in attendance and voting on these items were: Courtney Coon (At-large Alternate), Roni Gehlke (At-large), Susan Heckly (District II), Kathleen Jennings (At-Large), Brett Morris (District IV), Danny Pellegrini (District V), and Jamin Pursell (District I).
The following is a summary of the projects recommended for funding. Full funding is recommended unless otherwise noted.
Worth a Dam
Allocate $928.00 for the “Beaver Ponds Make Pollinator Parties” project. The project will provide an interactive educational activity at the Martinez Beaver Festival to help children and families understand the relationships among beavers, pollinators, and healthy ecosystems. Funding will support educational activity materials, signage, and art supplies.
Golden Gate Bird Alliance on Behalf of Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour
Allocate $3,272.00 for the “Bringing Back the Natives” project. The Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour will encourage residents to create native plant gardens that provide food, shelter, and habitat for local wildlife. Funding will support educational and tour signage and volunteer materials.
KIDS for the BAY
Allocate $8,400.00 for the “Watershed Education Programs” project. Hands-on watershed education and stewardship field trips will help students understand local creeks, bays, aquatic habitat, and actions that protect fish and wildlife. Funding will provide bus transportation for student field trips.
International Bird Rescue
Allocate $15,153.54 for the “Ethically and Effectively Resolving Human / Wildlife Interaction Issues in Contra Costa County Through Temporary Emergency Treatment and Care of Injured and Orphaned Wildlife in 2027” project. Specialized rehabilitation and care will support injured and orphaned aquatic birds from Contra Costa County and help return successfully rehabilitated birds to the wild. Funding will support rehabilitation materials, equipment, and technology improvements.
Walnut Creek Watershed Council / Friends of Concord Creeks
Allocate $1,034.00 for the “Rock Perimeter for Hillcrest Park Native Plant Area” project. A rock perimeter will protect the Hillcrest Park native plant area, create basking and shelter features for western fence lizards, and help visitors recognize the habitat restoration area. Funding will cover rocks and delivery costs.
East Bay Municipal Utility District
Allocate $13,292.00 for the “Pinole Creek Water Quality Assessment” project. Water quality testing in Pinole Creek will investigate potential stressors affecting habitat for ESA-listed California Central Coast steelhead and guide future fisheries management and restoration. Funding will support water sampling, field measurements, and laboratory analyses.
Canyon Elementary School
Allocate $9,000.00 for the “San Leandro Creek Watershed Education & Trout Habitat Stewardship Program” project. San Leandro Creek will serve as an outdoor classroom for students to study rainbow trout, monitor watershed conditions, and participate in habitat stewardship. Funding will support watershed monitoring, aquatic discovery, and habitat stewardship equipment and educational materials.
The Committee recommends approval of the applicant’s request for an exception for non-profit organizations that can demonstrate financial hardship that would allow for a partial disbursement of funds (up to ½ of the grant award) after the grant is awarded.
The Watershed Project
Allocate $11,688.00 for the “Wildcat Creek eDNA Testing and Visual Assessment” project. eDNA testing and visual habitat assessments throughout Wildcat Creek will help identify fish communities, habitat conditions, and potential barriers to fish movement and migration, informing future restoration and public education. Partial funding is recommended only for the eDNA Test, Visual Assessment, Public Education Materials, and Safety Items outlined in the application.
John Muir Land Trust
Allocate $7,128.99 for the “Exploring Tidal Wetlands: Pacheco Marsh Outdoor Education” project. Field trips to Pacheco Marsh will give Contra Costa County youth hands-on experience with restored tidal wetland habitat and fish and wildlife conservation. Funding will provide bus transportation for educational field trips and a digital microscope.
Contra Costa Resource Conservation District
Allocate $6,800.00 for the “Assessing Water Quality Impacts from Invasive Azolla” project. Research on invasive Azolla in livestock ponds will examine effects on water quality and aquatic food webs and inform conservation of habitat used by California red-legged frogs, California tiger salamanders, and other species. Funding will support sampling supplies, laboratory analyses, and shipping for water and plant tissue samples.
Contra Costa Resource Conservation District
Allocate $4,678.06 for the “Shadehouse Operation for Habitat Enhancement” project. A shadehouse will increase the supply of locally adapted native plants for habitat restoration, supporting native fish and wildlife through food, shelter, and shade. Funding will support shadehouse construction and native plant propagation materials.
The FWC voted 7-0 (Ayes: Coon, Gehlke, Heckly, Jennings, Morris, Pellegrini and Pursell; Noes: None; Abstain: None; Absent: Balbas, Fares, and Ortega).
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Funds will not be allocated to recommended projects.