The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) SMMC Grant Program

The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Proposition 1) iscodified as Division 26.7 of the Water Code. Proposition 1 authorizes $7.545 billion in generalobligation bonds for state water projects, including surface and groundwater storage,ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration, and drinking water protection. TheSanta Monica Mountains Conservancy’s (“Conservancy”) Proposition 1 Competitive GrantProgram Guidelines (“Guidelines”) specifically pertain to competitive grants for multibenefit ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration projects pursuant to Water CodeSection 79731(h), and for projects to protect and enhance an urban creek pursuant to WaterCode Section 79735(a).In addition to the purposes defined in Proposition 1 and outlined further below, projectsfunded by Proposition 1 must carry out at least one of the three objectives of the CaliforniaWater Action Plan (“Water Action Plan”). Together, Proposition 1 and the Water ActionPlan represent tremendous strides in the State’s ability to address the current challengesposed by drought and create a sustainable strategy for managing its water resources andsupply. The priorities and strategies identified will help protect our natural resources fromsevere dry periods and create a more sustainable water infrastructure and supply to betterserve our growing population.