Urban Streams Restoration Program

The Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP), administered by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), provides grant funding and technical assistance to restore urban streams to a more natural state. The program focuses on enhancing ecological, aesthetic, and recreational values, preventing flood and erosion damage, and promoting community stewardship. Eligible projects must undergo a competitive application process starting with an online concept application via the GRanTS portal, followed by a full application for selected candidates. Awards are determined by a point-based scoring system, requiring a minimum of 90 points for funding consideration. Grant recipients are subject to strict administrative and regulatory requirements, including compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Clean Water Act, and mandatory consultation with Native American Tribes. Funding is primarily disbursed on a reimbursement basis, typically quarterly, with DWR retaining 10 percent of each payment until final project approval. Construction grants require specific technical deliverables, including design documents at 30, 60, 90, and final stages, and a comprehensive Project Completion Report submitted within 90 days of task completion. Additionally, grantees must adhere to prevailing wage laws, competitive bidding regulations, and long-term maintenance commitments, generally spanning at least 20 years.