As California’s water and wastewater infrastructure ages, many agencies seek out financial assistance from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Programs at the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for facility upgrades and expansions. However, because the SRF Programs receive an annual capitalization grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – a federal nexus - all projects that pursue funding from either the Clean Water or Drinking Water SRF Programs must comply with both CEQA and the federal cross-cutter requirements (“NEPA-like”). Ensuring that your client’s CEQA and federal cross-cutter documents and the overall financial assistance application, fulfills all of these state and federal requirements to the satisfaction of the reviewers at the SRF Program can be confusing.

WEBB's panel will consist of SWRCB staff from the environmental part of the SRF Program who can speak to both the biological and cultural resources requirements, as well as consultants that have navigated the SRF Application process for several projects in the Inland Empire. The presentation will include a review of what is required in the SRF financial assistance application and what is required in the Environmental Package. Guidance and tips from the SRF Program staff and the professional grant writer, as well as helpful lessons learned from the CEQA consultant and project engineer will round out the presentation.