The Governor's Budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2005/06 contains no funding for the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP) most likely because the State continues to experience severe fiscal difficulties. The budget process is extremely complex, and budget proposals can change in the months leading up to final adoption. So, it is possible that funding for EEMP projects for FY 05/06 could be contained in the final budget. At this moment, however, we believe this is a very remote possibility, and we counsel applicants not to count on receiving EEMP funds in FY 05/06.

EEMP funds for the past two fiscal years (FYs 03/04 and 04/05) came from prior year EEMP savings. These savings have been exhausted, so no money remains for future EEMP projects. It is possible that some of the EEMP projects funded for 03/04 and 04/05 will result in some unforeseen savings that could be made available for EEMP projects starting July 1, 2005. Any such amounts would likely be relatively small, and it is not clear at this time if they could be allocated to EEMP applicants for 05/06.

The Resources Agency will continue the EEMP application evaluation process up to the point of ranking EEMP proposals for 05/06 in priority order. That way, should funding actually become available for next fiscal year, the Resources Agency can quickly send its recommendations to the California Transportation Commission for funding authorization.

Let me reiterate: At this time, the Resources Agency does not expect funds for the EEM Program to be available for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2005. Should this expectation change, we will notify you and describe the process the Resources Agency, Caltrans, and the California Transportation Commission will follow to fund the highest ranked EEMP proposals.
• California Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program

Dave Brubaker, Coordinator
EEM Program
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-653-565

The federal government has launched a new web site containing information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs. The web site is a collaborative effort of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor and Transportation, as well as the National Science Foundation.
Grants.gov creates a centralized, online process to find and apply for over 900 grant programs from the 26 Federal agencies. Grants.gov streamlines the process of awarding over $360 billion annually to state and local governments, academia, not-for-profits and other organizations. All Federal agencies are required to post all competitive grant opportunities to the site as of November 7, 2003.
The site provides information in a standardized format across agencies and includes:
A "Find Grant Opportunities" feature to help applicants find potential funding opportunities.
An "Apply for Grants" feature that allows applicants to download, complete and submit applications for specific grant opportunities from any federal grant-making agency.
A “Receive Grants Opportunity Notification” feature that allows you to subscribe to receive announcements of both new grants and modifications of existing grant announcements.

The Eastman Kodak American Greenways Awards, a partnership involving Kodak, the Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America. The American Greenways program is designed to develop new action-oriented greenway projects; assist grassroots greenway organizations; leverage additional money for conservation and greenway development; and recognize and encourage greenway proponents and organizations.

Grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project, including planning, technical assistance, legal, and other costs. Grants may not be used for academic research, general institutional support, lobbying, or political activities. Public agencies are eligible, but community organizations will receive preference. The maximum grant award is $2,500, although most grants range from $500 to $1,000. Applications aredue June 1, 2003 and must include a one-page budget and two letters of reference. For more information about the grant program, click here, or contact theAmerican Greenways Grant Coordinator at (703) 525-6300 or greenways@conservationfund.org. For instructions for applying, go directly online.