Eligible applicants include Orange County city and county agencies such as planning departments, public works agencies, recreational departments, etc. Third parties, such as water and wastewater public entities, environmental resource organizations, nonprofit 501(c) environmental institutions, and homeowners associations cannot act as the lead agency for a proposed project; however, these agencies can jointly apply with a city and/or the County of Orange.
The Tier 2 Grant Program consists of funding regional, potentially multi-jurisdictional, capital-intensive projects. Examples include constructed wetlands, detention/infiltration basins and bioswales, which mitigate pollutants including litter and debris, but also heavy metals, organic chemicals, sediment and nutrients.
The Tier 2 program was funded beginning in fiscal year 2012-13 using bond financing revenues with up to $38 million from the Early Action Plan allocated through fiscal year 2015-16. Beyond 2015-16, funding will be based on a pay-as-you-go basis. To date, two rounds of Tier 2 funding have been allocated. Approximately $28 million was awarded to 22 projects from 12 cities and two County agencies.
The next call for projects is not scheduled at this time.
Please contact Alison Army at aarmy@octa.net or at (714) 560-5537 if you would like to inquire about future calls.