Public Beach Restoration Grant Program

The Division of Boating and Waterways Public Beach Restoration Grant Program is administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Established through the Public Beach Restoration Act (AB 64 - Ducheny) in 1999, the program aims to protect California's coastal infrastructure and preserve recreational beach access by funding carefully engineered beach restoration projects. It aligns with California’s longstanding shoreline erosion policy, which favors beach nourishment and soft solutions over hard structures such as seawalls. The program supports projects that place sand strategically on or near public beaches along the open coastline or within the San Francisco Bay. This method of restoration mitigates coastal erosion, protects vital infrastructure, and enhances recreational beach use. The fund is intended for the enhancement and nourishment of public beaches through cost-effective sand placement solutions, reinforcing California’s commitment to sustainable shoreline management. Eligible applicants include public agencies at the local, regional, state, and federal levels. However, funding distinctions exist based on project location. For non-state beaches, the program may fund up to 85 percent of non-federal project costs. Projects located on state beaches are eligible for up to 100 percent of non-federal costs, but such projects must instead be routed through the capital outlay process rather than this grant program. Projects are approved and funded individually as part of California’s annual state budget process. The FY27 grant cycle requires a letter of intent, due by December 15, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. The full application deadline is February 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., and awards are expected to be announced by June 30, 2027. The period of performance for awarded projects spans three years. Funding will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis following satisfactory completion of work, unless a federal project partner necessitates advance payment. Applicants are strongly advised to review the full grant guidelines available through the Division of Boating and Waterways’ website. Questions regarding the program can be directed to Casey Caldwell at 1-916-902-8824 or via email at casey.caldwell@parks.ca.gov.

Focus on coastal sand replenishment and demonstrate cost-effectiveness; projects must align with California's Shoreline Erosion Protection Policy.