Feel free to press play for the sound track to this article because it is the big one we’ve all been waiting for. This news will knock what is left of your socks entirely off…
CDFW Announces the Availability of $2 million to Support Non-Lethal Beaver Damage Management
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the availability of up to $2 million in grant funding for non-lethal beaver damage management, in support of ecosystem restoration and protection under the Nature-Based Solutions Initiative and CDFW’s beaver restoration and human-wildlife conflict program objectives.
This is what I have been waiting for, hoping for, praying for. This is the BIG one that makes all the little ones take notice. Considering that 17 years ago Martinez was struggling to find ways to save our beavers and whenever anyone called fish and game because they heard about these newfangled pipes that might help they were EVER SINGLE TIME “Those things never work”.
The North American beaver’s critically important role as an ecosystem engineer and keystone species, particularly as climate change, drought and wildfires increase in severity, has gained rapidly growing recognition in recent years. Because they are crucial to restoring and maintaining healthy ecosystems and their functions, CDFW has implemented new measures to maintain healthy beaver populations in suitable habitat throughout California.
I learned later from the sharp older woman who worked as Martinez treasurer that she had seen a special with Skip Lisle on animal planet about installing a flow device and she was so excited she called the mayor and director of public works and invited them to watch it in her living room because it could solve ALL their problems.
They Never Even Called Back.
In 2023, CDFW established a Beaver Restoration Program and adopted a beaver depredation policy that promotes human-beaver coexistence. CDFW recognizes that the very behavior that makes beavers so valuable to the ecosystems they maintain (e.g., felling trees, damming waterways) can often lead to direct conflict with landowners and local municipalities. CDFW’s new policy calls for thorough evaluation of beaver damage complaints, including identifying where effective and feasible non-lethal damage deterrent options exist and providing recommendations for non-lethal strategies that can be implemented in lieu of lethal beaver management. Installation of these devices and equipment may be done proactively to prevent beaver damage or may be pursued to abate damage as an alternative to obtaining a depredation permit.
There are only 25 counties in California that typically request beaver depredation permits. 200000 dollars means 80,000 for each county, Which Martinez could have had help installing Skip’s flow device. Which means Placer county could. Napa could. Fairfield could…
As part of the Nature-Based Solutions Initiative, entities eligible for this funding opportunity include Tribes, non-governmental organizations and public agencies. Through grants awarded to eligible entities, the objectives of this program also include outreach and the reimbursement or direct funding to private landowners.
CDFW has launched an online application portal to receive applications for the grant funding. As part of its Cutting the Green Tape efforts, this streamlined application and review process will remain available on an ongoing basis through early 2025. CDFW is accelerating the review and approval process under this funding with the goal to review and approve the award for grants for selected projects within 30 days of receipt. Following awards, CDFW will work to develop agreements for awarded projects.
Grants reviewed within 30 days. Nonprofits or tribes or agencies may apply. Friends of Alhambra Creek could have applied. The city of Martinez could have applied. It’s a Different World…A New World…
CDFW has developed a single set of General Grant Program Guidelines with an overview of eligible project types, priorities and information on the application process, available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Watersheds/Restoration-Grants/Concept-Application.
More information about these funding opportunities, including guidelines and how to apply, general information about CDFW’s grant programs, as well as a schedule for upcoming grant solicitations can be found at www.wildlife.ca.gov/grants.
Once upon a time in a land far far away there was a big meeting in Martinez where everyone talked about what to do with the beavers and one woman had heard of these devices and confronted the city manager about them…
He turned in his chair and said they had decided they wouldn’t work in our city…
They woman whom I did not know was FEARLESS and not about to be shushed away. “BUT YOU KNEW ABOUT THEM???AND YOU DIDN’T TELL US???”
Which bothered the soon to retire Don Blumbaugh so much that he turned away and told her to talk to the council.
Welcome to the new world.
