.png)
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES
On September 11, 2024, the Rural Resilience Project (RRP) was awarded $3.1M through the Qualified Cultivator Funding Opportunity by the CDFW Cannabis Restoration Grant Program to create and implement Technical Assistance Services to Mendocino County licensed cultivators.
Eligibility Requirements
Must possess, at a minimum, an active (outdoor or mixed light tier 1) provisional or annual license issued by:
-
Department of Cannabis Control (DCC); and
-
Mendocino County Cannabis Department.
Priority given to:
-
Priority will be given to eligible cultivators with an ownership or financial interest in no more than a total of 10,000 square feet of outdoor or mixed light tier 1 canopy of cannabis cultivation.
-
Local Equity Entrepreneur Program (LEEP) verified operators.
-
Cannabis Priority Watersheds, as designated by CDFW and the State Water Resources Control Board. In Mendocino County, those include: Dry Creek (near border with Sonoma County), Navarro River, Headwaters Russian River, East Fork Russian River, Middle South Fork Eel River, Mattole River (top of watershed near border with Humboldt County).
Other considerations:
-
Cultivators with an ownership or financial interest in total canopy space up to 20,000 square feet may still qualify under this Solicitation, but they will not receive priority ranking. Canopy area from nursery licenses is not included in the cultivation canopy threshold.
Eligibility
Eligible cultivators located in Mendocino County who hold either a provisional or annual outdoor or mixed light tier 1 license issued by the Department of Cannabis Control. The program is limited to those with cultivation areas of 10,000 square feet or less, although cultivators with up to 20,000 square feet may also qualify.
Services
Technical assistance with biological assessments and surveys, Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements plans and reports, amendments and extension requests for LSAAs, local compliance services to remove barriers for transitioning to annual licenses. LSAA supplies for water flow meters and erosion control. Webinars and workshops on topics to assist with the transition to annual license, water conservation, and sustainable cultivation practices.
How To Apply
Complete an intake application. It will ask you to upload a copy of your site map. I applicable, please upload Mendocino County LEEP Eligibility Certification Approval, CEQA Biological Assessment Report, Sensitive Species Habitat Review - Project Referral Comments, and Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement.
Key Aspects of the Program
SERVICES - The Technical Assistance Services provides support to Eligible Cultivators, that may include:
-
Biological assessments and surveys for eligible cultivators to meet Sensitive Species Habitat Review, LSAA, Mendocino County Environmental Impact Report titled, "Licensing of Commercial Cannabis Cultivation in Mendocino County Project," and Mendocino County compliance plan specifications for CEQA compliance.
-
Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreements (LSAA) plans and reports for eligible cultivators, such as:
-
Diversion Infrastructure Plan, Stream Restoration Plan, Revegetation Plan, Wildlife Mitigation Plan, Water Usage Report, Site Management Plan, Water Management Plan, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, Erosion Control Plan, Invasive Species Plan (often includes a Bullfrog Management Plan), and Site Dewatering/Stream Diversion Plan (for instream work where streamflow needs to be bypass the worksite and be returned to the stream), Site Completion Report, and Project Completion Reports.
-
-
Response support for ‘Sensitive Species and Habitat Review’ Project Referral Comments.
-
Preparing Requests to Amend or Requests to Extend for expiring LSAAs, for eligible cultivators.
-
Preparing new Notifications for expired LSAAs and LSAA Operation of Law letters.
-
Preparation of engineered design plans to support CDFW LSAA permitting, for eligible cultivators (terms and conditions apply, subject to program considerations and limitations).
-
Other services related to county compliance, Administrative Permit applications, site plan updates, and DCC deficiency notices.
WEBINARS AND WORKSHOPS
Our Education Series is launching in 2025 and will cover key details to support your transition to annual licenses, water conservation, and sustainable cultivation practices. This educational series with webinars and onsite farm workshops are designed to address common challenges and provide practical solutions for cultivators.
Topics include:
• CEQA Mitigations & EIR Next Steps
• Water Conservation
• Efficient Irrigation Systems
• Site Assessments for LSAA Projects
• Winterization & Erosion Control
• Soil Health & Conservation
• Best Practices for Rural Roads
• Revegetation Plans
• Integrated Pest Management
• Invasive Species & Wildfire Management
• Habitat Restoration
• Native Plant Ecosystems