Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program FY25

The Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program, administered by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), is a state-level initiative designed to combat the threat posed by invasive dreissenid mussels—specifically quagga and zebra mussels—to California’s freshwater reservoirs. The program aims to prevent the introduction and establishment of these species, which can significantly damage aquatic ecosystems, impair recreational activities, and obstruct infrastructure like hydroelectric systems and water delivery operations. Since its inception in 2014, the program has disbursed approximately $28.8 million across 123 projects in 71 reservoirs. The 2026 cycle builds upon this legacy, focusing on early detection, planning, implementation, and public outreach to prevent infestations in mussel-free reservoirs. This grant program is funded by revenue from California’s Mussel Fee Sticker (also known as the Quagga Sticker), a user-based fee tied to boat registration and intended to directly support local prevention efforts. For the 2026 grant cycle, DBW anticipates awarding up to $2 million. The funds are divided into two distinct project tiers. Tier 1 (Planning/Assessment Projects) supports the development or enhancement of mussel prevention plans, with a maximum award of $200,000. Tier 2 (Implementation Projects) funds the execution of activities described in existing, CDFW-approved Prevention Plans, including boat inspection stations, decontamination units, signage, educational campaigns, and mechanical infrastructure installations. Tier 2 projects may receive up to $400,000, and both tiers operate under a maximum two-year grant term. Eligible applicants include entities that own or manage any aspect of water in a reservoir where recreational activities are permitted and where the waterbody is verified to be mussel-free. Applicants must provide monitoring data not older than March 2025, verifying that the reservoir is free from infestation. Additionally, the reservoir must be open to the public for recreational purposes. Applicants that received grants for the same reservoir in the previous cycle (i.e., 2025) are ineligible for the 2026 round, as overlapping grants are no longer permitted due to limited funding. The program does not require matching funds, and awardees are selected through a merit-based scoring system conducted by DBW and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The application window for the 2026 grant cycle opens on March 9, 2026, and closes on April 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Applications must be submitted via DBW’s Online Grant Application (OLGA) system. The application process includes a Statement of Eligibility, ownership/management documentation, a Scope of Work, a Project Narrative, Task and Line-Item Budgets, and relevant supporting documentation such as maps, permits, and CEQA/NEPA compliance. A webinar for prospective applicants will be held on March 13, 2026, to walk through the process and answer questions. Once submitted, applications undergo a dual review by DBW and CDFW, evaluating criteria such as technical feasibility, clarity of deliverables, alignment of budgets with proposed work, and the applicant’s past stewardship of QZ Grant funding. Projects that demonstrate readiness, measurable outcomes, and higher vulnerability to mussel introduction receive priority. Notification of award decisions is expected by July 2026, and approved projects will begin implementation in October 2026. The grant term concludes in October 2028. All grant recipients must submit quarterly reports, participate in outreach events (for Tier 2), and post physical and digital signage informing the public of prevention efforts. This grant program does not support activities related to other invasive mussels, such as the golden mussel. Applications that reference non-quagga or zebra mussel species risk disqualification. The program remains strictly limited to its statutory mandates under the Harbors and Navigation Code and Fish and Game Code. For detailed guidelines, templates, and technical resources, applicants are advised to visit https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/QZGrant or contact [email protected]. The program reflects California’s commitment to protecting its freshwater ecosystems through proactive, collaborative management strategies involving local, state, and federal partners.

Use OLGA templates exactly; Do not reference non-target invasive species; Align budgets precisely; Emphasize high-risk reservoirs; Ensure early-detection data meets format and recency requirements.