The mission of the California Natural Resources Agency is to manage and conserve the natural resources of California, focusing on land, water, and wildlife, while also aiming to preserve and protect the state's rich biodiversity and natural heritage. As part of its broader goals, the Agency oversees various programs to mitigate environmental impacts and enhance the state's ecological sustainability.
The grant program is designed to mitigate the environmental effects of transportation facilities within California. Up to $7 million each fiscal year is allocated from the Highway Users Tax Account to fund Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM) projects. These projects must fall into one of three categories: Urban Forestry, for projects that plant trees and other plants to offset carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles; Resource Lands, for the acquisition or enhancement of lands to counteract the impact of transportation infrastructure on natural resources, addressing broader conservation issues like climate change, biodiversity preservation, and habitat connectivity; and Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency, aimed at mitigating transportation-related environmental impacts that exceed the capabilities of the primary agency responsible for the project. The California Natural Resources Agency is tasked with the evaluation of project proposals and recommends funding to the California Transportation Commission, which then awards grants based on the Agency's recommendations.