The Merced Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP)
MLRP is a new funding opportunity to help transition irrigated agricultural lands to a less water intensive use while also creating a range of community, environmental, and economic benefits.
The Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MSGSA) and regional partners received a $9 million block grant from the Department of Conservation (DOC) to create and administer the MLRP in our region. The program offers a unique opportunity for landowners, communities, and other local stakeholders to collaborate on a vision for how these grant dollars can support land transitions that accelerate progress toward groundwater sustainability targets while also providing meaningful benefits such as water and air quality improvements, wildlife habitat, flood risk mitigation, renewable energy, new employment opportunities, and more.
EXPLORE
Multibenefit Land Repurposing
The California Department of Conservation (DoC) established the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) to incentivize multibenefit land repurposing in eight subbasins across the Central Valley. The program recognizes the impacts of imbalanced water supplies and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) on local communities and economies.
Learn more about the MLRP:
Funding Opportunities
The Merced MLRP is releasing a Request for Projects in Fall 2024 for applicants to propose projects and participate in the program. Projects must align with the MLRP program goals of reducing reliance on groundwater while providing additional benefits to the environment, communities, and/or the local economy. Project benefits must have a minimum duration of 10 years.
Learn more about the solicitation and participation requirements:
Inclusive Planning Process
The Merced MLRP is an inclusive and collaborative effort that includes a core group of program partners along with key stakeholders representing local communities, farmers, environmental entities, and many others. Learn more about how to get involved to help shape the Merced MLRP’s land repurposing strategies and projects in our region:
NEWS AND EVENTS
Upcoming Meetings and Workshops
Merced MLRP Stakeholder Meetings to discuss the upcoming project solicitation:
October 16th
4:30 - 6:00 pm, in-person at:
Merced UC Cooperative Extension
2145 Wardrobe Avenue
Merced, CA 95341
October 17th
11:00am - 12:30 pm, online