2025 Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Nomination Cycle
Local governments nominate and amend Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs).
Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) are designated geographic areas nominated by local jurisdictions and recognized by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to support regional conservation, resilience and sustainability goals.
Specific projects within designated PCAs may be eligible for future funding from the PCA Grant Program, which helps local governments, park districts, utility districts and other agencies acquire or enhance properties designated as PCAs.
2025 Nomination Process Now Closed
Key information about nominating PCAs (including background, timeline and resources) can be found in the 2025 PCA Nomination Briefer Part 1: Nomination Process document.
2025 PCA Nomination Cycle Webinar
MTC-ABAG staff provided an overview of the PCA nomination process, a walkthrough of the submission tool and a live Q&A session on March 4, 2025.
Nomination Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 2 | Local nomination request: Jurisdictions submit new PCAs, ensuring compliance with eligibility requirements. |
| May 16 | MTC-ABAG staff review nominations (on a rolling basis): Staff will respond within 3-10 business days. |
| July 25 | Local approval of PCA nomination (on a rolling basis): Local governments approve and adopt final PCA nominations after eligibility confirmation by MTC-ABAG staff. |
| September 12 | Update to ABAG Administrative Committee |
| September 18 | ABAG Executive Board designates new PCAs |
Interested jurisdictions should review 2025 Nomination Briefer Part 2: Nomination Considerations to learn more about PCA eligibility requirements and how to prioritize new PCA nominations.
Technical Assistance for PCA Nominations
- PCA GIS Nomination Tool: View relevant layers and nominate or edit PCAs
- Case Studies: Learn about successful PCA Grant Awards
- 2025 PCA Nomination Briefer Part 1: Nomination Process
- 2025 PCA Nomination Briefer Part 2: Nomination Considerations
- Template Materials:
- Presentation Slides Template: Generic background slides on PCAs and the nomination process, suitable for internal or external presentations
- Sample Nomination Summary Memo: A template combining elements of previously used summary memos, which jurisdictions can customize as needed
- Sample Nomination Resolution: A template based on past resolutions, which can be adapted by local jurisdictions
Amending an Existing PCA
In 2024, many of the 185 PCAs were amended to meet the new eligibility criteria established by the PCA Refresh. Additionally, in Spring 2025, jurisdictions that had not yet amended existing PCAs received an opportunity to amend PCAs. Jurisdictions received an email from ABAG to direct the jurisdiction on the amendment actions needed. Staff reviewed amendments to ensure eligibility criteria were met before requesting a final approval from the jurisdiction.
For more information on PCA amendment status as of January 2025, see:
PCA amendments from spring 2025 will be approved at the same ABAG Executive Board action as PCA nominations in September, 2025.
Staff Contact
Kate Lyons, Resilience and Environmental Planner
Phone: (415) 778-5312
Email: klyons@bayareametro.gov
Stay Informed
Sign up for the PCA mailing list to receive updates on nomination deadlines, grants and other resources.