WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects

To provide cost-shared funding for the planning, design, and construction of projects that benefit water resource management for multiple uses, including water conservation and efficiency projects, water infrastructure improvements, river and watersh

The WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects funding opportunity provides cost-shared financial assistance for the construction of beneficial water resources projects that improve water management for multiple uses and interests, were collaboratively developed, and provide significant watershed health benefits.

State governments County governments City or township governments Special district governments Native American Tribal governments Non-profit conservation organizations acting in partnership with an entity with water or power delivery authority Watershed Groups acting in partnership with an entity with water or power delivery authority In accordance with various authorities, eligible applicants include States, Tribes, irrigation districts, or water districts, and other entities with water or power delivery authority. Nonprofit conservation organizations and watershed groups are also eligible to apply if they are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of an entity described above. Applicants must also be located in the western U.S. or Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented; specifically, in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

General public, entities with water or power delivery authority, state, county, and local governmental entities, Tribes, watershed groups, nonprofit conservation organizations and other entities located in eligible states and territories previously described in applicant eligibility.

Common project activities include restoration, infrastructure removal or modification, implementation of nature-based solutions, forest and floodplain management activities, habitat enhancement actions, including stakeholder outreach and engagement regarding final planning and construction processes, completing compliance activities for state and Federal environmental and cultural resources laws and regulations, permitting, and the development and implementation of a monitoring plan.

The costs to develop a monitoring program, conduct pre-construction monitoring to track baseline conditions, purchase and install monitoring equipment, and to conduct up to twelve months post-construction monitoring shall not exceed 25 percent of the total project cost. The costs for the purchase or lease of water or land, or to secure an easement other than a construction easement are not eligible project costs under this program. Each Notice of Funding Opportunity offered under this listing includes specific information about ineligible activities.

Projects should be completed within 3 years of award.

None. Preapplication coordination is not required but is highly encouraged. Potential applicants can contact Reclamation program staff to discuss their project. Contact information can be found at https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart. Projects funded under this program are subject to environmental and cultural resource compliance. The level of compliance projects funded under this program will vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project being funded. Environmental and cultural resource compliance is required before the commencement of project activities. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Administering Office (see contact information below) for more information.

Specific evaluation criteria will be included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov. All applications will be evaluated using criteria that give priority based on the diversity and scope of the watershed group, need for project and project benefits, prior planning that supports the project, the applicant's ability and readiness to implement the project, and Presidential and Department of the Interior priorities.

Proposals received in response to the funding opportunity are reviewed through a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the funding opportunity. Reclamation will make awards to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year.

Application deadlines are identified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity and vary from year to year. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines.

See Reclamation's WaterSMART website https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/ for schedule information.

Not Applicable. Upon request, Reclamation will provide all applicants with information on why their proposal(s) were not selected.