DOI Bureau of Reclamation announces $55M funding for Drought Response Program
Eligible applicants: states, tribes, special districts, regional authorities, local authorities, and nonprofits. Applications are due October 31, 2023
Opportunity: WaterSMART Drought Response Program
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (the program is now open to applications)
Overview and Eligible Uses: The primary aim of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to invite eligible applicants to propose projects that enhance water management flexibility, thereby bolstering the resilience of our water supply. This initiative is geared towards addressing the challenges posed by drought and water supply shortages. Proposals should help prevent emergency measures like water hauling and temporary infrastructure, while also providing lasting benefits to bolster resilience.
Task A: Increasing the Reliability of Water Supplies through Infrastructure Improvements: Eligible projects encompass constructing or modifying surface water intakes, developing new conveyance system components, establishing interties between water conveyance systems, and installing facilities to prevent saltwater intrusion. Additionally, storing water and recharging groundwater supplies, along with developing alternative sources of water supply, are supported.
Task B: Increasing the Reliability of Water Supplies Through Groundwater Recovery Diversifying water supplies is vital, and this task focuses on groundwater recovery and aquifer storage. The funding is directed towards constructing wells to provide backup water during droughts, enhancing groundwater banks' capabilities, and recovering previously recharged/stored water for various purposes.
Task C: Projects to Improve Water Management through Decision Support Tools, Modeling, and Measurement This task aims to equip entities with the necessary tools to manage drought effectively. This includes developing decision support tools, models for drought prediction, water budgets with tiered pricing to encourage conservation, real-time operational modeling for supply conditions, and tools facilitating water marketing. Additionally, installing water measurement equipment and monitoring instrumentation is part of this task.
Task D: Domestic Water Supply Projects for Tribes or Disadvantaged Communities This task is dedicated to constructing domestic water supply projects for Tribal or disadvantaged communities lacking reliable access to water supplies. This involves developing new water sources and associated infrastructure for treatment and distribution.
Amount: Total funding amount is $55M; maximum $5M and minimum $25,000 per project
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement grant
Eligible Applicants:
Water Strategy Grants and Project Design Grants
Category A: States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, regional or local authorities with water or power delivery authority, and other relevant organizations in eligible states and territories.
Category B: Nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with and endorsed by Category A entities, situated in specified United States territories.
Drought Contingency Planning Eligible Applicants
States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other entities with water or power delivery presence in designated states or territories.
Key Dates: Applications are due Oct 31, 2023
Key Links:
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.