WaterSMART Water & Energy Efficiency Grant from BuRec

WaterSMART allows all bureaus of the Department to work with States, Tribes, local governments, and non-governmental organizations to pursue a sustainable water supply for the Nation by establishing a framework to provide federal leadership and assistance on the efficient use of water, integrating water and energy policies to support the sustainable use of all natural resources, and coordinating the water conservation activities of the various Interior offices. 

This RFP invites States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) on projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, benefit endangered and threatened species, facilitate water markets, or carry out other activities to address climate-related impacts on water or prevent any water-related crisis or conflict. Through this grant, Reclamation also makes funding available for water management improvements that complement other ongoign efforts to address water supply sustainability.

For example, through the WaterSMART Basin Study Program, Reclamation is working with State and local partners, as well as other stakeholders, to comprehensively evaluate the ability to meet future water demands within a river basin. The Basin Studies allow Reclamation and its partners to identify adaptation strategies to address those impacts. This grant announcement provides an opportunity for partners who have completed a Basin Study to apply for cost-shared funding to implement Basin Study adaptation strategies that meet the eligibility and other requirements of the grant.

In addition, funding is available through this grant for water delivery system improvements that will enable farmers to make additional on-farm improvements in the future, including improvements that may be eligible for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding. 

Some examples of projects could include water management improvements, such as installing measuring devices or automated canal gates, stream restoration or fish screens to address endangered or threatened species, installing solar panels to supply energy to water facilities, or projects that would facilitate or establish water markets.

Water conservation, use of water markets, and improved efficiency are crucial elements of any plan to address western United States water issues. With leveraged water and energy efficiency grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation for a more efficient use of water in the West.

Eligible Applicants: States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts or other organizations with water or power delivery authority in the 17 Western United States, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands.

The funding opportunity announcement is available at www.grants.gov using funding opportunity number R13SF80003.

Application Deadline: Jan. 17, 2013, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

For more information about WaterSMART, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/