--- title: "Grant Insights: WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program (Phase 1)" description: Explore funding for watershed management with WaterSMART's Cooperative Program Phase 1. 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Program funds are authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).  The DOI seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental’s and Presidential Administration’s priorities of increasing water supply sustainability, combating the climate crisis, advancing investment equity in disadvantaged or underserved communities, and strengthening Tribal sovereignty.  | **Key Updates** | **U.S. Department of the Interior –  Bureau of Reclamation ** | | --- | --- | | **Funding Opportunity** | **WaterSMART: Cooperative Watershed Management Program – Phase I ** | | **NOFO Release Date** | 08/07/2024  | | --- | --- | | **Application Due Date** | Period 2: 09/03/2024 by 4:00 p.m. MDT via [www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov)  | | **# of Programs** | Task A: Watershed Group Development  Task B: Watershed Restoration Planning  Task C: Watershed Management Project Design  | | **Total Funding Available ** | The amount of funding available for awards under this NOFO will depend on the demand for funding under this and other WaterSMART programs.  | | **Award Minimum** | $10,000 | | **Award Maximum** | $300,000 | | **Recipient Cost-Share/Match Requirements:** | A non-Federal cost-share contribution is not required for Phase I CWMP activities and no additional priority will be given for providing non-Federal cost-share.  | | **Summary** | Applicants can apply for activities within one or more of the following Task Areas:  Task A: Activities include but are not limited to (See Section C.4. of NOFO):  - Gathering information about issues and needs related to water quality, quantity, and restoration needs within the watershed.  - Conducting pre-planning activities—including outlining a watershed restoration plan, reviewing existing plans related to the watershed, and collecting baseline information.  Task B: Activities include but are not limited to (See Section C.4. of NOFO):  - Completing a watershed restoration plan or updating an existing plan.  - Conducting monitoring activities; mapping and other technical analyses, including obtaining data, performing modeling, or developing goals and benchmarks for the watershed restoration plan.  - Working with group members, landowners, Federal agencies, and state or local governments to determine how the watershed can be improved.  Task C: Activities include but are not limited to (See Section C.4. of NOFO):  - Completing an analysis to identify specific project locations.  - Completing site-specific project design and engineering.  - Developing project timelines and milestones.  - Researching site-specific environmental and cultural resource compliance. | | **Eligible Applicants** | **New Watershed Groups:** States, Indian Tribes, Local and Special Districts, Local Governmental Entities, Interstate Organizations, Non-Profit Organizations, and Institutes of Higher Education sponsoring a watershed group. Applicants must also **meet all** the following requirements:  1. Be sponsoring the development of a New Watershed Group  2. Be significantly affect(ed) \[by\] the quality/quantity of water in a watershed  3. Be capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources  Existing Watershed Groups: States, Indian Tribes, Local and Special Districts, Local Governmental Entities, Interstate Organizations, Non-Profit Organizations, and Institutes of Higher Education sponsoring a watershed group. Applicants must also be an Existing Watershed Group and be legally incorporated as a non-profit entity; be a participating entity in an Existing Watershed Group; or be a fiscal sponsor of an Existing Watershed Group.   \*Multiple applications may be submitted for consideration provided that the project scopes are not duplicative. However, only one award will be made per watershed group.  \*\*See Section C of NOFO for specific location restrictions to applicant eligibility.  | | **Special Consideration** | Groups that have been active in the watershed for several years and have previously conducted some watershed planning should apply as an Existing Watershed Group, even if the group is not incorporated as a legal entity.  Developing articles of incorporation, bylaws, and business practices are eligible activities for both New and Existing Watershed Groups.  By request, Reclamation can provide technical assistance after the award of a project; assistance should be discussed with Reclamation staff prior to applying.  All applicants and projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA). | | **Notes** | **Watershed Restoration Plan Guidance:** A tool designed to help a watershed group plan for and implement restoration activities in their watershed.   **Watershed Groups Definition:** A grassroots, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the relevant watershed, is capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources in the watershed, makes decisions on a consensus basis, and represents a diverse group of stakeholders—including hydroelectric producers; livestock grazing; timber production; land development; recreation or tourism; irrigated agriculture; the environment; municipal water suppliers; private property owners; Federal, state, and local governments; Tribes; and disadvantaged communities.  Eligibility of Education and Training Activities: To be eligible, all outreach activities, training, and conferences must be specifically linked to the proposed watershed group development, watershed restoration planning, or watershed management project design.   Monitoring, Measurement, and Fieldwork: To collect baseline information regarding the current conditions and needs of the watershed is eligible, if they will inform a broader planning or design effort being completed as part of the same grant project and costs do not exceed 50% of the Reclamation grant funding.  | | **Contact Information** | Title: Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact - USBR  Name: Christina Munoz – [bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov](mailto:bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov); and [(720) 614-2192 ](tel:%207206142192 ) Title: Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact - USBR  Name: Robin Graber – [rgraber@usbr.gov](mailto:rgraber@usbr.gov); and [(303) 445-2764 ](tel:%203034452764 ) | ### Have Questions? 24/7 Emergency [+1 985 781 0804](tel:+1%20985%20781%200804) ### WITH YOU WHEN IT COUNTS [T: +1 281 320 9796](tel:+1%20281%20320%209796) F: +1 281 320 9700 [Contact Us](https://www.wittobriens.com/contact-us) ![Witt O'Briens](https://government.wittobriens.com/hubfs/Group%206.png) - [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/witt-o-brien-s) - [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585762444608) - [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/wittobriens/) - [twitter icon](https://x.com/wittobriens) - [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDvPR5t3W-H-7owrVXXnRA) - [Site Map](https://www.wittobriens.com/site-map) - [Legal Notice](https://www.wittobriens.com/policies/legal-notice) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.wittobriens.com/policies/cookie-policy) - [Client Download Site](https://wittobriens.leapfile.com) - [©2021 Witt O'Briens, LLC. 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