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WaterSMART: Planning and Project Design Grants

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Grant Insights

The purpose of the WaterSMART: Planning and Project Design Grants program is to provide funding for collaborative planning and design projects that support water management improvements. This includes projects to conduct planning activities to support water supply and management solutions; projects to conduct project-specific design to improve water management or water supplies; and proposals to develop a new, or updating an existing, Drought Contingency Plan. Program funds are authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The Department of the Interior (DOI) seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental and Presidential Administration’s priorities of combating the climate crisis and environmental justice, water supply reliability, 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: Planning and Project Design Grants

NOFO Release Date 09/27/2023
Application Due Date 05/21/2024 by 11:59p.m. EST via www.Grants.gov
# of Programs
  1. Water Strategy Grants;
  2. Project Design Grants;
  3. Drought Contingency Planning
Total Funding Available  $35,000,000
Award Minimum Water Strategy and Project Design: $100,000
Drought Contingency Planning: $25,000
Award Maximum Water Strategy and Project Design: $400,000
Drought Contingency Planning: $400,000
Recipient Cost-Share/Match Requirements:

Applicant cost-share requirements for projects funded under this program will be 0%, 25%, or 50% of the total project costs, depending on the project type.
 
*A non-Federal cost-share is not required for Water Strategy or Project Design Grants projects with a primary purpose of providing domestic water supplies to Tribes, disadvantaged communities, or households without reliable access to said water supplies.
Summary

Water Strategy Grants: outreach and collaboration; technical analyses and assessments; develop a new or update an existing water strategy (e.g., a water marketing, supply, management, or river restoration strategy); activities to reduce water supply and demand imbalances or the risk of drought or flooding; planning and scoping for domestic water supply construction projects; and projects that mitigate against the impacts of climate change to fish and wildlife habitats.

Project Design Grants: the final design of medium and large-scale on-the ground water supply construction (including domestic water supply projects for Tribes, insular areas, and disadvantaged communities), water management construction, and restoration projects.

Drought Contingency Planning: develop and update comprehensive drought plans (Drought Contingency Planning) that, when implemented, will increase water reliability, and improve water management through the use of expanded technologies and improved modeling capabilities.
Eligible Applicants

Water Strategy and Project Design Grants (Category A):

  • States, Tribes, Irrigation Districts, and Water Districts;
  • State, Regional, or Local Authorities (the members of which include on or more organizations with water or power delivery authority); and
  • Other organizations with water or power delivery authority
Water Strategy and Project Design Grants (Category B):

  • Nonprofit conservation organizations acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of, an entity described in Category A.
Drought Contingency Planning Applicants:

  • State, Tribe, Irrigation District, Water District, or other organization with water or power delivery authority.
  • Applicants must participate in a technical consultation with a Reclamation Drought Coordinator before developing a proposal
*Multiple applications for funding may be submitted for consideration; however, an applicant may not submit more than one proposal for each eligible project category.
**See “Section C: Eligibility Information” of NOFO for specific project location requirements.
Special Consideration

Proposals to complete on the ground construction are not eligible for funding.

By request, Reclamation can provide technical assistance after the award of a project; technical assistance should be discussed with Reclamation staff prior to applying.
 
All applicants and projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Notes Water Strategy Grants – Project Requirements:
  • Outreach and Partnership Building
  • Analyses, Scoping, and Planning Activities
  • Development of a Water Strategy Document
Project Design Grants – Project Requirements:
  • Develop a “Basis of Design” Document
  • Site Selection and Evaluation of Alternatives
  • Final Design Drawings, Cost Estimates, and Construction Specifications
  • Legal and Institutional Requirements Research
Drought Contingency Planning – Project Requirements (Two Phases):
  • Phase I: This phase must include the Establishment of a Drought Planning Task Force, Development of a Detailed Work Plan, and Development of a Communication and Outreach Plan.
  • Phase II: Develop the plan or plan update including the required following elements: Drought Monitoring, Vulnerability Assessment, Mitigation Actions, Response Actions, Operational and Administrative Framework, and Plan Development and Update Process
Contact Information Title: Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact - USBR
Name: Karen Shubert – kshubert@usbr.gov; and (801) 524-3663
 
Title: Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact - USBR
Water Strategy: Irene Hoiby – ihoiby@usbr.gov; and (303) 445-3575
Project Design: Nickie McCann – nmccann@usbr.gov; and (720) 610-3480
Drought Contingency: Sheri Looper – slooper@usbr.gov; and (916) 978-5556

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