WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program

Eligible Uses

• Phase I Watershed Group Development and Watershed Restoration Planning
  • Task A: Watershed Group Development
    • Hiring a facilitator, conducting outreach activities, conducting pre-planning activities (like collecting baseline info)
  • Task B: Watershed Restoration Planning
    • Completing a watershed restoration plan, conducting mapping, obtaining project management services, interviewing watershed stakeholders
  • Task C: Watershed Management Project Design
    • Prioritizing watershed management projects, completing site-specific project design and engineering
• Phase IIImplementation of Watershed Management Projects 
  • Improving stream channel structure and complexity;
  • Improving channel/floodplain connectivity;
  • Protecting and stabilizing stream and riverbanks;
  • Reducing erosion;
  • Improving water delivery systems to increase efficiency or other projects to address water supply needs;
  • Providing fish passage;
  • Removing invasive species and restoring vegetation;
  • Influencing water temperature or improving the timing or volume of available flows at particular locations to improve aquatic conditions; 
  • Other watershed management projects that will address water supply needs, water quality concerns, and restoration needs in the watershed
  • Outreach and Education Activities 

Eligible Recipients

States, Tribal governments, local and special districts (e.g., irrigation and water districts), local governmental entities, interstate organizations, and non-profit organizations in the Western United States or United States Territories including 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, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are eligible. 

Approx Annual Funding Amount

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $100 million over five years (FY2022-FY2026), with an additional $100 million available for WaterSMART projects that would improve natural or nature-based features.

Cost Share Requirements

Phase I projects do not have a cost share requirement. Phase II projects require a cost share of 50% or more of project costs. 

Application Cycle

Phase I applications are typically due by the end of March and Phase II applications are typically due by the end of November.

Contact

You can find contact info here.

Other Info

This program is covered under the Justice40 Initiative.