The Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program (also referred to as the Roadside Pollinator Program) is an annual competitive grant program that awards grants to eligible entities to … Read more
The Environmental Water Resources Projects is a competitive grant program that received new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to design, implement, and monitor conservation outcomes of habitat restoration projects, including nature-based solutions, that improve watershed health in a river basin that is adversely impacted by a Bureau of Reclamation water project. Applicants may apply for up to $3 million in Reclamation funding for their project, which should not exceed $5 million in total project costs.
Eligible Uses
Projects eligible include on-the-ground implementation projects where a primary purpose is to benefit ecological values or improve watershed health and have a nexus to water resources. This includes projects that accomplish one of more of the following:
- Water conservation and efficiency projects that result in quantifiable and sustained water savings and benefit ecological values or watershed health, like improving the timing or quantity of water availability
- Water management or infrastructure improvements to benefit ecological values or watershed health, like water quality and temperature, fish and wildlife habitat, riparian areas
- Watershed restoration projects benefiting ecological values or watershed health that have a nexus to water resources or water resources management, including implementing nature-based solutions like beaver dam analogs
- Provide benefits to multiple sectors, such as projects that benefit agriculture, municipal, Tribal, or recreational water users in addition to providing ecological benefits
Note: Up to 25% of total project costs can include short-term monitoring activities, such as developing a monitoring and data management plan; installing necessary equipment; and 6 months of post-implementation monitoring. Long-term monitoring is not an eligible cost.
Eligible Recipients
State, Tribes, local government, irrigation districts, regional authorities, or organizations with power or water delivery authority, and non-profit conservation organizations working in partnership with an entity that has water or power delivery authority are eligible recipients.
Approx Annual Funding Amount
The BIL provided $100 million in funding for Multi-Benefit Projects for Watershed Health for FY2022-FY2026 that will be distributed through this funding opportunity, with an additional $100 million available for WaterSMART projects that would improve natural or nature-based features. This funding opportunity will also utilize WaterSMART annual appropriations and other funding sources as available.
Cost Share Requirements
A 75% Federal cost share may be provided if it is determined that the project will provide significant ecological benefits and/or was developed collaboratively. If the project is not determined to meet these qualifications, the applicant may receive up to 25% Federal cost share.
Application Cycle
Applications are typically due in mid to late spring (March/April).
Contact
For more information please contact Ms. Robin Graber (Program Coordinator) at rgraber@usbr.gov.