WaterSMART Application Deadlines Approaching

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Mark Evans

Funding Specialist

With the new year comes new funding opportunities. 

Applications are now being accepted for three of the WaterSMART grant programs for Fiscal Year 2019 through the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation. The three programs are Drought Resiliency, Small-Scale Water Efficiency, and Water & Energy Efficiency.

Contact your Freese and Nichols Project Manager to explore ways that your project might qualify under these programs.

For more information regarding this or other water funding opportunities, contact me at mark.evans@freese.com.

Drought Resiliency 

What qualifies: Projects that build long-term resiliency to drought by increasing water reliability, improving water management, or providing benefits for fish and wildlife and the environment.

What’s available: Up to $300,000 for projects to be completed within two years; or

Up to $750,000 for projects to be completed within three years

Cost Share: 50 percent or greater

Total grant amount available: $8 million

Application due date: Wednesday, March 27, at 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) supports Drought Resiliency Projects that will build long-term resilience to drought and reduce the need for emergency response actions. These projects are generally in the final design stage, environmental and cultural resources compliance has been initiated or already completed, and the non-Federal funding, necessary permits, and other required approvals have been secured.

For more information, click here and here.
 

Small-Scale Water Efficiency

What qualifies: Small-scale water management projects that have been identified through previous planning efforts

What’s available: Up to $75,000 for projects to be completed within two years

Cost Share: 50 percent or greater

Total grant amount available: $3 million

Application due date: Wednesday, April 24 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

This Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects funding opportunity announcement (FOA) supports small-scale water efficiency projects that have been prioritized through planning efforts led by the applicant. These projects are generally in the final design stage, environmental and cultural resources compliance has been initiated or already completed, and the non-Federal funding, necessary permits, and other required approvals have been secured.

For more information, click here and here.

 

Water & Energy Efficiency

What qualifies: Water management improvements that result in quantifiable water savings and support broader water reliability benefits

What’s available: Up to $300,000 for projects to be completed within two years; or

Up to $1,000,000 for projects to be completed within three years

Cost Share: 50 percent or greater

Total grant amount available: $24 million

Application due date: Tuesday, March 19 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

This Water and Energy Efficiency Grants funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings and support broader water reliability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States.

For more information, click here and here.

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Mark Evans is a Funding Specialist based in San Marcos, Texas.