Reclamation announces funding opportunity for new WaterSMART water marketing strategies

The Bureau of Reclamation has announced they are seeking applicants for a new WaterSMART water marketing strategy funding opportunity. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, water marketing refers to the lease, sale or exchange of water or water rights, or voluntary agreements governing water rights, water use or water management, undertaken in accordance with state and federal laws, between willing participants.

Approximately $3 million is being made available by Reclamation for the implementation of water marketing strategy grants under this funding opportunity. The federal share of the total project cost will not exceed 50-percent. Organizations with water or power delivery authority are invited to cost-share with Reclamation to develop a water marketing strategy to help prevent water-related conflicts and contribute to water sustainability. Targeted applicants include states, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts and other organizations with water or power delivery authorities.

Two funding opportunities are available to qualified applicants:

• In Funding Group I, up to $200,000 in federal funds per award will be provided to develop water marketing strategies. These strategies must be completed within two years with the applicants conducting the planning, scoping and outreach activities.

• In Funding Group II, up to $400,000 in federal funds per award will be available for more advanced water strategies. These strategies must include developing procedures and agreements needed to implement the water marketing strategy and must be completed within three years.

Applicants for funding opportunity announcement number BOR-DO-17-F014 must be located in the in the Western United States or territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of 1902. Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, federal government entities, institutions of higher education and individuals.

Applications for BOR-DO-17-F014 are due by April 19, 2017 at 4 p.m. MDT. For more information on this funding opportunity visit: http://www.grants.gov/search-grants.html?fundingCategories%3DO%7COther%20(see%20text%20field%20entitled%20%22Explanation%20of%20Other%20Category%20of%20Funding%20Activity%22%20for%20clarification). Then, in the upper left corner key in the words: “water marketing strategy” in the keyword(s) box and grant number BOR-DO-17-F014 will appear in the middle of the page.