WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I Grants | BOR DO 19 F010

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR DO 19 F010

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR DO 19 F010) is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. It supports early-stage, locally driven watershed efforts by funding Phase I activities that help communities organize and plan for practical watershed management and restoration work. The overall goal is to strengthen collaborative capacity within a watershed so partners can jointly address water availability and water quality challenges and move toward sustainable, long-term water resource management.

Phase I funding is specifically aimed at foundational work rather than full construction or large-scale implementation. Eligible proposals focus on three main types of activities: forming or further developing a watershed group, completing watershed restoration planning activities, and designing watershed management projects that could be pursued in later phases or through other funding sources. The emphasis is on readiness-building: organizing stakeholders, creating shared plans, identifying and prioritizing problems, evaluating solutions, and preparing project concepts to a level where implementation funding and permitting pathways become more achievable.

A central feature of this program is the concept of a "watershed group" as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act. In this context, a watershed group is a grassroots, non-regulatory entity that works within a specific watershed to address water supply and water quality concerns. The group is expected to be capable of promoting sustainable water use, make decisions using a consensus-based approach, and represent a broad cross-section of interests in the watershed. The stakeholder mix is intended to be diverse and inclusive, potentially involving hydroelectric producers, grazing and livestock interests, timber and forestry, land development, recreation and tourism, irrigated agriculture, environmental interests, municipal water suppliers, private property owners, and partners from tribal, Federal, state, and local governments. The program is structured to encourage collaboration across sectors that do not always plan together, with the intent that shared decision-making leads to more durable, broadly supported watershed solutions.

Eligible applicants are described broadly and include states, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, local governmental entities, non-profit organizations, existing watershed groups, and other local or special districts such as irrigation and water districts and county soil conservation districts. Awards may be issued through either grants or cooperative agreements, reflecting that the Bureau of Reclamation may have varying levels of involvement depending on the project and award structure.

In terms of funding scale and competitiveness, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $100,000 and anticipates making about 20 awards. This funding level aligns with the Phase I purpose: supporting planning, coordination, and project design work that sets the stage for later, larger investments and on-the-ground activities.

The original funding announcement was created on September 13, 2019, with an initial closing date of November 13, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. The announcement notes that it covered two application submission periods: proposals received by the November 2019 deadline would be considered for FY 2019 funding, and the Bureau of Reclamation planned to update the FOA with a second deadline in FY 2020 for proposals to be considered for FY 2020 funding, contingent on appropriations. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a planning and collaboration grant designed to help watershed partners get organized, align on priorities, and develop well-defined project concepts that can lead to measurable watershed improvements over time.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.554.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 13, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 13, 2019 Nov. 13, 2019 This FOA covers two application submittal periods Proposals received before November 13, 2019, 400 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST), will be considered for FY 2019 funding. This FOA will be updated to provide a second application deadline in FY 2020 for proposals to be considered for FY 2020 funding, contingent on appropriations.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for BOR DO 19 F010

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