WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for 2013

The objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to invite States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) on projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, benefit endangered and threatened species, facilitate water markets, or carry out other activities to address climate-related impacts on water or prevent any water-related crisis or conflict. Through this FOA, Reclamation also makes funding available for water management improvements that complement other ongoing efforts to address water supply sustainability. For example, through the WaterSMART Basin Study Program, Reclamation is working with State and local partners, as well as other stakeholders, to comprehensively evaluate the ability to meet future water demands within a river basin. The Basin Studies allow Reclamation and its partners to evaluate potential impacts of climate change to water resources within a particular river basin, and to identify adaptation strategies to address those impacts. This FOA provides an opportunity for partners who have completed a Basin Study to apply for cost-shared funding to implement Basin Study adaptation strategies that meet the eligibility and other requirements of this FOA. In addition, funding is available through this FOA for water delivery system improvements that will enable farmers to make additional on-farm improvements in the future, including improvements that may be eligible for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding.Water conservation, use of water markets, and improved efficiency are crucial elements of any plan to address western United States water issues. With leveraged water and energy efficiency grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation for a more efficient use of water in the West.