- Reclamation
- Upper Colorado Basin
- System Conservation and Efficiency Program
Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program
Current Focus
Environmental, Ecosystem, and Habitat Restoration Grant
As phase one of the Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program closes its current opportunities for funding under the System Conservation Pilot Program, phase two is taking shape. The second phase is known as "Bucket 2" and will utilize the remaining $450 million of Inflation Reduction Act funding dedicated to address water issues in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The Bucket 2 program is organized into two components.
The "Bucket 2 Environmental Drought Mitigation" or "B2E" component of phase two provides funding to public entities and tribes for projects that provide general environmental benefits or ecosystem/habitat restoration benefits that address issues directly caused by drought. The Request for Applications under the title, "Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation (B2E)" opened Monday,July 22 and will remain open until Monday, October 14.
The other component of phase two, known a "Bucket 2 Water Conservation" or "B2W," will aim to identify and fund projects that achieve verifiable, multi-year reductions in use of or demand for water supplies. The B2W component is still in development and a funding opportunity is expected to be announced later this year.
Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation Grant Synopsis
| Federal Agency Name: | Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Basin Region |
|---|---|
| Announcement Type: | Request for Applications (RFA) |
| Dates: (See RFA Sec. D.3) |
Application due date: Oct. 14, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time |
| Eligible Applicants: (See RFA Sec. C.1) |
Applicants must be a public entity or Tribe within the Upper Colorado River Basin. This may include federal agencies, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special service district governments, and federally recognized Tribes or Tribal organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. 5304(e). Eligible applicants are encouraged to partner with non-government organizations and stakeholders. |
| Eligible Projects: (See RFA Sec. C.3) |
Projects that provide environmental benefits or ecosystem and habitat restoration projects to address issues directly caused by drought in the Upper Colorado River Basin. |
| Available Federal Funding: (See RFA Sec. B.1) |
Reclamation has $450 million of remaining funding for IRA Section 50233 projects in the Upper Colorado River Basin, which will be utilized to fund projects selected under this program. |
| Minimum Project Funding: (See RFA Sec. B.2) |
Minimum project size that will be considered for funding is $300,000. |
| Cost Share Requirements: | Encouraged, but not required |
| Project Completion Deadline: | Project should be completed within 5 years of the execution of the grant agreement. |
| Anticipated Award Date: | Announcement by Spring 2025 |
How to Apply
Parties interested in applying for B2E funding should download the Request For Application (PDF document) and prepare an application package with the information outlined in Section D of the RFA. Once the application is complete applications should be submitted to UCBefficiency@usbr.gov.
The following sections contain links to the RFA funding announcement and required components of the application package.
Request for Application Link (funding announcement):
Mandatory Application Component Links:
- Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Registration
- SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance, Office of Management and Budget Link is to a PDF file
- SF-424A: Budget Information – Non-construction Programs Link is to a PDF file or SF-424C: Budget Information – Construction Programs Link is to a PDF file
- SF-424B: Assurances – Non-construction Programs Link is to a PDF file or SF-424D: Assurances – Construction Programs Link is to a PDF file
- Technical Proposal (see RFA Section D.2.4) [use RFA Link]
- Budget Proposal (see RFA Section D.2.5) [use RFA Link]
- Budget Narrative (see RFA Section D.2.6) [use RFA Link]
- SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Link is to a PDF file (only required if applicable)
Other recommended application components are listed in the RFA under the Application Checklist.
Q&A Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation (B2E)
- Q: Can Non-government entities and individuals apply for funding through this program?
- A: While applications may only be submitted by Public Entities and Tribes, anyone may be a partner. It is often the case with funding opportunities that a non-government organization or individual approach a Public Entity or a Tribe to make them aware of potential projects that may qualify for funding.
- Q: In addition to being a Public Entity or Federally Recognized Indian Tribe within the Upper Colorado River Basin, are there any additional requirements to be eligible to apply for funding under this program?
- A: Yes, all applicants must also be registered in https://sam.gov/content/home to be eligible for funding through this program. If you are not currently registered and would like to apply for funding, it would be prudent to register several weeks before the application deadline since the registration process could take a few weeks to complete. Additionally, proposals will need successful review by state water administration agencies.
- Q: What are some types of projects that might be eligible under the B2E program?
- A: Eligible types of projects under this Request for Applications may include but are not limited to projects that: 1) Create connectivity of waterways, habitats, and ecosystems. 2) Restore streams that have increased erosion rates because of drought. And 3) Improve water quality that has decayed because of drought.
- Q: If our project is selected and funded, how long will we have to spend the money?
- A: The Request for Applications provides two important dates regarding funding availability. Funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) section 50233 must be awarded to projects before September 30, 2026, at which time the authority for obligating funds expires. Projects that receive awards prior to that date will have 5 years to use the obligated funds before they cancel on September 30, 2031.
- Q: How will applications be evaluated?
- A: Applications will be evaluated based on application completeness, program priority alignment, benefit of the project, collaboration, and project approach and feasibility, among other factors. More specific information for the application review can be found in section (E) of the Request for Applications.
- Q: Who do I contact for further information regarding this funding opportunity?
- A: Please submit any questions regarding application and submission information and award administration to the attention of the Request for Applications (RFA) Team, at ucbefficiency@usbr.gov.
- Q: When will awarded applicants be announced?
- A: Awards are anticipated to be announced in late 2024 or early 2025. All awarded applications will be transmitted to USASpending.gov and will be viewable by the public.
- Q: Are there geographical limitations associated with this program?
- A: Yes, projects need to be located within the drainage basin of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
- Q: Why should I contact the State about my B2E grant Application?
- A: State review of proposals is needed to ensure compliance with state water rights or related state law issues for the state or states in which the proposed project resides. Applicants are encouraged to contact appropriate State agency representatives prior to submitting proposals. State agency contacts for this funding opportunity are as follows:
- For Colorado: Amy Ostdiek, amy.ostdiek@state.co.us
- For New Mexico: Ali Effati, ali.effati@ose.nm.gov
- For Utah: Amy Haas, ahaas@utah.gov
- For Wyoming: Jeff Cowley, jeff.cowley@wyo.gov
- Q: What environmental and cultural compliance will be needed for B2E Projects?
- A: Projects that are selected for funding will require compliance with federal environmental and cultural resource laws and other regulations, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). More details regarding compliance with regulations can be found in section (H) of the Request for Applications.
Program Overview
The Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation are committed to addressing the challenges of climate change in the Colorado River Basin by utilizing science-based, innovative strategies and working cooperatively with other federal agencies and diverse communities that rely on the Colorado River.
Prolonged drought and low runoff conditions have led to historically low water levels in Lakes Powell and Mead. As water levels continue to decline, action to improve and protect the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River System is imperative.
The Biden-Harris administration is making unprecedented investments in drought resilience and water management. President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made a historic $8.3 billion investment to address water and drought challenges and invest in our nation's western water and power infrastructure, while rebuilding our existing projects to withstand a changing hydrology. Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act includes $4 billion in funding specifically for water management and conservation efforts in the Colorado River Basin and other areas experiencing similar levels of drought.
As part of the Department's commitment to address the drought crisis, the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basins are working with states, Tribes, and other water users to implement programs that will mitigate water conservation in the Basin.
Contact
For additional questions or information about the UCB System Conservation and Efficiency Program, please contact: UCBEfficiency@usbr.gov
