WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2019

Description

The objective of this FOA is to invite states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on Drought Resiliency Projects that will increase the reliability of water supplies; improve water management; and provide benefits for fish, wildlife, and the environment to mitigate impacts caused by drought . Projects carried out through Drought Resiliency Project Grants can increase water management flexibility, making our water supply more resilient. This helps to prepare for and address the impacts of drought. Proposals submitted under this FOA must demonstrate that the proposed project is supported by an existing drought planning effort. It is a well-established principle that proactively identifying resiliency projects through drought planning, in advance of a crisis, is far more cost effective than emergency response. As stated on the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) website, drought.unl.edu: One frequently cited estimate from FEMA1 is that “mitigation” —taking steps ahead of time to prevent known impacts from a natural disaster—saves $4 for every $1 expended. Planning ahead is generally seen as more efficient and more effective than measures taken in crisis mode. Drought researchers have found that after-the-fact assistance to farmers, for example, is expensive and doesn’t necessarily reach the right people. Proposed projects that are supported by an existing drought plan are prioritized. This prioritization will help ensure that projects funded under this FOA are well thought out, have public support, and have been identified as the best way to address vulnerabilities to drought. The WaterSMART Drought Response Program supports a proactive approach to drought by providing financial assistance to water managers to develop and update comprehensive drought plans (Drought Contingency Planning) and implement projects that will build long-term resilience to drought (Drought Resiliency Projects). 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. Through this FOA, Reclamation provides funding for projects that improve forecasts of water availability and improve use of technology to increase water reliability consistent with sections 3 and 4 of the October 19, 2018 Presidential Memorandum on Promoting the Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the West. For further information on the Drought Response Program, please see www.usbr.gov/drought. For further information on the WaterSMART Program, please see www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART.

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