WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects for Fiscal Year 2023

Award Amount
$20,000,000.00
Maximum Amount
$20,000,000.00
Assistance Type
Funding Source
Implementing Entity
Due Date
Where the Opportunity is Offered
All of California
Eligible Applicant
Additional Eligibility Information
Category A Applicants * States, Tribes, irrigation districts, or water districts; *State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; * Agencies established under State law for the joint exercise of powers; * Other entities or organizations that own a dam that is eligible for upgrade, modification, or removal. All applicants must be located in the Western United States or Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented; specifically: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands. Category B Applicants Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A, with respect to a project involving land or infrastructure owned by the Category A entity. All Category B applicants must be located in the United States, or the specific Territories identified above. Category B applicants should include with their application a letter from the Category A partner stating that the Category A partner: * Is acting in partnership with the applicant; * Agrees to the submittal and content of the application; and * Intends to participate in the project in some way, for example, by providing input, feedback, or other support for the project. Note: Partners do not necessarily need to contribute cost share funding. Ineligible Applicants Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, the following entities: * Federal Governmental entities *Individuals * Institutes of higher education
Contact
Christina Munoz
Description

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s (Department) Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects (AERP) NOFO provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems in support of the Department’s priorities. Through AERP, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to work cooperatively with states, Tribes, and other entities as they study, design and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and result in the improvement of the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage.Restoring and protecting aquatic ecosystems offers wide-ranging benefits for people and wildlife. Functioning aquatic ecosystems provide habitat for fish and wildlife, improve water quality, and store excess carbon, mitigate the impacts of drought and flood events, and support multiple water uses.The Bureau of Reclamation’s Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects funding opportunity provides support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and is aligned with other priorities, such as those identified in E.O. 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects also support the goals of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group established in March 2021 and the National Drought Resilience Partnership.

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