Bureau Of Reclamation Releases Two Funding Opportunity Announcements To Promote Drought Contingency Planning And Resiliency Projects

Funding Opportunities are part of a Drought Response Program that supports a proactive approach to managing drought

The Bureau of Reclamation released two funding opportunity announcements recently under its new Drought Response Program, to help water users develop drought contingency plans and build long-term drought resiliency. Funding opportunities are allocated through a competitive process.

"Drought contingency plans help communities prepare for a drought before its onset and help mitigate drought risks," Commissioner Estevan López said. "This is why Reclamation provides assistance to water users. We want water users to consider drought contingency planning before an actual drought takes place. It is better to take a proactive approach to managing drought risk, instead of a reactive one."

Drought contingency plans help communities recognize drought in its early stages, identify the effects of drought and protect themselves in the future. Reclamation provides financial assistance to develop or update drought contingency plans through cooperative agreements on a 50/50 cost-share basis. Applicants may also request technical assistance from Reclamation to help develop this plan. Plans must include the input and participation of multiple stakeholders, consider climate change impacts to drought conditions and identify potential drought mitigation and response actions to build resilience to drought as exacerbated by climate change. To view this Funding Opportunity Announcement, please visit www.grants.gov and search for funding opportunity number R15AS00047. Applications are due on June 25, 2015.

Drought resiliency projects, also referred to as "mitigation actions," help communities prepare for and respond to drought. To be eligible, projects must be supported by an existing drought contingency plan. Reclamation will provide funding on a 50/50 cost-share basis. Projects identified must result in long-term benefits that will build resiliency in the future and meet one of the following goals: increase the reliability of water supply and sustainability; improve water management; implement systems to facilitate voluntary sale, transfer or exchange water; and provide benefits for fish, wildlife and the environment. To view this Funding Opportunity Announcement, please visit www.grants.gov and search for funding opportunity number R15AS00046. Applications are due on June 25, 2015.

For more than 100 years, Reclamation and its partners have worked to develop a sustainable water and power future for the West. This program is part of the Department of the Interior's WaterSMART Program, which focuses on improving water conservation and sustainability, while helping water resource managers make sound decisions about water use.

For more information, visit www.usbr.gov/watersmart, or www.usbr.gov/drought.