Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects

Background
The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, administers the Small Surface and Groundwater Storage Program (Small Storage Program) to promote Federal assistance to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations in support of the Department’s priorities. Reclamation leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to support stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water. Congress enacted the BIL on November 15, 2021, with Title IX—Western Water Infrastructure to address water storage infrastructure critical to the Nation’s economic growth, health, and competitiveness. Section 40903 authorizes Reclamation to provide funding for small surface water storage and groundwater storage projects.

Surface water and groundwater storage are essential tools in stretching the limited water supplies in the Western United States. Water storage projects enhance and make municipal and irrigation water supplies more reliable as well as provide opportunities to enhance groundwater management abilities and to provide water quality improvements and ecosystem benefits. These projects will provide Western communities with new sources of water and increase water management flexibility, making water supplies more reliable.

Grant Details
The objective of this NOFO is to invite sponsors of small surface water and groundwater storage projects to request cost-shared funding for the planning, design, and/or construction of those projects.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants eligible to receive financial assistance to fund activities under this NOFO include: Sponsors of small surface water and groundwater storage projects located in the Western United States as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902 as well as Alaska and Hawaii that have been found to meet all of the requirements of Temporary Reclamation Manual Release CMP TRMR-127 no later than the posting date of the NOFO. A non-Federal cost-share of at least 75% is required.

Period of Performance
Projects funded through this NOFO will start once the project has secured funding and Reclamation has issued the awards. Agreements are not effective until fully executed with signature from the Grants Officer. The anticipated award date is May 1, 2024, and the anticipated project completion date is November 15, 2026.

Grant Value
Estimated Total Funding: $25,000,000; Maximum Award: $30,000,000; Minimum Award: $0

Place of Performance
The project must be located in the Western United States as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented; specifically: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.