Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office Offers Grant for Water Conservation Field Services

The Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office (PXAO) is requesting proposals to fund projects for activities in support of its Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) within the Phoenix Area Office boundaries. The area includes most of Arizona except northwest Arizona, and the areas along the Colorado River which are served by other Reclamation offices.

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Reclamation has a major responsibility in partnership with water users, States, and other interested parties, to help improve water resource management and the efficiency of water use in the western United States. More efficient water use is a key component of Reclamation’s water resource management strategy.

Water Conservation Field Services Program Overview

Reclamation established the Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) in 1996 with the purpose of fulfilling its water conservation-related obligation as outlined in Section 210 of the Reclamation Reform Act (RRA) of 1982 directing the Secretary to encourage and implement water conservation measures on Federal Reclamation projects. Directives and Standards (WTR 01-02) were developed for the program which outlined Reclamation’s procedures for administering the WCFSP pursuant to the RRA and other existing authorities, including the provision of technical and financial assistance to non-Federal entities and the administration of water conservation plans.

The primary purposes or four major components of the WCFSP are to:

A. Assist in developing effective water management and conservation plans;
B. Encourage and promote implementation of water efficiency measures;
C. Demonstrate conservation technologies; and
D. Promote and support water education and training.

Please refer to funding opportunity announcement for additional information on these major components.

Because of the strong support provided by the State of Arizona through the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the implementation of Arizona’s Groundwater Management Code of 1980, no funding will be made available for water management and/or water conservation plans under Phoenix Area Office funding opportunities.

 
Reclamation recognizes that the need to conserve water is critical in the arid Southwest. Reclamation also recognizes that no single entity, acting independently, can meet the challenge of improving the efficiency of water use in this area without a combination of new technology and innovative management. Consequently, a key to meeting this challenge will be the continuation of the partnerships formed between Reclamation and all water users, other Federal and State agencies, educational and research institutions, and other interested parties.

Objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

The objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to invite irrigation and water districts, states, local governments, water providers, and other entities that have an association with a Reclamation project to leverage their money and resources, by cost sharing with Reclamation, on projects/activities that make more efficient use of existing water supplies through water conservation and efficiency within the Phoenix Area Office boundaries. Projects/Activities funded will be selected through a competitive process using the selection criteria identified in the funding opportunity announcement.