Bureau of Reclamation’s FY13 Water Conservation Field Services Grant for Lower Colorado Region

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 water use efficiency 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 WCFSP in 1996 with the purpose to fulfill its water conservation-related obligation as outlined in Section 210 of the Reclamation Reform Act (RRA) of 1982. The RRA directs 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 Federal and 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 full FOA for additional information on these major components.

Reclamation recognizes that no single entity, acting independently, can meet the challenge of improving the efficiency of water use and management throughout the western states. Consequently, a key to meeting this challenge will be partnerships formed between Reclamation and water users, other Federal and state agencies, educational and research institutions, and other interested parties.

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)
The objective of this FOA is to invite irrigation and water districts, states, local governments, water providers, and other entities that have a tie to Reclamation projects to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on activities/projects that make more efficient use of existing water supplies through water conservation and efficiency in the LCRA. Activities/Projects will be selected through a competitive process using the selection criteria listed in full FOA.