WaterSMART: Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program

 
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    CFDA#

    15.507
     

    Funder Type

    Federal Government

    IT Classification

    B - Readily funds technology as part of an award

    Authority

    Bureau of Reclamation

    Summary

    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. 


    This NOFO provides funding under two task areas:

    Task A: Study and Design

    Task B: Construction projects


    To be eligible under this funding opportunity, an aquatic ecosystem restoration Task A: Study and Design, or Task B: Construction project must be for the purpose of improving the health of fisheries, wildlife and/or aquatic habitat, including through habitat restoration and/or improved fish passage via the removal or bypass of barriers.

     

    History of Funding

    None is available.

    Additional Information

    Task A:

    Activities that are eligible under Task A may include:

    • Project Outreach
      • Stakeholder outreach activities directly linked to the study and design activities, such as public meetings and incorporating input from diverse area stakeholders including but not limited to e.g., municipal, agricultural, or recreational interest groups, environmental non-profits, landowners, Tribes, and state and local water management entities.
      • Documenting and sharing project goals and objectives.
    • Restoration Project Design Alternatives Analysis
      • Comparing design alternatives and creation of a decision matrix
      • Conducting design-specific outreach and stakeholder engagement
      • Formulating a site alternative analysis
      • Selecting design criteria and standards
    • Project Analysis and Design
      • Carrying out applicable studies (environmental, biological, and/or engineering) and complete related modeling and data collection efforts regarding the impacts of proposed restoration activities.
      • Completing risk analyses, including
      • Developing a post-project monitoring plan
    • Complete site-specific design and engineering of the restoration project to reach a target 60% level of final project design
      • Preparing design drawings and specifications for the construction of the project.
      • Developing a basis of design document (a report that documents the major design criteria and includes recommended project elements, planning level drawings, preliminary schedules, and cost estimates.)
      • Analyzing the means and methods for construction at the project site and identify constraints (necessary equipment, site access, etc.)
    • Preparation of project cost estimates and development of project construction plan
      • Developing project construction material quantities and costs for construction activities
      • Developing an estimated construction budget (including contingencies, labor costs, etc.)
      • Developing the project bid schedule, construction plan, schedule, and milestones for completing the project
    • Legal and Institutional Requirements Research
      • Researching on legal and institutional requirements; permitting and environmental compliance; land ownership and necessary easements; and state and/or local requirements with the potential to affect implementation of the project.
      • Studying the impacts of any proposed projects on contractual water and power supply obligations, water rights, Tribes, and other area stakeholders.
      • Investigating the types of site-specific environmental or cultural compliance will be necessary to implement the project(s) which can include consulting with Reclamation regarding potential environmental compliance

    Task B:

    Projects eligible for funding under Task B include the construction of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and are for the purpose of improving of the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage. Projects that affect water resources management in two or more river basins, provide regional benefits not limited to fisheries restoration, and that are a component of a larger strategy to replace aging facilities are prioritized under this program.


    Eligible Construction Activities include:

    • Completion of Final Design for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Construction Project
      • Conducting final design and pre-construction activities to progress the aquatic ecosystem restoration project from 60% to final design. This task must be completed prior to construction of the restoration project (may be completed by applicant prior to application to this program if no program funding is required).
      • Completion of final design must be paired with subsequent full construction of the restoration project and cannot be completed as a stand-alone Task B: Construction project.
    • Outreach to Affected Stakeholders
      • Continued engagement regarding final planning and construction processes with a diverse group of stakeholders such as municipal, agricultural, or recreational interest groups, environmental non-profits, landowners, Tribes, and state and local water management entities.
    • Restoration Activities
      • Removal or Modification of Barriers to Fish Passage. Removal or modification of impeding infrastructure, including dams, diversion structures, culverts, roads, or other barriers to fish passage, to reopen migratory pathways, build resilient riparian corridors, and protect aquatic ecosystems.
      • Restoration of Connectivity. Restoration of connectivity between the river and disconnected floodplains and wetlands to improve environmental flows, build system resiliency, and improve the lateral mobility of a river channel.
      • Restoration of Aquatic Habitat. Restoration of the riparian area, riverbanks, channels and floodplains to bolster aquatic habitat and build natural resiliency.
      • Improvement of Water Availability, Quality, and Temperature. Activities to improve instream water availability, quality and temperature to improve conditions for aquatic ecosystems.
    • Other Related Activities. Other activities that are similar to the examples listed above may be submitted for consideration and will be allowed to the extent that they are consistent with program authorization and goals.
    • Monitoring Plan Development, Baseline Assessment, and Equipment Installation. Activities include but are not limited to development of a monitoring plan, pre-construction monitoring to track baseline conditions, and installation of monitoring equipment. Projects may also include initial post-construction monitoring for a period of up to six months for the purpose of assessing project success and outcomes. However, the costs for these activities shall not exceed 25 percent of the total project costs. Please note that long-term (i.e. more than six months) post-construction monitoring is considered normal operation and maintenance, and the costs are the responsibility of the applicant.

    Contacts

    Christina Munoz

    Christina Munoz
    1849 C Street, N.W.
    Washington, DC 20240
    (202) 208-3100
     

  • Eligibility Details

    Applicants eligible to receive an award under this funding opportunity include: 


    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.

    Deadline Details

    First application period, applications were to be submitted by June 1, 2023. Second application period, applications were to be submitted by January 24, 2024, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Future deadlines are unknown.

    Award Details

    Approximately $95,000,000 is available under this program. 

    Approximately 10 to 15 awards per application submittal period will be funded, contingent on appropriations. Additional projects may be funded under this NOFO if additional funding becomes available in FY 2023 or subsequently.


    For Task A, $500,000-$2,000,000 per project.

    For Task B, $3,000,000-$20,000,000 per project.

    A non-Federal cost-share of at least 35% is required.

    Related Webcasts Use the links below to view the recorded playback of these webcasts


    • Funding Technology-Fueled Innovation in State and Local Government - Sponsored by NetApp and Avnet Technology Solutions - Playback Available
    • Securing Funding for Your Energy Efficient Data Center - Playback Available
    • Doing More with Foundation Funding - Playback Available

 

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