Sustainable California
Premiere Date: 5/5/2017 | from University of California Television

How researchers at UC Merced are developing a better understanding of the three sources of water upon which California depends in order to adapt to the effects of environmental changes and make better use of this most precious of our natural resources. 

Cooperative Watershed Management Program allows watershed groups to partner with Reclamation to complete on-the-ground watershed management projects
Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615

WASHINGTON - The Bureau of Reclamation has released a funding opportunity for the Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase II grants, which provides funding to watershed groups for on-the-ground watershed management projects. The funding opportunity announcement is available at www.grants.gov by searching for funding opportunity BOR-DO-17-F013. Applications are due on February 15, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. MST.

Funding will be provided on a cost-share basis for projects that improve the ecological resiliency of rivers, streams and riparian areas, conserve water for multiple uses, and reduce conflicts over water through collaborative management efforts within the watershed. Eligible project types include, but are not limited to, projects to improve stream channel structure and complexity, water conservation or management activities that improve ecological resilience, and projects to address water quality issues.

The President's budget request includes $1.75 million for the Cooperative Watershed Management Program. It is anticipated that 14 to 16 awards will be made under this funding opportunity.
To be eligible, applicants must be a grassroots, nonregulatory watershed group that addresses water availability and quality issues within the relevant watershed, represent a diverse group of stakeholders, and can promote the sustainable use of water resources within the watershed. The applicant must also have approved articles of incorporation and bylaws and have developed a restoration plan and project concepts for the watershed.

Learn more about the WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program and this new funding opportunity at https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/cwmp.

WaterSMART is the U.S. Department of the Interior’s sustainable water initiative that uses the best available science to improve water conservation and help water resource managers identify strategies to narrow the gap between supply and demand. To learn more about WaterSMART, please visit https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart.