News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeks Non-Federal Applicants for Fiscal Year 2012 WaterSMART Basin Studies

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615, psoeth@usbr.gov

For Release: November 03, 2011

WaterSMART Clearinghouse
WaterSMART ClearinghouseThe Bureau of Reclamation is seeking eligible non-federal entities interested in participating in the 2012 Basin Studies under the WaterSMART Program. Eligible partners include states, tribes, water districts, cities and other local governmental entities with water delivery or management authority located in the 17 Western States.

Applicants must submit a letter of interest to their respective Reclamation regional office by November 30, 2011. To determine the Reclamation region in which a particular basin is located, please visit www.usbr.gov/main/regions.html.

Each Basin Study should include four main components:

  • Projections of water supply and demand within the basin, including the risks of climate change.
  • Analysis of how existing water and power infrastructure and operations will perform in response to changing water realities.
  • Development of appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies to improve operations and infrastructure to meet future water demands.
  • A trade-off analysis of the options identified, findings and recommendations as appropriate.

The non-federal partners must contribute at least 50 percent of the total study cost in non-federal funding or in-kind services. Basin Studies are not financial assistance and Reclamation's share of the study costs may only be used to support work done by Reclamation or its contractors.

Proposed letters of interest for Basin Studies will be reviewed by Reclamation regional office staff. Those selected for consideration will then work with Reclamation technical experts to develop a joint study proposal for evaluation and prioritization by a Reclamation review committee.

The WaterSMART Program addresses increasing water supply challenges, including chronic water shortages due to population growth, climate variability and change and growing competition for finite water supplies. Through the Basin Studies, Reclamation will work cooperatively with state and local partners in the 17 Western States to evaluate future water supply and demand imbalances, assess the risks and impacts of climate change on water resources and develop potential mitigation and adaptation strategies to meet future demands.

For specific information on the WaterSMART Basin Studies, please visit www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/bsp. For information on the WaterSMART Program, please visit www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

WaterSMART Basin Studies

WaterSMART