News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Funding for Bay Delta Restoration Program: CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grants

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, PLucero@usbr.gov

For Release: February 28, 2012

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of an additional $2.5 million for award under the CALFED Bay-Delta Program: CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grants. Under the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), a maximum of $7.5 million is available. The federal funding cap has been increased to $1 million per award, not to exceed 50 percent of project costs. The deadline for applications submissions has been extended to March 14, 2012.  

The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is a collaborative effort among 25 state and federal agencies. Their joint mission is to improve California’s water supply and the ecological health of the San Francisco Bay/ Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay-Delta). The Bay-Delta provides water for urban, agricultural, industrial and environmental uses.

A key element of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program is water use efficiency. The CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grant Program was established to accelerate the implementation of cost-effective actions that provide state-wide benefits of water conservation. Water conservation and water use efficiency are critical elements of any plan to address Bay-Delta water concerns. With leveraged water sustainability grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation for a more efficient use of water in California.

The FOA invites eligible applicants to utilize their resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on projects emphasizing water use efficiency and conservation activities that will improve ecosystem health, water supply reliability and water quality. Projects that focus on increasing the capability of on-farm water conservation and water use efficiency should be able to be undertaken by farmers and ranchers through irrigation system improvements and irrigation efficiency enhancements.

Proposals must be submitted on line at www.grants.gov using Funding Opportunity Number R12AF20002. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2012, at 3 p.m. PDT. Awards will be available spring 2012. For additional information, please contact Lee Mao at 916-978-5202 (TTY 916-978-5608) or lmao@usbr.gov.

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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.

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Grants