- Reclamation
- Upper Colorado Basin
- System Conservation and Efficiency Program
Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program
Current Focus
New funding opportunity open until Jan. 10, 2025
THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR THE INITIAL UPPER BASIN ENVIRONMENTAL DROUGHT MITIGATION (B2E) PROGRAM CLOSED Nov. 22, 2024.
Environmental, Ecosystem, and Habitat Restoration with Water Savings Benefits Grant
Funding opportunities of the Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program are made under the under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which became Public Law 117-169 on August 16, 2022. Section 50233 of the Law provides funding to mitigate the impacts of drought with priority to the Colorado River Basin, and other basins experiencing comparable levels of drought.
The Phase 2 (Bucket 2) Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Program or "B2E" funding opportunity under the Inflation Reduction Act closed the application period on November 22, 2024. The B2E funding opportunity targeted environmentally focused projects that mitigated the impacts of recent droughts.
A new funding announcement for projects that are environmentally oriented and also include water savings benefits will begin on Wed., Dec. 4, 2024. This new announcement is issued under the same Request for Applications (RFA) as the previous Bucket 2 Environmental Drought Mitigation Funding Opportunity and is referred to as "B2E2". B2E2 will provide funding for projects that will restore habitat and assist in species recovery while providing additional water savings benefits to increase resiliency against prolonged drought driven by climate change.
Those who applied under the initial B2E funding opportunity do not need to submit another application. This new announcement provides a funding opportunity for environmentally oriented projects with additional water savings.
The Request for Applications under the title, "Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation" opens Wed., Dec. 4, 2024, and will remain open until Fri., Jan. 10, 2025.
Funding is contingent upon completion of an evaluation process by Reclamation. Final selections will be made by Reclamation based on the merit review described in the attached Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation Request for Application. Water savings benefits will not be a consideration in the merit review.
Phase one of the Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program was funded through the System Conservation Pilot Program. The second phase is known as "Bucket 2." This funding opportunity is available.
How to Apply
Parties interested in applying for B2E2 funding should download the Request For Application (PDF document) and prepare an application package with the information outlined in Section D of the RFA. Once the application is complete applications should be submitted to UCBefficiency@usbr.gov.
The following sections contain links to the RFA funding announcement and required components of the application package.
Request for Application Link (funding announcement):
Mandatory Application Component Links:
- Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Registration
- SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance, Office of Management and Budget Link is to a PDF file
- SF-424A: Budget Information – Non-construction Programs Link is to a PDF file or SF-424C: Budget Information – Construction Programs Link is to a PDF file
- SF-424B: Assurances – Non-construction Programs Link is to a PDF file or SF-424D: Assurances – Construction Programs Link is to a PDF file
- Technical Proposal (see RFA Section D.2.4) [use RFA Link]
- Budget Proposal (see RFA Section D.2.5) [use RFA Link]
- Budget Narrative (see RFA Section D.2.6) [use RFA Link]
- SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Link is to a PDF file (only required if applicable)
Other recommended application components are listed in the RFA under the Application Checklist.
Q&A Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation (B2E)
Program Overview
The Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation are committed to addressing the challenges of climate change in the Colorado River Basin by utilizing science-based, innovative strategies and working cooperatively with other federal agencies and diverse communities that rely on the Colorado River.
Prolonged drought and low runoff conditions have led to historically low water levels in Lakes Powell and Mead. As water levels continue to decline, action to improve and protect the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River System is imperative.
The Biden-Harris administration is making unprecedented investments in drought resilience and water management. President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made a historic $8.3 billion investment to address water and drought challenges and invest in our nation's western water and power infrastructure, while rebuilding our existing projects to withstand a changing hydrology. Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act includes $4 billion in funding specifically for water management and conservation efforts in the Colorado River Basin and other areas experiencing similar levels of drought.
As part of the Department's commitment to address the drought crisis, the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basins are working with states, Tribes, and other water users to implement programs that will mitigate water conservation in the Basin.
Contact
For additional questions or information about the UCB System Conservation and Efficiency Program, please contact: UCBEfficiency@usbr.gov
