- Reclamation
- Upper Colorado Basin
- System Conservation and Efficiency Program
Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program
Current Focus
Bucket 2 Environmental Drought Mitigation Application period extended
Applications to the Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation (B2E) Program Request for Applications (RFA) will now be accepted through Nov. 22, 2024. at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time
This extension ensures that all applicants have appropriate time to prepare comprehensive and competitive proposals.
If possible, we still encourage eligible entities to coordinate with their appropriate state B2E representatives regarding their proposals and submit applications early to allow Reclamation time to review for completeness.
Environmental, Ecosystem, and Habitat Restoration Grant
As phase one of the Upper Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program closes its current opportunities for funding under the System Conservation Pilot Program, phase two is taking shape. The second phase is known as "Bucket 2" and will utilize the remaining $450 million of Inflation Reduction Act funding dedicated to address water issues in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The Bucket 2 program is organized into two components.
The "Bucket 2 Environmental Drought Mitigation" or "B2E" component of phase two provides funding to public entities and tribes for projects that provide general environmental benefits or ecosystem/habitat restoration benefits that address issues directly caused by drought. The Request for Applications under the title, "Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation (B2E)" opened Monday,July 22 and will remain open until Monday, October 14.
The other component of phase two, known a "Bucket 2 Water Conservation" or "B2W," will aim to identify and fund projects that achieve verifiable, multi-year reductions in use of or demand for water supplies. The B2W component is still in development and a funding opportunity is expected to be announced later this year.
Upper Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation Grant Synopsis
| Federal Agency Name: | Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Basin Region |
|---|---|
| Announcement Type: | Request for Applications (RFA) |
| Dates: (See RFA Sec. D.3) |
Application due date: Nov. 22, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time |
| Eligible Applicants: (See RFA Sec. C.1) |
Applicants must be a public entity or Tribe within the Upper Colorado River Basin. This may include federal agencies, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special service district governments, and federally recognized Tribes or Tribal organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. 5304(e). Eligible applicants are encouraged to partner with non-government organizations and stakeholders. |
| Eligible Projects: (See RFA Sec. C.3) |
Projects that provide environmental benefits or ecosystem and habitat restoration projects to address issues directly caused by drought in the Upper Colorado River Basin. |
| Available Federal Funding: (See RFA Sec. B.1) |
Reclamation has $450 million of remaining funding for IRA Section 50233 projects in the Upper Colorado River Basin, which will be utilized to fund projects selected under this program. |
| Minimum Project Funding: (See RFA Sec. B.2) |
Minimum project size that will be considered for funding is $300,000. |
| Cost Share Requirements: | Encouraged, but not required |
| Project Completion Deadline: | Project should be completed within 5 years of the execution of the grant agreement. |
| Anticipated Award Date: | Announcement by Spring 2025 |
How to Apply
Parties interested in applying for B2E 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
