Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects

Background
The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, administers the Small Surface and Groundwater Storage Program (Small Storage Program) to promote Federal assistance to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations in support of the Department’s priorities. Reclamation leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to support stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water. Congress enacted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) on November 15, 2021. Title IX—Western Water Infrastructure was enacted to address water storage infrastructure that is critical to the Nation’s economic growth, health, and competitiveness. Section 40903 authorizes Reclamation to provide funding for small surface water storage and groundwater storage projects.

Grant Details
The objective of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to invite sponsors of small surface water and groundwater storage projects (Projects) to request cost-shared funding for the planning, design, and/or construction of those Projects.
The project must be constructed, operated, and maintained by an eligible applicant or sponsored by an eligible applicant.
The project must have a completed feasibility study that has been submitted to Reclamation for review by October 31, 2022, and for which the study is found to meet all of the requirements of CMP TRMR-127 by December 31, 2022.
The project must be located in the Western United States as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants eligible to receive an award under this NOFO include sponsors of small surface water and groundwater storage projects in the 17 Western States, including Alaska and Hawaii, that have submitted a Feasibility Study to Reclamation for review by October 31, 2022, and for which the study is found to meet all of the requirements of CMP TRMR-127 by December 31, 2022.
In general, eligible applicants are State, local, other public institution/organization, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal governments, and Native American organizations.

Period of Performance
The BIL limits funding to work on projects that are planned or underway between November 15, 2021 and November 15, 2026.
However, no funding will be provided for work conducted on any project prior to the authorization of this program.

Grant Value
Approximately $20 million is available under this program in Fiscal Year 2023.
The Federal share (i.e., Reclamation’s share), of any small surface water or groundwater storage project under section 40903 of Title IX—Western Water Infrastructure shall not exceed the lesser of 25 percent of the total project cost or $30 million.

Place of Performance
The project must be located in the Western United States as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902.