Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, established the Small Water Storage and Groundwater Grant Program to enhance water storage opportunities. It provides up to the lesser of 25 percent, or $30 million, for the cost of planning, design, and construction of small water storage projects that, when implemented, will increase water supply reliability, improve operational flexibility, and enhance resiliency of water and related infrastructure throughout the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Native American organizations
- Other public organizations
- State
- Local governments
Eligible recipients of the Small Storage Program funding are identified under the 1902 Act and include State, regional, or local authorities; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; or other entities such as a water conservation or conservancy district, wastewater district, rural water district, located in the 17 western United States (Reclamation State) as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended or Alaska or Hawaii.
Beneficiaries
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- 5
- 8
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State, Local, Other public institution/organization, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, Native American Organizations.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Proposals received in response to the funding opportunity are reviewed on the basis of a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the funding opportunity. Reclamation will make awards to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year and in consideration of the relative score of each proposal.
The review, scoring and announcement of the recipients typically take three to five months.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Small Storage Program provides Federal assistance for small surface water and groundwater storage projects that enhance water storage opportunities for future generations in support of the Department of the Interior’s priorities. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act authorized the Small Storage Program and funds up to a 25 percent Federal cost share for eligible project costs of small storage projects with a surface or groundwater storage capacity between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet. Projects must also increase storage or move water to or from the storage project. Reclamation leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to support stakeholder efforts to optimize scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water.
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Reclamation’s Small Storage Program provides cost-shared funding on a competitive basis for the planning, design, and construction of small surface water and groundwater storage projects.
Required Documentation
To be eligible to receive funding for construction activities, a small surface water storage or groundwater storage project must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of section 40903 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Funds for construction activities associated with an individual project will not be disbursed until all IIJA pre-construction requirements have been met for that project pursuant to Federal law. These include a finding that the feasibility study meets the requirements of the IIJA and Temporary Reclamation Manual Release (TRMR), Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects Feasibility Study Review Process (CMP TRMR-127).
Matching Requirements
Federal funding for Small Storage Program construction projects is generally limited to 25% of the total project or $30 million, whichever is less. The eligible maximum amount will vary by project. The sponsor must pay all operation, maintenance, and replacement (OM&R) costs of the project.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements