Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program

The objective of the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program is to work cooperatively with states, Tribes, and other entities as they study, design and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and result in the improvement of the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage. As used here, “aquatic ecosystem” refers to freshwater and brackish water habitats such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands, swamps, and estuaries and the adjacent floodplains, riparian corridors, deltas, and shallow aquifers that interact with surface water.

In accordance with P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1109(a), eligible applicants include States, Tribes, irrigation districts, or water districts; State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; agencies established under State law for the joint exercise of powers; and other entities or organizations that own a dam that is eligible for upgrade, modification, or removal. Nonprofit conservation organizations are also eligible to apply if they are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of an entity described above with respect to a project involving land or infrastructure owned by the entity. Applicants must also be located in in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.

General public, entities with water or power delivery authority, state, county, and local governmental entities, and Tribes located in eligible states and territories previously described in applicant eligibility.

The Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program benefits a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include but is not limited to, private property owners, Federal, State, or local agencies, and Tribes located in eligible states and territories previously described in applicant eligibility.

Applications received in response to the funding opportunity are reviewed through 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 applications based on the amount of funding available each year. Awards made under this Assistance Listing may be made competitively or non-competitively.

See Reclamation’s WaterSMART website https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/ for schedule information.