Opportunity Information: Apply for R13AS80015
Apply for R13AS80015
- The Bureau of Reclamation Denver Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Grants for FY 2013" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.554 Cooperative Watershed Management Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 2, 2013 and posted on May 1, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 11, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applicants eligible to receive financial assistance to fund activities under this FOA include Task A Establishment of a Watershed Group States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the western United States or United States Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended. Task B Expansion of an Existing Watershed Group An existing watershed group, i.e., a grassroots, non regulatory entity and otherwise meets the definition of a watershed group as described in Section I.B. Objective of Funding Opportunity Announcement and Section III.A. Eligible Applicants or a member of an existing watershed group.
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Opportunity Summary:
The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Grants for FY 2013 (Funding Opportunity Number R13AS80015) was a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the Bureau of Reclamation (Denver Office) under CFDA 15.554, focused on helping communities take early, organized steps toward better watershed management. The program invited proposals for Phase I activities specifically aimed at either establishing a new watershed group or expanding an existing one. The central purpose of the funding was practical and foundational: recipients were expected to use the grant to develop a clear mission statement, generate project concepts, and produce a restoration plan for the watershed. The work supported by this funding had to be completed within two years of the award date, making it a short, planning-oriented effort intended to prepare groups for longer-term watershed improvements and collaboration.
A key feature of this opportunity is how it defines a "watershed group" under the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (Subtitle A of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, P.L. 111-11; 42 USC 10364). The group is meant to be self-sustaining and cooperative across the entire watershed, not a narrow single-interest committee. It must be made up of representatives of stakeholders affected by the watershed and, to the maximum extent practicable, it must incorporate a broad range of perspectives. That broad participation is spelled out directly in the opportunity and includes representation connected to hydroelectric production, livestock grazing, timber production, land development, recreation and tourism, irrigated agriculture, environmental interests, potable water suppliers and industrial water users, and private property owners. In addition to these stakeholder categories, the definition also emphasizes coordination with agencies and governments that have authority in the watershed, including relevant Federal, State, and local agencies, plus Indian tribes that own land within the watershed or have land in the watershed held in trust. Structurally, the watershed group is intended to be grassroots and non-regulatory, meaning it is not designed to function as an enforcement body, but rather as a collaborative forum to address water availability and water quality challenges.
The FOA also lays out the expected character and capabilities of these groups. They are expected to be able to promote sustainable use of the watershed's water resources and to improve the functioning condition of rivers and streams. The opportunity highlights several outcomes as priorities: water conservation, improved water quality, stronger ecological resiliency, and reducing water-related conflicts. Decision-making is expected to be consensus-based as defined in the group’s bylaws, reinforcing the idea that the effort should be collaborative and durable rather than driven by a single entity or political interest.
Eligibility was broad but tied to watershed and water-delivery relevance, and it differed slightly depending on whether an applicant was creating a new group or expanding an existing one. For Task A (establishment of a watershed group), eligible applicants included States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the western United States or U.S. Territories as identified under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902 (as amended). For Task B (expansion of an existing watershed group), eligible applicants included an existing watershed group that already meets the statutory definition (grassroots, non-regulatory, inclusive, consensus-based, etc.), or a member of such a group. More generally, the announcement signaled that a wide range of entities could participate or apply, including local governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, existing watershed groups, and local or special districts such as irrigation and water districts or county soil conservation districts.
From a funding standpoint, the grant instrument type was a standard grant with an award ceiling of $100,000 and an award floor of $0, and it explicitly stated that there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity was posted May 1, 2013, with a closing date of June 11, 2013 (and archived June 12, 2013). The point of contact listed for access issues was Michelle Maher, Grants Officer, at 303-445-2025. Overall, the FY 2013 WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I grants were designed to fund the early organizing and planning work needed to build inclusive watershed partnerships and produce actionable restoration planning documents within a two-year timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Grants for FY 2013.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is R13AS80015.
Which agency offered this grant?
This was a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the Bureau of Reclamation (Denver Office).
What CFDA program is this associated with?
This opportunity falls under CFDA 15.554.
What was the overall goal of the program?
The program was designed to help communities take early, organized steps toward better watershed management by supporting the formation or expansion of inclusive, cooperative watershed groups and producing foundational planning outputs.
What phase or type of work did FY 2013 funding support?
The FY 2013 solicitation invited proposals for Phase I activities that were specifically aimed at either establishing a new watershed group or expanding an existing watershed group.
What are the main deliverables expected from a funded Phase I project?
Recipients were expected to use the grant to develop a clear mission statement, generate project concepts, and produce a restoration plan for the watershed.
How long did recipients have to complete the funded work?
Work supported by this funding had to be completed within two years of the award date.
Is this grant intended for implementation or planning?
Based on the stated purpose and deliverables, this opportunity was focused on early organizing and planning work (mission, project concepts, and a restoration plan) intended to prepare groups for longer-term watershed improvements and collaboration.
How does the program define a "watershed group"?
A "watershed group" is defined under the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (Subtitle A of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, P.L. 111-11; 42 USC 10364) as a self-sustaining group that cooperates across the entire watershed, incorporates a broad range of stakeholder perspectives to the maximum extent practicable, and functions as a grassroots, non-regulatory collaborative forum.
What does "grassroots and non-regulatory" mean in this context?
The watershed group is not intended to operate as an enforcement or regulatory body. Instead, it is meant to serve as a collaborative forum to address watershed issues such as water availability and water quality through cooperation among stakeholders.
What kinds of stakeholders are expected to be represented in a watershed group?
The FOA specifies that, to the maximum extent practicable, the group should include a broad range of perspectives, including representation connected to: hydroelectric production, livestock grazing, timber production, land development, recreation and tourism, irrigated agriculture, environmental interests, potable water suppliers and industrial water users, and private property owners.
Are government agencies and tribes expected to be involved?
Yes. The definition emphasizes coordination with authorities in the watershed, including relevant Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as Indian tribes that own land within the watershed or have land in the watershed held in trust.
What outcomes or priorities does the program highlight?
The opportunity highlights priorities such as water conservation, improved water quality, stronger ecological resiliency, and reducing water-related conflicts. Groups are also expected to promote sustainable use of water resources and improve the functioning condition of rivers and streams.
How is decision-making expected to work within the watershed group?
Decision-making is expected to be consensus-based as defined in the group’s bylaws.
Who was eligible to apply for Task A (establishing a new watershed group)?
For Task A (establishment), eligible applicants included States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the western United States or U.S. Territories as identified under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902 (as amended).
Who was eligible to apply for Task B (expanding an existing watershed group)?
For Task B (expansion), eligible applicants included an existing watershed group that already meets the statutory definition, or a member of such a group.
Does the announcement indicate other types of entities that could participate or apply?
Yes. The announcement signaled that a wide range of entities could participate or apply, including local governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, existing watershed groups, and local or special districts such as irrigation and water districts or county soil conservation districts.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The instrument type was a standard grant.
What was the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling was $100,000.
What was the minimum award amount?
The award floor was $0.
Was there a cost-share or matching requirement?
No. The opportunity explicitly stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on May 1, 2013, and the closing date was June 11, 2013. It was archived on June 12, 2013.
Who was the point of contact for access issues?
The point of contact listed for access issues was Michelle Maher, Grants Officer, at 303-445-2025.
What legal authority is referenced for the watershed group definition?
The definition references the Cooperative Watershed Management Act, described as Subtitle A of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-11; 42 USC 10364).
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