The goal of the Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) is to actively encourage water conservation and efficient use of water supplies on Federal Reclamation projects, assist water districts with their responsibility to develop water conservation plans, implement measures identified in their

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plans, and complement and support State and other conservation programs.

Assistance to districts towards development of water conservation plans, assistance with implementation of efficiency improvement measures identified in plans, demonstrations of new technology, leveraging of resources through collaboration between water districts and other entities by encouraging and developing partnerships.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funding is to be used for projects that fall under the following categories: (1) development of water management and conservation plans; (2) demonstration activities; and (3) implementation of efficiency measures.

Financial assistance is generally limited to $25,000 or less.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Depending on the authorizing legislation, agricultural and/or municipal/industrial water districts, irrigation districts, water districts or entities, communities, state or local water agencies, water-related non-profit organizations, small entities (public or private) that have contracts for water with Reclamation under the Warren Act, Native American Tribes, universities or educational institutions proposing to conduct water conservation activities within Reclamation boundaries.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The general public and irrigation or water districts located in the 17 western States identified in the Act of June 17, 1902, as amended; specifically, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

Funding opportunity announcements for this program, along with registration procedures, application packages and instructions, SF-424 forms and any other forms to be used to submit application information, points of contact, and procedures for submitting applications will be available on www.grants.gov.

Award Procedures

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program funding announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by a proposal evaluation panel comprised of qualified experts in the program area. Applications will be reviewed against the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. Final selection will be determined by the Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, or regional officials, as applicable to the project. The number of awards and maximum funding amount per award are determined on an annual basis and are dependent upon the amount of available funding in each Region.

Deadlines

Varies by project. Deadline information will be included in all funding opportunity announcements posted on www.grants.gov or you may contact the appropriate WCFSP Coordinator, listed below, for further information.

Authorization

Soil and Moisture Conservation Act of 1935, Public Law 74-46, 49 Stat 163, 16 U.S.C. 590 et seq., (through Section 6 of Reorganization Plan No. IV - 1940); Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Public Law 85-624, 75 Stat. 563, 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq. (through Secretarial delegation at 255 DM 14); Reclamation Projects Authorization And Adjustment Act of 1992, Title XVI-Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Studies, and Title XXXIV-Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Public Law 102-575; Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006, Title II, Section 205, Publication Law 109-103.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available for each specific project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Reclamation personnel listed as the point of contact in the funding announcement, or you may contact the appropriate WCFSP Coordinator, listed below, for information.

Appeals

None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Reclamation will provide all applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award.

Renewals

Continuation of funding for activities within the WCFSP from one fiscal year to the next is at the discretion of Congress. Generally, applicants should propose projects that can be completed within 24 months from the project start date. However, multi-year proposals may be considered if it can be demonstrated that there will be measurable on-the-ground accomplishments each year.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out under the WCFSP shall generally not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project or activity, and dependent on the project and authorizing legislation, the Federal share of project funding may be less than 50 percent. Costs of operation, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of facilities funded under the authority of this program shall be nonfederal responsibilities. Cost-share requirements may vary by Region. Please contact the Regional or Area Office Water Conservation Coordinator located in the Region in which the proposed project is located for specific information. Projects awarded under the following authorities have mandatory recipient cost sharing requirements as follows: Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992, Title XVI-Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Studies, requires up to a 50 percent cost share for projects awarded under Section 1604 and requires a 50 percent cost share for projects awarded in accordance with Section 1605; Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992, Title XXXIV-Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Public Law 102-575, cost share varies in accordance with the type of project (see Section 3406 and 3407); and the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006, Title II, Public Law 109-103, requires a 50% cost share in accordance with Section 205.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Projects typically are awarded for up to 24 months; however, some projects may be awarded for periods of up to 5 years.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Unless otherwise stated in the agreement document, recipients shall submit the following reports on a quarterly basis: (1) SF-269/SF-269a Financial Status Reports, (2) SF-272 Report of Federal Cash Transactions, and (3) program performance reports.

Annually, recipients shall submit an annual program performance report.

Upon completion of the agreement, recipients shall submit a final: (1) SF-269/SF-269a Financial Status Report, (2) final program performance report, and (3) other specific reports that may be applicable to the agreement such as property inventories, and patent and invention disclosures.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after December 1, 2003) or more a year in Federal awards will have a single or a program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after December 1, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

State, local and Indian Tribal governments shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR 12.82. All other recipients shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR 12.953.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1968-0-1-301.

Obigations

FY 07 $1,548,998; FY 08 est $14,340,000; and FY 09 est $4,594,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not separately identifiable.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

43 CFR 12, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html#page1; OMB Circulars, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_circulars.html; these documents may also be obtained by contacting the Reclamation Office listed below.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Regional contact information may be found at http://www.usbr.gov/waterconservation/wtrctrs.html. This website includes a map to help you locate the appropriate office for your area. Not Applicable.

Headquarters Office

None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Specific evaluation criteria will be included in the funding announcements posted on www.grants.gov.