WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and 2026
The U. S. Department of the Interior’s (Department) Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects (AERP) provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems in support of the Department’s priorities.
Through AERP, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding 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 an improvement to the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration or improved fish passage.Restoring and connecting aquatic ecosystems offers wide-ranging benefits for both communities and the environment.
Functioning aquatic and wetland ecosystems provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife, improve water quality, store excess carbon, help mitigate the impacts of drought and flood events, and support water supply resiliency for multiple uses.The Bureau of Reclamation’s Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects funding opportunity provides support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 14008:
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and is aligned with other priorities, such as those identified in E.O.
13985:
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects also support the goals of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group established in March 2021 and the National Drought Resilience Partnership.
This is a program covered by the Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal climate, clean energy, water and wastewater infrastructure, and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.[1][1] For more information, see E.O.
14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 27, 2023), https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad; Justice40 Initiative, https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/; Addendum to the Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice 40 Initiative, M-21-28, on using the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), M-23-09, (January 27, 2023), https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf.
Through AERP, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding 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 an improvement to the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration or improved fish passage.Restoring and connecting aquatic ecosystems offers wide-ranging benefits for both communities and the environment.
Functioning aquatic and wetland ecosystems provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife, improve water quality, store excess carbon, help mitigate the impacts of drought and flood events, and support water supply resiliency for multiple uses.The Bureau of Reclamation’s Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects funding opportunity provides support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 14008:
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and is aligned with other priorities, such as those identified in E.O.
13985:
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects also support the goals of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group established in March 2021 and the National Drought Resilience Partnership.
This is a program covered by the Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal climate, clean energy, water and wastewater infrastructure, and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.[1][1] For more information, see E.O.
14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (January 27, 2023), https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad; Justice40 Initiative, https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/; Addendum to the Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice 40 Initiative, M-21-28, on using the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), M-23-09, (January 27, 2023), https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M-23-09_Signed_CEQ_CPO.pdf.
Who's Eligible
Obtain Full Opportunity Text:
Link to Opportunity in MyGrants
Additional Information of Eligibility:
Eligible Category A ApplicantsStates, 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;Other entities or organizations that own a facility that is eligible for upgrade, modification, or removal.All applicants must be located in the Western United States or Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented; specifically: 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, the U. S. Virgin Islands.Eligible Category B Applicants:Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A, with respect to a project involving land or infrastructure owned by the Category A entity.
All Category B applicants must be located in the United States, or the specific Territories identified above.Category B applicants should include with their application a letter from the Category A partner stating that the Category A partner:Is acting in partnership with the applicant;Agrees to the submittal and content of the application; andIntends to participate in the project in some way, for example, by providing input, feedback, or other support for the project.
Full Opportunity Web Address:
https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/mygrants?id=mygrants_form&table=x_g_usd4_o_grant_funding_opportunity&sys_id=dd3efd0c1b791a50e02962cae54bcb65&view=Default
Contact:
Agency Email Description:
bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
Agency Email:
Date Posted:
2024-12-10
Application Due Date:
Archive Date:
2026-04-27
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
The Social Innovators of 2014
For 2014, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has recognized 37 individuals for their outstanding work in the field of social enterprise.
Learn How to Identify and Avoid Grant Scams
