WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding opportunity invites eligible entities to apply for funding to develop local solutions to address their water management needs. This opportunity provides funding for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design. The program aims to promote water reliability and cooperation between stakeholders to reduce conflict, facilitate solutions to complex water issues, and stretch limited water supplies. Eligible applicants include existing watershed groups or entities sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group, located in one of the specified states or territories. Some key points to consider: • Eligible activities include watershed group development, watershed restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design. • The program has a total estimated funding of $25,000,000, with an expected 100 awards, and a maximum award amount of $300,000. • The program requires a non-Federal cost share, but it is not mandatory. • Applications will be reviewed based on criteria such as watershed group diversity and geographic scope, developing strategies to address critical watershed needs, readiness to proceed, and presidential and department of interior priorities. • The program has a risk review process to assess the applicant's financial management capabilities, project delivery experience, staffing resources, past award performance, administration and reporting compliance records, and overall project complexity and potential for challenges.