The U.S. Department of the Interior’s (Department) Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects (AERP) NOFO provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems in support of the Department’s priorities.
Donor Name: Bureau of Reclamation
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Territory: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/01/2023
Size of the Grant: $2,000,000 – $20,000,000
Grant Duration: 5 years
Details:
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 the improvement of the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration and improved fish passage.
Restoring and protecting aquatic ecosystems offers wide-ranging benefits for people and wildlife. Functioning aquatic ecosystems provide habitat for fish and wildlife, improve water quality, and store excess carbon, mitigate the impacts of drought and flood events, and support multiple water 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.
Notice of Funding Opportunity Purpose and Objectives
The objective of the AERP NOFO is to invite eligible to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on the study, design and construction of aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and are for the purpose of improving 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. Projects that affect water resources management in two or more river basins, provide regional benefits not limited to fisheries restoration, and that are a component of a larger strategy to replace aging facilities are prioritized under this program. This NOFO provides funding under two task areas, including Task A: Study and Design and Task B: Construction projects. For the purpose of this funding opportunity, “proposed project” refers to either a proposed Task A: Study and Design project or a proposed Task B: Construction project.
Program Determinations
Prior to construction of a Task B: Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project, Reclamation will make the determination that a project:
- Will not result in unmitigated adverse impact to water or power delivery obligations
- Will not result in an unmitigated adverse impact on the environment
- Is consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s role as a trustee for federally recognized Indian Tribes
- Is in compliance with applicable International and Tribal treaties, agreements, and Interstate compacts
- Is in the financial interest of the United States based on a determination that the project advances Federal objectives including environmental enhancement objectives in a Reclamation State. Reclamation will make these determinations based on the Application Review evaluation of the applicant’s proposal, red-flag review by appropriate Reclamation offices (e.g., Native American Affairs, Law and Administration, Policy and Administration – Environmental Compliance Division) and completion of mandatory environmental compliance measures.
Funding Information
This NOFO will allocate $30 million in available funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), P.L. 117-58 in FY 2023 and 9504(a) of the SECURE Water Act, P.L. 111-11.
Any awards are subject to a determination by Reclamation that FY 2023 appropriations and/or FY 2023 BIL funds are available. Additional projects may be funded under this NOFO if additional funding becomes available in FY 2023 or subsequently.
Task A: Study and Design Projects
- Maximum Award: $2,000,000
- Minimum Award: $500,000
Task B: Construction Projects
- Maximum Award: $20,000,000
- Minimum Award: $3,000,000
Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates
Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants in late Summer 2023 (or later if necessary), subject to the timing of final FY 2023 appropriations.
Anticipated Award Date: January 2, 2024
Anticipated Project Completion Date:
- Task A: Study and Design Projects: December 31, 2026
- Task B: Construction Projects: December 31, 2028
Eligible Applicants
Applicants eligible to receive an award under this funding opportunity are described below.
Category A Applicants
- 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;
- Other entities or organizations that own a dam 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.
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; and
- Intends to participate in the project in some way, for example, by providing input, feedback, or other support for the project.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
