The Bureau of Reclamation is investing $20.5 million toward 13 different drought resiliency projects across five states.
In total, the projects will leverage more than $66.7 million in non-federal funding.
“Climate change presents growing challenges to our communities across the West and the natural systems that we all depend on,” said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo. “The Department of the Interior will continue to work with our partners to develop innovative solutions that address the challenges we face.”
Reclamation will fund the projects through funds included in its first fiscal year 2022 continuing resolution. Once the regular fiscal year 2022 appropriations have been received, Reclamation might select additional drought resiliency projects. At this point, applicants are being notified of project funding on a rolling basis.
"The Western United States is experiencing unprecedented dryness and drought," said Chief Engineer David Raff. "This WaterSMART funding will help communities be more resilient and diversify their water supplies as climate change makes droughts worse."
Reclamation's Drought Response Program is part of WaterSMART. It supports a proactive approach to drought by providing water managers assistance to implement projects to build long-term resiliency to drought and climate change.
The 13 selected projects are:
- Bear River Water Conservancy District (Utah), $2 million
- Bella Vista Water District (California), $2 million
- Casitas Municipal Water District (California), $2 million
- City of Fresno (California), $293,450
- City of Gallup (New Mexico), $2 million
- City of Grand Junction (Colorado), $300,000
- Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District (California), $2 million
- Deschutes Irrigation District (Oregon), $1,370,473
- North Kern Water Storage District (California), $500,000
- Rancho California Water District (California), $2 million
- San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (California), $2 million
- South Coast Water District (California), $2 million
- South San Joaquin Municipal Utility District (California), $2 million
Project descriptions and information on the program is available at the Drought Response Program website.
