|
Become a friend of the Klamath Bucket Brigade All donations are tax deductible |
|
This Website is Dedicated to Alvin Alexander Cheyne January 10, 1921 - June 17, 2005 |
Secretary
Kempthorne Announces New Grant Program under Water 2025: Interior
Department Launches Program to Help Water Users Make Systems More
Efficient
Office of the Secretary:
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kip White (Reclamation) kwhite@usbr.gov
or 202-513-0684; cell 202-271-8577
Joan Moody (Interior) joan_moody@ios.doi.gov
or 202-208-6416
"This program will
assist water users in evaluating the most efficient ways to manage their
irrigation systems and thus further the goals of Water 2025 to increase
water conservation and ensure adequate water supplies for future
needs,” Secretary Kempthorne said.
The Bureau of Reclamation
will award the funds for System Optimization Reviews, each of which will
result in a plan of action that will focus on improving efficiency and
operations on a regional or basin perspective. Most improvements
identified in the reviews will be eligible to apply to the Water 2025
Challenge Grant Program for additional funding."
System Optimization
Reviews will involve a multi-step process that will gather information
about the system being reviewed; identify issues and priorities;
establish water conservation goals; examine water management, water
marketing and ways to prevent conflicts over water; identify and
evaluate potential improvements; define a plan of action; and prepare a
final report.
Water 2025 encourages
voluntary water banks and other market-based measures as authorized
under state law, promotes the use of new technology for water
conservation and efficiency and removes institutional barriers to
increase cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, tribal and
private organizations.
To be eligible for one of
the new System Optimization Review grants, applicants must represent an
irrigation or water district, tribal water authority, state governmental
entity with water management authority, or organizations created under
state law with water delivery authority; be located in the seventeen
western states; provide a 50/50 cost-share; request no more than
$300,000 federal cost-share; and be scheduled for completion in 24
months.
Since 2004, Interior has
awarded more than $25 million in Challenge grants that resulted in more
than 120 projects receiving funding. Including matching contributions of
non-federal partners, the projects represent a combined investment of
more than $105 million in water management improvements.
To learn more about the
System Optimization Review Grants, the Challenge Grant Program, or Water
2025, please visit www.doi.gov/water2025
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those
who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for
non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go
to:http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
Source: http://www.doi.gov/news/07_News_Releases/070830.html