HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/20/2020 - RESOLUTION 2020-095 SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATI (2) Agenda Item 9
Item # 9 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY October 20, 2020
City Council
STAFF
Katie Collins, Water Conservation Coordinator
Eric Potyondy, Legal
SUBJECT
Resolution 2020-095 Supporting the Grant Application by Fort Collins Utilities for the United States Department
of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant for Fiscal
Year 2021 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Agreements Regarding Such a Grant.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to request Council support for Fort Collins Utilities’ pursuit of a United States
Bureau of Reclamation (“Reclamation”) Water and Energy Efficiency Grant for Fiscal Year 2021
(“WaterSMART Grant”). If awarded, Fort Collins Utilities, through its Water Conservation Division (“Water
Conservation”), would use the funds to support commercial-scale waterwise transformations in partnership
with homeowners’ associations (“HOAs”) and commercial customers. Reclamation requires a resolution of
Council support be submitted as part of the grant application package. The Resolution demonstrates that the
applicant has support from its board to carry out the grant agreement, if awarded.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Through the WaterSMART Grant, Water Conservation seeks to continue funding for the Xeriscape Incentive
Program for Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) and commercial customers. This program has been/is
financially supported through 2021 by the Water Conservation budget, a Colorado Water Conservation Board
Grant, and a WaterSMART grant. This important Water Conservation program aims to financially and
educationally assist Utilities’ commercial water customers, including HOAs’ irrigation accounts, with
commercial-scale waterwise landscape transformation projects such as the conversion from turf-to-native
grass or other low-water-use landscape.
About 7% of Utilities water customers are commercial accounts (including all irrigation-related accounts), yet
they use 40% of the treated water. Up to 60-70% of this is used to irrigate. The Water Efficiency Plan, adopted
by Council in 2016, identifies the great opportunity to achieve long-term water savings by working with
commercial customers on reducing outdoor water use. From research, surveys, and focus-groups, staff has
identified that funding and educational/technical resources are two main barriers to customers completing
these types of projects.
The Xeriscape Incentive Program for HOAs and commercial customers is currently working with seven
customers during their landscape transformation projects. Supported by $75,000 in rebates from the program,
these seven projects make up a total of 582,438 square feet (13.6 acres) of area that is actively and
successfully being converted from high-water use landscape to low-water use. On average, we estimate eight
gallons per square foot savings for an estimated savings of 4.7 million gallons of water annually saved by
these seven projects alone. In 2021, based on initial application submissions, we anticipate supporting an
Agenda Item 9
Item # 9 Page 2
additional eight projects making up just under 100,000 square feet of area or an additional 800,000 gallons of
water saved annually. In addition to water savings, this program is collecting valuable project data to help
educate prospective applicants on future successful projects.
If awarded the WaterSMART grant, staff anticipates providing a rebate of $1.50 per square foot of area
converted up to 10,000 square feet or a maximum $15,000 per project. Awardees are required to match any
rebate funding with their own organization’s funds.
All applicants for the WaterSMART Grants are required to include an official resolution from their governing
board within 30 days of the application due date that verifies:
• The identity of the official with legal authority to enter into an agreement;
• Support of the application and use of grant funds;
• The capability of the applicant to provide the amount of funding and in-kind contributions for the grant;
• The applicant is committed to work with Reclamation to meet all established deadlines.
If awarded, Water Conservation is expected to submit financial and performance reports on at least an annual
basis that include information on project progress and cost.
With the support of Council, the Xeriscape Incentive Program for HOAs and commercial customers were
previously awarded two grants in 2019. See Resolution 2019-056 (supporting a grant application to
Reclamation for the Xeriscape Incentive Program). These two grants, one from the State of Colorado and one
from Reclamation, fund the Xeriscape Incentive Program to date. Previously awarded grant funds for this
program will run out by end of year, 2021.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Obtaining this grant would enable Water Conservation to continue to support a much needed HOA and
commercial landscape transformation program. Reclamation requires a minimum 50% match of the total
project cost with cash or in-kind services. Per an agreement with each customer in the program, the Xeriscape
Incentive Program requires awardees of the program to provide match in the amount awarded. Some funds
from Water Conservation budget will be used to support program administration and marketing.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Bureau of Reclamation Grant Opportunity 2021 (PDF)
U.S. Department of the Interior June 2020
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
WaterSMART Grants:
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
for Fiscal Year 2021
ATTACHMENT 1
Mission Statements
The Department of the Interior conserves and
manages the Nation’s natural resources and
cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of
the American people, provides scientific and
other information about natural resources and
natural hazards to address societal challenges and
create opportunities for the American people, and
honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or
special commitments to American Indians, Alaska
Natives, and affiliated island communities to help
them prosper.
The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to
manage, develop, and protect water and related
resources in an environmentally and economically
sound manner in the interest of the American
public.
Cover photo: Pathfinder Irrigation District’s Lateral 21A Pipeline Project in Nebraska, which was an FY
2017 Water and Energy Efficiency Grant project. Photo Courtesy of Pathfinder Irrigation District.
Synopsis
i
Synopsis
Federal Agency Name: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation,
Funding Opportunity Title: WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for
fiscal year (FY) 2021
Announcement Type: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)
Funding Opportunity
Number:
BOR-DO-21-F001
Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance
Number:
15.507
Dates:
(See FOA Sec. D.4)
Application due date:
Thursday, September 17, 2020, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight
Time
Eligible Applicants:
(See FOA Sec. C.1)
States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other
organizations with water or power delivery authority located in
the Western United States or United States Territories as
identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended
Recipient Cost Share:
(See FOA Sec. C.2)
50 percent or more of project costs
Federal Funding Amount:
(See FOA Sec. B.1)
Funding Group I: Up to $500,000 per agreement
Funding Group II: Up to $2,000,000 per agreement
Estimated Number of
Agreements to be
Awarded:
(See FOA Sec. B.1)
Approximately 35-40 projects, contingent on appropriations.
Application Checklist
iii
Application Checklist
The following table contains a summary of the information that you are required to submit
with your application.
√
What to submit
Required content
Form or format
When to
submit
Mandatory Federal Forms:
Application for Federal
Financial Assistance
Budget Information
Assurances
Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities
See Sec. D.2.2.1 SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-424C, SF-424D and
SF-LLL forms may be obtained at
www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html
*
Title page See Sec. D.2.2.2 Page 15 *
Table of contents See Sec. D.2.2.3 Page 15 *
Technical proposal: *
Executive summary See Sec. D.2.2.4 Page 15 *
See Sec. D.2.2.4 Page 15 *
Project description See Sec. D.2.2.4 Page 16 *
Evaluation criteria See Sec. E.1 Page 29 *
Project Budget: *
Funding plan See Sec. D.2.2.5 Page 17 *
Budget proposal See Sec. D.2.2.5 Page 18 *
Budget narrative See Sec. D.2.2.5 Page 20 *
Environmental and cultural
resources compliance
See Sec. F.2.1 Page 47 *
Required permits or
approvals
See Sec. D.2.2.6 Page 24 *
Letters of support See Sec. D.2.2.7 Page 24 *
Official Resolutions See Sec. D.2.2.8 Page 24 **
Unique Entity Identifier and
System for Award
Management
See Sec. D.3 Page 25 ***
* Submit materials with your application.
** Document should be submitted with your application; however, please refer to the applicable section of the FOA for extended
submission date.
*** Should be completed prior to the application deadline; however, please refer to the applicable section of the FOA for extended
completion date.
Acronyms and Abbreviations
v
Acronyms and Abbreviations
AFY acre-feet per year
AMI advanced metering infrastructure
ASAP Automated Standard Application for Payments
ARC Application Review Committee
CE Categorical Exclusion
CEC Categorical Exclusion Checklist
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CWA Clean Water Act
CWMP Cooperative Watershed Management Program
Department U.S. Department of the Interior
DUNS Data Universal Number System
EA Environmental Assessment
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program
ESA Endangered Species Act
ET evapotranspiration
FAPIIS Federal Award Performance Integrity Information System
FAQ Frequently Asked Question
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FOA Funding Opportunity Announcement
FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact
FY fiscal year
LOPP Lease of Power Privilege
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NHPA National Historic Preservation Act
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
OM&R operations, maintenance, and replacement
P.L. Public Law
Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation
SAM System of Award Management
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Automation
U.S.C. United States Code
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WaterSMART Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow
Contents
vii
Contents
Page
Section A. Funding Opportunity Description ................................................................ 1
A.1. Program Information ................................................................................................................ 1
A.2. Objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement ............................................................. 2
A.3. Statutory Authority .................................................................................................................... 2
A.4. Other Related Funding Opportunities ...................................................................................... 2
A.5. Collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service ............................................. 3
Section B. Award Information ......................................................................................... 5
B.1. Total Project Funding ............................................................................................................... 5
B.2. Project Funding Limitations ...................................................................................................... 5
B.3. Environmental and Cultural Resource Compliance.................................................................. 6
B.4. Assistance Instrument .............................................................................................................. 6
Section C. Eligibility Information .................................................................................... 7
C.1. Eligible Applicants .................................................................................................................... 7
C.2. Cost Sharing Requirements ..................................................................................................... 7
C.3. Eligible Projects ....................................................................................................................... 8
Section D. Application and Submission Information .................................................. 13
D.1. Address to Request Application Package .............................................................................. 13
D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission ........................................................................ 13
D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management ................................................. 25
D.4. Submission Date and Time .................................................................................................... 25
D.5. Intergovernmental Review ..................................................................................................... 28
D.6. Automated Standard Application for Payments Registration ................................................. 28
Section E. Application Review Information ................................................................. 29
E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria ................................................................................. 29
E.2. Review and Selection Process ............................................................................................... 42
E.3. Federal Award Performance Integrity Information System ..................................................... 45
E.4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Date ............................................................ 46
Section F. Federal Award Administration Information ................................................ 47
F.1. Federal Award Notices ........................................................................................................... 47
F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements .................................................................. 47
F.3. Reporting—Requirements and Distribution ............................................................................ 50
F.4. Conflicts of Interest ................................................................................................................. 52
F.5. Data Availability ...................................................................................................................... 53
F.6. Releasing Applications ........................................................................................................... 53
Section G. Agency Contacts ......................................................................................... 55
G.1. Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact ............................................................................ 55
G.2. Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact ........................................................................... 55
Section H. Other Information ........................................................................................ 57
H.1. Environmental and Cultural Resource Considerations .......................................................... 57
H.2. Background on Federal Environmental and Cultural Resource Laws .................................... 58
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance Measures............................. A-1
Performance Measure A: Projects with Quantifiable Water Savings ............................................ A-1
Performance Measure B: Projects with Hydropower Benefits .................................................... A-14
Section A: Funding Opportunity Description
1
Section A. Funding Opportunity
Description
A.1. Program Information
Through WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for
Tomorrow), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-
Federal funding to support stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and
avoid conflicts over water. WaterSMART provides support for the U.S.
Department of the Interior’s (Department) priorities, including creating a legacy
of conservation stewardship, sustainably developing our energy and natural
resources, modernizing our infrastructure through public-private partnerships,
striking a regulatory balance, and restoring trust with local communities by
improving relationships and communication with states, tribes, local
governments, communities, landowners and water users. WaterSMART also
supports Reclamation’s priorities, including increasing water supplies, leveraging
science and technology to improve water supply reliability, addressing ongoing
drought, and improving water supplies for tribal and rural communities.
Through Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, Reclamation provides assistance to
states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other entities with water or
power delivery authority to undertake projects that result in quantifiable and
sustained water savings and support broader water reliability benefits. Water and
Energy Efficiency Grants are a component of Reclamation’s WaterSMART
Grants Program, which also includes Water Marketing Strategy Grants and Small-
Scale Water Efficiency Projects. For further information on the WaterSMART
Grants Program, please see www.usbr.gov/watersmart/index.html.
This Water and Energy Efficiency Grants FOA provides funding for projects
that result in quantifiable water savings and support broader water
reliability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently;
increase the production of hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a
high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that
contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States.
Through this FOA, Reclamation provides funding for projects that increase water
reliability consistent with sections 3 and 4 of the October 19, 2018, Presidential
Memorandum on Promoting the Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the
West.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about WaterSMART and this FOA
can be found online at www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/weeg/faq.html. The list of
FAQs will be updated periodically during the application period. For further
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
2
information on WaterSMART Grants, please see www.usbr.gov/watersmart/
weeg/index.html. For further information on the WaterSMART Program, please
see www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART.html.
A.2. Objective of this Funding Opportunity
Announcement
The objective of this FOA is to invite states, Indian tribes, irrigation districts,
water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to
leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on projects
that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of
hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict;
enable farmers to make additional on-farm improvements in the future, including
improvements that may be eligible for Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) funding; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply
reliability in the western United States.
A.3. Statutory Authority
This FOA is issued under the authority of Section 9504(a) of the Secure
Water Act, Subtitle F of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management
Act of 2009, Public Law (P.L.) 111-11 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.]
10364).
A.4. Other Related Funding Opportunities
Through WaterSMART Grants, Reclamation also provides other funding
opportunities. Through Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects, Reclamation
provides funding for small-scale water management projects (up to $75,000 in
Federal funding for each project) that have been identified through previous
planning efforts. Reclamation has developed a streamlined selection and review
process to reflect the small-scale nature of these projects.
In addition, through Water Marketing Strategy Grants, Reclamation provides
funding to develop strategies to establish or expand water markets or water
marketing activities between willing participants. Under this funding opportunity,
applicants can conduct outreach and partnership building, scoping and planning
activities (e.g., hydrologic, legal, economic, and other types of analysis), and
develop a strategy for the implementation of water marketing activities.
Reclamation provides funding for water management projects through several
other programs under WaterSMART. Through the Drought Response Program,
Reclamation provides funding to help build resilience to drought. Through
Drought Contingency Planning, Reclamation supports the development of
drought contingency plans with participation from a diverse set of stakeholders.
Section A: Funding Opportunity Description
3
Reclamation also provides funding for Drought Resiliency Projects that increase
water supply flexibility and improve water management to build long term
resilience to drought and are supported by an existing drought contingency plan.
In addition, through the Cooperative Watershed Management Program,
Reclamation provides funding to watershed groups to encourage diverse
stakeholders to form local solutions to address their watershed management
needs. Reclamation provides funding through Phase I of the CWMP for watershed
group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project
design, and through Phase II for the implementation of watershed management
projects.
For information on the timing for these FOAs, please visit the WaterSMART
Program website: www.usbr.gov/watersmart/.
A.5. Collaboration with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Reclamation and NRCS are collaborating to align program resources in areas of
the Western United States where our mission areas overlap to improve the impact
of the agencies’ respective drought resiliency and water efficiency investments.
Applicants under WaterSMART Grants receive additional consideration in the
evaluation process for delivery system improvements that complement on-farm
improvements supported by NRCS, such as those funded through their
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Contingent on available
appropriations, NRCS provides dedicated EQIP funding to support on-farm water
efficiency improvements by producers served by water delivery systems
improved through a WaterSMART Grant.
Please note that on-farm improvements themselves are not eligible activities for
funding under this FOA. NRCS will have a separate application process for the
on-farm components of selected projects.
Under this FOA, consideration will be given under Section E.1.2. Evaluation
Criterion D—Complementing On-Farm Irrigation Improvements for proposals
that describe on-farm efficiency work that is currently being completed or is
anticipated to be completed in collaboration with NRCS in the area (e.g., with a
direct connection to the district’s water supply). Please contact your state NRCS
office for more information regarding NRCS assistance. You can find the contact
information for your state NRCS office on the United States Department of
Agriculture’s website, www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/
contact/states/.
Section B. Award Information
5
Section B. Award Information
B.1. Total Project Funding
The President’s FY 2021 budget request includes $7.8 million for WaterSMART
Grants. Reclamation will determine the final amount of funding available for
award under this FOA once final FY 2021 appropriations have been made. The
amount of funding available for awards under this FOA will depend on the
demand for funding under this and other categories of WaterSMART Grants.
Any awards are subject to a determination by Reclamation that FY 2021
appropriations are available. Applications submitted under this FOA may also be
considered if other funding becomes available in FY 2022 or subsequently.
B.2. Project Funding Limitations
Multiple applications for funding may be submitted for consideration (for
example, an applicant may submit a proposal for funding under Funding Group I
and a separate proposal under Funding Group II). However, no more than
$2,000,000 will be awarded to any one applicant under this FOA.
The Federal share (Reclamation’s share in addition to any other sources of
Federal funding) of any one proposed project shall not exceed 50 percent of the
total project costs. Generally, the non-Federal share of project costs must be
expended at the same or greater rate as the Federal share of project costs.
Applicants are invited to submit proposals under the following two funding
groups.
B.2.1. Funding Group I
Up to $500,000 in Federal funds provided through this FOA will be available for
smaller, on-the-ground projects.
• In general, projects funded under Funding Group I should be completed
within two years of award (see Section C.3.3. Length of Projects for
additional information).
• It is expected that more awards will be made for projects in Funding
Group I than Funding Group II (described below).
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
6
B.2.2. Funding Group II
Up to $2,000,000 in Federal funds provided through this FOA will be available
for larger, phased on-the-ground projects that may take up to 3 years to complete.
• Projects selected under Funding Group II will be funded on an annual
basis, for a period of up to 3 years, with a maximum of $2,000,000
available for the entire project. Funding for the remaining project years
will be made available contingent on subsequent congressional
appropriations. (Note: Recipients will not be asked to reapply to receive
FY 2022 and FY 2023 funding).
• Recipients must demonstrate sufficient progress to receive subsequent
funding for remaining phases of the project.
• It is expected that a smaller number of awards will be made for projects in
Funding Group II than Funding Group I.
B.3. Environmental and Cultural Resource
Compliance
All projects selected for funding under this FOA will be required to comply with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other Federal environmental
and cultural resource laws and other regulations.
B.4. Assistance Instrument
Project awards will be made through grants or cooperative agreements as
applicable to each project. If a cooperative agreement is awarded, the recipient
should expect Reclamation to have substantial involvement in the project.
Substantial involvement by Reclamation may include:
• Collaboration and participation with the recipient in the management of
the project and close oversight of the recipient’s activities to ensure that
the program objectives are being achieved.
• Oversight may include review, input, and approval at key interim stages of
the project.
At the request of the recipient, Reclamation can provide technical assistance after
award of the project. If you receive Reclamation’s assistance, you must account
for these costs in your budget. To discuss available assistance and these costs,
contact the Program Coordinator identified in Section G. Agency Contacts.
Section C: Eligibility Information
7
Section C. Eligibility Information
C.1. Eligible Applicants
Under P.L. 111-11, Section 9502, an eligible applicant is a state, Indian tribe,
irrigation district, water district, or other organization with water or power
delivery authority.
Applicants must also be located in the Western United States or Territories as
identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and
supplemented; specifically: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,
Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa,
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, the following entities:
• Federal Governmental entities
• Individuals
• Institutes of higher education
• 501(c)4 organizations
• 501(c)6 organizations
C.2. Cost Sharing Requirements
Applicants must be capable of cost sharing 50 percent or more of the total
project costs. The total project cost is defined as the total allowable costs incurred
under a Federal award and all required cost share and voluntary committed cost
share contributions, including third-party contributions.
Cost share may be made through cash, costs contributed by the applicant, or third-
party in-kind contributions. Third-party in-kind contributions include the value of
non-cash contributions of property or services that benefit the federally assisted
project and are contributed by non-Federal third parties, without charge. Cost
share funding from sources outside the applicant’s organization (e.g., loans or
state grants) should be secured and available to the applicant prior to award.
Please see Section D.2.2.9 Official Resolution and Section D.2.2.5 Funding Plan
and Letters of Commitment for more information regarding the documentation
required to verify commitments to meet cost sharing requirements.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
8
C.2.1. Cost Share Regulations
All cost-share contributions must meet the applicable administrative and cost
principles criteria established in 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200,
available at www.ecfr.gov.
C.2.2. Third-Party In-Kind Contributions
Third-party in-kind contributions may be in the form of equipment, supplies, and
other expendable property, as well as the value of services directly benefiting and
specifically identifiable to the proposed project. Applicants may not include as
part of their cost-share for projects funded under this FOA the cost or value of
third-party in-kind contributions that have been or will be relied on to satisfy a
cost-sharing or matching requirement for another Federal financial assistance
agreement, a Federal procurement contract, or any other award of Federal funds.
Applicants should refer to 2 CFR §200.434 Contributions and donations for
regulations regarding the valuation of third-party in-kind contributions, available
at www.ecfr.gov.
C.3. Eligible Projects
C.3.1. Eligible Projects
Water conservation and hydropower projects eligible for funding under this
FOA are described below. Applications may include anyone, or a
combination, of the types of projects described. In general, if you are
seeking funding for multiple projects (e.g., a piping project and a
hydropower project) and the projects are interrelated or closely related, they
should be combined in one application.
Applicants may submit multiple project proposals; however, no more than
$2,000,000 will be awarded in any FY to any one applicant under this FOA.
C.3.1.1. Water Conservation Projects
Water conservation projects result in quantifiable and sustained water savings or
improved water management. Please note that an agreement will not be awarded
for an improvement to conserve irrigation water unless the applicant agrees to the
terms of Section 9504(a)(3)(B) of Public Law 111-11. See Section F.2.3.
Requirements for Agricultural Operations under Public Law 111-11, Section
9504(a)(3)(D) of this FOA for further information. Eligible water conservation
projects include:
• Canal Lining/Piping: Projects that line or pipe canals, resulting in
conserved water. Projects include, but are not limited to:
o Installing new proven lining materials or technology
Section C: Eligibility Information
9
o Converting open canals to pipeline
o Constructing conveyance improvements, turnouts, or pipelines
• Municipal Metering: Projects that install meters, resulting in measurable
water savings. Projects include, but are not limited to:
o Installing end-user water service meters, e.g., for a residential or
commercial building unit
o Installing distribution system meters associated with production and/or
leakage quantification. Note that distribution system meters will not
receive points for quantifiable water savings under Evaluation
Criterion A – Quantifiable Water Savings. Accordingly, to receive
points under Evaluation Criterion A, these projects must be paired
with a complementary project component that will result in water
savings, e.g., pipe installation using upgraded materials, or individual
water service meters
• Irrigation Flow Measurement: Projects that improve measurement
accuracy and result in reduced spills and over-deliveries to irrigators.
Projects include, but are not limited to:
o Installing weirs, flumes, ramps, etc. in open channels
o Installing meters in pressurized pipes
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Automation (SCADA):
Projects that install SCADA and/or automation components that provide
water savings when irrigation delivery system operational efficiency is
improved to reduce spills, over-deliveries, and seepage. Projects include,
but are not limited to:
o Installing SCADA components that allow for remote monitoring of
irrigation delivery system conditions (flow rates, water elevations,
controls devices openings, etc.)
o Installing automation components that allow for remote operation of
delivery system control features (gates, valves, turnouts, etc.)
• Irrigation Measures: Projects that provide water savings by reducing
outdoor water usage. These measures include turf removal, Smart
irrigation controllers (weather or soil-moisture based) and high-efficiency
nozzles (sprinkler heads). These measures are typically promoted by water
entities through rebates or direct-install programs. Projects include, but are
not limited to:
o Removing turf
o Installing Smart irrigation controllers
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
10
o Installing high-efficiency nozzles (e.g., sprinkler heads)
C.3.1.2. Hydropower Projects
Projects that increase the use of hydropower in managing and delivering
water. Projects include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the
following subsections.
Implementing Hydropower Projects Related to Water Management and
Delivery
Hydropower projects related to water management and delivery include, but are
not limited to:
• Installing a small-scale hydroelectric facility that enables use of renewable
energy sources (e.g., installing low-head hydrokinetic power generation
units in a water system)
Proposals including a hydropower component typically require additional
permitting not needed for other water management improvements (e.g., canal
lining). In evaluating these proposals, Reclamation may consider the applicant’s
progress in obtaining a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license
or a Reclamation Lease of Power Privilege (LOPP), depending on which is
applicable. Applicants for a project including a hydropower component are asked
to include documentation of steps taken to date for obtaining a FERC license or a
LOPP.
Note that improvements to Federal facilities that are implemented through any
project awarded funding through this FOA must comply with additional
requirements. The Federal government will continue to hold title to the Federal
facility and any improvement that is integral to the existing operations of that
facility. Please see Section F.2.4. Title to Improvements Under Public Law
111-11, Section 9504(a)(3)(D).
Applicants proposing hydropower development may wish to contact the Program
Coordinator listed in Section G, Agency Contacts, prior to the application deadline
to discuss the requirements listed above.
Note: other types of renewable energy projects, including large-scale solar, wind,
and geothermal projects, are not eligible under this FOA
C.3.2. Ineligible Projects
Any project not specifically described in Section 3.1. Eligible Projects is not
eligible under this FOA. The following subsections further explain ineligible
projects.
Section C: Eligibility Information
11
C.3.2.1. Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement
Projects that are considered normal operations, maintenance and replacement
(OM&R) are not eligible. OM&R is described as system improvements that
replace or repair existing infrastructure or function without providing increased
efficiency or effectiveness of water distribution over the expected life of the
improvement. Examples of ineligible OM&R projects include:
• Replacing malfunctioning components of an existing facility with the
same components
• Improving an existing facility to operate as originally designed
• Performing an activity on a recurring basis, even if that period is extended
(e.g., 10-year interval)
• Sealing expansion joints of concrete lining because the original sealer or
the water stops have failed
• Sealing cracks in canals and/or pipes, including those sealant projects
intending to improve facilities with inherent design and construction flaws
• Replacing broken meters with new meters of the same type
• Replacing leaky pipes with new pipes of the same type
• Completion of one-time leak detection surveys
Applicants that have questions regarding OM&R are encouraged to contact the
Program Coordinator listed in Section G. Agency Contacts, prior to the
application deadline for further information.
C.3.2.2. Water Reclamation, Recycling, and Reuse
Water reclamation, reuse, and desalination projects are not eligible for funding
under this FOA. Entities seeking funding for these types of projects should
consider Reclamation’s Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program and
Drought Response Program. If you have questions about a water reclamation,
reuse, or desalination project please contact Ms. Amanda Erath at 303-445-2766
or aerath@usbr.gov.
C.3.2.3. Groundwater Recharge
Groundwater recharge projects are not eligible. Applicants proposing such
projects should consider applying for funding under the WaterSMART Drought
Resiliency Projects FOA. See the WaterSMART Drought Response Program
webpage, www.usbr.gov/drought/, for more information.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
12
C.3.2.4. Water Purchases
A project that proposes using Federal funding primarily for the purchase of water
is not eligible under this FOA.
C.3.2.5. Building Construction
A project that proposes to construct a building is not eligible for Federal funding
under this FOA (e.g., a building to house administrative staff or to promote public
awareness of water conservation).
C.3.2.6. Pilot Projects
A project that proposes to conduct a pilot study to evaluate technical capability,
economic feasibility, or viability for full-scale implementation, or to test an
unproven material or technology is not eligible for Federal funding under this
FOA.
C.3.2.7. High-Efficiency Indoor Appliance and Fixture Installation
A project that includes the installation of high-efficiency indoor appliances and
fixtures, including toilets and urinals, whether through rebates, direct install, or by
other means, is not eligible for funding under this FOA.
C.3.2.8. Other Types of Renewable Energy Projects
Renewable energy projects other than hydropower projects, including large-scale
solar, wind, and geothermal projects, are not eligible under this FOA.
C.3.2.9. Projects Receiving Other Federal Financial Assistance
Projects or activities that are funded under another Federal Financial Assistance
agreement are not eligible for funding under this FOA.
C.3.3. Length of Projects
In general, Funding Group I projects should be completed within two years of
award. Funding Group II projects should be completed within three years of
award and each year are expected to complete the work planned as part of that
year’s phase. Applications for projects requiring more time will be considered for
funding only under limited circumstances. For example, some hydropower project
installations may require additional time to secure necessary permits.
Reclamation will determine the capability of an applicant to complete the
proposed project within the timeframe identified in the application.
Section D: Application and Submission Information
13
Section D. Application and Submission
Information
D.1. Address to Request Application Package
This document contains all information, forms, and electronic addresses required
to obtain the information required for submission of an application.
If you are unable to access this information electronically, you can request paper
copies of any of the documents referenced in this FOA by contacting:
By mail: Bureau of Reclamation
Financial Assistance Operations
Attn: Mr. Ned Weakland
P.O. Box 25007, MS 84-27815
Denver, CO 80225
By email: eweakland@usbr.gov
By telephone: 303-445-3757
D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission
All applications must conform to the requirements set forth below.
D.2.1. Application Format and Length
The technical proposal and criteria section (defined below) shall be limited to a
maximum of 50 consecutively numbered pages. If this section of the application
exceeds 50 pages, only the first 50 pages will be evaluated. The font shall be at
least 12 points in size and easily readable. Page size shall be 8½ by 11 inches,
including charts, maps, and drawings. Margins should be standard 1-inch margins.
Oversized pages will not be accepted.
Applications will be prescreened for compliance to the above page number
limitation. Excess pages will be removed and not considered in the evaluation of
the proposed project.
D.2.2. Application Content
The application must include the following elements to be considered complete:
• Mandatory Federal Forms. Note, applications submitted by consultants
must contain an SF-424 and SF-424D that is manually signed by an
authorized representative of the entity applying.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
14
o SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.
o SF-424C Budget Information – Construction ProgramsSF-424D
Assurances – Construction Programs
o SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)
These forms may be obtained at www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-
424-family.html
• Title page
• Table of contents
• Technical proposal and evaluation criteria (limited to 50 pages)
o Executive summary
o Project location
o Technical project description
o Evaluation criteria
• Project budget
o Funding plan and letters of commitment
o Budget proposal
o Budget narrative
• Environmental and cultural resources compliance
• Required permits or approvals
• Letters of project support
• Official resolution
It is highly recommended that application packages be structured in the order
identified above.
D.2.2.1. Mandatory Federal Forms
The application must include the following standard Federal forms:
SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance
A fully completed SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance signed by a person
legally authorized to commit the applicant to performance of the project must be
submitted with the application. Failure to submit a properly signed SF-424 may
result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.
Section D: Application and Submission Information
15
SF-424 Budget Information
A fully completed SF-424C Budget Information Construction Programs must be
submitted with the application.
SF-424 Assurances
A SF-424D Assurances Construction Programs, signed by a person legally
authorized to commit the applicant to performance of the project shall be
included. Failure to submit a properly signed SF-424D may result in the
elimination of the application from further consideration.
SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
A fully completed and signed SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities is
required is required if the applicant has made or agreed to make payment to any
lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee
of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action.
Note – this form cannot be submitted by a contractor or other entity on behalf of
an applicant.
D.2.2.2. Title Page
Provide a brief, informative, and descriptive title for the proposed work that
indicates the nature of the project. Include the name and address of the applicant,
and the name and address, email address, and telephone of the project manager.
D.2.2.3. Table of Contents
List all major sections of the proposal in the table of contents.
D.2.2.4. Technical Proposal and Evaluation Criteria
The technical proposal and evaluation criteria (50 pages maximum) include:
(1) Executive summary
(2) Project Location
(3) Technical project description
(4) Evaluation criteria
Executive Summary
The executive summary should include:
• The date, applicant name, city, county, and state
• A one paragraph project summary that provides the location of the project,
a brief description of the work that will be carried out, any partners
involved, expected benefits and how those benefits relate to the water
management issues you plan to address. Please note: this information will
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
16
be used to create a summary of your project for our website if the project
is selected for funding. For example, note the following description of a
project selected for funding in FY 2020:
Example: The Bard Water District, located in southern California near
the Arizona border, along with the Quechan Indian Tribe, will construct
conveyance improvements for the Five Gates structure, which is a series
of gated culverts that act as a major chokepoint in the District’s delivery
system. The District will replace the existing Five Gates with new more
advanced metal gates and 560 feet of pipeline to increase water use
efficiency and reliability through optimal flow rates, reduced leakage, and
reduced operational losses. The project is a top priority for the District
and the Tribe and is expected to result in annual water savings of 1,452
acre-feet, which will remain in the Lower Colorado River System.
• State the length of time and estimated completion date for the proposed
project
• Whether or not the proposed project is located on a Federal facility
Project Location
Provide detailed information on the proposed project location or project area
including a map showing the specific geographic location. For example, {project
name}is located in {state and county} approximately {distance} miles {direction,
e.g., northeast} of {nearest town}. The project latitude is {##°##’N} and
longitude is {###°##’W}.
Technical Project Description
Provide a more comprehensive description of the technical aspects of your
project, including the work to be accomplished and the approach to complete the
work. This description should provide detailed information about the project
including materials and equipment and the work to be conducted to complete the
project. This section provides an opportunity for the applicant to provide a clear
description of the technical nature of the project and to address any aspect of the
project that reviewers may need additional information to understand.
Please do not include your project schedule and milestones here; that information
is requested in response to the Readiness to Proceed criterion below. In addition,
please avoid discussion of the benefits of the project, which are also requested in
response to evaluation criteria. This section is solely intended to provide an
understanding of the technical aspects of the project.
Please note, if the work for which you are requesting funding is a phase of a
larger project, please only describe the work that is reflected in the budget and
exclude description of other activities or components of the overall project.
Section D: Application and Submission Information
17
Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation criteria portion of your application should thoroughly
address each criterion and subcriterion in the order presented to assist in the
complete and accurate evaluation of your proposal.
(See Section E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria for additional
details, including a detailed description of each criterion and subcriterion
and points associated with each.)
It is suggested that applicants copy and paste the evaluation criteria and
subcriteria in Section E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria into their
applications to ensure that all necessary information is adequately addressed.
D.2.2.5. Project Budget
The project budget includes:
(1) Funding plan and letters of commitment
(2) Budget proposal
(3) Budget narrative
If the proposed project is selected, the awarding Reclamation Grants Officer will
review the proposed pre-award costs to determine if they are consistent with
program objectives and are allowable in accordance with the authorizing
legislation. Proposed pre-award costs must also be compliant with all applicable
administrative and cost principles criteria established in 2 CFR Part 200, available
at www.ecfr.gov, and all other requirements of this FOA. Costs incurred prior
to July 1, 2020 are not eligible project costs under this FOA and should not
be included in the proposed budget estimate.
Please note that the costs for preparing and submitting an application in response
to this FOA, including the development of data necessary to support the proposal,
are not eligible project costs under this FOA and must not be included in the
project budget. In addition, Budget Proposals must not include costs for the
purchase of water or land, or to secure an easement other than a construction
easement. These costs are not eligible project costs under this FOA.
Funding Plan and Letters of Commitment
Describe how the non-Federal share of project costs will be obtained.
Reclamation will use this information in making a determination of financial
capability.
Project funding provided by a source other than the applicant shall be supported
with letters of commitment from these additional sources. Letters of commitment
shall identify the following elements:
• The amount of funding commitment
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
18
• The date the funds will be available to the applicant
• Any time constraints on the availability of funds
• Any other contingencies associated with the funding commitment
Commitment letters from third party funding sources should be submitted with
your application. If commitment letters are not available at the time of the
application submission, please provide a timeline for submission of all
commitment letters. Cost-share funding from sources outside the applicant’s
organization (e.g., loans or State grants), should be secured and available to the
applicant prior to award.
Reclamation will not make funds available for an award under this FOA until the
recipient has secured non-Federal cost-share. Reclamation will execute a financial
assistance agreement once non-Federal funding has been secured or Reclamation
determines that there is sufficient evidence and likelihood that non-Federal funds
will be available to the applicant subsequent to executing the agreement.
Please identify the sources of the non-Federal cost-share contribution for the
project, including:
• Any monetary contributions by the applicant towards the cost-share
requirement and source of funds (e.g., reserve account, tax revenue, and/or
assessments).
• Any costs that will be contributed by the applicant.
• Any third-party in-kind costs (i.e., goods and services provided by a third
party).
• Any cash requested or received from other non-Federal entities.
• Any pending funding requests (i.e., grants or loans) that have not yet been
approved and explain how the project will be affected if such funding is
denied.
In addition, please identify whether the budget proposal includes any project costs
that have been or may be incurred prior to award. For each cost, describe:
o The project expenditure and amount.
o The date of cost incurrence.
o How the expenditure benefits the project.
Budget Proposal
The total project cost (Total Project Cost), is the sum of all allowable items of
costs, including all required cost sharing and voluntary committed cost sharing,
including third-party contributions, that are necessary to complete the project.
Section D: Application and Submission Information
19
Table 1.—Total Project Cost Table
SOURCE AMOUNT
Costs to be reimbursed with the requested Federal funding $
Costs to be paid by the applicant $
Value of third-party contributions $
TOTAL PROJECT COST $
The budget proposal should include detailed information on the categories listed
below and must clearly identify all items of cost, including those that will be
contributed as non-Federal cost share by the applicant (required and voluntary),
third-party in-kind contributions, and those that will be covered using the funding
requested from Reclamation, and any requested pre-award costs. Unit costs
must be provided for all budget items including the cost of services or other
work to be provided by consultants and contractors. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to review the procurement standards for Federal awards found at
2 CFR §200.317 through §200.326 before developing their budget proposal. If
you have any questions regarding your budget proposal or eligible costs, please
contact the grants management specialist identified in Section G. Agency
Contacts.
It is also strongly advised that applicants use the budget proposal format shown
on the next page in Table 2 or a similar format that provides this information. If
selected for award, successful applicants must submit detailed supporting
documentation for all budgeted costs. It is not necessary to include separate
columns indicating which cost is being contributed as non-Federal cost share or
which costs will be reimbursed with Federal funds.
Note: The costs of preparing bids, proposals, or applications on potential
Federal and non-Federal awards or projects, including the development of data
necessary to support the non-Federal entity’s application are not eligible project
costs and should not be included in the budget proposal (2 CFR §200.460).
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
20
Table 2.—Sample Budget Proposal Format
BUDGET ITEM DESCRIPTION COMPUTATION Quantity
Type
TOTAL
COST $/Unit Quantity
Salaries and Wages
Employee 1 $
Employee 2 $
Employee 3 $
Fringe Benefits
Full-Time Employees $
Part-Time Employees $
Travel
Trip 1 $
Trip 2 $
Trip 3 $
Equipment
Item A $
Item B $
Item C $
Supplies and Materials
Item A $
Item B $
Contractual/Construction
Contractor A $
Contractor B $
Third-Party Contributions
Contributor A $
Contributor B $
Other
Other $
TOTAL DIRECT COSTS $
Indirect Costs
Type of rate percentage $base $
TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS $
Budget Narrative
Submission of a budget narrative is mandatory. An award will not be made to any
applicant who fails to fully disclose this information. The budget narrative
provides a discussion of, or explanation for, items included in the budget
Section D: Application and Submission Information
21
proposal. The types of information to describe in the narrative include, but are not
limited to, those listed in the following subsections. Costs, including the valuation
of third-party in-kind contributions, must comply with the applicable cost
principles contained in 2 CFR Part §200, available at the Electronic Code of
Federal Regulations (www.ecfr.gov).
Salaries and Wages
Indicate the Project Manager and other key personnel by name and title. The
Project Manager must be an employee or board member of the applicant. Other
personnel should be indicated by title alone. For all positions, indicate salaries and
wages, estimated hours or percent of time, and rate of compensation. The labor
rates must identify the direct labor rate separate from the fringe rate or fringe cost
for each category. All labor estimates must be allocated to specific tasks as
outlined in the applicant’s technical project description. Labor rates and proposed
hours shall be displayed for each task.
The budget proposal and narrative should include estimated hours for compliance
with reporting requirements, including final project and evaluation. Please see
Section F.3. Program Performance Reports for information on types and
frequency of reports required.
Generally, salaries of administrative and/or clerical personnel will be included as
a portion of the stated indirect costs. If these salaries can be adequately
documented as direct costs, they should be included in this section; however, a
justification should be included in the budget narrative.
Fringe Benefits
Identify the rates/amounts, what costs are included in this category, and the basis
of the rate computations. Federally approved rate agreements are acceptable for
compliance with this item.
Travel
Identify the purpose of each anticipated trip, destination, number of persons
traveling, length of stay, and all travel costs including airfare (basis for rate used),
per diem, lodging, and miscellaneous travel expenses. For local travel, include
mileage and rate of compensation.
Equipment
If equipment will be purchased, itemize all equipment valued at or greater than
$5,000. For each item, identify why it is needed for the completion of the project
and how the equipment was priced. Note: if the value is less than $5,000, the item
should be included under materials and supplies.
If equipment is being rented, specify the number of hours and the hourly rate.
Local rental rates are only accepted for equipment actually being rented or leased.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
22
If the applicant intends to use their own equipment for the purposes of the project,
the proposed usage rates should fall within the equipment usage rates outlined by
the United States Army Corps of Engineers within their Construction Equipment
Ownership and Operating Expense Schedule (EP 1110-1-8)
at www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-
Pamphlets/u43545q/313131302D312D38.
Note: If the equipment will be furnished and installed under a construction
contract, the equipment should be included in the construction contract cost
estimate.
Materials and Supplies
Itemize supplies by major category, unit price, quantity, and purpose, such as
whether the items are needed for office use, research, or construction. Identify
how these costs were estimated (i.e., quotes, engineering estimates, or other
methodology). Note: If the materials/supplies will be furnished and installed
under a contract, the equipment should be included in the construction contract
cost estimate.
Contractual
Identify all work that will be accomplished by consultants or contractors,
including a breakdown of all tasks to be completed, and a detailed budget estimate
of time, rates, supplies, and materials that will be required for each task. For each
proposed contract, identify the procurement method that will be used to select the
consultant or contractor and the basis for selection. Please note that all
procurements with an anticipated aggregate value that exceeds the Micro-
purchase Threshold (currently $10,000) must use a competitive procurement
method (see 2 CFR §200.320 – Methods of procurement to be followed). Only
contracts for architectural/engineering services can be awarded using a
qualifications-based procurement method. If a qualifications-based procurement
method is used, profit must be negotiated as a separate element of the contract
price. See 2 CFR §200.317 through §200.326 for additional information regarding
procurements, including required contract content. Note: A modification to an
existing contract for services without first obtaining multiple quotes or proposals
is considered a noncompetitive procurement, regardless of the method used to
award the existing contract.
Third-Party In-Kind Contributions
Identify all work that will be accomplished by third-party contributors, including
a breakdown of all tasks to be completed, and a detailed budget estimate of time,
rates, supplies, and materials that will be required for each task. Third-party
in-kind contributions, including contracts, must comply with all applicable
administrative and cost principles criteria, established in 2 CFR Part 200,
available at www.ecfr.gov, and all other requirements of this FOA.
Section D: Application and Submission Information
23
Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Costs
Prior to awarding financial assistance, Reclamation must first ensure compliance
with Federal environmental and cultural resources laws and other regulations
(“environmental compliance”). Every project funded under this program will have
environmental compliance activities undertaken by Reclamation and the recipient.
Depending on the potential impacts of the project, Reclamation may be able to
complete its compliance activities without additional cost to the recipient. Where
environmental or cultural resources compliance requires significant participation
by Reclamation, costs incurred by Reclamation will be added as a line item to the
budget during development of the financial assistance agreement and cost shared
accordingly (i.e., withheld from the Federal award amount). Any costs to the
recipient associated with compliance will be identified during the process of
developing a final project budget for inclusion in the financial assistance
agreement.
Other Expenses
Any other expenses not included in the above categories shall be listed in this
category, along with a description of the item and why it is necessary. No profit or
fee will be allowed.
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs are costs incurred by the applicant for a common or joint purpose
that benefit more than one activity of the organization and are not readily
assignable to the activities specifically benefitted without undue effort. Costs that
are normally treated as indirect costs include, but are not limited to, administrative
salaries and fringe benefits associated with overall financial and organizational
administration; operation and maintenance costs for facilities and equipment; and,
payroll and procurement services. If indirect costs will be incurred, identify the
proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for allowable indirect costs based
on the applicable cost principles for the applicant’s organization. It is not
acceptable to simply incorporate indirect rates within other direct cost line items.
If the applicant has never received a Federal negotiated indirect cost rate, the
budget may include a de minimis rate of up to 10 percent of modified total direct
costs. For further information on modified total direct costs, refer to
2 CFR §200.68 available at www.ecfr.gov.
If the applicant does not have a federally approved indirect cost rate agreement
and is proposing a rate greater than the de minimis 10 percent rate, include the
computational basis for the indirect expense pool and corresponding allocation
base for each rate. Information on “Preparing and Submitting Indirect Cost
Proposals” is available from the Department, the Interior Business Center, and
Indirect Cost Services, at www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-
services. If the proposed project is selected for award, the recipient will be
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
24
required to submit an indirect cost rate proposal with their cognizant agency
within three months of award. Reimbursement of indirect costs will not be
allowable until the recipient enters into the indirect cost rate agreement.
D.2.2.6. Required Permits or Approvals
Applicants must state in the application whether any permits or approvals are
required and explain the plan for obtaining such permits or approvals.
Note that improvements to Federal facilities that are implemented through any
project awarded funding through this FOA must comply with additional
requirements. The Federal government will continue to hold title to the Federal
facility and any improvement that is integral to the existing operations of that
facility. Please see P.L. 111-11, Section 9504(a)(3)(B). Reclamation may also
require additional reviews and approvals prior to award to ensure that any
necessary easements, land use authorizations, or special permits can be approved
consistent with the requirements of 43 CFR Section 429, and that the
development will not impact or impair project operations or efficiency.
D.2.2.7. Letters of Support
Please include letters from interested stakeholders supporting the proposed
project. To ensure your proposal is accurately reviewed, please attach all letters of
support/ partnership letters as an appendix. Letters of support received after the
application deadline for this FOA will not be considered in the evaluation of the
proposed project.
D.2.2.8. Official Resolution
Include an official resolution adopted by the applicant’s board of directors or
governing body, or, for State government entities, an official authorized to
commit the applicant to the financial and legal obligations associated with receipt
of a financial assistance award under this FOA, verifying:
• The identity of the official with legal authority to enter into an agreement.
• The board of directors, governing body, or appropriate official who has
reviewed and supports the application submitted.
• The capability of the applicant to provide the amount of funding and/or in-
kind contributions specified in the funding plan.
• That the applicant will work with Reclamation to meet established
deadlines for entering into a grant or cooperative agreement.
An official resolution meeting the requirements set forth above is mandatory.
If the applicant is unable to submit the official resolution by the application
deadline because of the timing of board meetings or other justifiable reasons, the
official resolution may be submitted up to 30 days after the application deadline,
via email to the contact listed in Section D.1. of this FOA.
Section D: Application and Submission Information
25
D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award
Management
All applicants (unless the applicant has an exception approved by Reclamation
under 2 CFR §25.110[d]) are required to:
(i) Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before
submitting its application;
(ii) Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and
(iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current
information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or
an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding
agency.
Meeting the requirements set forth above is mandatory. If the applicant is
unable to complete registration by the application deadline, the unique entity
identifier must be obtained, and SAM registration must be initiated within 30 days
after the application deadline in order to be considered for selection and award.
Reclamation will not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has
complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and,
if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time
Reclamation is ready to make an award, Reclamation may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as
a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.
D.4. Submission Date and Time
The deadline for submitting an application is:
• September 17, 2020, 4:00 p.m. MDT.
Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered unless
it can be determined that the delay was caused by Reclamation mishandling or
technical issues with the Grants.gov application system. Please note that
difficulties related to an applicant’s Grants.gov profile (e.g., incorrect
organizational representative), the upload of documents to Grants.gov or an
applicant’s SAM registration are not considered technical issues with the
Grants.gov system.
Please note that any application submitted for funding under this FOA may be
subjected to a Freedom of Information Act request (5 U.S.C. Section 552, as
amended by P.L. No. 110-175), and as a result, may be made publicly available.
Following awards of funding, Reclamation will post all successful applications on
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
26
the Reclamation website, www.usbr.gov/WaterSmart/, after conducting any
redactions determined necessary by Reclamation, in consultation with the
recipient.
D.4.1. Application Delivery Instructions
The application may be submitted electronically through Grants.gov
(www.grants.gov) or a hard copy may be submitted to either one of the following
addresses. Under no circumstances will applications received through any other
method (such as email or fax) be considered eligible for award.
By mail or USPS overnight services:
Bureau of Reclamation
Financial Assistance Support Section
Attn: Mr. Ned Weakland
P.O. Box 25007, MS 84-27815
Denver, CO 80225
All other express delivery:
Bureau of Reclamation mail services
Attn: Mr. Ned Weakland
Denver Federal Center
Bldg. 67, Rm. 152
6th Avenue and Kipling Street
Denver, CO 80225
By courier services:
Bureau of Reclamation
Attn: Mr. Ned Weakland
Denver Federal Center
Bldg. 67, Rm. 581
6th Avenue and Kipling Street
Denver, CO 80225
D.4.2. Instructions for Submission of Project Application
Each applicant should submit an application in accordance with the instructions
contained in this section.
D.4.2.1. Applications Submitted by Mail, Express Delivery or Courier
Services
Please follow these instructions to submit your application by mail, express
delivery, or courier services.
Section D: Application and Submission Information
27
• Applicants should submit one copy of all application documents for
hardcopy submissions. Only use a binder clip for documents submitted.
Do not staple or otherwise bind application documents.
• Hard copy applications may be submitted by mail, express delivery, or
courier services to the addresses identified in this FOA.
• Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application
package and may result in the application being rejected or not funded.
This does not apply to letters of support, funding commitment letters, or
official resolutions.
• Faxed and emailed copies of application documents will not be accepted.
• Do not include a cover letter or company literature/brochure with the
application. All pertinent information must be included in the application
package.
D.4.2.2. Applications Submitted Electronically
If the applicant chooses to submit an electronic application, it must be submitted
through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov). Reclamation encourages applicants to
submit their applications for funding electronically through the URL:
www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html. Applicant resource documents
and a full set of instructions for registering with Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) and
completing and submitting applications online are available at:
www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
• Please note that submission of an application electronically requires prior
registration through Grants.gov, which may take 7 to 21 days. Please see
registration instructions at www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-
grants.html. In addition, please note that the Grants.gov system only
accepts applications submitted by individuals that are registered and
active in SAM as both a user and an Authorized Organizational
Representative.
• Applicants have experienced significant delays when attempting to submit
applications through Grants.gov. If you plan to submit your application
through Grants.gov you are encouraged to submit your application several
days prior to the application deadline. If you are a properly registered
Grants.gov applicant and encounter problems with the Grants.gov
application submission process, you must contact the Grants.gov Help
Desk to obtain a case number. This case number will provide evidence of
your attempt to submit an application prior to the submission deadline.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
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Regardless of the delivery method used, you must ensure that your proposal
arrives by the date and time deadline stated in this FOA. Applications received
after this date and time due to weather or express delivery/courier performance
will not be considered for award. Late applications will not be considered unless
it is determined that the delay was caused by Reclamation mishandling or
technical issues with the Grants.gov application system. Please note that
difficulties related to an applicant’s Grants.gov profile (e.g., incorrect
organizational representative), the upload of documents to Grants.gov, or an
applicant’s SAM registration are not considered technical issues with the
Grants.gov system.
D.4.2.3. Acknowledgement of Application Receipt.
If an application is submitted by mail, express delivery, or courier, Reclamation
will notify you via email that your application was received.
If an application is submitted through Grants.gov, you will receive an email
acknowledging receipt of the application from Grants.gov. In addition,
Reclamation will confirm via email that your application was successfully
downloaded from Grants.gov.
Notification will be sent to the points of contact identified on the applicant’s
SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.
D.5. Intergovernmental Review
This FOA is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs.”
D.6. Automated Standard Application for Payments
Registration
All applicants must also be registered with and willing to process all payments
through the Department of Treasury Automated Standard Application for
Payments (ASAP) system. All recipients with active financial assistance
agreements with Reclamation must be enrolled in ASAP under the appropriate
Agency Location Code(s) and the Data Universal Number System (DUNS)
Number prior to the award of funds. If a recipient has multiple DUNS numbers,
they must separately enroll within ASAP for each unique DUNS Number and/or
Agency. All of the information on the enrollment process for recipients, including
the enrollment initiation form and the enrollment mailbox can be found at
www.usbr.gov/mso/aamd/asap.html.
Note that if your entity is currently enrolled in the ASAP system with an agency
other than Reclamation, you must enroll specifically with Reclamation in order to
process payments.
Section E: Application Review Information
29
Section E. Application Review Information
E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation criteria portion should be addressed in the technical proposal
section of the application. Applications should thoroughly address each criterion
and any sub-criterion in the order presented below. It is suggested that applicants
copy and paste the below criteria and subcriteria into their applications to ensure
that all necessary information is adequately addressed. Applications will be
evaluated against the evaluation criteria listed below. If the work described in
your application is a phase of a larger project, only discuss the benefits that will
result directly from the work discussed in the technical project description and
that is reflected in the budget, not the larger project.
Evaluation Criteria: Scoring Summary Points:
A. Quantifiable Water Savings 30
B. Water Supply Reliability 18
C. Implementing Hydropower 18
D. Complementing On-Farm Irrigation Improvements 10
E. Department of the Interior Priorities 10
F. Implementation and Results 6
G: Nexus to Reclamation Project Activities 4
H: Additional Non-Federal Funding 4
Total 100
Note: Since the FOA is open to a variety of project types, Evaluation Criteria A-D
may not apply to every project. For example, a water savings project (Criterion
A) may not include implementation of a hydropower component (Criterion C).
Please provide as much detail and support as you can for those criteria in A-D
that are applicable to your project. All applicants should respond to Evaluation
Criteria E-H.
E.1.1. Evaluation Criterion A—Quantifiable Water Savings (30 points)
Up to 30 points may be awarded for this criterion. This criterion prioritizes
projects that will conserve water and improve water use efficiency by
modernizing existing infrastructure. Points will be allocated based on the
quantifiable water savings expected as a result of the project. Points will be
allocated to give greater consideration to projects that are expected to result in
more significant water savings.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
30
All applicants should be sure to address the following:
Describe the amount of estimated water savings. For projects that conserve
water, please state the estimated amount of water expected to be conserved (in
acre-feet per year) as a direct result of this project.
Please include a specific quantifiable water savings estimate; do not include a
range of potential water savings.
Describe current losses: Please explain where the water that will be conserved is
currently going (e.g., back to the stream, spilled at the end of the ditch, seeping
into the ground)?
Describe the support/documentation of estimated water savings: Please
provide sufficient detail supporting how the estimate was determined, including
all supporting calculations. Note: projects that do not provide sufficient
supporting detail/calculations may not receive credit under this section. Please be
sure to consider the questions associated with your project type (listed below)
when determining the estimated water savings, along with the necessary support
needed for a full review of your proposal. In addition, please note that the use of
visual observations alone to calculate water savings, without additional
documentation/data, are not sufficient to receive credit under this section.
Further, the water savings must be the result of reducing or eliminating a current,
ongoing loss, not the result of an expected future loss.
Please address the following questions according to the type of infrastructure
improvement you are proposing for funding. See Appendix A: Benefit
Quantification and Performance Measure Guidance for additional guidance on
quantifying water savings.
(1) Canal Lining/Piping: Canal lining/piping projects can provide water
savings when irrigation delivery systems experience significant losses due
to canal seepage. Applicants proposing lining/piping projects should
address the following:
a. How has the estimated average annual water savings that will
result from the project been determined? Please provide all
relevant calculations, assumptions, and supporting data.
b. How have average annual canal seepage losses been determined?
Have ponding and/or inflow/outflow tests been conducted to
determine seepage rates under varying conditions? If so, please
provide detailed descriptions of testing methods and all results. If
not, please provide an explanation of the method(s) used to
calculate seepage losses. All estimates should be supported with
multiple sets of data/measurements from representative sections of
canals.
Section E: Application Review Information
31
c. What are the expected post-project seepage/leakage losses and how
were these estimates determined (e.g., can data specific to the type
of material being used in the project be provided)?
d. What are the anticipated annual transit loss reductions in terms of
acre-feet per mile for the overall project and for each section of
canal included in the project?
e. How will actual canal loss seepage reductions be verified?
f. Include a detailed description of the materials being used.
(2) Municipal Metering: Municipal metering projects can provide water
savings when individual user meters are installed where none exist to
allow for unit or tiered pricing, when existing individual user meters are
replaced with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meters, and when
new meters are installed within a distribution system to assist with leakage
reduction. To receive credit for water savings for a municipal metering
project, an applicant must provide a detailed description of the method
used to estimate savings, including references to documented savings from
similar previously implemented projects. Applicants proposing municipal
metering projects should address the following:
a. How has the estimated average annual water savings that will
result from the project been determined? Please provide all
relevant calculations, assumptions, and supporting data.
b. How have current distribution system losses and/or the potential
for reductions in water use by individual users been determined?
c. For installing end-user water service meters, e.g., for a residential
or commercial building unit., refer to studies in the region or in the
applicant’s service area that are relevant to water use patterns and
the potential for reducing such use. In the absence of such studies,
please explain in detail how expected water use reductions have
been estimated and the basis for the estimations.
d. Installation of distribution system meters will not receive points
under this criterion. Accordingly, these projects must be paired
with a complementary project component that will result in water
savings in order for the proposal to receive credit for water
savings, e.g., pipe installation using upgraded materials, or
individual water service meters.
e. What types (manufacturer and model) of devices will be installed
and what quantity of each?
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
32
f. How will actual water savings be verified upon completion of the
project?
(3) Irrigation Flow Measurement: Irrigation flow measurement
improvements can provide water savings when improved measurement
accuracy results in reduced spills and over-deliveries to irrigators.
Applicants proposing municipal metering projects should address the
following:
a. How have average annual water savings estimates been
determined? Please provide all relevant calculations, assumptions,
and supporting data.
b. Have current operational losses been determined? If water savings
are based on a reduction of spills, please provide support for the
amount of water currently being lost to spills.
c. Are flows currently measured at proposed sites and if so, what is
the accuracy of existing devices? How has the existing
measurement accuracy been established?
d. Provide detailed descriptions of all proposed flow measurement
devices, including accuracy and the basis for the accuracy.
e. Will annual farm delivery volumes be reduced by more efficient
and timely deliveries? If so, how has this reduction been
estimated?
f. How will actual water savings be verified upon completion of the
project?
(4) Turf Removal: Applicants proposing turf removal projects should address
the following:
a. How have average annual water savings estimates been
determined? Please provide all relevant calculations, assumptions,
and supporting data.
b. What is the total surface area of turf to be removed and what is the
estimated average annual turf consumptive use rate per unit area?
c. Was historical water consumption data evaluated to estimate
average annual turf consumptive use per unit area? If so, did the
evaluation include a weather adjustment component?
d. Will site audits be performed before applicants are accepted into
the program?
Section E: Application Review Information
33
e. How will actual water savings be verified upon completion of the
project?
(5) Smart Irrigation Controllers and High-Efficiency Nozzles: Applicants
proposing smart irrigation controller or high-efficiency nozzle projects
should address the following:
a. How have average annual water savings estimates been
determined? Please provide all relevant calculations, assumptions,
and supporting data.
b. Was historical water consumption data evaluated to estimate the
percent reduction in water demand per unit area of irrigated
landscape? If so, did the evaluation include a weather adjustment
component?
c. What types (manufacturer and model) of devices will be installed
and what quantity of each?
d. Will the devices be installed through a rebate or direct-install
program?
e. Will site audits be performed before and after installation?
f. How will actual water savings be verified upon completion of the
project?
Note: a project that includes the installation of high-efficiency indoor appliances
and fixtures, including toilets, whether through rebates, direct install, or by other
means, is not eligible for funding under this FOA.
E.1.2. Evaluation Criterion B—Water Supply Reliability (18 points)
Up to 18 points may be awarded under this criterion. This criterion prioritizes
projects that address water reliability concerns, including making water available
for multiple beneficial uses and resolving water related conflicts in the region.
Note that an agreement will not be awarded for an improvement to conserve
irrigation water unless the applicant agrees to the terms of Section 9504(a)(3)(B)
of Public Law 111-11 (see p. 52 of the FOA for additional information).
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
34
Please address how the project will increase water supply reliability. Proposals
that will address more significant water supply shortfalls benefitting multiple
sectors and multiple water users, will be prioritized. General water supply
reliability benefits (e.g., proposals that will increase resiliency to drought) will
also be considered. Please provide sufficient explanation of the project benefits
and their significance. These benefits may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. Will the project address a specific water reliability concern? Please
address the following:
o Explain and provide detail of the specific issue(s) in the area that is
impacting water reliability, such as shortages due to drought, increased
demand, or reduced deliveries. Will the project directly address a
heightened competition for finite water supplies and over-allocation
(e.g., population growth)?
o Describe how the project will address the water reliability concern? In
your response, please address where the conserved water will go and
how it will be used, including whether the conserved water will be
used to offset groundwater pumping, used to reduce diversions, used to
address shortages that impact diversions or reduce deliveries, made
available for transfer, left in the river system, or used to meet another
intended use.
o Provide a description of the mechanism that will be used, if necessary,
to put the conserved water to the intended use.
o Indicate the quantity of conserved water that will be used for the
intended purpose.
2. Will the project make water available to achieve multiple benefits or to
benefit multiple water users? Consider the following:
o Will the project benefit multiple sectors and/or users (e.g., agriculture,
municipal and industrial, environmental, recreation, or others)?
Will the project benefit species (e.g., federally threatened or
endangered, a federally recognized candidate species, a state listed
species, or a species of particular recreational, or economic
importance)? Please describe the relationship of the species to the
water supply, and whether the species is adversely affected by a
Reclamation project.
Will the project benefit a larger initiative to address water
reliability?
Section E: Application Review Information
35
o Will the project benefit Indian tribes?
o Will the project benefit rural or economically disadvantaged
communities?
o Describe how the project will help to achieve these multiple benefits.
In your response, please address where the conserved water will go
and where it will be used, including whether the conserved water will
be used to offset groundwater pumping, used to reduce diversions,
used to address shortages that impact diversions or reduce deliveries,
made available for transfer, left in the river system, or used to meet
another intended use.
3. Does the project promote and encourage collaboration among parties in a
way that helps increase the reliability of the water supply?
o Is there widespread support for the project?
o What is the significance of the collaboration/support?
o Is the possibility of future water conservation improvements by other
water users enhanced by completion of this project?
o Will the project help to prevent a water-related crisis or conflict? Is
there frequently tension or litigation over water in the basin?
o Describe the roles of any partners in the process. Please attach any
relevant supporting documents.
4. Will the project address water supply reliability in other ways not
described above?
E.1.3. Evaluation Criterion C—Implementing Hydropower (18 points)
Up to 18 points may be awarded for this criterion. This criterion prioritizes
projects that will install new hydropower capacity in order to utilize our natural
resources to ensure energy is available to meet our security and economic needs.
If the proposed project includes construction or installation of a hydropower
system, please address the following:
Describe the amount of energy capacity. For projects that implement
hydropower systems, state the estimated amount of capacity (in kilowatts) of the
system. Please provide sufficient detail supporting the stated estimate, including
all calculations in support of the estimate.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
36
Describe the amount of energy generated. For projects that implement
hydropower systems, state the estimated amount of energy that the system will
generate (in kilowatt hours per year). Please provide sufficient detail supporting
the stated estimate, including all calculations in support of the estimate. Please
explain how the power generated as a result of this project will be used, including
any existing or planned agreements and infrastructure.
Describe any other benefits of the hydropower project. Please describe and
provide sufficient detail on any additional benefits expected to result from the
hydropower project, including:
• Any expected reduction in the use of energy currently supplied through a
Reclamation project.
• Anticipated benefits to other sectors/entities.
• Expected water needs, if any, of the system.
E.1.4. Evaluation Criterion D—Complementing On-Farm Irrigation Improvements (10 points)
Up to 10 points may be awarded for projects that describe in detail how they will
complement on-farm irrigation improvements eligible for NRCS financial or
technical assistance.
Note: Scoring under this criterion is based on an overall assessment of the extent
to which the WaterSMART Grant project will complement ongoing or future on-
farm improvements. Applicants should describe any proposal made to NRCS, or
any plans to seek assistance from NRCS in the future, and how an NRCS-assisted
activity would complement the WaterSMART Grant project. Financial assistance
through EQIP is the most commonly used program by which NRCS helps
producers implement improvements to irrigation systems, but NRCS does have
additional technical or financial assistance programs that may be available.
Applicants may receive maximum points under this criterion by providing the
information described in the bullet points below. Applicants are not required to have assurances of NRCS assistance by the application deadline to be awarded the maximum number of points under this sub-criterion.
Reclamation may contact applicants during the review process to gather
additional information about pending applications for NRCS assistance if
necessary.
Please note: On-farm improvements themselves are not eligible activities for funding under this FOA. This criterion is intended to focus on how the
WaterSMART Grant project will complement ongoing or future on-farm improvements. NRCS will have a separate application process for the on-farm components of selected projects that may be undertaken in the future, separate of the WaterSMART Grant project.
If the proposed project will complement an on-farm improvement eligible for
NRCS assistance, please address the following:
Section E: Application Review Information
37
• Describe any planned or ongoing projects by farmers/ranchers that receive
water from the applicant to improve on-farm efficiencies.
o Provide a detailed description of the on-farm efficiency improvements.
o Have the farmers requested technical or financial assistance from
NRCS for the on-farm efficiency projects, or do they plan to in the
future?
o If available, provide documentation that the on-farm projects are
eligible for NRCS assistance, that such assistance has or will be
requested, and the number or percentage of farms that plan to
participate in available NRCS programs.
o Applicants should provide letters of intent from farmers/ranchers in
the affected project areas.
• Describe how the proposed WaterSMART project would complement any
ongoing or planned on-farm improvement.
o Will the proposed WaterSMART project directly facilitate the on-farm
improvement? If so, how? For example, installation of a pressurized
pipe through WaterSMART can help support efficient on-farm
irrigation practices, such as drip-irrigation.
OR
o Will the proposed WaterSMART project complement the on-farm
project by maximizing efficiency in the area? If so, how?
• Describe the on-farm water conservation or water use efficiency benefits
that are expected to result from any on-farm work.
o Estimate the potential on-farm water savings that could result in acre-
feet per year. Include support or backup documentation for any
calculations or assumptions.
• Please provide a map of your water service area boundaries. If your
project is selected for funding under this FOA, this information will help
NRCS identify the irrigated lands that may be approved for NRCS funding
and technical assistance to complement funded WaterSMART projects.
Note: On-farm water conservation improvements that complement the water
delivery improvement projects selected through this FOA may be considered for
NRCS funding and technical assistance to the extent that such assistance is
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
38
available. For more information, including application deadlines and a
description of available funding, please contact your local NRCS office. See the
NRCS website for office contact information, www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/
main/national/contact/states/.
E.1.5. Evaluation Criterion E—Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation Priorities (10 points)
Up to 10 points may be awarded based on the extent that the proposal
demonstrates that the project supports Department and Reclamation priorities.
Please address those priorities that are applicable to your project. It is not
necessary to address priorities that are not applicable to your project. A project
will not necessarily receive more points simply because multiple priorities are
addressed. Points will be allocated based on the degree to which the project
supports one or more of the priorities listed, and whether the connection to the
priority(ies) is well supported in the proposal.
Department Priorities
1. Creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy
Roosevelt
a. Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water
resources and adapt to changes in the environment;
b. Examine land use planning processes and land use designations that
govern public use and access;
c. Revise and streamline the environmental and regulatory review
process while maintaining environmental standards;
d. Review Department water storage, transportation, and distribution
systems to identify opportunities to resolve conflicts and expand
capacity;
e. Foster relationships with conservation organizations advocating for
balanced stewardship and use of public lands;
f. Identify and implement initiatives to expand access to Department
lands for hunting and fishing;
g. Shift the balance towards providing greater public access to public
lands over restrictions to access.
2. Utilizing our natural resources
a. Ensure American Energy is available to meet our security and
economic needs;
b. Ensure access to mineral resources, especially the critical and rare
earth minerals needed for scientific, technological, or military
applications;
Section E: Application Review Information
39
c. Refocus timber programs to embrace the entire ‘healthy forests’
lifecycle;
d. Manage competition for grazing resources.
3. Restoring trust with local communities
a. Be a better neighbor with those closest to our resources by improving
dialogue and relationships with persons and entities bordering our
lands;
b. Expand the lines of communication with Governors, state natural
resource offices, Fish and Wildlife offices, water authorities, county
commissioners, Tribes, and local communities.
4. Striking a regulatory balance
a. Reduce the administrative and regulatory burden imposed on U.S.
industry and the public;
b. Ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on strong
science and thorough analysis.
5. Modernizing our infrastructure
a. Support the White House Public/Private Partnership Initiative to
modernize U.S. infrastructure;
b. Remove impediments to infrastructure development and facilitate
private sector efforts to construct infrastructure projects serving
American needs;
c. Prioritize Department infrastructure needs to highlight:
1. Construction of infrastructure;
2. Cyclical maintenance;
3. Deferred maintenance.
Reclamation Priorities
1. Increase Water Supplies, Storage, and Reliability under WIIN and other
Authorities
2. Streamline Regulatory Processes and Remove Unnecessary Burdens to
Provide More Water and Power Supply Reliability
3. Leverage Science and Technology to Improve Water Supply Reliability to
Communities
4. Address Ongoing Drought
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
40
5. Improve the Value of Hydropower to Reclamation Power Customers
6. Improve Water Supplies for Tribal and Rural Communities
7. Implementation of new Title Transfer authority pursuant to P.L. 116-9
E.1.6. Evaluation Criterion F—Implementation and Results
(6 points)
Up to 6 points may be awarded for these subcriteria.
E.1.6.1. Subcriterion F.1— Project Planning
Points may be awarded for proposals with planning efforts that provide support
for the proposed project.
Does the applicant have a Water Conservation Plan and/or System
Optimization Review (SOR) in place? Please self-certify or provide copies of
these plans where appropriate to verify that such a plan is in place.
Provide the following information regarding project planning:
(1) Identify any district-wide, or system-wide, planning that provides
support for the proposed project. This could include a Water
Conservation Plan, SOR, Drought Contingency Plan or other planning
efforts done to determine the priority of this project in relation to other
potential projects.
(2) Describe how the project conforms to and meets the goals of any
applicable planning efforts and identify any aspect of the project that
implements a feature of an existing water plan(s).
E.1.6.2. Subcriterion F.2— Performance Measures
Points may be awarded based on the description and development of performance
measures to quantify actual project benefits upon completion of the project.
Provide a brief summary describing the performance measure that will be used to
quantify actual benefits upon completion of the project (e.g., water saved or better
managed, energy generated or saved). For more information calculating
performance measure, see Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance
Measure Guidance.
All Water and Energy Efficiency Grants applicants are required to propose a
“performance measure” (a method of quantifying the actual benefits of their
project once it is completed). A provision will be included in all assistance
agreements with Water and Energy Efficiency Grants recipients describing the
performance measure and requiring the recipient to quantify the actual project
benefits in their final report to Reclamation upon completion of the project. If
Section E: Application Review Information
41
information regarding project benefits is not available immediately upon
completion of the project, the financial assistance agreement may be modified to
remain open until such information is available and until a Final Report is
submitted. Quantifying project benefits is an important means to determine the
relative effectiveness of various water management efforts, as well as the overall
effectiveness of Water and Energy Efficiency Grants.
Note: program funding may be used to install necessary equipment to monitor
progress. However, program funding may not be used to measure performance
after project construction is complete (these costs are considered normal
operation and maintenance costs and are the responsibility of the applicant).
E.1.6.3. Subcriterion F.3— Readiness to Proceed
Points may be awarded based upon the extent to which the proposed project is
capable of proceeding upon entering into a financial assistance agreement.
Please note, if your project is selected, responses provided in this section will be
used to develop the scope of work that will be included in the financial assistance
agreement.
Applications that include a detailed project implementation plan (e.g., estimated
project schedule that shows the stages and duration of the proposed work,
including major tasks, milestones, and dates) will receive the most points under
this criterion.
• Identify and provide a summary description of the major tasks necessary
to complete the project. Note: please do not repeat the more detailed
technical project description provided in Section D.2.2.4.; this section
should be focused on a summary of the major tasks to be accomplished as
part of the project.
• Describe any permits that will be required, along with the process for
obtaining such permits.
• Identify and describe any engineering or design work performed
specifically in support of the proposed project.
• Describe any new policies or administrative actions required to implement
the project.
Please also include an estimated project schedule that shows the stages
and duration of the proposed work, including major tasks, milestones, and
dates. Milestones may include, but are not limited to, the following:
complete environmental and cultural compliance; mobilization; begin
construction/installation; construction/installation (50% complete); and
construction/installation (100% complete)
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
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E.1.7. Evaluation Criterion G— Nexus to Reclamation Project Activities (4 Points)
Up to 4 points may be awarded if the proposed project is in a basin with
connections to Reclamation project activities. No points will be awarded for
proposals without connection to a Reclamation project or Reclamation activity.
• Is the proposed project connected to Reclamation project activities? If so,
how? Please consider the following:
o Does the applicant receive Reclamation project water?
o Is the project on Reclamation project lands or involving Reclamation
facilities?
o Is the project in the same basin as a Reclamation project or activity?
o Will the proposed work contribute water to a basin where a
Reclamation project is located?
• Will the project benefit any tribe(s)?
E.1.8. Evaluation Criterion H— Additional Non-Federal Funding (4 points)
Up to 4 points may be awarded to proposals that provide non-Federal funding in
excess of 50 percent of the project costs. State the percentage of non-Federal
funding provided using the following calculation:
Non-Federal Funding
Total Project Cost
E.2. Review and Selection Process
The Federal government reserves the right to reject any and all applications that
do not meet the requirements or objectives of this FOA. Awards will be made for
projects most advantageous to the Federal Government. Award selection may be
made to maintain balance among the eligible projects listed in this FOA. The
evaluation process will be comprised of the steps described in the following
subsections.
Section E: Application Review Information
43
E.2.1. Initial Screening
All application packages will be screened to ensure that:
• The applicant meets the eligibility requirements stated in this FOA.
• The applicant meets the unique entity identifier and SAM registration
requirements stated in this FOA (this may be completed up to 30 days
after the application deadline).
• The application meets the content requirements of the FOA package,
including submission of a technical proposal, including responses to the
evaluation criteria, a funding plan, budget proposal, and budget narrative.
• The application contains a properly executed SF-424, Application for
Financial Assistance and form SF-424D, Assurances Construction
Programs and a completed SF-424C, Budget Information Construction
Programs.
• The application includes an official resolution, adopted by the applicant’s
board of directors, governing body, or appropriate authorized official (this
may be submitted up to 30 days after the application deadline).
• The application and funding plan meets or exceeds the minimum non-
Federal cost-share requirements identified in this FOA.
• The project can be completed in two years for Funding Group I project, or
in three years for Funding Group II project.
Reclamation reserves the right to remove an application from funding
consideration if it does not pass all Initial Screening criteria listed above. An
applicant that has submitted an application that is determined to be ineligible for
funding will be notified along with other applicants, or sooner, if possible.
E.2.2. Application Review Committee
Evaluation criteria will comprise the total evaluation weight as stated in the
Section E.1 Evaluation Criteria. Application Review Information. Applications
will be scored against the evaluation criteria by an Application Review
Committee (ARC), made up of experts in relevant disciplines selected from across
Reclamation. The ARC will also review the application to ensure that the project
meets the description of eligible projects and meets the objective of this FOA.
During ARC review, Reclamation may contact applicants to request clarifications
to the information provided, if necessary.
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E.2.3. Red-Flag Review
Following the results of the ARC review, Reclamation offices will review the top-
ranking applications and will identify any reasons why a proposed project would
not be feasible or otherwise advisable, including environmental or cultural
resources compliance issues, permitting issues, legal issues, or financial position.
Positive or negative past performance by the applicant and any partners in
previous working relationships with Reclamation may be considered, including
whether the applicant is making significant progress toward the completion of
outstanding financial assistance agreements and whether the applicant is in
compliance with all reporting requirements associated with previously funded
projects.
In addition, during this review, Reclamation will address any specific concerns or
questions raised by members of the ARC, conduct a preliminary budget review,
and evaluate the applicant’s ability to meet cost share as required.
E.2.4. Managerial Review
Reclamation management will prioritize projects to ensure the total amount of all
awards does not exceed available funding levels. Management will also ensure
that all projects meet the scope, priorities, requirements, and objectives of this
FOA. Management may also prioritize projects to ensure that multiple project
types are represented. After completion of the Managerial Review, Reclamation
will notify applicants whose proposals have been selected for award
consideration.
E.2.5. Pre-Award Clearances and Approvals
The following pre-award clearances and approvals must be obtained before an
award of funding is made. If the results of all pre-award reviews and clearances
are satisfactory, an award of funding will be made once the agreement is finalized
(approximately one to three months from the date of initial selection). If the
results of pre-award reviews and clearances are unsatisfactory, consideration of
funding for the project may be withdrawn.
E.2.5.1. Environmental Review
Reclamation will forward all proposals to the appropriate Reclamation Regional
or Area Office for completion of environmental compliance. To the extent
possible, environmental compliance will be completed before a financial
assistance agreement is signed by the parties. However, in most cases, the award
will be made contingent on completion of environmental compliance. The
financial assistance agreement will describe how compliance will be carried out. Ground disturbing activities, including any construction or installation
activities, may not occur until environmental compliance is complete and a notice to proceed is issued.
Section E: Application Review Information
45
Even in cases where environmental compliance work has been completed
previously or is being completed by another Federal agency, Reclamation must
still review and adopt such environmental compliance and issue a notice to
proceed before ground disturbing activities may be initiated.
E.2.5.2. Budget Analysis and Business Evaluation
A Reclamation Grants Officer will also conduct a detailed budget analysis and
complete a business evaluation and responsibility determination. During this
evaluation, the Grants Officer will consider several factors that are important, but
not quantified, such as:
• Allowability, allocability, and reasonableness of proposed costs
• Financial strength and stability of the applicant
• Past performance, including satisfactory compliance with all terms and
conditions of previous awards, such as environmental compliance issues,
reporting requirements, proper procurement of supplies and services, and
audit compliance
• Adequacy of personnel practices, procurement procedures, and accounting
policies and procedures, as established by applicable Office of
Management and Budget circulars
E.3. Federal Award Performance Integrity
Information System
Prior to making an award with a Federal total estimated amount greater than
$150,000, Reclamation is required to review and consider any information about
the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible
through SAM (currently Federal Award Performance Integrity Information
System [FAPIIS]) (see 41 U.S.C. §2313). An applicant, at its option, may review
information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible
through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal
awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity
and performance system accessible through SAM. Reclamation will consider any
comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in
making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of
performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by
applicants as described in 2 CFR §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of
risk posed by applicants.
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E.4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award
Date
Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful
applicants in spring 2021, subject to the timing and amount of final FY 2021
appropriations. Financial assistance agreements will be awarded to applicants that
successfully pass all pre-award reviews and clearances. Award recipients will be
contacted individually to discuss the time frame for the completion of their
agreement.
Section F: Federal Award Information
47
Section F. Federal Award Administration
Information
F.1. Federal Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive by electronic mail, a notice of selection signed
by a Reclamation Grants Officer. This notice is not an authorization to begin
performance.
F.2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
F.2.1. Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance
All projects being considered for award funding will require compliance with the
NEPA before any ground-disturbing activity may begin. Compliance with all
applicable state, Federal and local environmental, cultural, and paleontological
resource protection laws and regulations is also required. These may include, but
are not limited to, the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act
(ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), consultation with
potentially affected tribes, and consultation with the State Historic Preservation
Office.
Reclamation will be the lead Federal agency for National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) compliance and will be responsible for evaluating technical
information and ensuring that natural resources, cultural, and socioeconomic
concerns are appropriately addressed. As the lead agency, Reclamation is solely
responsible for determining the appropriate level of NEPA compliance. Further,
Reclamation is responsible to ensure that findings under NEPA, and
consultations, as appropriate, will support Reclamation’s decision on whether to
fund a project. Depending on the potential impacts of the project, Reclamation
may be able to complete its compliance activities without additional cost to the
recipient. Where environmental or cultural resources compliance requires
significant participation by Reclamation, costs anticipated to be incurred by
Reclamation will be added as a line item to the budget during development of the
financial assistance agreement and cost shared accordingly. Any costs to the
recipient associated with compliance will be identified during the process of
developing a final project budget for inclusion in the financial assistance
agreement.
Reclamation’s estimated cost to complete environmental and cultural compliance
activities will be withheld from the initial obligation of Federal funding. After
compliance activities are completed, any remaining Federal funding will be
obligated to the Agreement.
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Note, if mitigation is required to lessen environmental impacts, the applicant may,
at Reclamation’s discretion, be required to report on progress and completion of
these commitments. Reclamation will coordinate with the applicant to establish
reporting requirements and intervals accordingly.
Under no circumstances may an applicant begin any ground-disturbing
activities (e.g., grading, clearing, and other preliminary activities) on a project
before environmental and cultural resources compliance is complete and a
Reclamation Grants Officer provides written notification that all such
clearances have been obtained. This pertains to all components of the proposed
project, including those that are part of the applicant’s non-Federal cost-share.
An applicant that proceeds before environmental and cultural resources
compliance is complete may risk forfeiting Reclamation funding under this
FOA. Costs incurred for ground-disturbing activities performed prior to award
are not eligible for reimbursement or cost share unless the recipient can provide
documentation that Federal environmental and cultural resource clearances
were obtained for the project prior to the commencement of the activities.
F.2.2. Approvals and Permits
Recipients shall adhere to Federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local laws,
regulations, and codes, as applicable, and shall obtain all required approvals and
permits. Recipients shall also coordinate and obtain approvals from site owners
and operators.
F.2.3. Intangible Property (2 CFR §200.315)
a. Title to intangible property acquired under a Federal award vests upon
acquisition in the non-Federal entity (see §200.59 Intangible Property [of
this CFR]). The non-Federal entity must use that property for the
originally authorized purpose and must not encumber the property without
approval of the Federal awarding agency. When no longer needed for the
originally authorized purpose, disposition of the intangible property must
occur in accordance with the provisions in §200.313(e) Equipment [of this
CFR].
b. The non-Federal entity may copyright any work that is subject to
copyright and was developed, or for which ownership was acquired, under
a Federal award. The Federal awarding agency reserves a royalty-free,
nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use
the work for Federal purposes, and to authorize others to do so.
c. The non-Federal entity is subject to applicable regulations governing
patents and inventions, including government wide regulations issued by
the Department of Commerce at 37 CFR Part 401, “Rights to Inventions
Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under
Government Awards, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements.”
Section F: Federal Award Information
49
d. The Federal government has the right to:
(1) obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data produced
under a Federal award; and
(2) authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use
such data for Federal purposes.
e. Freedom of Information Act
(1) In response to a FOIA request for research data relating to
published research findings produced under a Federal award that
were used by the Federal government in developing an agency
action that has the force and effect of law, the Federal awarding
agency must request, and the non-Federal entity must provide,
within a reasonable time, the research data so that they can be
made available to the public through the procedures established
under the FOIA. If the Federal awarding agency obtains the
research data solely in response to a FOIA request, the Federal
awarding agency may charge the requester a reasonable fee
equaling the full incremental cost of obtaining the research data.
This fee should reflect costs incurred by the Federal agency and
the non-Federal entity. This fee is in addition to any fees the
Federal awarding agency may assess under the FOIA (5 USC
552(a)(4)(A)).
(2) Published research findings means when:
i. Research findings are published in a peer-reviewed
scientific or technical journal; or
ii. A Federal agency publicly and officially cites the research
findings in support of an agency action that has the force
and effect of law. “Used by the Federal government in
developing an agency action that has the force and effect of
law” is defined as when an agency publicly and officially
cites the research findings in support of an agency action
that has the force and effect of law.
(3) Research data means the recorded factual material commonly
accepted in the scientific community as necessary to validate
research findings, but not any of the following: preliminary
analyses, drafts of scientific papers, plans for future research, peer
reviews, or communications with colleagues. This “recorded”
material excludes physical objects (e.g., laboratory samples).
Research data also does not include:
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i. Trade secrets, commercial information, materials necessary
to be held confidential by a researcher until they are
published, or similar information which is protected under
law; and
ii. Personnel and medical information and similar information
the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, such as
information that could be used to identify a particular
person in a research study.
F.2.4. Requirements for Agricultural Operations under P.L. 111-11, Section 9504(a)(3)(B)
In accordance with Section 9504(a)(3)(B) of P.L. 111-11, grants and cooperative
agreements under this authority will not be awarded for an improvement to
conserve irrigation water unless the applicant agrees to both of the following
conditions:
• Not to use any associated water savings to increase the total irrigated
acreage of the applicant
• Not to otherwise increase the consumptive use of water in the operation of
the applicant, as determined pursuant to the law of the State in which the
operation of the applicant is located
F.2.5. Title to Improvements P.L. 111-11, Section 9504(a)(3)(D)
If the activities funded through an agreement awarded under this FOA result in a
modification to a portion of a federally owned facility that is integral to the
existing operations of that facility, the Federal government shall continue to hold
title to the facility and the improvements thereto. Title to improvements,
P.L. 111-11, Section 9504(a)(3)(D) that are not integral to existing water delivery
operations shall reside with the project sponsor.
F.3. Reporting—Requirements and Distribution
If the applicant is awarded an agreement as a result of this FOA, the applicant will
be required to submit the following reports during the term of the agreement.
F.3.1. Financial Reports
Recipients will be required to submit a fully completed form SF-425 Federal
Financial Report on at least a semi-annual basis and with the final performance
report. The SF-425 must be signed by a person legally authorized to obligate the
recipient.
Section F: Federal Award Information
51
F.3.2. Interim Performance Reports
The specific terms and conditions pertaining to the reporting requirements will be
included in the financial assistance agreement.
Interim performance reports submitted on at least a semi-annual basis, that
include the following information:
• A comparison of actual accomplishments to the milestones established by
the financial assistance agreement for the period
• The reasons why established milestones were not met, if applicable
• The status of milestones from the previous reporting period that were not
met, if applicable
• Whether the project is on schedule and within the original cost estimate
• Any additional pertinent information or issues related to the status of the
project
F.3.3. Final Performance Reports
Recipients will be required to submit a final performance report encompassing the
entire period of performance. The final performance report must include, but is
not limited to, the following information:
• Whether the project objectives and goals were met
• Discussion of the benefits achieved by the project, including information
and/or calculations supporting the benefits
• How the project demonstrates collaboration, if applicable
• A comparison of estimated costs vs. actual costs
• Photographs documenting the project are also appreciated
Note: Reclamation may print photos with appropriate credit to the applicant. Also,
final reports are public documents and may be made available on Reclamation’s
website or as requested.
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F.4. Conflicts of Interest
F.4.1. Applicability
This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take
appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or
with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements. In the procurement of
supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients,
the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.
F.4.2. Requirements
Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of interest, including any
significant financial interests that could cause a reasonable person to question the
recipient's ability to provide impartial, technically sound, and objective
performance under or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement.
In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with respect to conflicts of
interest, no key official of an actual or proposed recipient or subrecipient, who is
substantially involved in the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal
employee who, within the last year, participated personally and substantially in
the evaluation, award, or administration of an award with respect to that recipient
or subrecipient or in development of the requirement leading to the funding
announcement.
No actual or prospective recipient or subrecipient may solicit, obtain, or use non-
public information regarding the evaluation, award, or administration of an award
to that recipient or subrecipient or the development of a Federal financial
assistance opportunity that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or
subrecipient.
F.4.3. Notification
Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must
disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the Department’s awarding agency or
pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112, Conflicts of Interest.
Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures
to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The
recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of
any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including
those that have been reported by subrecipients.
F.4.4. Restrictions on Lobbying
Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under this grant or
cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required
certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR Part 18 and 31 USC 1352.
Section F: Federal Award Information
53
F.4.5. Review Procedures
The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure
on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or
cooperative agreement and will determine whether a significant potential conflict
exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.
F.4.6. Enforcement
Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Government
may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures
may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for
Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR Part 180).
F.5. Data Availability
F.5.1. Applicability
The Department is committed to basing its decisions on the best available science
and providing the American people with enough information to thoughtfully and
substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the
Department to inform its decisions.
F.5.2. Use of Data
The regulations at 2 CFR 200.315 apply to data produced under a Federal award,
including the provision that the Federal Government has the right to obtain,
reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award as
well as authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data
for Federal purposes.
F.5.3. Availability of Data
The recipient shall make the data produced under this award and any subaward(s)
available to the Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to
allow meaningful third-party evaluation and reproduction of the following:
1. the scientific data relied upon;
2. the analysis relied upon; and
3. the methodology, including models, used to gather and analyze data.
F.6. Releasing Applications
Following awards of funding, Reclamation may post all successful applications
on the Reclamation website after conducting any redactions determined necessary
by Reclamation, in consultation with the recipient.
Section G. Agency Contacts
55
Section G. Agency Contacts
There will be no pre-application conference. Organizations or individuals
interested in submitting applications in response to this FOA may direct questions
to the Reclamation personnel identified below.
G.1. Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact
Questions regarding application and submission information and award
administration may be submitted to the attention of Mr. Ned Weakland or Mr.
Matthew Reichert, Grants Management Specialists, as follows:
By mail: Bureau of Reclamation
Financial Assistance Operations
Attn: Mr. Ned Weakland
P.O. Box 25007 MS: 84-27815
Denver, CO 80225
By email: eweakland@usbr.gov
By phone: 303-445-3757
OR
By mail: Bureau of Reclamation
Financial Assistance Operations
Attn: Mr. Matthew Reichert
P.O. Box 25007 MS: 84-27814
Denver, CO 80225
By email: mreichert@usbr.gov
By phone: 303-445-3865
G.2. Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact
Questions regarding applicant and project eligibility and application review may
be submitted to the attention of Mr. Josh German, WaterSMART Grants Program
Coordinator, as follows:
By mail: Bureau of Reclamation
Water Resources and Planning Office
Attn: Mr. Josh German
P.O. Box 25007, 86-69200
Denver, CO 80225
By email: jgerman@usbr.gov
By phone: 303-445-2839
Section H. Other Information
57
Section H. Other Information
The following is a brief overview of NEPA, NHPA, and ESA. While these
statutes are not the only environmental laws that may apply, they are the Federal
laws that most frequently do apply. Compliance with all applicable environmental
laws will be initiated by Reclamation concurrently, immediately following the
initial recommendation to award a financial assistance agreement under this FOA.
The descriptions below are intended to provide you with information about the
environmental compliance issues that may apply to your projects.
H.1. Environmental and Cultural Resource
Considerations
To allow Reclamation to assess the probable environmental and cultural resources
impacts and costs associated with each application, all applicants should consider
the following list of questions focusing on the NEPA, ESA, and NHPA
requirements. Please answer the following questions to the best of your
knowledge. If any question is not applicable to the project, please explain why.
The application should include the answers to:
• Will the proposed project impact the surrounding environment (e.g., soil
[dust], air, water [quality and quantity], animal habitat)? Please briefly
describe all earth-disturbing work and any work that will affect the air,
water, or animal habitat in the project area. Please also explain the impacts
of such work on the surrounding environment and any steps that could be
taken to minimize the impacts.
• Are you aware of any species listed or proposed to be listed as a Federal
threatened or endangered species, or designated critical habitat in the
project area? If so, would they be affected by any activities associated
with the proposed project?
• Are there wetlands or other surface waters inside the project boundaries
that potentially fall under CWA jurisdiction as “Waters of the United
States?” If so, please describe and estimate any impacts the proposed
project may have.
• When was the water delivery system constructed?
• Will the proposed project result in any modification of or effects to,
individual features of an irrigation system (e.g., headgates, canals, or
flumes)? If so, state when those features were constructed and describe the
nature and timing of any extensive alterations or modifications to those
features completed previously.
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• Are any buildings, structures, or features in the irrigation district listed or
eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places? A cultural
resources specialist at your local Reclamation office or the State Historic
Preservation Office can assist in answering this question.
• Are there any known archeological sites in the proposed project area?
• Will the proposed project have a disproportionately high and adverse
effect on low income or minority populations?
• Will the proposed project limit access to and ceremonial use of Indian
sacred sites or result in other impacts on tribal lands?
• Will the proposed project contribute to the introduction, continued
existence, or spread of noxious weeds or non-native invasive species
known to occur in the area?
H.2. Background on Federal Environmental and
Cultural Resource Laws
H.2.1. National Environmental Policy Act
NEPA requires Federal agencies such as Reclamation to evaluate, during the
decision-making process, the potential environmental effects of a proposed action
and any reasonable mitigation measures. Before Reclamation can make a decision
to fund an award under this FOA, Reclamation must comply with NEPA.
Compliance with NEPA can be accomplished in several ways, depending upon
the degree and significance of environmental impacts associated with the
proposal:
Some projects may fit within a recognized Categorical Exclusion (CE) to NEPA
(i.e., one of the established categories of activities that generally do not have
significant impacts on the environment). If a project fits within a CE, no further
NEPA compliance measures are necessary. Use of a CE can involve simple
identification of an applicable Department CE or documentation of a
Reclamation CE using a Categorical Exclusion Checklist (CEC). If a CE is
being considered, Reclamation will determine the applicability of the CE and
whether extraordinary circumstances (i.e., reasons that the CE cannot be applied)
exist. That process can take anywhere from 1 day to about 30 days, depending
upon the specific situation.
If the project does not fit within a CE, compliance with NEPA might require
preparation of an Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI). Generally, where no CE applies but there are not believed to be any
significant impacts associated with the proposed action, an EA will be required.
The EA is used to determine whether any potentially significant effects exist
Section H. Other Information
59
(which would trigger the further step of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), below). If no potentially significant effects are identified, the EA process
ends with the preparation of a FONSI. The EA/FONSI process is more detailed
than the CE/CEC process and can take weeks or even months to complete.
Consultation with other agencies and public notification are part of the EA
process.
The most detailed form of NEPA compliance, where a proposed project has
potentially significant environmental effects, is completion of an EIS and Record of Decision. An EIS requires months or years to complete, and the process
includes considerable public involvement, including mandatory public reviews of
draft documents. It is not anticipated that projects proposed under this program
will require completion of an EIS.
During the NEPA process, potential impacts of a project are evaluated in context
and in terms of intensity (e.g., will the proposed action affect the only native
prairie in the county? Will the proposed action reduce water supplied to a wetland
by 1 percent? Or 95 percent?). The best source of information concerning the
potentially significant issues in a project area is the local Reclamation staff that
has experience in evaluating effects in context and by intensity.
Reclamation has the sole discretion to determine what level of environmental
NEPA compliance is required. If another Federal agency is involved, Reclamation
will coordinate to determine the appropriate level of compliance. You are
encouraged to contact your regional or area Reclamation office. See
www.usbr.gov/main/offices.html with questions regarding NEPA compliance
issues. You may also contact the Program Coordinator for further information
(see Section G. Agency Contacts).
H.2.2. National Historic Preservation Act
To comply with Section 106 of the NHPA, Reclamation must consider whether a
proposed project has the potential to cause effects to historic properties, before
it can complete an award under this FOA. Historic properties are cultural
resources (historic or prehistoric districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects)
that qualify for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. In some
cases, water delivery infrastructure that is over 50 years old can be considered a
historic property that is subject to review.
If a proposal is selected for initial award, the recipient will work with
Reclamation to complete the Section 106 process. Compliance can be
accomplished in several ways, depending on how complex the issues are,
including:
• If Reclamation determines that the proposed project does not have the
potential to cause effects to historic properties, then Reclamation will
document its findings and the Section 106 process will be concluded. This
can take anywhere from a couple of days to one month.
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• If Reclamation determines that the proposed project could have effects on
historic properties, a multi-step process, involving consultation with the
State Historic Preservation Officer and other entities, will follow.
Depending on the nature of the project and impacts to cultural resources,
consultation can be complex and time consuming. The process includes:
o A determination as to whether additional information is necessary
o Evaluation of the significance of identified cultural resources
o Assessment of the effect of the project on historic properties
o A determination as to whether the project would have an adverse
effect and evaluation of alternatives or modifications to avoid,
minimize, or mitigate the effects
o A Memorandum of Agreement is then used to record and implement
any necessary measures. At a minimum, completion of the multi-step
Section 106 process takes about two months.
• Among the types of historic properties that might be affected by projects
proposed under this FOA are historic irrigation systems and archaeological sites. An irrigation system or a component of an irrigation
system (e.g., a canal or headgate) is more likely to qualify as historic if it
is more than 50 years old, if it is the oldest (or an early) system/component
in the surrounding area, and if the system/component has not been
significantly altered or modernized. In general, proposed projects that
involve ground disturbance, or the alteration of existing older structures,
are more likely to have the potential to affect cultural resources. However,
the level of cultural resources compliance required, and the associated
cost, depends on a case-by-case review of the circumstances presented by
each proposal.
You should contact your State Historic Preservation Office and your local
Reclamation office’s cultural resources specialist to determine what, if any,
cultural resources surveys have been conducted in the project area. See
www.usbr.gov/cultural/crmstaff.html for a list of Reclamation cultural resource
specialists. If an applicant has previously received Federal financial assistance it
is possible that a cultural resources survey has already been completed.
H.2.3. Endangered Species Act
Pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA, each Federal agency is required to consult with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service to ensure any action it
authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of any endangered or threatened species or destroy or adversely
modify any designated critical habitat.
Section H. Other Information
61
Before Reclamation can approve funding for the implementation of a proposed
project, it is required to comply with Section 7 of the ESA. The steps necessary
for ESA compliance vary, depending on the presence of endangered or threatened
species and the effects of the proposed project. A rough overview of the possible
course of ESA compliance is:
• If Reclamation can determine that there are no endangered or threatened
species or designated critical habitat in the project area, then the ESA
review is complete and no further compliance measures are required. This
process can take anywhere from one day to one month.
• If Reclamation determines that endangered or threatened species may be
affected by the project, then a Biological Assessment must be prepared by
Reclamation. The Biological Assessment is used to help determine
whether a proposed action may affect a listed species or its designated
critical habitat. The Biological Assessment may result in a determination
that a proposed action is not likely to adversely affect any endangered or
threatened species. If the USFWS/NOAA Fisheries Service concurs in
writing, then no further consultation is required and the ESA compliance
is complete. Depending on the scope and complexity of the proposed
action, preparation of a Biological Assessment can range from days to
weeks or even months. The USFWS/NOAA Fisheries Service generally
respond to requests for concurrence within 30 days.
• If it is determined that the project is likely to adversely affect listed
species, further consultation (formal consultation) with USFWS or
NOAA Fisheries Service is required to comply with the ESA. The process
includes the creation of a Biological Opinion by the USFWS/NOAA
Fisheries Service, including a determination of whether the project would
jeopardize listed species and, if so, whether any reasonable and prudent
alternatives to the proposed project are necessary to avoid jeopardy.
Nondiscretionary reasonable and prudent measures and terms and
conditions to minimize the impact of incidental take may also be
included. Under the timeframes established in the ESA regulations, the
Biological Opinion is issued within 135 days from the date that formal
consultation was initiated, unless an extension of time is agreed upon.
The time, cost, and extent of the work necessary to comply with the ESA depends
upon whether endangered or threatened species are present in the project area and,
if so, whether the project might have effects on those species significant enough
to require formal consultation.
ESA compliance is often conducted parallel to the NEPA compliance process and,
as in the case of a CEC, documented simultaneously. The best source of
information concerning the compliance with the ESA in a particular project area
is the local Reclamation environmental staff that can be helpful in determining the
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-21-F001
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presence of listed species and possible effects that would require consultation
with the USFWS or NOAA Fisheries Service. Contact your regional or area
Reclamation office, www.usbr.gov/main/offices.html with questions regarding
ESA compliance issues.
Appendix A
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance Measure Guidance
A-1
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and
Performance Measures
The following information is included to provide applicants additional
guidance on pre- and post-project benefit quantification.
All WaterSMART Grants applicants are required to propose a method (or
“performance measure”) of quantifying the actual benefits of their project
once it is completed. Actual benefits are defined as water actually conserved
or better managed, as a direct result of the project. A provision will be
included in all assistance agreements with WaterSMART Grants recipients
describing the performance measure and requiring the recipient to quantify
the actual project benefits in their final report to Reclamation upon
completion of the project.
Quantifying project benefits is an important means to determine the
relative effectiveness of various water management efforts, as well as the
overall effectiveness of WaterSMART Grants.
The following information is intended to provide applicants with examples
of some acceptable methods that may be used to estimate benefits pre-
project and to verify benefits upon completion of the project. However, the
following is not intended to be an exhaustive list of acceptable
performance measures. Applicants are encouraged to propose
alternatives to the measures listed below if another measure is more
effective for the particular project.
Reclamation understands that, in some cases, baseline information may not
be available, and that methods other than those suggested below may need to
be employed. If an alternative performance measure is suggested, the
applicant must provide information supporting the effectiveness of the
proposed measure as it applies to the proposed project.
Performance Measure A: Projects with Quantifiable
Water Savings
The methods included below are examples that may be helpful in estimating
the water conservation that will be realized upon completion of the proposed
project and to verify this amount post-project.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F001
A-2
Performance Measure A.1: Canal Lining/Piping
Canal lining or piping projects are implemented to decrease or eliminate canal
water seepage and evapotranspiration. The following information may be
helpful in estimating the water conservation that will be realized upon
completion of the proposed project and to verify this amount post-project.
Pre-project estimation of benefits:
To calculate potential water savings, physical measurements of losses from
seepage, evaporation, and/or transpiration are necessary. If evaporation will
not be mitigated by the project (e.g., canal lining), evaporative losses should
be estimated and deducted from the estimated water conservation. Two
testing procedures which can be used are listed below:
• Ponding tests: Conduct ponding tests along canal reaches proposed for
lining or piping. At least two tests, one early and one late season, are
suggested since seepage rates vary significantly during the irrigation
season. Multiple years of data are also suggested. Ponding test results
should be provided in terms of both acre-feet per year (AFY) of seepage
and cubic feet of seepage per square feet of canal surface per day
(cfs/sf/day).
• Inflow/outflow testing: Measure the flow rate of water flowing in and out
of the canal reach. At least two tests, one early and one late season, are
suggested since seepage rates vary significantly during the irrigation
season. Multiple years of data are also suggested. Inflow/outflow test
results should be provided in terms of both AFY of seepage and cubic feet
per second of seepage per cubic feet per second of canal flow per mile of
canal (cfs/sf/mile).
If ponding or inflow/outflow tests cannot be performed, estimated historical
seepage and evaporation rates for the canal reach may be based on a combination
of soils/geology conditions, flow rates, diversion rates, irrigation methods and
crops, weather information, and historical knowledge. Soils/geologic conditions
can not represent the sole source for estimating seepage losses, but can be
included as support for an estimate. Evaporation data are available at
www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hdsc/PMP_related_studies/TR34.pdf. A discussion should
be included on why ponding or inflow/outflow tests cannot be performed that also
includes a thorough description of the logic used in the estimation calculations
performed.
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance Measure Guidance
A-3
Post-project methods for quantifying the benefits of canal lining or piping
projects:
• Using tests listed above, compare pre-project and post-project test results
to calculate water savings. For canal lining projects, evaporation should be
calculated based on weather data and then subtracted from the total loss
measured by testing. For piping projects, it is typically assumed all
seepage and evaporation are eliminated with most types of pipe materials.
• If ponding or inflow/outflow tests cannot be performed, benefits can be
calculated by comparing the estimated historical seepage and evaporation
rates for the canal reach to the post-project seepage and evaporation
(documentation of proposed method of measuring or estimating post-
project seepage and evaporation should be provided).
• Results can be verified using a ratio of historical diversion and delivery
rates if adequate data exists. The adequacy of the data should be discussed
with regard to methods used to measure diversion and delivery quantities.
This type of verification should also include a comparison of historical
canal efficiencies and post-project canal efficiencies. For example, if an
irrigation district needs to divert 6 acre-feet of water to deliver 2 acre-feet
of water to a field through the canal pre-project, this would be a 33%
efficiency:
2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎6 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎× 100%=33% efficiency
If post-project, the irrigation district only needs to divert 4 acre-feet of
water through the canal to deliver the 2 acre-feet, efficiency would
improve by 17% to 50%:
2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎4 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎× 100%=50% efficiency
• Record reduction in water purchases by shareholders and compare to
historical water purchases. Using this method would require consideration
and explanation of other potential reasons for decreased water purchases
(e.g., precipitation, temperature, etc.).
Useful references regarding canal seepage monitoring and verification may be
found here:
• www.usbr.gov/tsc/techreferences/mands/wmm/index.htm
• www.usbr.gov/tsc/techreferences/hydraulics_lab/pubs/PAP/PAP-0015.pdf
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F001
A-4
• gfipps.tamu.edu/files/2019/12/B-6218_Measuring-Seepage-Losses.pdf
Performance Measure A.2: Measuring Devices
Good water management requires accurate and timely water measurement at
appropriate locations throughout a conveyance system. This includes irrigation
delivery systems and municipal distribution systems.
Measuring Devices: A.2.a. Municipal Metering
For projects that install or replace existing municipal end-user water service
meters, the applicant should consider the following:
• Whether the project includes new meters where none existed previously or
replaces existing meters
• Whether the project includes individual water user meters, main line
meters, or both
• If the project replaces existing individual water user meters with new
meters, whether new technologies (automatic meter reading or AMI
meters) will be employed
• Include a description of both pre- and post-project rate structuring.
• Note: Distribution system meters will not receive points for quantifiable
water savings under Evaluation Criterion A – Quantifiable Water Savings.
Accordingly, these projects must be paired with a complementary project
component that will result in water savings in order for the proposal to be
receive credit for water savings, e.g., pipe installation using upgraded
materials, or individual water service meters.
The following information about municipal end-user water service meters
and replacement may be helpful in estimating the water conservation that
will be realized upon completion of the proposed project and to verify this
amount post-project:
• Municipal water delivery meters are typically installed for each water user
as well as at strategic locations within the distribution system to measure
production, supply, and/or storage. Accurate measurement allows for
demand assessments, customer billing, diagnostic testing, locating and
quantifying leakage, and other management needs.
• Significant water savings can be achieved when meters are installed where
none existed previously. In the case of individual water user metering, most
customers use significantly less water when billed at a usage rate; and
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance Measure Guidance
A-5
especially so when a tiered rate is applied (i.e., higher rates for higher use).
Replacing existing meters can also result in water savings when new
technologies are employed.
• Quantifying savings associated with meter installation and/or replacement
requires analysis of pre- and post-installation measurements from existing
meters at strategic locations within the system. If installing meters will
result in conserved water, please provide support for this determination
(e.g., studies, previous projects, etc.). A logical scheme should be
developed that compares pre- and post-installation flow quantities and that
accounts for leakage and other considerations. The site-specific water
savings verification plan should be as detailed as possible and clearly state
all assumptions and the relative level of accuracy expected. In addition,
please provide details underlying any assumptions being made in support
of water savings estimates (e.g., residential users will reduce use once a
more advanced billing structure is imposed).
Measuring Devices: A.2.b. Irrigation Metering
Measuring devices that may be installed can include, but is not limited to, the
following:
• Flow meters (current or acoustic)
• Weirs
• Flumes
• Meter gates
• Submerged orifices
Potential benefits from improved irrigation delivery system measurement include:
• Quantification of system losses between measurement locations
• Quantification of waste way (spill) flows
• Accurate billing of customers for the actual amount of water delivered
• Facilitation of accurate and equitable distribution of water within
a district
• Allow for implementation of future system improvements such as
seepage reduction, remote flow monitoring, and canal operation
automation projects
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F001
A-6
The following performance measures may be helpful in estimating the water
conservation that will be realized upon completion and to verify this
amount post-project for improved irrigation delivery system measurement.
Pre-project estimations of baseline data:
• Pre-project flows may be difficult to estimate without a measuring device
in place. Ideally, temporary measurement devices or other methods to
estimate flow rates may be used to estimate flow rates as accurately as
possible.
• In lieu of temporary measurement devices, the applicant may be able to
use data from measurement devices located elsewhere in the delivery
system (if available). Otherwise, the applicant may have to rely on other
historical data and/or estimates based on a combination of soils/geology,
delivery data, flow data, and weather data.
Post-project methods for quantifying the benefits of projects to install
measuring devices:
• Compare post-project water measurement (deliveries, diversions, and
waste/spills) data to pre-project data or estimates—taking into account
other factors which may have cause changes
• Survey users to determine utility of the devices for decision making
• Present how measurement devices were used to identify water losses
which were previously unknown and how these will be addressed
• Document the benefits of any rate structure changes made possible by the
installation of measuring devices (e.g., if districts that convert from non-
metered to metered deliveries are able to convert from billing water users
at a flat rate to billing for actual water use using a volumetric or tiered
water pricing structure)
Performance Measure A.3: SCADA and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Proposals may involve installing or expanding a SCADA or combined
SCADA/GIS system that monitors flows in an individual district or in a basin that
includes several districts. SCADA systems provide water managers with real-time
data on the flow rates and volumes of water at key points within an irrigation
water delivery system. Access to such data allows water managers to make
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance Measure Guidance
A-7
accurate and timely deliveries of water, reducing over-deliveries and spillage at
the end of the canal. SCADA/GIS systems can provide water users with real time
delivery data to promote improved on-farm efficiencies.
For projects that install or expand a SCADA and/or GIS system, the applicant
should consider the following:
• How SCADA or SCADA/GIS implementation will differ from pre-project
operations in terms of how improved data availability will be incorporated
into daily operational decisions
• How the SCADA or SCADA/GIS systems will be maintained once
implemented. Discuss balance of in-house expertise anticipated vs.
reliance on third party service provider(s)
• The projected opportunities for improved operational efficiencies that
could be realized through implementation of a SCADA or SCADA/GIS
system (e.g., improved delivery equity, improved response to
unanticipated events, reduced administrative spillage, and enhanced
productivity of human resources)
• The response process to SCADA or SCADA/GIS failures/outages
• Applicants are encouraged to review published reports on considerations
when implementing a SCADA system (e.g., Freeman, B., and C. Burt
(2009), Practical experience with state-of-the-art technologies in scada
systems, San Luis Obispo, CA).
The following performance measures may be helpful in estimating the water
conservation that will be realized upon completion and to verify this
amount post-project for installing a SCADA or SCADA/GIS system.
Pre-project estimations of baseline data:
• Collect data on diversions and deliveries to water users
• Collect data on waste way flows
• Document employee pre-project time spent on ditch/canal monitoring and
water control
Post-project methods for quantifying benefits of SCADA or SCADA/GIS system
projects:
• Calculate amount of increased carryover storage in associated reservoirs.
This is a long-term measure which will be more meaningful over a period
of years.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F001
A-8
• Track and record the diversions to water users and compare to pre-project
diversions. This would show results of improved management if yearly
fluctuations in weather are accounted for.
• Report delivery improvements (e.g., changes in supply, duration, or
frequency that are available to end users because of SCADA/GIS).
• Calculate if there was a reduction in waste way flows and, if so, how much
they were reduced.
• Document other benefits such as less mileage by operators on dusty roads
(which saves time and influences air quality) and less damage to canal
banks.
Performance Measure A.4: Automation
Proposals may include system automaton projects aimed at preventing or
reducing spillage from canals, or drainage capture/reuse projects focused on
intercepting spills and redirecting them to drains, canals, or reregulation
reservoirs for reuse.
For projects that automate a system, the applicant should consider the
following:
• The rationale of long-term automation plans (e.g., system-wide project vs.
incremental implementation).
• Whether automation at given sites will result in heightened operational
issues in other parts of the system (e.g., passing of supply/demand
mismatches downstream).
• How automation technologies will be maintained (e.g., discuss balance of
in-house expertise anticipated vs. reliance on third party service
provider[s]).
• The anticipated net benefits of implementing an automation project.
• Applicants are encouraged to review published reports on considerations
when implementing an automation system (e.g., Freeman, B., and C. Burt
(2009), Practical experience with state-of-the-art technologies in scada
systems, Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), California
Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, California).
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance Measure Guidance
A-9
The following performance measures may be helpful in estimating the water
conservation that will be realized upon completion and to verify this
amount post-project for automating delivery system components.
Pre-project estimations of baseline data:
• Establish baseline data by measuring existing spillage or document
historical spillage with existing data. A measuring device should be
positioned to measure spillage losses. To account for temporal variations,
a minimum of a one-year history of continuous pre-project measurements
is desirable for future comparison to post-project water usage. Spillage
volumes can vary substantially between wet and dry years, operational
changes, etc.; therefore, some multi-year estimates of spillage are
preferred.
• Track pre-project water diversions using district diversion records,
supplier diversion records, and/or district-recorded delivery records.
Spillage estimates may be based on these data in some cases.
Post-project methods for quantifying benefits of spillage reduction projects:
• Measure spillage losses post-project and compare to pre-project data.
Gather enough data to account for seasonal and temporal variations.
• Track post-project changes in the amount of water diverted and compare
to pre-project diversion data.
• Compare estimated historical spills from district/project boundaries to
post-project spills.
• Report specific annual volume changes to spills, diversions, or
deliveries due to system automation.
Performance Measure No. A.5: Drain and Spill Water Reuse Projects
Drain and spill water reuse can be a district-level or regional conservation effort
that consists of recovering irrigation water from drains and returning it to the
water supply system for delivery to users.
Several types of projects can focus on drainage and reuse. Examples include:
• Pump stations with constant flow rates.
• Variable speed pump stations with or without SCADA controls.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F001
A-10
• Storage reservoirs with pump stations at constant flow rates.
• Storage reservoirs with variable speed pump stations and SCADA
controls.
The following performance measures may be helpful in estimating the water
conservation that will be realized upon completion and to verify this
amount post-project for drainage reuse projects:
Pre-project estimations of baseline data:
• A measuring device should be positioned to measure drain water losses.
• To account for temporal variations, a minimum of a one-year history of
pre-project measurements is desirable for future comparison to post-
project water usage.
• Drainage volumes can vary substantially between wet and dry years, as a
function of operations, etc. Therefore, some multi-year measurements of
drain water losses may be necessary.
Post-project methods for quantifying benefits of drainage reuse projects:
• Measure post-project drainage flows and compare to flow data collected
pre-project.
• Gather enough data to account for temporal variations.
• Take readings from measuring devices positioned to measure drain water
loss. A system analysis can be done with the following calculation:
𝐷𝐷𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝑎𝑎𝐷𝐷𝑎𝑎 𝑤𝑤𝐷𝐷𝑎𝑎ℎ 𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎= (100%−% 𝑅𝑅𝑎𝑎𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑎𝑎)× 𝐷𝐷𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝑎𝑎𝐷𝐷𝑎𝑎 𝑤𝑤𝐷𝐷𝑎𝑎ℎ𝑝𝑝𝑅𝑅𝑎𝑎 𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
• Measure and record post-project water deliveries to fields, drainage water
volumes entering reservoirs, and drainage water volumes recycled to
fields. Compare these data to historical data.
• Survey farmers and estimate any benefits to farmers, such as improved
flexibility in water management, reduction in shortages of supply to users
near the end of the canal, etc. If it is not possible to quantify these benefits
in acre-feet, a narrative explanation may be acceptable.
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance Measure Guidance
A-11
Performance Measure A.6: Landscape Irrigation Measures
Municipal water providers can promote savings in outdoor water use by
encouraging turf removal and installation of Smart irrigation controllers and high-
efficiency irrigation nozzles (sprinkler heads). This is typically accomplished
through rebate or direct installation programs.
Landscape Irrigation Measures: A.6.a. Turf Removal
For turf removal projects, the applicant should consider the total estimated
quantity of turf to be removed, the estimated historical annual average quantity of
water applied per unit area of turf, and the estimated amount of water to be
applied to any replacement landscape vegetation.
Pre-project estimations of baseline data:
The historical average amount of water applied for turf irrigation should be
estimated based on actual water consumption data or weather-based theoretical
irrigation requirement estimates. Potential methods include the following:
• Dedicated meter data. Municipal water delivery entities often have users
where dedicated irrigation meters exist (e.g., parks, homeowners’
associations, and golf courses). If so, metered water use can be divided by
the irrigated area to calculate the average annual irrigation rate per unit
area of turf. The greater the number of years of data used, the better the
averages should be with regard to varying weather conditions. Also, when
using this information, consider that parks and golf courses typically
irrigate more efficiently relative to residential irrigation, so the actual turf
removal savings for all types of users would be expected to be higher.
• Winter/summer use data. In the absence of dedicated irrigation meter data
and where irrigation ceases during winter months, summer versus winter
water use data can be compared to estimate irrigation use. This can be
analyzed for a sample of users and combined with an estimate of the total
area irrigated. An average turf irrigation rate can be calculated.
• Theoretical irrigation requirement. In areas where winter irrigation occurs
and dedicated irrigation meter data are not available, weather data can be
used to estimate theoretical irrigation demand. These calculations consider
reference evapotranspiration (ET) values from local weather stations, a
crop coefficient for the type of grass, and an assumed average irrigation
efficiency rate.
• Assumed domestic use rate. An alternative method for calculating
theoretical irrigation demand subtracts the assumed domestic (indoor)
water use rates from total use. Domestic water use can be estimated based
on household size and an assumed per person indoor usage rate. The age
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F001
A-12
of the community and existence of high-efficiency appliances and fixtures
should be considered in the per-person domestic use rate. A thorough
explanation relating the source of the estimated domestic use percentage to
the users in the turf-removal area should be supplied.
Post-project methods for quantifying benefits of turf removal projects:
• Site audits can be performed to measure the amount of turf removed at
each location and report on the water use for any vegetation which was
placed in the area were turf was removed. The water conservation per site
can be calculated using the pre-project turf irrigation rate and the
measured area of turf removed minus estimated water use of any
replacement landscape vegetation.
• Before and after water use data for each site should be evaluated using at
least one year of post-project data. Weather conditions for the pre- and
post-project data evaluation periods should be considered and adjustments
should be made if conditions were significantly different during the pre-
and post-periods.
• The project total savings should be calculated by summing the individual
site savings.
Landscape Irrigation Measures: No. A.6.b. Smart Irrigation Controllers
A Smart irrigation controller automatically adjusts the amount of irrigation
water applied to landscaped areas based on weather or soil moisture
conditions. Weather based controllers receive weather information from
either onsite sensors or from remote weather stations via radio, pager, or
Internet signals. Soil moisture-based controllers receive soil moisture
information from one or more onsite sensors. Smart controllers have the
potential to reduce landscape irrigation water use in situations where the
landscape was initially being over-irrigated. In some cases, installation of
Smart controllers has resulted in an increase in water use in situations where
the landscape was initially being under-irrigated. For this reason, it is
important to identify landscapes which are being over-irrigated prior to
installation of a Smart controller.
The following performance measures may be helpful in estimating the water
conservation that will be realized upon completion and to verify this
amount post-project for installing Smart controllers:
Pre-project estimations of baseline data:
The historical average annual amount of water applied for landscape
irrigation for each project site should be estimated based on actual water use
data. Note that weather-based theoretical irrigation requirement estimates are
Appendix A: Benefit Quantification and Performance Measure Guidance
A-13
not suitable for baseline estimations as this is typically the method
implemented by the Smart controller for estimating irrigation times. Ideally,
post-project the landscape will be being irrigated at this rate. Suggested
methods include the following:
• Site audits should be conducted at each location within the project to
measure landscape area and estimate the irrigation system’s efficiency.
Site audit-based recommendations for system efficiency improvement are
strongly recommended.
• The historical average annual landscape irrigation rate per unit area should
be estimated using the dedicated meter data, winter/summer use data, or
assumed domestic use rate methods discussed under the turf removal
section.
• The total annual average water irrigation amount for each site should be
calculated as the product of the landscape area and annual average
application rate. These can be summed to estimate the water conservation
for the project.
Post-project suggested methods for quantifying benefits of ET controllers:
Total project water savings can be estimated as the difference in annual pre-
and post-project total metered water use or the difference in estimated
annual outdoor water use. For the latter, irrigation use should be calculated
at each site based on pre- and post-project meter data using the methods
described under turf removal. Regardless of whether total metered usage or
estimated outdoor use is used, weather conditions during the data periods
should be considered (as also discussed under turf removal).
• Compare annual meter reading totals or estimated outdoor use prior to
Smart controller installation and post installation for each site and sum all
for project total.
• If results are required earlier, the calculations can also be performed
monthly.
Landscape Irrigation Measures: A.7.c. High-Efficiency Nozzles
High-efficiency landscape irrigation nozzles (sprinkler heads) apply water more
uniformly and at a lower rate relative to conventional type nozzles. Improved
application uniformity reduces the need to over-irrigate some areas in order to
eliminate brown spots in turf. The lower application rate reduces runoff and while
the stronger stream of water is less effected by wind. Note that the lower
application rate can require that irrigation times be increased in order to
adequately irrigate the landscape.
Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-20-F001
A-14
Pre-project estimations of baseline data
Total irrigation water use for the project should be estimated using the same
methods described above for turf removal and Smart controllers.
Post-project suggested methods for quantifying benefits of ET controllers:
Site audits should be conducted to verify correct installation, and water savings
can be verified using the same methods as described above for Smart controllers
(i.e., pre-project minus post-project total use or irrigation use from meter data).
Site audits should include evaluation of irrigation system operations to verify
adjustments have been made to compensate for the new nozzles.
Performance Measure B: Projects with Hydropower
Benefits
The performance measures included below are examples that may be helpful
in estimating a pre-project energy baseline and post-project energy benefits
for energy projects that are expected to increase the use of hydropower in the
management and delivery of water.
For hydropower projects, applicants should address the following as part of
the performance measures they submit with their applications.
• Explain the methodology for calculating project hydropower
capacity and generation benefits.
• Include an estimate of incremental hydropower capacity (measured in kW)
and generation (measured in kWh) resulting from the project.
• Describe what loads will be served by project hydropower generation.
-1-
RESOLUTION 2020-095
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING THE GRANT APPLICATION BY FORT COLLINS UTILITIES FOR THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF RECLAMATION’S
WATERSMART GRANTS: WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANT FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2021 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS
REGARDING SUCH A GRANT
WHEREAS, the City owns and operates Fort Collins Utilities (“Utilities”), which
includes a water utility that provides water to customers in its service area; and
WHEREAS, water conservation is a tool that is used by Utilities, primarily through the
Utilities Water Conservation Division, to manage and reduce the demand for water service from
the water utility by Utilities customers, which is beneficial to the City, the water utility, and its
ratepayers by, among other reasons, helping to ensure that the demand for water does not exceed
supplies, which could result in more shortages and other adverse impacts; and
WHEREAS, Utilities has developed the Xeriscape Incentive Program (“Program”) to
support customers seeking to transform their largescale landscapes to use less water from
Utilities, such as those of homeowners’ associations and commercial customers and funds have
been appropriated to carry out the Program; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation
(“Reclamation”) has a Water SMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for
Tomorrow) Program and has requested applications for WaterSMART Grants: Water and
Energy Efficiency Grant for Fiscal Year 2021 (“WaterSMART Grant”), which refers to the
federal fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, such a WaterSMART Grant could provide significant funding for the
Program, allowing it to expand beyond the scale that would otherwise be supported; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to pursue such a WaterSMART Grant; and
WHEREAS, with a such a WaterSMART Grant, the City would be required to share 50%
or more of the total costs for the Program, which would be met by a combination of: monetary
contributions from Program participants, City in-kind contributions, and previously-appropriated
Utilities Water Conservation funds; and
WHEREAS, Utilities has prepared a draft of the application for the WaterSMART Grant,
a copy of which is attached as Exhibit “A” (“WaterSMART Grant Application”); and
WHEREAS, applications for WaterSMART Grants require a resolution from the
applicant’s governing board verifying: (1) the identity of the official with legal authority to enter
into agreements: (2) the board of directors, governing body, or appropriate official who has
reviewed and supports the application submitted; (3) the capability of the applicant to provide the
amount of funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the funding plan; and (4) that the
-2-
applicant will work with Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into grant or
cooperative agreements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals above.
Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute agreements related
to a WaterSMART Grant consistent with this resolution, with such terms and conditions as the
City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, determines to be necessary and appropriate
to protect the interests of the City and to effectuate the purposes of this resolution, provided that
all required matching funds have been appropriated prior to execution.
Section 3. That the City Council has reviewed and supports the WaterSMART Grant
Application to be submitted.
Section 4. That the City Council has the capability to provide the amount of funding
and/or in-kind contributions specified in the project budget funding plan described in the
WaterSMART Grant Application, as long as such funding has been appropriated by City
Council.
Section 5. That the City Manager will work with Reclamation to meet established
deadlines for entering into grant or cooperative agreements related to any award of a
WaterSMART Grant associated with the WaterSMART Grant Application attached to this
Resolution.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
20th day of October, A.D. 2020.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
OMB Number: 4040-0004
Expiration Date: 12/31/2022
* 1. Type of Submission:* 2. Type of Application:
* 3. Date Received: 4. Applicant Identifier:
5a. Federal Entity Identifier:5b. Federal Award Identifier:
6. Date Received by State:7. State Application Identifier:
* a. Legal Name:
* b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN):* c. Organizational DUNS:
* Street1:
Street2:
* City:
County/Parish:
* State:
Province:
* Country:
* Zip / Postal Code:
Department Name:Division Name:
Prefix:* First Name:
Middle Name:
* Last Name:
Suffix:
Title:
Organizational Affiliation:
* Telephone Number:Fax Number:
* Email:
* If Revision, select appropriate letter(s):
* Other (Specify):
State Use Only:
8. APPLICANT INFORMATION:
d. Address:
e. Organizational Unit:
f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application:
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
Preapplication
Application
Changed/Corrected Application
New
Continuation
Revision
09/17/2020 City of Fort Collins Utilities
City of Fort Collins
Fort Collins, City of
84-6000-587 0783625970000
300 Laporte Ave
Fort Collins
CO: Colorado
USA: UNITED STATES
80521-2719
Katie
Collins
Water Conservation Coordinator
970-416-4378
kcollins@fcgov.com
Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDTTracking Number:GRANT13205329
EXHIBIT A
* 9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type:
Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type:
Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type:
* Other (specify):
* 10. Name of Federal Agency:
11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:
CFDA Title:
* 12. Funding Opportunity Number:
* Title:
13. Competition Identification Number:
Title:
14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.):
* 15. Descriptive Title of Applicant's Project:
Attach supporting documents as specified in agency instructions.
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
C: City or Township Government
Bureau of Reclamation
15.507
WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America?s Resources for Tomorrow)
BOR-DO-21-F001
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2021
BOR-DO-21-F001
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2021
2022-2023 Xeriscape Incentive Program for HOA & Commercial Properties
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Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDTTracking Number:GRANT13205329
* a. Federal
* b. Applicant
* c. State
* d. Local
* e. Other
* f. Program Income
* g. TOTAL
.
Prefix:* First Name:
Middle Name:
* Last Name:
Suffix:
* Title:
* Telephone Number:
* Email:
Fax Number:
* Signature of Authorized Representative:* Date Signed:
18. Estimated Funding ($):
21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements
herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to
comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may
subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001)
** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency
specific instructions.
Authorized Representative:
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424
* a. Applicant
Attach an additional list of Program/Project Congressional Districts if needed.
* b. Program/Project
* a. Start Date:* b. End Date:
16. Congressional Districts Of:
17. Proposed Project:
CO-002 CO-002
Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment
07/01/2021 12/31/2023
200,000.00
128,976.00
0.00
0.00
260,000.00
0.00
588,976.00
a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on
b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review.
c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.
Yes No
Add Attachment Delete Attachment View Attachment
** I AGREE
Theresa
Connor
Interim Utilities Executive Director
970-221-6671
tconnor@fcgov.com
Kathleen Collins
* 20. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If "Yes," provide explanation in attachment.)
* 19. Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process?
09/17/2020
If "Yes", provide explanation and attach
Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDTTracking Number:GRANT13205329
ATTACHMENTS FORM
Instructions: On this form, you will attach the various files that make up your grant application. Please consult with the appropriate
Agency Guidelines for more information about each needed file. Please remember that any files you attach must be in the document format
and named as specified in the Guidelines.
15) Please attach Attachment 15
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2) Please attach Attachment 2
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Important: Please attach your files in the proper sequence. See the appropriate Agency Guidelines for details.
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Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDTTracking Number:GRANT13205329
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy
Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2021
Bureau of Reclamation FOA No. BOR-DO-21-F001
Fort Collins Utilities
Xeriscape Incentive Program for HOA & Commercial Properties 2022-2023
September 17, 2020
Fort Collins Utilities
222 Laporte Ave, PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Katie Collins, Project Manager
222 Laporte Ave, PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-416-4378
kcollins@fcgov.com
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY 2021 – BOR-DO-21-F001
i
Table of Contents
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL AND EVALUATION CRITERIA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
Project Summary 1
PROJECT LOCATION 2
TECHNICAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3
EVALUATION CRITERIA
E.1.1 Evaluation Criterion A—Quantifiable Water Savings (30 points) 7
E.1.2 Evaluation Criterion B—Water Supply Reliability (18 points) 10
E.1.5. Evaluation Criterion E—Department of the Interior Priorities (10 points) 14
E.1.6. Evaluation Criterion F—Implementation and Results (6 points) 15
E.1.7. Evaluation Criterion G—Nexus to Reclamation Project Activities (4 points) 17
E.1.8 Evaluation Criterion H—Additional Non-Federal Funding (4 points) 17
PROJECT BUDGET 18
FUNDING PLAN 18
BUDGET PROPOSAL 18
BUDGET NARRATIVE 18
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES COMPLIANCE 21
REQUIRED PERMITS OR APPROVALS 22
LETTERS OF SUPPORT 22
OFFICIAL RESOLUTION 23
UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER 23
List of Attachments
Letter of Support – Northern Water
Letter of Support – Colorado State Extension
Letter of Support – Oakridge VII HOA
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY 2021 – BOR-DO-21-F001
1
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL AND EVALUATION CRITERIA
Executive Summary
Date: September 17, 2020
Fort Collins Utilities
Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado
Project Manager:
Katie Collins
Xeriscape Program Manager
970-416-4378
kcollins@fcgov.com
Funding Group I
Grant Funding Request: $200,000
Non-Federal Matching Funds: $388,976
Total Project Cost: $588,976
Project Duration: 2 years
Estimated Project Completion Date: December 31, 2023
Located on Federal Facility: No
Unique Entity Identifier: 078362597
Project Summary
Beginning in 2019, Fort Collins Utilities (“Utilities”) successfully started expanding its single-
family residential Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP) to include commercial-scale landscapes.
The program has since provided financial incentives for businesses, homeowner associations
(HOAs) and other properties with commercially-sized potable water taps to undertake
landscape transformations. These projects reduce outdoor water use and increase resilience to
current and future climate conditions. This expansion was identified as necessary based on the
Utilities’ Water Efficiency Plan (www.fcgov.com/water-efficiency-plan), which identifies the
driving forces for the expansion as local climate challenges and increasing interest and need
from commercial customers. The majority of program funds will be used to reimburse up to
50% of the cost of approved project installations that demonstrate significant water savings
through the implementation of regionally appropriate landscape practices and plant materials,
and the appropriate use of high-efficiency irrigation equipment. Using pre- and post- water
budgets from past projects to calculate water savings - the average annual turf consumptive
use rate per unit area pre-project was 15 gallons per square foot. Post-project the average use
rate per unit was 7 gallons per square foot. This equates to an 8 gallon per square foot savings.
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With a total of $260k of rebate money funded to projects at $1.50 per square foot, we will fund
a minimum of 173,000 square feet of rebated area. At 8 gallons per square foot of estimated
savings, XIP will save a minimum of 1.4 million gallons annually or 4.3 acre-feet. Based on
previously proposed projects, through XIP the average project size is nearly 50,000 square feet,
far exceeding the 10,000 square foot per project maximum rebate amount. Based on that
average, funding 18 total projects at the maximum rebate amount but with average project
size of 50,000 square feet would amount to 900,000 total square feet of project area or 22
acre-feet of annual water savings.
Saving water on these landscapes is impactful for the individual customer, Fort Collins’ water
infrastructure and water reliability on the Front Range of Colorado and beyond.
Project Location
The City of Fort Collins (City) is located 65 miles north of Denver, Colorado in Larimer County.
Fort Collins Utilities service area boundaries for water do not perfectly match the City limits.
Figure 1 shows Fort Collins Utilities service area relative to other water district service areas and
City limits. Fort Collins Utilities currently serves about 75% of Fort Collins’ residents and
businesses. The Xeriscape Incentive Program is located in Fort Collins Utilities service area in
Fort Collins, Colorado USA. All funded projects will occur within Fort Collins Utilities’ service
area. The project latitude is 40°35’N and the longitude is 105°5’W. The weather and climate
conditions in this semi-arid region mean that nearly all landscapes require irrigation to survive.
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Figure 1. Water Service Area and surrounding Water District Boundaries.
Technical Project Description
Fort Collins Utilities requests funds in the amount of $200,000 to operate its Xeriscape
Incentive Program (XIP) for HOA & Commercial properties.
While we have a portfolio of other water conservation and efficiency programs, customers are
currently very interested in pursuing landscape change due to a recent rate increase that is
driving customers to address commercial landscape irrigation. The rate increase is associated
with the projected cost of acquiring additional water resources in an increasingly water-scarce
region of the West. The Colorado Front Range is one of the fastest growing regions and
population growth is putting pressure on water supplies. The rate heavily impacts irrigation
accounts and other commercial accounts that have an annual water allotment – that is, when
the customer uses more than their allotment in a calendar year, they face a hefty surcharge for
all water used for the remainder of the year. The allotment is based on the amount of water
provided for that account at the time of development; when customers go over the allotment,
Utilities needs to collect revenue to acquire additional water resources to meet the additional
demand. Reducing customer water demand benefits both the customer and Utilities - the
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY 2021 – BOR-DO-21-F001
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customer reduces their bill while Utilities reduces the need to acquire additional water
resources. As a result, we are seeking all opportunities to resource programs and services that
will help implement successful commercial-scale landscape transformation projects to address
this timely need, one of the most requested of which is XIP.
XIP provides a reimbursement of up to 50% of the project cost, or a maximum of $15,000 per
project, for transforming high-water use landscape to low- or no-water-use landscaping or
permeable hardscaping. Those who apply for the program (“Applicants”) are typically
converting water-intense landscapes, or “wall-to-wall Kentucky bluegrass” in favor of plants
and landscape features with a much lower water requirement, such as native grasslands and
low-water perennial and shrub beds. Funds are requested and awarded based on $1.50 per
square foot of area converted from high-water use to low-water use landscape. Applicants are
required to provide “before” photos, comprehensive landscape and irrigation plans including
details of landscape modifications that will support the new landscape, letters of support from
the surrounding community and estimated water savings. Applications are scored based on
evaluation criteria (Table 1) and are vetted by a cross-disciplinary team to provide additional
sound and professional feedback to help support and ensure greater project success.
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
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Table 1. XIP Application Evaluation Criteria
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Once approved, those who receive funds (“Recipient(s)”) are required to sign a legal customer
agreement, stipulating that the Recipient will complete the project as presented and provide
required documentation including progress reports at agreed upon deadlines. In addition to XIP
requirements, applicants are required to follow City Code including but not limited to erosion
control measures, planning and zoning review and approval process, and stormwater
considerations. Recipients are required to supply establishment and long-term management
plans that are then entered into official City documents tied to that property.
Outside of requirements outlined in the signed customer agreement, approved projects are
installed at the discretion of the Recipient’s project manager per project. The Recipient project
manager agrees to install the project within one year.
Utilities does not currently have sufficient funds to continue to fully fund the Xeriscape
Incentive Program for HOA & Commercial properties after 2021. The City of Fort Collins
organization and City Council is supportive of the program but due to COVID-19 budget
impacts, was unable to commit full funding to this important program as planned.
Duration Phase and Tasks/Milestones
Phase 1: Participant Coordination and Call for Applications
May 1 month Set up administration processes; adapt program materials as needed for new
program year.
June 1 month Begin advertising program and deadlines
July –
September 3 months Pre-application and project consultation period opens.
Oct. –
Nov. 2 months Full applications accepted
Phase 2: Application Review and Project Selection
Dec. –
January 2 months Review applications. Convene team to review and score applications based on
criteria.
February N/A Applicants notified.
February -
March 2 months Complete customer agreement meetings and documentation.
Phase 3: Implementation and Monitoring
April - Oct. 6 months
Monitor approved projects throughout installation to ensure success. Collect
water use data and irrigation schedules over the course of establishment to help
track water savings. Throughout this monitoring period, participants will submit
2 progress reports and 1 final report. 2 official site visits will occur while the
project is in progress and at substantial completion.
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY 2021 – BOR-DO-21-F001
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December
31 N/A Final participant project reports due
Phase 4: Project Review, Analysis and Follow-up
October -
Dec 2 months
Conduct additional analyses of all projects. Prepare and conduct report-outs to
regional partners, stakeholders and other community and industry groups as
appropriate.
Evaluation Criteria
E.1.1 Evaluation Criterion A—Quantifiable Water Savings (30 points)
Describe the amount of estimated water savings.
In 2020, seven projects are being funded through XIP. The total combined surface area of these
projects is 582,468 square feet. Using pre- and post- water budgets to calculate: the average
annual turf consumptive use rate per unit area pre-project was 15 gallons per square foot. Post-
project the average use rate per unit was 7 gallons per square foot. This equates to an 8 gallon
per square foot savings.
With a total of $260k of rebate money funded to projects at $1.50 per square foot, we will fund
a minimum of 173,000 square feet of rebated area. At 8 gallons per square foot of estimated
savings, XIP will save a minimum of 1.4 million gallons annually or 4.3 acre-feet. Based on
previously proposed projects, through XIP the average project size is nearly 50,000 square feet,
far exceeding the 10,000 square foot per project maximum rebate amount. Based on that
average, funding 18 total projects at the maximum rebate amount but with average project
size of 50,000 square feet would amount to 900,000 total square feet of project area or 22
acre-feet of annual water savings with this grant.
Describe current losses: Please explain where the water that will be conserved is currently going
(e.g., back to the stream, spilled at the end of the ditch, seeping into the ground)?
The water that is currently being over-applied to these water-intensive landscapes is lost
primarily from evaporation, runoff from the surface of the landscape, and deep percolation
through the soil profile.
Describe the support/documentation of estimated water savings: Please provide sufficient
detail supporting how the estimate was determined, including all supporting calculations.
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY 2021 – BOR-DO-21-F001
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Water savings estimates for each XIP participant are calculated using best practices outlined by
the Irrigation Association, Environmental Protection Agency, and GreenCO. For each project,
current and future annual efficient water budgets are calculated using:
0.623
· WB = Water Budget (gallons)
· ET = Evapotranspiration for the time period (in)
· PF = Plant Factor or turfgrass factor
· Re = Rainfall that is effective within the root zone (in)
· LA = Landscape Area (ft2)
· IE = Irrigation Efficiency (an expected efficiency that reflects management skills for
scheduling, sprinkler performance and maintenance)
If a property has multiple Hydrozones (e.g. spray high-water use turf and low-water drip shrub
beds) the calculation will be completed for each Hydrozone and then summed:
!"#$%&’()* +, -../0
1 23%45 6 !"789 :5;%8<8=> ;%?3 ’()* +, -../0
1 ;%?3
Based on our region, the following assumptions and data/guiding sources used to define each
variable include:
· ET = Evapotranspiration for the time period (in)
o Daily grass reference evapotranspiration values received from Northern Water’s Fort
Collins weather station. Weather data used for normalization dates to 2002.
· PF = Plant Factor or turfgrass factor
o High Hydrozone (e.g. Kentucky bluegrass, High Water Use Turf): 0.7
o Medium Hydrozone (e.g. Fine Fescue, Shrub Beds): 0.6
o Low Hydrozone (e.g. Native Grasses, Xeric Shrub Beds): 0.4
o Very Low Hydrozone (e.g. regionally adapted xeric shrubs : 0.25
o Guiding Resource: GreenCO’s Green Industry Best Management Practices for
Conservation and Protection of Water Resources in Colorado
· Re = Rainfall that is effective within the root zone (in)
o Available rainfall effective to root zone estimated to be 40% of actual rain fall.
Estimated using region’s soil type and Colorado State University’s available water
capacity methodology.
· LA = Landscape Area (ft2)
o Digitized using 2019 6-inch pictometry imagery.
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
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· IE = Irrigation Efficiency (an expected efficiency that reflects management skills for
scheduling, sprinkler performance and maintenance). If a Hydrozone includes multiples
irrigation types (e.g. spray and rotor), the least efficient is used in the calculation.
o Spray Irrigation Efficiency: 0.65
o Rotor Irrigation Efficiency: 0.7
o Drip Irrigation Efficiency: 0.85
o HE Rotor Irrigation Efficiency: 0.75
o Guiding Resource: Irrigation Association’s Landscape Water Management and
Planning Guide
Throughout their participation in XIP and beyond, participants’ water budgets are calculated
and reviewed monthly. Budgets are shared with the customer so landscapers, property
managers, and Utilities staff can monitor water use compared to efficient budgets. These
monthly checkpoints ensure projects are applying water appropriately during and after
landscape establishment.
Please address the following questions according to the type of infrastructure improvement
you are proposing for funding.
Infrastructure Improvement type: Turf Removal
a. How have average annual water savings estimates been determined? Please provide all relevant
calculations, assumptions, and supporting data.
Average annual water savings are estimated by comparing the weather normalized efficient
water budgets pre and post project (calculated using process described above). The weather
normalized budgets consider 17 years of weather data taken from Northern Water’s Fort
Collins weather station.
b. What is the total surface area of turf to be removed and what is the estimated average annual
turf consumptive use rate per unit area?
With a total of $260k of rebate money funded to projects at $1.50 per square foot, we will fund
a minimum of 173,000 square feet of rebated area. At 8 gallons per square foot of estimated
savings, XIP will save a minimum of 1.4 million gallons annually or 4.3 acre-feet. Based on
previously proposed projects, through XIP the average project size is nearly 50,000 square feet,
far exceeding the 10,000 square foot per project maximum rebate amount. Based on that
average, funding 18 total projects at the maximum rebate amount but with average project
size of 50,000 square feet would amount to 900,000 total square feet of project area or 22
acre-feet of annual water savings with this grant.
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
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Using data from previous projects, we estimated the average annual post-project turf
consumptive use rate per unit is 7 gallons per square foot.
c. Was historical water consumption data evaluated to estimate average annual turf consumptive
use per unit area? If so, did the evaluation include a weather adjustment component?
Historical water use will be compared to pre- and post- project water budgets to evaluate
savings for each project. Using budgets to capture savings ensures that savings from behavioral
changes, as well as savings from landscape changes, are captured appropriately. Actual water
use will be weather normalized using data from Northern Water Conservancy District’s Fort
Collins weather station in the years following project installation.
d. Will site audits be performed before applicants are accepted into the program?
Prior to submitting a final application for funding consideration, Applicants must first schedule a
site visit with Staff. During the site visit, staff and applicant will discuss feasibility of project,
make suggestions to achieve better water savings and provide resources and tasks to plan for in
the upcoming process, such as approval through the development review process and
discussions with City Forestry.
e. How will actual water savings be verified upon completion of the project?
All participants are required to participate in Utilities’ Landscape Water Budget program and
must enroll in MyWater. MyWater is the online portal that connects the water user to hourly
water use through Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data. Customers may set up many
kinds of alerts in MyWater, including near immediate continuous water consumption, which
often is an indication of a leak. Using AMI, MyWater and Landscape Water Budgets, staff will
calculate actual water savings upon completion of the project by totaling pre-project monthly
budgets at the end of the year and comparing to weather normalized water use post-project.
Post-project water budgets will also be used to ensure that participants are watering
landscapes effectively.
E.1.2 Evaluation Criterion B—Water Supply Reliability (18 points)
Utilities Water Reliability Concerns
Fort Collins Utilities is a municipally owned utility primarily supplied by two surface water
sources: the Cache la Poudre River (Poudre River) and the Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT)
Project. Combined, Utilities delivers an average of 26,000 acre-feet of treated water for
municipal uses.
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An average year yields 75,245 acre-feet of water, if all rights were fully usable; however, due to
legal and capacity constraints, present yield available for municipal use is much less. Utilities is
actively trying to address these issues. XIP addresses strains on the water system including
population growth, climate change, impacts to the water delivery system and more.
Utilities serves approximately 35,500 water accounts and 133,000 people. Eighty-two percent
of accounts are single family residential customers, 11 percent are duplex or multifamily
accounts, and 7 percent are commercial (including irrigation accounts). The Utilities’ current
planning level is 150 gallons per capita per day (gpcd), however Utilities also has an efficiency
goal of 130 gpcd by 2030. The population within the service area is expected to increase by
35,000 residents in the next 30 years (Figure 2), further increasing the demand on our water
supplies.
Figure 2. Projected Treated Water Demand and Population
In addition to a growing population and increasing strain on the water supply, climate change
could significantly impact the reliability of Utilities’ water supplies and the amount of water
required to maintain existing landscapes. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns,
and early snowmelt runoff will increase water demands on our landscapes.
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
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Addressing Water Reliability and other impacts
Water supply delivery system: This project will reduce demand on the surface water supply
delivery system, which will help avoid or delay costs associated with purchasing new water
supplies. Utilities anticipates needing to acquire approximately $25.5 million worth of
additional water rights, some of which can be avoided through cost-effective conservation
projects. It costs the Utility $66 per 1,000 gallons of water to develop new water supplies.
Based on 2019 data, the cost of the Xeriscape Incentive Program is $17 per 1,000 gallons saved,
a 74% savings over developing new water supplies. Reducing water demands increases the
reliability of existing water supplies and reduces the need to acquire new, expensive water
supplies. By reducing irrigation needs, XIP will also reduce peak season and peak day demands.
A lower peak demand will delay and/or reduces the size and cost of future expansions to
treatment and delivery infrastructure.
Water supply reliability: Landscape changes improve resiliency to drought and climate change.
The region is currently experiencing drought conditions in addition to devastating wildfires
burning in Utilities’ watershed. Drought and water shortages due to fire or other natural
disasters are an important and increasingly frequent reminder to strive for resilience. Through
XIP, participants will proactively establish more tolerant landscapes that require less water
long-term, allowing communities and Utilities to navigate future shortages and warmer, drier
climate conditions with fewer impacts. There is a potential for a Compact Call on the Colorado
River, which could impact Utilities’ water supplies from the Colorado-Big Thompson project.
Reducing long-term demand reduces reliance on this potentially less reliable water supply.
Benefits to other users
Agriculture and recreation benefits: Conservation efforts can help to provide more water for
beneficial uses beyond normal municipal purposes. For example, the area around Fort Collins
continues to be a productive agricultural area, which in addition to representing economic
activity, also provide significant open space outside of Fort Collins that is desired by many
residents. When possible, making some of the City’s surplus water available for these purposes
provides supplemental revenue for the Utility and its customers. The potential environmental
benefits of conserved water are also important. These include providing additional flow for the
local stream systems, in-stream flow programs, improvements in water quality, improvements
in aquatic and riparian ecosystems, enhanced recreational opportunities, and aesthetics,
among other benefits.
Geographic scope of benefits (local, sub-basin, basin): The program will include landscape
transformation projects in the Cache la Poudre sub-basin of the South Platte River basin. By
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reducing overall water use, the program will reduce demands on water supplies in both the
South Platte River basin as well as the Colorado River Basin (Colorado-Big Thompson project).
Encourage Collaboration and Additional Benefits
Increased collaboration: Throughout our region and from our customers, we often hear there
are not enough examples of commercial-scale water-wise landscapes. By financially supporting
the participants who are ready to make a landscape change now, we are adding to a bank of
examples that other customers, utilities and regions can pull from. Results and other
information from this project will be shared through a variety of venues. Utilities is a member
of the Rocky Mountain Section of American Water Works Association (AWWA) Conservation
Committee, where conservation professionals regularly meet to discuss topics like water
efficiency programs, landscape change, drought planning and more. Utilities partners with
other water service providers and managers in the immediate Fort Collins area and meets
regularly with City Planners to discuss how to address water needs and develop land wisely
given high projected population growth. Utilities is a member of Colorado WaterWise, a
regional organization focused on connecting urban water efficiency stakeholders; information
can be shared through their newsletter and/or through their webinar series. Utilities regularly
attends and presents at regional and national conferences. We anticipate presenting the results
of this program at future conferences.
Data and examples of commercial-scale landscape projects such as those supported by XIP are
helping to bolster additional efforts and earn support from City leadership. Currently, Utilities’
Water Supply Requirement for developers is undergoing an overhaul. With attractive examples
of large waterwise landscapes in addition to data showing major water savings, Utilities is
better equipped to mandate more stringent water requirements and developers are further
incentivized and motivated to pursue regionally appropriate landscapes. These projects provide
local and real examples to the City Planning department and City leadership and Council who
are getting on board to support landscapes that step away from the normal wall-to-wall
Kentucky bluegrass landscape—a landscape that is not well adapted to Fort Collins climate
conditions.
Since expanding XIP, Utilities has become more collaborative with the City’s Nature in the City
Program (NIC), the mission of which is to increase native landscapes in Fort Collins. Nature in
the City is very interested in XIP efforts as they have historically encouraged large swaths of
native plantings, supporting native wildlife and pollinators. NIC and Utilities continue to find
ways to leverage the others’ goals through mutually beneficial partnerships on programs such
as this one.
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Additional benefits: These transformation projects will demonstrate attractive low water-use
landscapes, which can boost local support for water efficiency programs and serve as examples
for other HOAs or businesses who are contemplating landscape changes. They will help to
improve familiarity and comfort with low-water and native landscapes. The program will
improve water literacy in the community by educating participants and relevant stakeholders
on water use, climate change, water rates, the cost/value of water service, drought planning,
water supply planning, and more. These “additional” benefits are significant as many Fort
Collins residents are transplants from other parts of the country and are unfamiliar with climate
and water resources challenges in this region.
Benefits to local sectors and economies: Due to the scope of commercial projects, all
participants are expected to utilize professional design, irrigation, hardscaping, and/or
landscaping companies. Participants and their contractors will utilize local and regional vendors
and nurseries that specialize in high-efficiency irrigation equipment, and drought tolerant and
waterwise plant materials. As an example, between the 2017 – 2019 seasons of the residential
Xeriscape Program managed by the department, total rebates paid were $98,902, while total
project costs equaled $571,115. This suggests that every $1 of rebate incentive generates about
$6 worth of economic activity in our local green industry. Furthermore, the future maintenance
and management of the new landscapes will support local landscape management companies,
which is not captured in this value.
E.1.5. Evaluation Criterion E—Department of the Interior Priorities (10 points)
The City of Fort Collins and Fort Collins Utilities aims to be leaders in conservation stewardship.
This proposal aligns with other local planning efforts across the City of Fort Collins. Fort Collins
has an ambitious Climate Action Plan. While emissions related to water plays a relatively small
role in mitigating climate change (our system is nearly all gravity fed and requires little
pumping), we know that addressing water use will be critical in adapting to climate change.
Utilities has conducted a vulnerability study to understand how various vulnerabilities, like
climate change or an impact to infrastructure, will affect water supplies and demand. The
results of this show that a hotter, drier climate is in our future and this will require the
community to move toward more drought-resilient and heat-tolerant landscapes.
Additionally, the City of Fort Collins recently overhauled its comprehensive plan known as “City
Plan.” A core value is sustainability, specifically that “Fort Collins is resilient and forward
thinking” and that Utilities manage its water resources for a changing climate. Several policies
within City Plan identify the need to address water efficiency and conservation, including the
need to promote reductions in outdoor water use, similar to Reclamation’s priority 1.
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E.1.6. Evaluation Criterion F—Implementation and Results (6 points)
E.1.6.1. Subcriterion F.1—Project Planning
1. Identify any district-wide, or system-wide, planning that provides support for the proposed
project. This could include a Water Conservation Plan, SOR, Drought Contingency Plan or other
planning efforts done to determine the priority of this project in relation to other potential
projects.
Fort Collins Utilities has a long-standing Water Conservation Program (since 1977) and has been
proactively planning since the early 1990s. The first Water Demand Management Plan was
created in 1992 and has evolved over the years to what is now two documents: the Water
Supply and Demand Management Policy (WSDMP) and our Water Efficiency Plan (WEP). The
original 1992 plan stated that “water is a limited and vital resource which must be used
efficiently and wisely…the implementation of additional water conservation practices will
benefit the City of Fort Collins by helping to assure continued reliable short- and long-term
supplies…”. The WSDMP directs staff to develop strategies to ensure certain levels of service,
one being to meet demands in a 1-in-50 year drought. As drought is expected to become more
frequent and/or severe, Utilities needs to take on new strategies to prepare our community for
a changing climate.
2. Describe how the project conforms to and meets the goals of any applicable planning efforts
and identify any aspect of the project that implements a feature of an existing water plan(s).
The WEP, approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and City of Fort Collins City
Council in 2016, outlines five critical strategies to achieve the overall goal of reducing our
service area’s water use to 130 gallons per capita per day. This requires an 11 percent reduction
from 2015 use. XIP directly addresses four (shown in bold text) of the five critical strategies and
will inform the remaining strategy focused on new development:
1. Leverage Advanced Meter Fort Collins data and capabilities
2. Promote and support greater outdoor water efficiency
3. Expand commercial and industrial strategies
4. Increase community water literacy
5. Encourage greater integration of water efficiency into land use planning and building
codes
The proposal to support XIP is a direct result of our work to address outdoor water use (2) and
work more with commercial customers (3). The results of the proposed program will extend
beyond the immediate participants by serving as demonstrations and resources to help others
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adapt Western landscapes to a changing climate, increasing community water literacy (4). As
noted in Evaluation Criteria A, commercial-scale landscape transformations through XIP have
the potential 22 acre-feet of annual water savings with this grant. Advanced Metering Data (1)
in conjunction with the Landscape Water Budget program will provide water-savings data
specific to each account. The Water Efficiency Plan is available here: fcgov.com/water-
efficiency-plan.
E.1.6.2. Subcriterion F.2—Performance Measures
Success of this program is based on actual water savings achieved by Recipients. Because
landscapes require two to three years of establishment (elevated) irrigation, we know that
actual water savings cannot be measured until year three after installation. By that time, given
tools such as a monthly Landscape Water Budget and MyWater, customers should have
tapered off establishment watering to an “established landscape” level. Utilities is committed
to tracking the success of these projects through the aforementioned programs for years
following project installation.
E.1.6.3. Subcriterion F.3—Readiness to Proceed
Phase 1: Participant Coordination and Call for Applications
Application will be setup in application platform. After project consultation meetings, applicants will submit full
applications for consideration.
Phase 2: Application Review and Project Selection
Applications reviewed, selected and provided additional feedback for success.
Phase 3: Implementation and Monitoring
Projects installed and monitored by XIP staff. Data collected as projects progress.
Phase 4: Project Review, Analysis and Follow-up
Water use and installation data analyzed.
· Describe any permits that will be required, along with the process for obtaining such permits.
Permits are not required to be obtained by Staff directly. Instead, Recipients are required to
meet all Minor Amendment requirements with the City Planning department. Minor
Amendment approval is based on the review by several City departments of landscape and
irrigation plans, and landscape establishment and long-term maintenance plans. Based on
installation/implementation an erosion control permit may be required of the participant.
· Identify and describe any engineering or design work performed specifically in support of the
proposed project.
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Recipients are responsible for all landscape and irrigation design work associated with their
specific project.
· Describe any new policies or administrative actions required to implement the project.
No new policies or administrative action needs to take place to implement this project.
E.1.7. Evaluation Criterion G—Nexus to Reclamation Project Activities (4 points)
Is the proposed project connected to Reclamation project activities? If so, how? Please consider
the following:
· Does the applicant receive Reclamation project water?
The Colorado-Big Thompson Project (C-BT) is a Reclamation project. Utilities owns about 18,855
units of C-BT water. Deliveries depend on the annual quota set by Northern Water each year.
Quotas can range from annual yields of 9,400 acre-feet to 18,800 acre-feet.
E.1.8 Evaluation Criterion H—Additional Non-Federal Funding (4 points)
Non-Federal Funding: $388,976
Total Project Cost : $588,976
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PROJECT BUDGET
Funding Plan and Letters of Commitment
Utilities requests $200,000 from the Bureau of Reclamation. The total cost of the Xeriscape
Incentive Program for 2022-2023 is $588,976.
· $200,000 of Bureau of Reclamation money will be used for landscape project rebates.
· Utilities commits to providing $60,000 in cash from budgeted department funds.
$60,000 will be used for landscape project rebates. Utilities commits to $68,976 of in-
kind services for a total amount of $128,976 to pursue this program with funds available
immediately.
· Recipients of the funds through XIP are required to match the rebate amount dollar for
dollar for a total of $260,000. Recipients will provide invoices to show funding match.
Budget Proposal
Table 2. --Total Project Cost Table
SOURCE AMOUNT
Costs to be reimbursed with the requested Federal funding $200,000
Costs to be paid by the application (City of Fort Collins) $128,976
Value of third-party contributions $260,000
TOTAL PROJECT COST $588,976
Table 3. --Budget Proposal Table
Budget Item
Description
Funding
source
Computation Quantity
Type
TOTAL
COST $/Unit Quantity
Salaries and Wages
Water Conservation
Manager
Applicant -
in-kind $42.00 200 Hours $8,400
Project Manager -
Water Conservation
Landscape Coordinator
Applicant -
in-kind
$28.00 942 Hours $26,376
Program Specialist Applicant -
in-kind $28.00 600 Hours $16,800
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Water Conservation
Irrigation Coordinator
Applicant -
in-kind $28.00 300 Hours $8,400
Water Conservation
Intern
Applicant -
in-kind $15.00 600 Hours $9,000
Third-Party Contributions
Recipient match
funding
Recipient -
cash
$1.50/square
foot 173333 $260,000
Other
Project rebates Applicant -
cash
$1.50/square
foot 40,000 Rebate $60,000
Project rebates Reclamation
$1.50/square
foot 133,333 Rebate $200,000
TOTAL ESTIMATED PROGRAM COSTS $588,976
Budget Narrative
Detailed in the Technical Project Description there are four major phases for this program:
Participant Coordination and Call for Applications (Phase 1); Application Review and Project
Selection (Phase 2); Implementation and Monitoring (Phase 3); Project Review, Analysis and
Follow-up (Phase 4).
Salaries and Wages
Water Conservation Manager
• In phase 1, the Water Conservation Manager will offer review of the program application
materials.
• In phase 2, the Manager will attend review sessions introducing the pool of selected
applicants and will attend one or two project launch meetings.
• In phase 3, the Manager will participate and present in share-out meetings with regional
partners and stakeholders and review Reclamation reporting.
• In phase 4, the Manager will review final data and report out to regional partners and
stakeholders on the results of projects.
Water Conservation Manager total project hours: 200
Total Water Conservation Manager cost: $8,400
Project Manager – Katie Collins, Water Conservation Landscape Coordinator
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• In phase 1, the Project Manager will finalize application processes, field participant questions
as needed, and conduct on-site consultation meetings with potential applicants.
• In phase 2, the Project Manager will review and score applications and attend and consult for
Project Launch Meetings. The Project Manager is responsible for enrolling and coaching
applicants through the Landscape Water Budget program. Other items include working on
interim program reporting.
• In phase 3, the Project Manager will perform on-site visits as dictated by Project Monitoring
Plans and offer support through Landscape Water Budget and MyWater programs.
• In phase 4, the Project Manager will conduct exit visits and work on final reporting for
Reclamation and water saved.
Project Manager total project hours: 942
Total Project Manager cost = $26,376
Program Specialist
• In phase 1, the Specialist will assist the Project Manager in finalizing the application process
and fielding customer questions as needed. The Specialist will also set up the administrative
processes necessary for rebate processing and provide educational materials to commercial
customers.
• In phase 2, the Specialist will assist the Project Manager in reviewing applications. The
Specialist will attend initial Project Launch Meetings and will review landscape plans and
communicate with the Project Manager about feasibility and maintenance considerations. The
Landscape Coordinator will coordinate with the Zoning department to shepherd applicants
through the Zoning permitting process.
• In phase 3, the Specialist will attend on-site visits as indicated by Project Monitoring Plans to
track progress and offer support and collect necessary data and photos.
• In phase 4, the Specialist will assist in exit meetings, reporting, and collection of final
paperwork needed to process rebates.
Landscape Coordinator total project hours: 600
Total Landscape Coordinator cost: $16,800
Water Conservation Irrigation Coordinator
• In phase 1, the Irrigation Coordinator will offer support in reviewing application and related
educational materials.
• In phase 2, the Irrigation Coordinator will review irrigation plans and communicate with the
Project Manager regarding irrigation feasibility and maintenance considerations. The
Coordinator will attend Project Launch Meetings to offer feedback and project support.
• In phase 3, the Irrigation Coordinator will attend on-site visits as necessary.
• In phase 4, the Irrigation Coordinator will assist in exit meetings and reporting.
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Irrigation Coordinator total projects hours: 300
Total Irrigation Coordinator cost: $8,400
Water Conservation Intern
• The Water Conservation Intern will report to the Project Manager, providing the majority of
assistance through GIS assignments for the Landscape Budget Program, data entry, customer
water-use analysis, and customer communications
Water Conservation Intern total project hours: 600
Total Water Conservation Intern cost: $9,000
Other Expenses
Funding from Reclamation and Utilities would cover applicant rebates. The rebate amount is
funded at $1.50/square foot of area converted from high-water to low-water landscape, for a
maximum of 10,000 square feet or $15,000 per project.
Total rebate cost: $260,000
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES COMPLIANCE
Project impact to surrounding environment - All work will be completed on private
property landscapes and irrigation systems. Some earth-disturbing work will include
watered and maintained turf-grasses being replaced with low- or no-water-use
landscaping, as well as modifying or replacing irrigation systems to accommodate new
low-water use landscapes.
Project Impact to threatened or endangered species - While there is no critical habitat
in the project’s area, areas along the Poudre River, one of our two primary sources of
water, is a critical habitat for the Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse. Decreasing demand
along reaches of the river may have indirect habitat benefits for the mouse.
Project Impact on wetlands and surface waters - Horsetooth Reservoir and the Poudre
River both fall under CWA jurisdiction as “Waters of the United States.” While the
project will occur on private property, there may be indirect benefits of by reducing
long-term demand on these surface water sources.
When was the water delivery system constructed? - The first waterworks was built in
1883. A Public Works water department was established in the early 1900s, after
obtaining senior water rights on the Poudre River, expanding the system. In 1938 the
Department of Utilities was created, and the delivery system has continued to grow to
meet the population’s demand as needed.
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Project Impact on irrigation systems - Depending on the project, modifications to
private property irrigation systems will be needed to accommodate the new low- or no-
water-use landscaping. There are no planned modifications to the Utilities’ water
system.
Project Impact on Historic Places - There are multiple buildings and sites registered on
the National Register of Historic Places within the Utilities’ service area, however
projects will not impact these sites.
Project Impact on Known Archeological Sites - There are no known archeological sites
in the project area.
Project Impact on Low Income or Minority Populations - The project will be open to
any Utilities’ customer and will not have any disproportionately high and adverse effect
on low income or minority populations
Project Impact on Sacred Site or Tribal Lands - The project will have no impact on
Indian sacred sites or tribal lands.
Project Impact on the spread of noxious weeds or non-native invasive species - The
project will only allow installation of regionally adapted or native plants. Spread of
noxious weeds and non-native invasive species is prohibited by Fort Collins Land-Use
Code and will be further enforced through project Monitoring Plans, and project design
(e.g. mulching).
REQUIRED PERMITS OR APPROVALS
Utilities does not anticipate any permit requirements as all work will be completed on private
property on landscapes and irrigation systems. No new policies or modifications to existing
policies are required to implement this program, other than the Fort Collins City Council’s
approval and execution of the grant agreement with Reclamation.
LETTERS OF SUPPORT
Letters of support from the following entities are included:
Northern Water, the public agency which manages the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, has
long been an invaluable regional partner for Fort Collins Utilities. They have experts in
horticulture and irrigation technology and have been leaders in researching and demonstrating
low-water landscape options. Northern Water has agreed to partner on our complementary
efforts to create a larger network of local efficiency projects that can serve has high-value
demonstration sites. Frank Kinder has written a letter of support on behalf of Northern Water.
See Attachment 1.
Colorado State University Extension has and continues to be a great partner for Fort Collins
Utilities Staff and our community. They are willing to provide input and support based on their
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wide range of real-world and academic expertise. Alison O’Connor provided a written letter of
support for this grant on behalf of the University. See Attachment 2.
Susan Gilbert, a local homeowner in the Oakridge VII neighborhood provided a written letter of
support, detailing the recent success of the Oakridge HOA’s implementation of a XIP-supported
project. See Attachment 3.
OFFICIAL RESOLUTION
The Official Resolution will be presented to City Council in October. After the City Council
meeting, Fort Collins Utilities will email the Official Resolution to jgerman@usbr.gov.
UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER
078362597
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
September 16, 2020
Bureau of Reclamation
Financial Assistance Operations
Attn: Ned Weakland
P.O. Box 25007, MS 84-27814
Denver, CO 80225
Dear Ned Weakland:
I am writing to support Fort Collins Utilities (FCU) application for a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Small
Water Efficiency Grant to fund the Xeriscape Incentive Program for commercial landscape conversion.
Statewide, water providers have identified an important need for improved water efficiency in HOA and
commercial landscape layout and management. Many older, existing landscapes often contain antiquated
landscape designs and components that use excessive water, are difficult to manage, expensive to
maintain, and represent consumption demands not in line with evolving expectations and requirements.
The FCU grant program expands the existing Xeriscape Incentive Program to the commercial
sector, supporting the transition of larger even more impactful landscapes to more water efficient formats.
Typical impactful changes include irrigation system upgrades, improved water application methods, and
landscape revisions. Within Northern Colorado, these localized efficiency projects can offer accessible,
appropriate, and available conversion examples, which can serve as tour locations and case studies. More
so, landscape conversion grants leverage the limited reserve account capital improvement funds available
from these customer groups, allowing for maximum value investments and results. The program offers
additional benefits of improved water efficiency literacy and advocacy among grant applicants,
participants, and involved agents. These grants also complement existing FCU programs, facilitating
meaningful next step actions after audits and recommendations.
As changes to climate, supply variability, and demand continue, the nation, state, region, and especially
the arid west benefit from facilitating large scale urban landscape conversions that offer direct
opportunities for significant water savings by providing high-value demonstrations of before and after
water efficiency projects. Such projects embody the use of conservation best management practices.
Finally, supporting this innovative grant program complements Northern Water's Water Efficiency
Program efforts by encouraging impactful landscape conversion projects throughout Northern Colorado.
Sincerely,
Frank Kinder
Water Efficiency Program Manager
Northern Water
ｄｯ｣ｵｓｩｧｮ＠ｅｮｶ･ｬｯｰ･＠ｉｄＺ＠ＰｃｄｆＴｅｅｃＭＵｂＴＱＭＴｂＲＶＭｂＷｃＴＭＶＱＶｃｃｃｃａＷＵｆＲ
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Certificate Of Completion
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Subject: Please DocuSign: Letter_in_Support_of_Fort_Collins_Utilities.pdf
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llarmon@northernwater.org
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All notices and disclosures will be sent to you electronically
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Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
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Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
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Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
September 15, 2020
Dear United States Bureau of Reclamation Water and Energy Efficiency Grant Board Members,
I fully support the City of Fort Collins’s application for a United States Bureau of Reclamation Water
and Energy Efficiency grant to support a commercial landscape conversion program. In my current
position, working for Colorado State University Extension in Larimer County as the horticulture agent,
I work in a collaborative nature with the City of Fort Collins and their water conservation efforts. One
of Extension’s outreach efforts is a program called “Lawncheck” which offers on-site turf diagnostics.
This program targets both homeowners and homeowner associations (HOAs). In my experience,
most HOAs and larger multi-family complexes are trying to find ways to reduce water consumption on
their properties and common areas, whether it be replacing irrigation heads, adjusting irrigation
cycles, or changing current plant material to waterwise options. Colorado was the seventh fastest
growing state in 2018 and the increased population means there are increased pressures on available
water. Fort Collins is also growing, ranking 15th in Colorado as one of the fastest growing cities.
The City’s proposal to reduce water use through landscape conversions or irrigation technology
upgrades would allow HOAs to apply for funding to assist with these changes. While many HOAs are
interested in conversion options, they are often faced with the inability to make these changes due to
budget restrictions. Further, the projects funded by this grant would require the communities to
demonstrate water savings through follow-up assessments. The goal of these conversions is to
increase water literacy in the City, as well as support other program efforts, such as Nature in the City
and the Xeriscape Incentive Program. These programs support beautifying green space in city limits
and encouraging homeowners to be more water efficient.
Urban green space is a key part of all communities and the benefits of landscapes are numerous.
Most residents are interested in water conservation but become discouraged when they crunch the
numbers and factor in costs, labor, and maintenance. Supporting this grant effort would help alleviate
some of the budgeting constraints and allow HOAs to pursue these options. As projects come into
fruition, they can become “models” of what other communities can consider doing to do their part to
support water conservation.
The City of Fort Collins has always been a leader for water conservation and supporting their grant
will continue the positive impacts they have had on the community and reducing water use.
Sincerely,
Alison O’Connor, PhD
Horticulture
Colorado State University Extension in Larimer County
1525 Blue Spruce Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524-2004
(970) 498-6000
FAX: (970) 498-6025
www.larimer.org/ext
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
Susan Gilbert
5030 Saffron Court
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Mr. Ned Weakland
Bureau of Reclamation
Financial Assistance Operations
P.O. Box 25007 MS: 84-27815
Denver, CO 80225
Dear Mr. Weakland:
The Oakridge Village VII Homeowner’s Association and its partners fully support the City of Fort Collins’ application to
the Bureau of Reclamation Water and Energy Grant for the Fiscal Year 2021. Our HOA and partners (Oakridge Village
VIII HOA and the Oakridge Village Business Park) own a 10.1-acre detention basin which has been developed as a park.
In 2018 we were notified that overallotment fees would begin to be charged to our water usage and could result in
additional annual costs of approximately $18,000. Apparently, the developer installed an undersized tap 30 years ago.
We investigated options and surveyed all residents and the business park as to what solutions they would support and
decided that we would convert a portion of the park into native grasses and xeric plant beds. As we estimated how
much bluegrass turf needed to be converted and the cost of doing a conversion, we quickly realized that it was an
expensive task, especially as we had to deal with a 30 year old irrigation system that would require many changes to
accommodate temporary irrigation of new native grasses and new driplines to water trees and shrubs in the conversion
areas. Even though converting turf would save water and money in the long run it was going to be difficult to convince
homeowners and the business park to invest so much to get it done and that spreading out the project over multiple
years was undesirable as it would take several years and the conversion areas would look pretty awful during the
process. We began to search for grant money.
We were fortunate to receive a grant in 2019 to convert 1.4 acres of blue grass to native grasses from Northern Water.
However, our calculations and those of the city’s utility group, indicated that we would still likely come in over our
allotment in future years if we did not convert more acreage. Plus, we had also cut back on watering overall and
realized we had a real problem area on a south facing hill, that was always going to be difficult to water efficiently. So,
we applied for the Xeric Incentive Program (XIP) Grant for the 2020 season so that we could convert just under an acre
of blue grass to a combination of native grasses, xeric/native shrubs, and a large cedar mulch bed. Receiving this grant
meant that we could complete the conversions in a timely manner and could prove to residents that we could both
have a landscape that was water efficient and attractive.
As a representative of the HOA and the “project manager” of these conversions, I can honestly say that I don’t think the
HOA boards or the residents would have embraced this type of change if it had not been for grant money. The total
price tag for these conversions was about $60,000. We would have had to do a piecemeal approach to the conversions
to stay within an annual budget that did not require raising HOA dues. If we had tried to increase dues, there was a
contingency of homeowners who would have preferred to just pay more dues and pay the overage fees to keep the
entire park in blue grass, watering large expanses of blue grass turf with potable water.
Our ultimate goal (and we are already close) is to save two million gallons of water each year from our historic usage.
The conversions we have done now showcase what other HOAs, homeowners, or other community groups can achieve
and how much water they can save. Northern Colorado is growing rapidly, and water is a precious commodity, but
unfortunately without incentives such as the XIP grant, I’m afraid the barrier to change is still too high. Hopefully this
program and others like it will continue to support and foster the much-needed change to water efficient landscapes.
Sincerely,
Susan Gilbert
Tracking Number:GRANT13205329 Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDT
OMB Number: 4040-0008
Expiration Date: 02/28/2022
BUDGET INFORMATION - Construction Programs
NOTE: Certain Federal assistance programs require additional computations to arrive at the Federal share of project costs eligible for participation. If such is the case, you will be notified.
COST CLASSIFICATION a. Total Cost
FEDERAL FUNDING
b. Costs Not Allowable
for Participation
c. Total Allowable Costs
(Columns a-b)
1. Administrative and legal expenses
2. Land, structures, rights-of-way, appraisals, etc.
3. Relocation expenses and payments
4. Architectural and engineering fees
5. Other architectural and engineering fees
6. Project inspection fees
7. Site work
8. Demolition and removal
9. Construction
10. Equipment
11. Miscellaneous
12. SUBTOTAL (sum of lines 1-11)
14. SUBTOTAL
15. Project (program) income
17. Federal assistance requested, calculate as follows:
(Consult Federal agency for Federal percentage share.)
Enter the resulting Federal share.
16. TOTAL PROJECT COSTS (subtract #15 from #14)
13. Contingencies
Enter eligible costs from line 16c Multiply X
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
%
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
68,976.00 68,976.00
520,000.00 520,000.00
588,976.00 588,976.00
588,976.00 588,976.00
588,976.00 588,976.00
34 200,251.84
Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDTTracking Number:GRANT13205329
OMB Number: 4040-0009
Expiration Date: 02/28/2022
ASSURANCES - CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS
PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT
AND BUDGET. SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSORING AGENCY.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of
information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for
reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0042), Washington, DC 20503.
Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your project or program. If you have questions, please contact the
Awarding Agency. Further, certain Federal assistance awarding agencies may require applicants to certify to additional
assurances. If such is the case, you will be notified.
As the duly authorized representative of the applicant:, I certify that the applicant:
NOTE:
1.Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance,
and the institutional, managerial and financial capability
(including funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share
of project costs) to ensure proper planning,
management and completion of project described in
this application.
2.Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General
of the United States and, if appropriate, the State,
the right to examine all records, books, papers, or
documents related to the assistance; and will establish
a proper accounting system in accordance with
generally accepted accounting standards or agency
directives.
3.Will not dispose of, modify the use of, or change the
terms of the real property title or other interest in the
site and facilities without permission and instructions
from the awarding agency. Will record the Federal
awarding agency directives and will include a covenant
in the title of real property acquired in whole or in part
with Federal assistance funds to assure non-
discrimination during the useful life of the project.
4.Will comply with the requirements of the assistance
awarding agency with regard to the drafting, review and
approval of construction plans and specifications.
5.Will provide and maintain competent and adequate
engineering supervision at the construction site to
ensure that the complete work conforms with the
approved plans and specifications and will furnish
progressive reports and such other information as may be
required by the assistance awarding agency or State.
6.Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable
time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency.
7.Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from
using their positions for a purpose that constitutes or
presents the appearance of personal or organizational
conflict of interest, or personal gain.
8.Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act
of 1970 (42 U.S.C. §§4728-4763) relating to prescribed
standards of merit systems for programs funded
under one of the 19 statutes or regulations specified in
Appendix A of OPM's Standards for a Merit System of
Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F).
9.Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning
Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. §§4801 et seq.) which
prohibits the use of lead-based paint in construction or
rehabilitation of residence structures.
10.Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to non-
discrimination. These include but are not limited to: (a)
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352)
which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race,
color or national origin; (b) Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. §§1681
1683, and 1685-1686), which prohibits discrimination
on the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29) U.S.C.
§794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of
handicaps; (d) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as
amended (42 U.S.C. §§6101-6107), which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse
Office and Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as
amended relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of
drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation
Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to
nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse or
alcoholism; (g) §§523 and 527 of the Public Health
Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C. §§290 dd-3 and 290 ee
3), as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol
and drug abuse patient records; (h) Title VIII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. §§3601 et seq.), as
amended, relating to nondiscrimination in the sale,
rental or financing of housing; (i) any other
nondiscrimination provisions in the specific statue(s)
under which application for Federal assistance is being
made; and (j) the requirements of any other
nondiscrimination statue(s) which may apply to the
application.
Previous Edition Usable Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424D (Rev. 7-97)
Prescribed by OMB Circular A-102
Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDTTracking Number:GRANT13205329
11.Will comply, or has already complied, with the
requirements of Titles II and III of the Uniform Relocation
Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of
1970 (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair and equitable
treatment of persons displaced or whose property is
acquired as a result of Federal and federally-assisted
programs. These requirements apply to all interests in real
property acquired for project purposes regardless of
Federal participation in purchases.
12.Will comply with the provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C.
§§1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political
activities of employees whose principal employment
activities are funded in whole or in part with Federal funds.
13.Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis-
Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. §§276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act
(40 U.S.C. §276c and 18 U.S.C. §874), and the Contract
Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. §§327-
333) regarding labor standards for federally-assisted
construction subagreements.
14.Will comply with flood insurance purchase requirements of
Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973
(P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood
hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase
flood insurance if the total cost of insurable construction
and acquisition is $10,000 or more.
15.Will comply with environmental standards which may be
prescribed pursuant to the following: (a) institution of
environmental quality control measures under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-
190) and Executive Order (EO) 11514; (b) notification
of violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (c)
protection of wetlands pursuant to EO 11990; (d)
evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance
with EO 11988; (e) assurance of project consistency
with the approved State management program
developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act of
1972 (16 U.S.C. §§1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of
Federal actions to State (Clean Air) implementation
Plans under Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act of
1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§7401 et seq.); (g)
protection of underground sources of drinking water
under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as
amended (P.L. 93-523); and, (h) protection of
endangered species under the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (P.L. 93-205).
16.Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of
1968 (16 U.S.C. §§1271 et seq.) related to protecting
components or potential components of the national
wild and scenic rivers system.
17.Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance
with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. §470), EO 11593
(identification and protection of historic properties), and
the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of
1974 (16 U.S.C. §§469a-1 et seq).
18.Will cause to be performed the required financial and
compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit
Act Amendments of 1996 and OMB Circular No. A-133,
"Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit
Organizations."
19.Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other
Federal laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies
governing this program.
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED CERTIFYING OFFICIAL TITLE
SF-424D (Rev. 7-97) Back
APPLICANT ORGANIZATION DATE SUBMITTED
Interim Utilities Executive Director
Fort Collins, City of
Kathleen Collins
09/17/2020
20.Will comply with the requirements of Section 106(g) of
the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as
amended (22 U.S.C. 7104) which prohibits grant award
recipients or a sub-recipient from (1) Engaging in severe
forms of trafficking in persons during the period of time
that the award is in effect (2) Procuring a commercial
sex act during the period of time that the award is in
effect or (3) Using forced labor in the performance of the
award or subawards under the award.
Funding Opportunity Number:BOR-DO-21-F001 Received Date:Sep 17, 2020 05:52:26 PM EDTTracking Number:GRANT13205329